The messaging app Telegramknown for its focus on privacy and no ads, is poised to hit a major milestone: reaching one billion monthly active users by the end of 2024.
Meteorological rise and distinctive characteristics
Telegram was born in 2013 thanks to the Durov brothers and quickly evolved from a simple messaging platform to a real social network. Its features like public channels and the open groups allow it to bring together large and varied communities. In 2024, these innovations have helped attract approximately 950 million active usersaccording to the We Are Social x Meltwater report. This popularity is also explained by the total absence of advertising, a precious rarity in the current digital landscape.
Rigorous respect for privacy is another pillar of Telegram’s strategy. Unlike other apps that monetize user data through targeted ads, Telegram chooses not to serve ads. This approach has won the favor of millions of Internet users concerned about the protection of their personal information, thus strengthening its base of loyal users.
A constantly evolving competitive environment
Despite its successes, Telegram faces constant competition from various platforms. The messaging market is dominated by WhatsApp et Messengerboth belonging to Meta, Mark Zuckerberg’s company. These historic rivals continue to benefit from their large user base and multiple features.
Entertainment-oriented social networks like TikTok and Instagram also pose a significant challenge. The ability of these platforms to capture users’ attention with short, engaging content is a key factor in their dominance. In terms of time spent per user, they often outperform other email services.
According to statistics, YouTube nevertheless remains the undisputed leader when considering the number of monthly active users. With more than 2.53 billion usersit is ahead of Facebook and WhatsApp in this area, offering tangible proof of the public’s insatiable appetite for online videos.
A paradigm shift in the use of social networks
Telegram’s rapid growth is occurring against a broader backdrop where the adoption of digital technologies continues to advance at a breakneck pace. The October 2024 report from We Are Social and Meltwater reveals that more than 5.75 billion people now use mobile phonesrepresenting more than 70% of the world’s population. This marks an increase of 119 million users over the past year.
At the same time, all social platforms are benefiting from a similar rise in power. Threads, a new entrant in the social media race, recently surpassed 250 million users after a rocky start. Promising growth signs show that this application could soon join the inner circle of industry leaders.
While each month brings its share of novelties and changes in the technological landscape, certain axes seem to clearly define the future trajectory. Commitment to data privacy and no advertising give Telegram a unique competitive advantage that should continue to appeal to users disenchanted with its competitors’ aggressive business strategies.
