Pew: Social Media Sites Now Key For News Consumption

Digital sources, especially social media, are now key in Americans’ news consumption, with younger adults particularly reliant on these platforms. About 53% of U.S. adults at least occasionally get news from social media, a figure that has remained steady in recent years.

Facebook and YouTube lead as news sources, with 38% and 35% of U.S. adults regularly getting news from these platforms, respectively. Smaller shares rely on Instagram (20%), TikTok (20%), X (12%), Reddit (9%), Nextdoor (6%), WhatsApp (5%), Threads (3%), Rumble (2%), Truth Social (2%), and Bluesky (2%).

Certain platforms, despite smaller audiences, are significant news hubs for their users. For instance, 57% of X users and 55% of Truth Social users regularly get news on those platforms, compared to just 15% of WhatsApp users. TikTok’s news consumption has surged, with 55% of users getting news there in 2025, up from 22% in 2020. News consumption on YouTube and Instagram has also increased.

News consumption varies by demographics. 

Women are more likely to get news from Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, while men favor YouTube, X, and Reddit. Younger adults are more likely to use TikTok, Instagram, Reddit, and X for news. Black, Hispanic, and Asian Americans are more likely than White Americans to get news from YouTube, Instagram, and WhatsApp. 

Those without a college degree are more likely to use Facebook and TikTok for news compared to college graduates. Democrats are more likely than Republicans to get news from Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit, but both parties use YouTube for news at similar rates.