Social media has been flourishing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
While the younger generation has been using social media for communication and information sharing, businesses have been using it for marketing.
Social media has now found a place in the digital landscape of Saudi Arabia, and it is bound to capture more attention in the coming years.
Let’s look at KSA’s social media statistics in 2024 to see how much of an impact it’s having on the country now.
KSA Social Media Statistics 2024 (Top Picks)
The total population of Saudi Arabia in 2024 is 37.47 million.
There are 35.33 million social media user identities in Saudi Arabia, covering 94.30% of the population.
37.10 million individuals in Saudi Arabia use the internet, which constitutes 99% of the population.
On average, people in Saudi Arabia spend 7 hours and 9 minutes per day using the internet.
The average daily time spent on social media by individuals in Saudi Arabia is 3 hours and 6 minutes.
WhatsApp boasts a user base of 21.46 million in Saudi Arabia.
In terms of social media advertising audience profile, males account for 65.30% of users.
Facebook leads in web traffic referrals from social media platforms with 43.60%.
TikTok dominates users’ social media usage, with an average of 34 hours and 48 minutes spent on the platform.
KSA Social Media Statistics 2024 (Infographics)
10 Most Used Social Media Platforms in KSA 2024
Social Media Platforms | Percentage | Users |
83.10% | 21.46 Million | |
72.70% | 18.78 Million | |
Tiktok | 71.80% | 18.55 Million |
Snapchat | 70.50% | 18.21 Million |
X/Twitter | 66.30% | 17.12 Million |
Telegram | 60.20% | 15.55 Million |
58.90% | 15.21 Million | |
Facebook Messenger | 40.70% | 10.51 Million |
29.40% | 7.59 Million | |
27.50% | 7.10 Million |
Note: Percentage of internet users aged 16 to 64 who use each platform each month
In Saudi Arabia, the top 10 most used social media platforms in 2024 reflect varying degrees of digital engagement.
WhatsApp leads the pack with 83.10% of users, totalling 21.46 million, followed closely by Instagram with 72.70% and 18.78 million users.
TikTok claims a significant share with 71.80% and 18.55 million users, while Snapchat follows closely with 70.50% and 18.21 million users.
X/Twitter captures 66.30% of users, amounting to 17.12 million, while Telegram boasts 60.20% and 15.55 million users.
Facebook maintains a substantial presence with 58.90% and 15.21 million users, while Facebook Messenger accounts for 40.70% with 10.51 million users.
Pinterest and LinkedIn also make their mark, with 29.40% (7.59 million users) and 27.50% (7.10 million users) respectively, showcasing the varied social media preferences among Saudi Arabian users
With high internet penetration and a young population, inevitably, social media platforms are widely used to interact with others who share their interests, building communities that cross borders.
Saudi Arabia Social Media Users By Year
Year | Users |
2024* | 35.33 Million |
2023 | 28.81 Million |
2022 | 29.50 Million |
2021 | 27.80 Million |
2020 | 25.00 Million |
2019 | 23.00 Million |
2018 | 25.00 Million |
2017 | 19.00 Million |
2016 | 11.00 Million |
2015 | 9.20 Million |
2014 | 7.60 Million |
Note: *From this year onward, the terminology has been updated to refer to “social media user identities” instead of just “social media users.”
Over the past decade, Saudi Arabia has witnessed a remarkable surge in social media user identities, as evidenced by the exponential growth in user identity numbers.
Beginning in 2014 with 7.60 million users, social media user identity has undergone a rapid transformation, reaching a projected 35.33 million in 2024.
We can see that the biggest surge was between 2016 and 2017 when the numbers grew from 11.10 million to 19 million.
The steady rise in user identities highlights the population’s growing reliance on social media for communication, information dissemination, and community engagement.
Social Media Advertising Audience Profile 2024
Gender | Percentage |
Male | 65.30% |
Female | 34.70% |
In Saudi Arabia, the social media advertising audience profile is predominantly composed of males, constituting 65.30% of the audience, while females account for 34.70%.
Besides its use for advertising purposes, studying gender patterns in social media usage shows how social media reflects and influences societal norms and behaviors.
It affects discussions and opinions on various subjects such as culture, lifestyle, and issues related to gender equality and empowerment.
