The Top 10 Social Media Platforms in Canada for 2023: Which Ones Should Your Business be Using?

The Importance of Social Media for Your Business

In today’s digital age, having a solid social media presence is crucial for any business. Social media has become a powerful marketing tool that allows businesses to connect with customers, increase brand awareness, and drive sales. With over 24 million social media users in Canada alone, it’s more important than ever to have a strong presence on the most popular social media platforms.

One of the most significant advantages of social media is its ability to reach a large audience at a relatively low cost. Traditional forms of advertising, such as television and print, can be expensive and ineffective in reaching your target audience. On the other hand, social media allows businesses to target specific demographics and create content that resonates with their audience. This means that companies of all sizes can significantly impact their target market, even with a small budget.

Another advantage of social media is its ability to generate leads and drive sales. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram allow businesses to create targeted ad campaigns that reach potential customers. Additionally, many social media sites, like Pinterest and Instagram, enable companies to link directly to their website, making it easy for customers to purchase.

The Top 10 Social Media Platforms in Canada for 2023

So, which social media platforms should your business be on? Here are the top 10 social media platforms in Canada for 2023 and how you can use them to your advantage:

1. Facebook - The OG of Social Media

Facebook is Canada’s most popular social media platform, with over 21 million users. It’s an incredible platform for businesses to connect with potential clients, share updates about their business, and create targeted ad campaigns. One of the great features of Facebook is the ability to make use of Facebook Messenger as a customer service and sales tool. This allows businesses to communicate with customers in real-time and provide them with the information they need to purchase.

Creating a Facebook Group for your business can also help build a community around your brand. This is a great way to engage with your target audience, share content, and build relationships. Facebook is an excellent platform for all businesses, particularly service-based firms, e-commerce, and retail. These types of companies can benefit from the ability to create targeted ad campaigns and use Facebook Messenger for customer service and sales.

ACTIONABLE TIPS

• Create a Facebook Page for your business and ensure you fill out all the information, including contact details and hours of operation.
• Use Facebook Insights to track engagement and tailor your content accordingly.
• Use Facebook Messenger as a customer service and sales tool.
• Create targeted ad campaigns to reach your target demographic.

2. YouTube - Video is the Future

YouTube is Canada’s second most popular social media platform, with over 18 million users. It’s a great place to share video content, such as product demos and tutorials, to engage with potential customers and raise brand awareness.

Creating a YouTube Channel for your business can help establish your brand as a thought leader in your industry. Share behind-the-scenes footage, industry tips, and more to increase your visibility and build trust with your audience. This platform is perfect for entertainment, education, and technology businesses.

ACTIONABLE TIPS:

• Create a YouTube Channel for your business, and ensure you fill out all the information, including links to your website.
• Create and share video content, such as product demos and tutorials, to engage with potential customers and raise brand awareness.
• Use YouTube Analytics to track engagement and tailor your content accordingly.
• Use YouTube’s advertising feature to run ads targeting specific demographics.

3. Instagram - A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Instagram is Canada’s third most popular platform, with over 17 million users. It’s a highly visual platform perfect for businesses in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle niches.

It’s a great place to share high-quality images and short-form videos to showcase your products or services. Plus, hosting giveaways and promoting your products through Instagram Shopping is a surefire way to boost sales. Use Instagram stories and live videos to connect with your followers in real time.

ACTIONABLE TIPS:

• Create an Instagram account for your business. Make sure to fill out all the information, including a link to your website.
• Share high-quality images and short-form videos to showcase your products or services.
• Use Instagram Insights to track engagement and tailor your content accordingly.
• Use Instagram’s advertising feature to run ads targeting specific demographics.
• Consider hosting giveaways and promoting your products through Instagram Shopping to boost sales.

4. TikTok - Short and Sweet

TikTok is a rapidly growing social media platform in Canada, with over 15 million users. It’s an excellent place for businesses to share creative and engaging content, especially if you’re targeting younger users.

Hosting challenges and launching advertising campaigns targeting specific demographics is a great way to get your brand in front of the right people. You can also explore the use of Hashtags, which are a powerful way to reach new audiences and connect with other users. This platform is great for entertainment, lifestyle, and fashion businesses.

ACTIONABLE TIPS:

• Create a TikTok account for your business, and make sure to fill out all the information, including a link to your website.
• Share creative and engaging content to connect with your target audience.
• Use TikTok’s analytics to track engagement and tailor your content accordingly.
• Consider hosting challenges and starting ad campaigns targeting specific demographics.
• Utilize hashtags to reach new audiences and connect with other users.

