Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 20.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £12.5bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Social media platforms are the most popular with younger generations
- Those who are either Gen Z or young Millennials capture a large share of the downstream market for social media platforms in 2025. Those under 24 have grown up with the internet and use social media to inform many of their decisions. According to SQ Magazine in October 2025, 94% of individuals under 24 reported using at least one social media platform daily in 2025. Ofcom’s Online Nation 2024 report found that about 74% of 18-24-year-olds visited TikTok in May 2024. The report finds Snapchat is also heavily used by 18-24 year olds, who account for 64% of the total time spent by UK adults on Snapchat in May 2024. Snapchat and TikTok are incredibly popular platforms among younger generations.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Tightening regulations will increase operating costs
- As regulators like Ofcom develop a better understanding of social media platforms and the negative consequences of exposure to harmful content, regulation will become increasingly stringent. Discussions have been held about the potential to impose a daily two-hour social media limit and curfews for children under 16 in the UK, according to Sky News in July 2025. The UK government and Ofcom are actively debating this in Parliament, with outcomes expected to be announced in 2026.
Biggest companies in the Social Media Platforms in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2026 | Revenue (£m)
2026 |
|---|---|---|
TikTok Information Technologies UK Limited | 5,648.3 | |
Facebook UK Ltd | 3,433.0 | |
Snap Group Ltd | 1,798.3 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Video advertising, Native advertising and Subscriptions. Video advertising is the largest segment of the Social Media Platforms in the UK.
Trends and Insights
Video advertising is a growing revenue source
- Video advertising is a key source of revenue for social media platforms as it enables businesses to engage with their targeted audience memorably and engagingly.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry includes social networking website publishers and developers. The industry does not include companies that predominantly develop blogs, games, internet content, messaging services, online dating websites, online recruitment websites, online forums and online videos.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Social Media Platforms industry in the United Kingdom include Video advertising, Native advertising, Subscriptions and Other.Companies
Companies covered in the Social Media Platforms industry in the United Kingdom include TikTok Information Technologies UK Limited, Facebook UK Ltd and Snap Group Ltd.Purchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Social Media Platforms industry in the United Kingdom include machine learning, artificial intelegence and targeted marketing.Industry Code
SIC 62.01 - Social Media Platforms in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Younger generations are the key market. According to SQ Magazine in October 2025, 94% of individuals under 24 reported using at least one social media platform daily in 2025.
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Subscription fees are rising. Social media platforms increasingly offer subscription-based services, like X Premium, to give their customers additional content or features th...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
London dominates due to its thriving tech scene. This global city draws top talent, crucial funding, and houses the four major industry players, propelling innovation and gro...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Differentiation is critical in a saturated social media market. To stand out in a crowded field, newcomers must not only provide innovative features and a flawless user exper...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
TikTok's popularity stems from its user-friendly format. Ofcom’s Online Nation 2024 report found that about 74% of 18-24-year-olds visited TikTok in May 2024.
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of TikTok Information Technologies UK Limited's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Facebook UK Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Snap Group Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for TikTok Information Technologies UK Limited, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Facebook UK Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Snap Group Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Ofcom is the UK's communications regulator. It holds power across the television, radio, telecoms (including social media) and postal sectors. Ofcom ensures that social media...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Social media investment risks profit. Big social platforms like Snap Group and TikTok are prioritising expansion, leading to significant losses and hampering profit growth.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2019-2023)
- Coverage Ratios (2019-2023)
- Leverage Ratios (2019-2023)
- Operating Ratios (2019-2023)
- Assets (2019-2023)
- Liabilities (2019-2023)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Social Media Platforms industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?
The market size of the Social Media Platforms industry in the United Kingdom is £12.5bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Social Media Platforms industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?
There are 304 businesses in the Social Media Platforms industry in the United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 8.3 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Social Media Platforms industry in the United Kingdom?
The Social Media Platforms industry in the United Kingdom is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Social Media Platforms industry in the United Kingdom?
The Social Media Platforms industry in the United Kingdom is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Social Media Platforms industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Social Media Platforms industry in the United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 20.3 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Social Media Platforms industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Social Media Platforms industry in the United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Social Media Platforms industry in the United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Social Media Platforms industry in the United Kingdom are TikTok Information Technologies UK Limited, Facebook UK Ltd and Snap Group Ltd
What does the Social Media Platforms industry in the United Kingdom include?
Video advertising and Native advertising are part of the Social Media Platforms industry in the United Kingdom.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Social Media Platforms industry in the United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in the Social Media Platforms industry in the United Kingdom is TikTok Information Technologies UK Limited.
How competitive is the Social Media Platforms industry in the United Kingdom?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Social Media Platforms industry in the United Kingdom.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