Age | Male | Female |
18-24 | 14.40% | 10.50% |
25-34 | 27.80% | 14.40% |
35-44 | 15.40% | 6.30% |
45-54 | 5.10% | 2.00% |
55-64 | 1.60% | 0.70% |
65+ | 1.00% | 0.80% |
Note: Share of total Advertising Audience across Facebook, Instagram and FB Messenger by Age & Gender
The social media advertising audience profile in Saudi Arabia reveals varying age distributions among male and female users.
In the 18-24 age group, males constitute 14.40% of the audience, while females make up 10.50%.
Similarly, in the 25-34 age bracket, males comprise 27.80% of the audience, compared to 14.40% for females.
As the age groups progress, the gender gap widens, with fewer female users across older demographics.
For instance, in the 35-44 age range, males represent 15.40% of the audience, whereas females account for only 6.30%.
Differences among age groups and genders in social media usage may be due to factors like access to technology, how well people understand technology and cultural beliefs about using the internet.
For example, more young males use social media because they’re more comfortable with technology, possibly because they’ve had more chances to learn about it.
On the other hand, fewer older females use social media, which could mean they face challenges in using technology.
Web Traffic Referrals from Social Media
Social Media Platforms | Percentage |
43.60% | |
X/Twitter | 27.40% |
15.30% | |
YouTube | 7.40% |
5.00% | |
1.00% | |
0.30% | |
Others | 0.09% |
Note: Share of web traffic arriving on third party websites via clicks or taps on links published in social media platforms (Any Device)
According to the latest reports, Facebook is the leading source, accounting for 43.60% of web traffic referrals, followed by X/Twitter at 27.40%.
Instagram and YouTube also contribute significantly, with 15.30% and 7.40% respectively.
While platforms like Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Reddit have smaller shares, they still direct traffic, with percentages ranging from 1.00% to 0.09%.
With a large number of active users and diverse content-sharing capabilities, Facebook serves as a central hub for social interaction, news dissemination, and content discovery, making it a prime platform for generating web traffic referrals.
Conversely, platforms like Reddit, with only 0.30% of web traffic referrals, may have lower traffic due to factors such as its specific user base, focused primarily on particular interests and communities.
10 Main Reasons for Using Social Media in KSA 2024
Reasons | Percentage |
Keeping in Touch with Friends & Family | 44.70% |
Filling Spare Time | 41.30% |
Finding Products to Purchase | 29.60% |
Watching or Following Sports | 26.70% |
Seeing What’s being Talked about | 26.60% |
Making New Contacts | 26.40% |
Following Celebrities or Influencers | 26.10% |
Reading News Stories | 25.20% |
Finding inspiration for Things to do or Buy | 24.90% |
Watching Live Streams | 23.00% |
Note: Primary reasons why internet users aged 16 to 64 use social media platforms
Saudi Arabians engage with social media for a variety of reasons.
The above data reveals the following results.
Keeping in touch with friends and family ranks as the top reason, with 44.70% of respondents citing it, highlighting the platform’s role in maintaining social connections.
Filling spare time closely follows, with 41.30% indicating social media as a source of entertainment and distraction.
Finding products to purchase and watching or following sports also feature prominently, with 29.60% and 26.70% respectively, underscoring the platform’s influence on consumer behavior and sports engagement.
Additionally, users utilize social media to stay informed and engaged with current events and also as a platform for networking and inspiration.
It is clear from the above that in KSA social media platforms serve as a multifunctional tool.
From affecting consumer behavior to disseminating information and moulding lifestyle choices, Saudi Arabians have learnt to use these platforms for a variety of purposes.
Time Spent Using Social Media Apps in KSA
Social Media Platforms | Time Spent |
TikTok | 34H 48M |
Youtube | 25H 48M |
20H 31M | |
14H 32M | |
Snapchat | 12H 31M |
11H 17M | |
X/Twitter | 8H 01M |
Facebook Messenger | 7H 44M |
Line | 3H 49M |
Telegram | 2H 51M |
1H 30M | |
1H 02M |
Note: Average time per month that active users spent using each platform Android app between 01 July and 30 September 2023
TikTok emerges as the platform with the highest time spent, with users dedicating 34 hours and 48 minutes on average.
YouTube follows closely behind, with 25 hours and 48 minutes, indicating its popularity as a source of video content and entertainment.
Facebook, WhatsApp, and Snapchat also command substantial time from users, with 20 hours and 31 minutes, 14 hours and 32 minutes, and 12 hours and 31 minutes respectively.
