- TikTok Gains Popularity To Become #1 in 10 States Ahead of Potential U.S. Ban
- YouTube Remains the Most Trending Social Media in the U.S. Overall as Video Content Dominates User Preferences
- 23 U.S. States Have Changed Their Most Sought Social Media Platform
Social media search trends in the U.S. have significantly evolved between pre-pandemic 2019 and post-pandemic 2024.
The latest study by agency directory DesignRush indicates changing user preferences, highlighting YouTube's dominance in Google Search Trends.
Meanwhile, TikTok holds its ground as the second favorite platform amid legislative moves aiming to force a sale or ban it nationwide.
YouTube is the leading platform when it comes to social media search trends on Google, mainly due to its diverse video content. It remains the primary choice for most Americans, despite a slight decrease in overall popularity. Pennsylvania showcased the highest popularity increase of 6% between 2019 and 2024.
YouTube's popularity can be attributed to Google's strategic use of AI, enhanced support for content creators, and the broadening of viewing experiences with a focus on short-form videos.
TikTok's major popularity growth was seen in Nevada, DC, and New York.
Recent legislative actions against China’s divestment from TikTok highlighted national security concerns about the platform, with lawmakers concerned China can influence American voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
TikTok's popularity is largely due to its ability to create an authentic, happy, and tightly-knit community where original DIY content thrives.
"This analysis provides valuable insights into the future direction of digital platforms and user engagement," said Gianluca Ferruggia, general manager at DesignRush.
"As we move forward, the key to dominance in the social media sphere will undoubtedly lie in the ability to innovate and resonate with younger generations," he added.
Methodology
The scoring involved collecting raw data from Google Trends for Q1 2024 and Q4 2019, just before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
DesignRush evaluated and ranked the most popular social networking platforms – Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, X, Pinterest, and Reddit – based on their usage trends among the U.S. population.
The data was aggregated and cross-compared to draw insights.
Sources: Google Trends, Doofinder, and Statista.