The global social media landscape has seen significant shifts over the past year, with a surge in user numbers and changing usage patterns, according to data from OnlyAccounts.io and the Data Reportal Digital 2023 Global Statshot Report.

The data reveals that more than 215 million people have joined the social media space in the past year, pushing the total number of users to 4.95 billion. This figure represents 61% of the global population, underscoring the pervasive influence of social media in today's digital age.

However, despite the increase in user numbers, the average time spent on social media platforms has seen a slight decrease. Users now spend an average of two hours and 24 minutes each day on social media, five minutes less than the previous year. This suggests a more efficient use of time on these platforms, or perhaps a shift in user behaviour towards more selective engagement.

Among the various platforms, TikTok has emerged as the most used, with an average monthly usage time of 33 hours and 28 minutes. This represents a substantial ten-hour increase from the previous year, highlighting the platform's growing popularity. YouTube follows closely behind with an average usage time of 27 hours and 26 minutes per month.

Facebook, once the reigning champion of social media, has seen its average usage time drop to 18 hours and 50 minutes, an hour less than last year. Meanwhile, Instagram has seen its usage time increase by almost four hours, reaching an average of 15 hours and 50 minutes per month.

Twitter, on the other hand, has seen a decrease in usage time by nearly half an hour, with users now spending an average of four hours and 52 minutes on the platform each month.