Instagram and X/Twitter exhibit slightly lower engagement levels, with 11 hours and 17 minutes and 8 hours and 1 minute respectively.
According to a report by the World Of Statistics on countries with the highest time spent on social media, Saudi Arabia ranks sixth.
On average, Saudi Arabians spend 3 hours, and 24 minutes on social media every day.
This speaks volumes about the level of engagement citizens of KSA have with various social media platforms.
Conclusion
While censorship remains a concern for some, there’s a clear trend of both the KSA government and citizens embracing various social media platforms.
As user behaviors evolve and digital connectivity deepens, social media is poised to play an increasingly influential role in shaping not just business practices, but also cultural norms, educational outreach, and the overall fabric of Saudi society.
(You can continue reading about the KSA social media statistics 2023 below.)
KSA Social Media Statistics 2023 (Top Picks)
Out of the total population of Saudi Arabia, 35.97 million people i.e. 99% of Saudi Arabians have access to the internet.
Household internet penetration is 99.9% and will remain the same till 2028.
28.81 million people in Saudi Arabia use social media i.e. 79.30% of the total population.
On average, Saudi Arabians spend 7 hours and 20 minutes on the internet.
The average daily social media usage is 3 hours and 1 minute.
In 2023, WhatsApp retained its position as the most popular social media platform with 22.33 million users.
With a 65.8% male audience, men dominate the social media advertising profile of Saudi Arabia.
Facebook contributes the highest web traffic referrals (68.49%) in 2023 KSA.
WhatsApp is the most used social media app in Saudi Arabia 2023
Saudi Arabia Social Media Statistics [Infographics]
Social Media in Saudi Arabia
With 99% of internet users and 79.3% of social media users in 2023, it is quite evident that Saudi Arabia has transitioned to digital for various reasons, including communication, entertainment, and work.
According to the 2023 statistics, on average, Saudi Arabians spend at least 3 hours and 1 minute a day on different social media platforms. That means marketers now have a golden opportunity to easily connect and engage with their target audience through these channels, more than any other method.
10 Popular Social Media Platforms in KSA 2023
| Social Media Platforms | Percentage | Users |
| 83.70% | 22.33 Million | |
| 76.80% | 20.49 Million | |
| Snapchat | 68.90% | 18.38 Million |
| 68.70% | 18.33 Million | |
| Tiktok | 67.60% | 18.04 Million |
| 66.30% | 17.69 Million | |
| Telegram | 55.60% | 14.83 Million |
| Facebook Messenger | 47.70% | 12.73 Million |
| 28.60% | 7.63 Million | |
| 25.20% | 6.72 Million |
Saudi Arabians have accepted social media as an integral part of their lives. Among the plethora of social media platforms available, a few coveted ones have gained popularity among netizens. Let’s see which ones made it to the top 10 list.
WhatsApp has been standing strong as the number-one contender since last year. With a staggering 22.33 million users, i.e. 83.7% of the population, it has proven to be a popular communication app in the country. Instagram is close behind with 20.49 million users. Its popularity has encouraged marketers to use it as a tool to expand their reach. Snapchat and Twitter also have ample followers, with 18.38 million and 18.33 million users, respectively. The short video platform TikTok has also gained a significant audience; it currently has 18.04 million users, i.e. 67.4% of the population.
Although Facebook (Meta) is slowly losing its significance among Gen-Z, it still has active users among the older generation. In Saudi Arabia, the platform occupies the sixth spot with 17.69 million users. Apart from WhatsApp, Saudi Arabians also use Telegram and Facebook Messenger for communication. The former has 14.83 million users, while the latter has 12.73 million.
The last two platforms in the top ten list are Pinterest with 7.63 million users and LinkedIn with 6.72 million users.
Note: All of the data presented above is based on the monthly usage of users aged 15 and above.
KSA Social Media Users By Year
| Year | Users |
| 2023 | 28.81 Million |
| 2022 | 29.50 Million |
| 2021 | 27.80 Million |
| 2020 | 25.00 Million |
| 2019 | 23.00 Million |
| 2018 | 25.00 Million |
| 2017 | 19.00 Million |
| 2016 | 11.00 Million |
| 2015 | 9.20 Million |
| 2014 | 7.60 Million |
If we look at the figures for social media growth in Saudi Arabia, we can clearly see that there has been a steady increase in usage and followers. 2020 was a milestone year as social media users reached 25 million. This number can be attributed to the pandemic, which forced people to stay indoors and seek companionship in an online world. The figure rose to 29.5 million in 2022, and today, in 2023, though it dipped to 28.8 million, it still represents a massive user count.
