1. What were the top three social media sites, in terms of traffic, in 2022–2023?

The top three social media sites based on global traffic and users were Facebook in first place, YouTube in second, and Instagram in third. Facebook had over three billion active users, YouTube had about two and a half billion, and Instagram had around two billion.

2. Provide a brief summary of how each social media site works and why people use it.

Facebook lets users share pictures, videos, posts, and stories while connecting with family, friends, and communities. People use it to stay in touch, follow local news, and join groups that match their interests.

YouTube is a video-sharing site where people can upload and watch all kinds of videos. It is popular for learning, entertainment, and following favorite creators.

Instagram focuses on photos and short videos. It is used mostly for visual storytelling, sharing lifestyle content, and following influencers or brands.

3. What are demographics and why are they important in social media?

Demographics are facts about groups of people such as their age, gender, income, education, and job. They are important in social media because they help companies and creators understand who their audience is. Knowing these details makes it easier to create posts and ads that reach the right people.

4. Explain any demographics that stand out among the three social media sites you listed above.

Instagram is most popular with younger users between 18 and 24 years old and has an almost even split between male and female users. YouTube is most used by people between 25 and 34 years old and has slightly more male users. Facebook is used more by people between 30 and 49 years old and has more women users in the United States than men.

5. On average, how much time do users spend on each social media site during a day, week, or month?

In 2023, Facebook users spent about 30 minutes a day on the platform. Instagram users spent around 32 minutes a day. The average person across all social media sites spent about two hours and twenty minutes each day online. This means people spend many hours a month scrolling through their favorite apps.

6. Which of the three social media networks is growing the fastest? Why do you think that is?

Instagram is growing the fastest out of the three. It attracts a younger audience and is built around short videos and creative visuals. Instagram also continues to grow because it is easy to use on phones, has Reels and Stories, and is popular with both individuals and businesses for promotion.

7. How are the majority of visitors accessing these three sites?

Most people use their phones to visit social media sites. Mobile devices are the main way users access Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. This makes sense because phones are easy to use anywhere, and all three apps are designed for mobile use.

References (APA Format)

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  3. Exploding Topics. (2023). Top social media platforms 2023. Exploding Topics. https://explodingtopics.com/blog/top-social-media-platforms
  4. Global Media Insight. (2023). YouTube user statistics. Global Media Insight. https://www.globalmediainsight.com/blog/youtube-users-statistics/
  5. SociallyIn. (2023). Facebook statistics 2023. SociallyIn. https://sociallyin.com/facebook-statistics/
  6. Sprout Social. (2023). Social media demographics 2023. Sprout Social. https://sproutsocial.com/insights/new-social-media-demographics/
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