5. Twitter - Keep it Short and Tweet

Twitter is a popular platform in Canada, with over 12 million users. It’s an excellent platform for businesses to share real-time updates, engage in conversations with potential customers, and monitor industry-related hashtags.

Twitter is also an excellent platform for conversing with other businesses and industry influencers. This can help you stay up-to-date on industry trends and gain valuable insight into your target market. This platform is great for news, media, and technology companies.

ACTIONABLE TIPS:

• Create a Twitter account for your business and make sure to fill out all the information, including a link to your website.
• Share real-time updates, engage in conversations with customers, and monitor industry-related hashtags.
• Use Twitter Analytics to track engagement and tailor your content accordingly.
• Engage in conversations with other businesses and industry influencers to stay up-to-date on industry trends and gain valuable insight into your target market.

6. Pinterest - A Vision Board for Your Business

Pinterest is a visually-driven platform that’s great for businesses in the home decor, fashion, and food niches, with over 9 million users in Canada. It’s a great place to share images and infographics that showcase your products or services and generate leads.

Running ads and driving website traffic through Rich Pins is a great way to increase online sales. In addition, Pinterest can be a valuable tool for raising brand awareness, driving traffic to your website and generating leads.

ACTIONABLE TIPS:

• Create a Pinterest account for your business, and complete all the information, including a link to your website.
• Share images and infographics that showcase your products or services and generate leads.
• Use Pinterest Analytics to track engagement and tailor your content accordingly.
• Use Pinterest’s advertising feature to run ads and drive website traffic through Rich Pins.
• Utilize keywords and hashtags to increase the discoverability of your pins.

7. Snapchat - Behind the Scenes Fun

Snapchat is a popular platform among younger users, with over 7 million users in Canada. It’s an excellent place for businesses to share behind-the-scenes content, host live events, and run interactive ads.

You can also utilize the platform’s geofilters and lenses to increase brand awareness and reach new audiences. This platform is great for entertainment, fashion, and lifestyle businesses.

ACTIONABLE TIPS:

• Create a Snapchat account for your business, and make sure to fill out all the information, including a link to your website.
• Share behind-the-scenes content, host live events, and run interactive ads to engage with your target audience.
• Utilize geofilters and lenses to increase brand awareness and reach new audiences.

8. LinkedIn - Business-to-Business Connections

LinkedIn is a social media platform for professionals, with over 5 million users in Canada. It’s an excellent place for businesses to connect with other professionals and industry influencers, share business updates, and recruit top talent.

LinkedIn is also a great platform for sharing thought leadership content and positioning your brand as a leader in your industry. This platform is excellent for professional services, technology, and finance businesses.

ACTIONABLE TIPS:

• Create a LinkedIn account for your business. Make sure to fill out all the information, including a link to your website.
• Connect with other professionals and industry influencers.
• Share business updates, articles and thought leadership content to establish your brand as a thought leader.
• Utilize LinkedIn’s advertising feature to run targeted ad campaigns and recruit top talent.

9. Reddit - A Place for Discussion

Reddit is a platform with over 4 million users in Canada. It’s a platform that’s centred around discussion and community-driven content.

Businesses can use Reddit to participate in discussions relevant to their industry, share their own content, and answer questions from their community. This platform is excellent for technology, gaming, and entertainment businesses.

ACTIONABLE TIPS:

• Create a Reddit account for your business, and make sure to fill out all the information, including a link to your website.
• Participate in discussions relevant to your industry, share your content, and answer questions from users.
• Utilize Reddit’s advertising feature to reach your target audience.

10. Twitch - Live Streaming for Gamers

Twitch is a live-streaming platform popular among gamers, with over 3 million users in Canada. It’s an excellent place for businesses in the gaming and entertainment niches to connect with potential customers and showcase their products or services.

Additionally, businesses can sponsor streamers or create their own channels to build a presence on the platform. As a result, Twitch can be a valuable tool for raising brand awareness, engaging with customers, and driving sales.

ACTIONABLE TIPS:

• Create a Twitch account for your business, and complete all the information, including a link to your website.
• Connect with users and showcase your products or services.
• Consider sponsoring streamers or creating your own channel to build a presence on the platform.
• Utilize Twitch’s advertising feature to reach your target audience.

Conclusion

Social media is essential for any business looking to connect with their target demographic, increase brand awareness, and drive sales. However, with so many social media platforms, it’s necessary to understand which platforms will be most effective for your business. By identifying the most popular social media platforms in Canada and understanding how they can be used to your advantage, you can create a social media strategy to help your business grow and thrive.

Let’s talk if you need help creating a social media marketing strategy that works for your business!