From 7.6 million in 2014 to 28.8 million in 2023, the astounding increase in social media users is testimony to the fact that social media platforms are here to stay. As all the platforms go through exciting updates and add engaging features, we will only be witnessing upward growth in the coming years.
Social Media Advertising Audience Profile 2023
| Age | Male | Female |
| 13-17 | 1.90% | 1.80% |
| 18-24 | 14.90% | 9.90% |
| 25-34 | 27.90% | 13.50% |
| 35-44 | 14.00% | 6.00% |
| 45-54 | 4.70% | 1.80% |
| 55-64 | 1.50% | 0.60% |
| 65+ | 0.90% | 0.60% |
The demographic breakdown of the social media advertising profile of KSA in 2023 shows that the highest number of users is between the ages of 25 and 34, where males make up 27.9% and females, 13.5%. The second highest category of users is between the ages of 18 and 24 years, where male users are 14.9% and female users, 9.9%. Category 34-45 years has the third largest user population, with 14% male users and 6% female users. People between 45 and 54 years of age make up a smaller portion of the social media advertising profile, with only 4.75% men and 1.82% women.
The category with the lowest social media usage is the 65+ age group, where males are 0.95% and females, 0.6%. In all of the above data, we can see that there is a gender disparity and that males represent a large portion of the social media advertising audience in 2023. They comprise 65.8% of the audience, while females account for 34.2%.
The data secured for social media advertising profiles is a useful list for marketers in Saudi Arabia, as they can create and implement customized marketing strategies based on the demographics of each age group.
Web Traffic Referrals from Social Media
| Social Media Platforms | Percentage |
| 68.49% | |
| 15.94% | |
| 7.58% | |
| YouTube | 5.32% |
| 2.22% | |
| 0.18% | |
| 0.16% | |
| Tumblr | 0.11% |
Social media platforms have overtaken traditional marketing methods like billboards and television advertisements. From selling products to developing brand loyalty, marketers today rely on social media for everything. Even for generating web traffic referrals, social media is considered the most effective way. Here let’s look at the platforms that generate the most traffic to websites in 2023.
With 68.49% web traffic referrals, Facebook is the number platform in 2023 for generating traffic to websites. It is one of the most widely used platforms also. Twitter, which is widely perceived as a platform for real-time news sharing, comes in second. It provides 15.94% of web traffic referrals. Following Twitter is Instagram. Being a product of Meta with a variety of useful and innovative features, the platform accounts for 7.58% of web traffic referrals.
The fourth position is occupied by YouTube with 5.32%. As it covers a wide range of content from educational to informative, marketers can leverage it to bring visitors to their websites.
Pinterest, LinkedIn, Reddit, and Tumblr come next on the list with 2.2%, 0.18%, 0.16%, and 0.11% web traffic referrals respectively.
10 Main Reasons for Using Social Media in KSA 2023
There is no doubt that social media is widely used in Saudi Arabia. According to a random survey conducted in the region among 16 to 64-year-olds, the top 10 reasons why people use social media in 2023, KSA are as follows.
45.2% of respondents say they use social media for communicating with friends and family. Social media reduces distances and helps in developing a community feeling among users.
42.8% say they use social media for filling spare time. With news stories, entertaining videos and funny memes, it is easy to get lost in the endless stream of content on social media.
31% say they use social media to find products to purchase. Since the pandemic, shopping habits have drastically changed and customers rely more on digital shopping. The rise of Influencers and fashion bloggers is also shaping customers’ buying decisions.
30.2% say, to stay updated with news around the world.
Other reasons include Making new contacts (29.5%), Watching or Following Sports (28.3%), Following Celebrities or Influencers (26%), Finding inspiration for Things to do or Buy (25.7%), Reading News Stories (24.4%) and Finding Content (23.6%).
Note-The above mentioned are the primary reasons why internet users aged 16-64 use social media platforms.
Read on to find out about Saudi Arabia social media statistics 2022.
