Social media has kind of exploded since the advent of Facebook in 2004. Back then it was just Orkut and MySpace. Then came Facebook, followed by Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Snapchat, and more. Each platform has its pros and cons. Brands quickly jumped on the social media bandwagon. While some brands use Facebook for a lot of inspirational content, for some Instagram has become their main social network to communicate with their audience. Since every individual or brand has a preferred social media channel to communicate with, it’s good to know each one in detail. Read on to learn more about India’s best social media apps.
List of Popular Social Media Apps in India: Number of Daily Active Users, Links
Best Social Media Apps in India
1.Facebook
Now known as Meta, Facebook is one of the most used social media applications in the world. Launched in 2004, it started out as a simple social network but turned into this gigantic marketing machine. Facebook can be accessed from any device with an active internet connection, such as PCs, tablets, and smartphones. You can post text, images and multimedia which are then shared with other users, your “friends” or, if you have different privacy settings, publicly. Brands are using text to tell stories that audiences love. Today, brands use Facebook to organize events, sell products, advertise their product line, create an account around their products, and various other functions. There is no doubt that Facebook has become indispensable to a brand’s success in the digital space.
|
Advantages |
The inconvenients |
|
To stay in contact |
No privacy |
|
Share content with others |
Encourages wasting time |
|
Keep a diary |
Targeted advertising |
2.Instagram
Instagram, also known as Insta, is a photo-sharing platform that has evolved into a multi-level communication platform through which brands and people interact with others. Today, you can share photos, stories, and reels on Instagram. This photo and video sharing social networking site was founded in 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Kreiger and was later acquired by Facebook, also known as Meta Platforms. As an Instagram user, you can upload photos and short videos, follow other people’s feeds, or geotag images with place names. Instagram is prevalent, especially among influencers who use the app for a living. Accumulating thousands of followers, influencers exploit them to work for brands. Influencers started from Instagram, and other apps followed.
|
Advantages |
The inconvenients |
|
Excellent visual support. |
Overwhelming announcements |
|
Effective promotion |
Encourages showing a false life. |
|
Attractive interface |
Fewer features |
|
Ideal for travelers |
Addictive |
|
Strict confidentiality |
A fair share of technical drawbacks |
|
Useful features. |
It does not have the reach of Facebook |
|
Video content via IGTV and Reels |
Create FOMO – Fear of missing out |
|
Exclusive Instagram business profile |
Image theft issue |
3.Snapchat
Snapchat is one of the new social media apps available today. Snap Inc, based in America, developed Snapchat as a messaging app and resource. One of the main features of Snapchat is that photos and messages are only visible for a short time. Snapchat has shifted from focusing on peer-to-peer photo sharing to showcasing user stories. It also has a “Discover” feature, which allows brands to display ad-supported abbreviated content. Snapchat also uses end-to-end encryption, with plans to expand its use. Snapchat is known for showing a new, mobile-focused direction for social media. Brands use Snapchat to engage with their audience. It is very effective and has cemented its place among the popular social media apps used by today’s digital population.
|
Advantages |
The inconvenients |
|
Discover the product |
Limited audience |
|
Geofilters |
Lack of analysis |
|
Ideal for sales and promotion |
Hourly |
|
More features than other SM apps |
Privacy issues for teens |
4. LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a professional social networking site and quite different from other social networking sites since it doesn’t focus on photos and videos and doesn’t have a “story” feature. This US trade and employment focused service is available on website and mobile app forms. Launched in May 2003, this application is primarily used for white-collar networking and job development. Job seekers can upload their resumes and employers can post job vacancies. Since December 2016, LinkedIn has been acquired by Microsoft.
|
Advantages |
The inconvenients |
|
Ideal for professional development |
Unwanted connections |
|
Networking opportunities |
Initial time investment |
|
Update News |
Posting rules can be confusing |
|
Profile Updates |
Privacy issues |
|
Compatible with search engines |
The premium can be expensive |
|
Profitable |
Doesn’t appreciate the reach of other SM apps |
|
Big labor market |
It can be complicated to use |
5. Twitter
Twitter is a microblogging and social networking platform. Users post and interact with “tweets”. The platform also allows users to post, like or retweet tweets, while unregistered users can read public tweets. Twitter is very popular among those who like to make statements online. Its 280 character limit means not much can be said, but often the limit is enough for the typical Twitter user. Launched in July 2006, Twitter now allows users to share videos or photos and like content posted by others. Twitter is popular among all age groups, especially celebrities like Elon Musk, Bill Gates, movie stars, and athletes.
|
Advantages |
The inconvenients |
|
Reach a large audience |
After the interview |
|
marketing tool |
Undesirable accounts |
|
Free |
Negative feedback |
|
Beneficial for information |
Character limitation |
6. WhatsApp
Since the introduction of smartphones, WhatsApp has become very popular among Indians. Millions of Indians use this messaging platform to stay in touch with their loved ones, pass on jokes, get news and much more. Another advantage of WhatsApp is that all conversations are encrypted, which means you have complete privacy no matter where and when you use this application. Moreover, WhatsApp Messenger is available internationally and supports communication between countries. More recently, WhatsApp also launched WhatsApp Payments using which customers can send money to each other.
| Advantages | The inconvenients |
| Most widely used | Limitations of WhatsApp calls in certain countries |
| No lags or software issues | No filters like Instagram or Snapchat |
| Share Live Location | The file size limit in sending large files |
| Audio and video calls | No animated stickers |
| Discreetly listen to audio messages | Contact number required |
| End-to-end encryption | No logout option |
| Free and without advertising | Deleted messages leave a trace |
| Broadcast messages | Can be used to spread false information |
| Ability to form a group | Can be very distracting |
| Easy to find people |
7. Telegram
Telegram refers to a cloud-based cross-platform instant messaging application available worldwide. You get encrypted chats, video calls, file sharing, and other features. Telegram emerged as an alternative to WhatsApp when the latter faced privacy issues. Starting with organizations, Telegram quickly became very popular with individual users. Besides text and voice messages and voice and video calls, users can share an unlimited number of images, documents, locations, audio files and stickers. Since its launch, Telegram has steadily accumulated the number of users on its platform.
| Advantages | The inconvenients |
| A great alternative to WhatsApp | Not completely free |
| End-to-end encryption | Having to disclose your phone number |
| Transfer of heavy files allowed | Not widely used |
8. Moj
Moj is a social networking service owned by Bangalore-based Mohalla Tech Private Limited. The social media app allows users to create short videos with special effects, emoticons, and stickers, among others. Moj users can upload videos and the app supports 15 languages. Released almost immediately after Tiktok was banned, the app had 100 million users in just six months.
| Advantages | The inconvenients |
| Create videos and share them | Terrible support |
| Tiktok Clone | Piecemeal Privacy |
| Special effects for videos |
9. ShareChat
ShareChat is India’s leading social media platform that allows users to share their opinions, document their lives and make new friends in their native language. On a mission to spearhead India’s internet revolution, ShareChat is changing the way the next billion users will interact on the internet.
| Advantages | The inconvenients |
| Native language videos | Video quality |
| Visual effects for videos | Privacy issues |
| Share reviews | Unsatisfactory support |
So, these are the best social media apps that you can use. Choose your preferences and use these platforms to get the most out of your online presence.
