Introduction: What We Wanted to Find Out

In 2025, we surveyed 7,778 adults 25 and up across the United States to find out which social media platforms people use the most. Our goal was to see how social media usage changes across different age groups and to determine which platform dominates universally.

The findings might surprise you. Let’s dive in.

Summary

In a 2025 survey of 7,778 adults, 44.91% named YouTube as their most-used social media platform, making it the clear leader across all age groups. Facebook ranked second at 27%—especially among older users—while Instagram and TikTok saw the strongest engagement from adults aged 25–44 with only 20%.

Fenix Lighting Social Media Infographic

Out of 7,778 Adults, 44.91% Say YouTube Is Their Top Social Media Platform

Our survey included respondents across a wide range of ages over 25, grouped by: 25–34, 35–44, 45–54, 55–64, and 65+. Each participant was asked to identify their most-used social media platform.

  • YouTube was the top choice overall.
  • YouTube was the top choice in every age group, making it the only platform with a broad generational reach.
  • A portion of respondents over 65 reported not using social media at all, but even in that group, YouTube still came out on top.

YouTube Leads Social Media Usage Among People 25–34, with 27% Naming it Their Top Platform

Among respondents ages 25–34 (1,444 total), YouTube is the most used social media platform at 27%, followed closely by Facebook at 21% and Instagram at 20%. This data shows that while YouTube holds the top spot among this age group, Facebook and Instagram remain close contenders, reflecting a balanced mix of video, social interaction, and visual content preferences.

Nearly One-Third of People 35–44 Report YouTube as their Top Platform

Out of 2,525 respondents, 28% say YouTube is their most used social media app, with Facebook at 22.57% and Instagram at 18.6%, proving it remains competitive. This data suggests that while YouTube continues to dominate among this demographic, Facebook maintains a strong foothold as a social hub, and Instagram retains popularity for visual storytelling and lifestyle content.

YouTube is the Most Used Social Media Platform for 28.2% of People Ages 45–54

Out of a total of 2,928 respondents in the 45-54 age range, YouTube leads the way with 28.2% calling it their go-to platform. Facebook follows at 24.2%, still holding strong with midlife users, while Instagram comes in third at 17.4%. The takeaway? People in this age range are still big on video-driven content, but they haven’t let go of the classic social networks they’ve used for years.

Surprisingly, 32.4% of People Ages 55–64 Use YouTube More Than Any Other Social Media Platform

Out of 2,716 respondents in the 55-64 age group, YouTube is the top choice at 32.4%, which surprisingly is the highest percentage of users of YouTube across all age ranges. Facebook follows at 27.4%, while Instagram drops to 15.1%, which shows a clear preference among older adults for platforms that offer easy, on-demand content rather than interaction-heavy apps.

YouTube Imagery

YouTube Dominates the 65+ Crowd, With 31.4% Calling It Their Top App

Out of 2,498 respondents, YouTube remains the highest used platform at 31.4%, with Facebook at 25.1%, and Instagram sitting at its lowest usage across age groups at 10.7%. Not surprisingly, this age  group also had the highest percentage of respondents who report no social media use at all.

What the Numbers Tell Us

The survey results highlight a few key trends in top social media platforms by age for 2025:

  • YouTube is universal. Unlike other platforms that skew toward certain age groups, YouTube was the #1 platform across all demographics.
  • Facebook is aging up. It remains dominant among older audiences but shows weaker adoption among younger respondents.
  • Instagram and TikTok are youth-driven. Their strength is concentrated in the 25–44 range, reflecting shifting preferences for short form and visual content.
  • Generational gaps are real. Older respondents are more likely to choose Facebook or avoid social media entirely, while younger audiences diversify across multiple apps.

YouTube Leads Across Generations in 2025

While the social media landscape changes quickly, one insight is clear from our survey: YouTube continues to be the most used social media platform across every age group in 2025. Its combination of entertainment, education, and accessibility has made it a mainstay for younger and older users alike.

For marketers, creators, and brands, this consistency means YouTube remains a reliable platform to reach broad audiences, while platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook still provide strong opportunities within specific age demographics.