Table of Content
- KSA Social Media Statistics 2022 (Top Picks)
- Saudi Arabia Social Media Statistics 2022 (Infographics)
- Social Media in Saudi Arabia
- Popular Social Network Platforms in KSA 2022
- Social Media User Growth in KSA (2014 – 2022)
- Social Media Advertising Audience Profile KSA 2022
- Web Traffic Referrals from Social Media in KSA 2022
- 10 Main Reasons for Using Social Media in KSA 2022
- Social Media Usage Statistics of Saudi Arabia : 2021 Infographics
KSA Social Media Statistics 2022 (Top Picks)
- Almost 98% of the Saudi Arabian population use the internet in 2022.
- 29.50 million people in KSA are social media users .
- On average, Saudi Arabian people spend 3 hours and 24 minutes a day on social media.
- WhatsApp is the most popular social networking platform in KSA, with 30.67 million users.
- 65.3% of the social media advertising audience profile consists of men, while only 34.7% is women.
- Among all platforms, Facebook accounts for 63.23% of web traffic referrals.
Saudi Arabia Social Media Statistics 2022 (Infographics)
Social Media in Saudi Arabia
It is worth noting that social media is becoming an integral part of the Saudi Arabian lifestyle. Today in 2022, 29.50 million people are using social media and users are spending an average of 3 hours and 24 minutes on it daily. This year there is an increase of 1.7 million users and 20 minutes of daily usage time compared to 2021.
- In 2022, the total Saudi Arabian population is pegged at 35.84 million. 35.09 million of them are internet users.
- Compared to 2021, there is a 1.51 million increase in total internet users in 2022. Daily internet usage has also increased by 20 minutes. The current daily average time spent on the Internet by Saudi Arabian people is 8 hours and five minutes.
Popular Social Network Platforms in KSA 2022
| Social Media Platforms | Percentage | Users (Million) |
| 87.40% | 30.67 M | |
| 78.10% | 27.40 M | |
| 71.90% | 25.23 M | |
| Snapchat | 68.80% | 24.14 M |
| Tiktok | 63.60% | 22.32 M |
| 63.40% | 22.25 M | |
| Telegram | 59.50% | 20.88 M |
| Facebook Messenger | 43.30% | 15.19 M |
| 26.40% | 9.26 M | |
| 24.50% | 8.6 M |
There are many social networking platforms in KSA but their user population varies considerably. Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to social networks. People who like Facebook might not be interested in Pinterest and vice versa. Also, there may be people who are active on more than five platforms or just WhatsApp. So, let’s look at the 10 most popular social media platforms in Saudi Arabia 2022.
- With a total of 30.67 million users, WhatsApp is popular among 87.4% of the internet’s total population.
- 27.40 million internet users or 78.10% prefer Instagram to other social media platforms.
- Twitter currently has 25.23 million active users, which is about 71.9% of the total internet users.
Social Media User Growth in KSA (2014 – 2022)
Social media users in Saudi Arabia are increasing by the day. Currently, 29.5 million people use social media out of 35.09 million internet users. Every social media platform in Saudi Arabia now has a sizable user base. Here’s a table that shows the social media user growth over the past 9 years.
| Year | Users (Million) |
| 2022 | 29.5 M |
| 2021 | 27.8 M |
| 2020 | 25.0 M |
| 2019 | 23.0 M |
| 2018 | 25.0 M |
| 2017 | 19.0 M |
| 2016 | 11.0 M |
| 2015 | 9.20 M |
| 2014 | 7.60 M |
- In KSA, 21.9 million new people have joined social media in the past 9 years.
- There was a significant decline in the number of social media users in 2019. Approximately 2 million users abandoned social media for reasons unknown.
- In 2020, maybe due to the pandemic, 2 million new sign-ups were reported. Since then, 4.9 million new social media users have been added.
Social Media Advertising Audience Profile KSA 2022
| Age | Male | Female |
| 13-17 | 2.10% | 1.60% |
| 18-24 | 13.00% | 7.50% |
| 25-34 | 30.40% | 16.60% |
| 35-44 | 13.40% | 6.30% |
| 45-54 | 4.20% | 1.60% |
| 55-64 | 1.30% | 0.50% |
| 65+ | 0.90% | 0.60% |
Social Media Advertising Audience Profile gives you an idea of the gender and age-wise distribution of people on Facebook, Instagram and FB Messenger.
- Males dominate in all age categories.
