X Faces User Decline as Other Platforms surge, Pew Research Finds
WASHINGTON – In a shifting social media landscape, Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) stands apart as the only major U.S. platform to experience a decline in users as 2021, according to a new report from the Pew Research Center released December 2, 2025. While competitors like TikTok and Instagram see significant growth, X’s user base has slipped from 23% to 21% of U.S. adults.
The study reveals a broader trend of platform dominance by YouTube and Facebook. Currently, 84% of American adults report using YouTube, and 71% use Facebook. Instagram follows with 50%, then TikTok (37%), WhatsApp (32%), Reddit (26%), and Snapchat (25%). This data underscores a period of dynamic change in social media preferences, with X bucking the upward trend.
TikTok has seen the most considerable gains, increasing its user base by 16 percentage points since 2021. instagram, WhatsApp, and Reddit have also experienced growth, with increases of 10, 9, and 8 percentage points respectively. The Pew Research Center survey of 5,123 adults also highlights demographic differences in platform usage.
young adults (ages 18-29) are particularly drawn to Instagram, with 80% reporting usage, compared to just 19% of those over 65. Women are more likely to use Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, while men favor X and Reddit. Black and Hispanic adults demonstrate higher usage rates on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp compared to white adults.
the report further indicates that roughly half of Americans visit Facebook or YouTube daily, with a third accessing these platforms multiple times per day. Daily usage is highest among adults aged 30-64 for Facebook, and among 18-29 year olds for YouTube and TikTok. Newer platforms like Threads, bluesky, and Truth Social currently reach 8%, 4%, and 3% of U.S. adults, respectively.