- Both male and female users are the highest in the 25-34 age category, where males make up 30.4% and females, 16.6%.
- 35-54 age group has the second-highest share of male users (13.40%) while the second-highest female users are in the 18-24 category (7.5%).
- Males account for 65.3% of the audience and females, 34.7%.
Web Traffic Referrals from Social Media in KSA 2022
| Platforms | Percentage |
| 63.23% | |
| 21.85% | |
| YouTube | 6.41% |
| 4.05% | |
| 2.50% | |
| 1.67% | |
| 0.18% | |
| Tumblr | 0.11% |
Web traffic referrals from social media or social media referrals have their own importance in 2022. Since 32.60% of internet users in KSA log in to social media for making purchases, investing in social media can turn out to be a successful bet.
- In 2022, Facebook is the best platform for advertisers and marketers. With 63.23% referral traffic, it is three times more powerful than Twitter in driving traffic to websites.
- Twitter is the second most promising platform for marketing. It is able to generate 21.85% of web traffic.
- The third position is occupied by YouTube with 6.41%.
- The other platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are responsible for only 4.05% and 2.5% of the web traffic respectively.
10 Main Reasons for Using Social Media in KSA 2022
| 10 Main Reasons for Using Social Media | Percentage |
| Keeping in Touch with Friends & Family | 46.20% |
| Filling Spare Time | 46.10% |
| Finding Products to Purchase | 32.60% |
| Reading News Stories | 31.50% |
| Making New Contacts | 31.00% |
| Seeing What’s being Talked about | 29.40% |
| Celebrities & Influencers | 28.60% |
| Looking for Things to do or Buy | 27.30% |
| Following Sports | 25.10% |
| Activities for Work | 22.80% |
Following Covid-19, social media usage has exploded in Saudi Arabia. During Covid-19, social networks helped people stay in touch with their family and friends living far away. Though that’s a reality, people use social media for different purposes. Let’s take a look at the top ten reasons why Saudi Arabia use social media in 2022. This survey was recently conducted among KSA internet users within the age group 16-64 years:
- 46.2% of internet users say they use social media to connect with their family and friends.
- With 46.1% votes, the second popular reason is filling spare time.
- Finding products to purchase has 32.6% votes and is reportedly the third most important reason to use social media in 2022.
(You can read about the Saudi Arabia Social Media Statistics for 2021 below.)
Social Media Usage Statistics of Saudi Arabia : 2021 Infographics
Social Media in The Kingdom
| Total population of Saudi Arabia | 35.08 million | 100% |
| Internet users in Saudi Arabia | 33.58 million | 93.31% |
| Active social media users | 27.80 million | 72.38% |
Saudi Arabia currently has a total population of 35.08 million. Of that population, 27.08 million or 79.25% are active social media users. Saudi youth make up to 75% of the total UAE population. This majority has been the game changers which has thrust Saudi Arabia to the top position on the global social media charts.
Today, Saudi Arabia has the largest social media presence in the world. With 40.20 million mobile subscribers, mobile penetration stands at 116% of the total population. The major reason for the high number of active social media users is due to the high rate of smartphone ownership. With more than 84% of the country living in urbanized areas, with super-fast internet connections, it comes as no surprise that the active social media users stand at 25 million, an incredible 72.38% of the population. According to reports from Hoot Suite and We are Social, Saudis are the largest group of active users on Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat in the region. The average time a Saudi spends on social media via any device is 3 hours and 02 mins daily.
Most Popular Social Network Platforms
| Social Media Platform | Users (in million) | Percentage% |
| YouTube | 31.40 | 89.50 |
| 26.80 | 76.40 | |
| 25.92 | 73.90 | |
| 25.05 | 71.40 | |
| 13.96 | 39.80 | |
| 10.21 | 29.10 | |
| Tumblr | 6.24 | 17.80 |
As with the digital world, video content reigns in the sphere of online media consumption, especially in the Arab world. Millennials in the MENA region spend over three hours per day on online video, even surpassing time spent on messaging apps and games.
Think With Google MENA, an online resource from Google with data, analysis and insights on the digital world in the MENA region. The report throws light on the online trends present among the younger generation in the Arab world and has revealed the pre-eminence of video content among millennials in the Arab world. With 68% of people in Saudi Arabia and the UAE consuming video through digital rather than TV, YouTube tops the list of social channels with 31.40 million viewers, which is a whopping 89.50% of the total social media users.
YouTube is The Rising Star
When it comes to dedicated YouTube fans, Saudi Arabian fans dominate. The Gulf country is the biggest user of the video-sharing platform per capita globally and YouTube is actually one of the most popular brands in Saudi Arabia.
The most popular Saudi YouTuber is Mohamed Moshaya, with a total of 8.1 billion views on his channel, according to Social Bakers. Moshaya calls himself as the “largest family vlogger in the Middle East”. Think With Google MENA emphasized the fact that Middle Eastern millennials are parents and YouTube is a big part of the family experience. In fact, over 90% of mothers watch popular videos like Baby Shark on YouTube with their kids every day. In the region, over 40% of fathers turn to YouTube for guidance and young moms and dads unwind at the end of the day by watching YouTube comedies.
The Rest of The Social Pack
YouTube is closely followed by Instagram and Facebook.
Instagram’s user base has grown to 26.80 million active users in 2021. The Los Angeles-based model, Roz who calls herself “the first female model from Saudi Arabia” is the most popular account in the Kingdom, with an incredible 12.1 million follower base.
Facebook is slightly behind Instagram with 25.92 million. Mohamad al-Arefe is the most followed Saudi-based page on Facebook while Islamic Muslim scholar Aid al-Qarni is second.
There are 25.05 million Saudis on Twitter and that’s 58% of the social media reach. With 13.96 million, LinkedIn users are in Saudi Arabia, it makes up 39.80% of the social media pie. LinkedIn is followed by Pinterest (10.21 million) and Tumblr (6.24 million)
Video streaming and messenger apps dominate the mobile activity. It’s unsurprising then, that the platforms with the highest penetration across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are YouTube and WhatsApp.
Most Popular Messenger Apps
| App | Users (in million) | Percentage % |
| 28.24 | 80.50 | |
| Snapchat | 18.73 | 53.40 |
| FB Messenger | 18.98 | 54.10 |
| Tik Tok | 15.61 | 44.50 |
| Skype | 9.09 | 25.90 |
| LINE | 7.26 | 20.70 |
| 7.96 | 22.70 |
Free messaging services beats paid messaging services any day. And for a country like KSA, where some traditional and conventional rules still apply, messaging peers through messaging giants like WhatsApp (28.24 million) and Snapchat (18.73 million) have gained popularity owing to it being free as well.
There are 18.98 million Saudis on FB Messenger followed by 15.61 million on Tik Tok. With 9.09 million Skype users are in Saudi Arabia, it makes up 23%. This is followed by LINE (7.26 million) and Wechat (7.96 million).
Social Media Advertising Audience Profile
What’s in Store?
All data point to the fact that millennials and Gen Z-ers are the ones who will call the shots by influencing decisions and changes. Understanding their behavioral patterns will help marketers add value to their life through the rightly targeted services and products. Your brand should speak to this Saudi generation using the content they enjoy.
Looking for ways to reach Saudi Arabia’s social media savvy millennial and Gen Z generations with high-purchasing power? GMI has helped formulate the social media strategy for the Middle East and GCC region for some of the world’s biggest brands. Get in touch with our team and we help your brand take on uniquely crafted digital strategies that are sure to reach your target group.
Disclaimer: GMI acknowledges that though we try to report accurately, we cannot verify the absolute facts of everything that has been represented on this infographic. The information represented is based on information researched from various sources on the internet. We are not liable for any errors, financial loss, or damages of any kind that may result from the use of, or reliance on, the information herein.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Which is the most used Social media app in Saudi Arabia in 2024?
The most used social media app in Saudi Arabia in 2024 is WhatsApp. This messaging platform owned by Meta has 21.46 million users.
Is Youtube available in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, Youtube is available in Saudi Arabia.
Is TikTok banned in Saudi Arabia?
No, TikTok is not banned in Saudi Arabia. In fact, it has around 18.55 million users in 2024.
Is Snapchat available in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, Snapchat is available in Saudi Arabia. In 2024, it has around 18.21 million users.
GMI’s Research Team is a panel of knowledgeable experts from various fields such as digital marketing, social media, and web development, all united by a common goal—to educate. We enjoy exploring everything from the latest industry trends and emerging technologies to people and demographics, both in the UAE and beyond. Through our blog posts, we share valuable insights that help businesses and marketers stay informed and prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
