In 2025, social media is not just a place people visit. It dominates digital life. There are more than 5.24 billion social media users globally. It means around 64% of the global population actively connects, communicates, and consumes content on these platforms.
Moreover, internet users spend about 2 hours and 21 minutes per day on social media apps. It is more than many spend exercising or reading. Big platforms still lead in good scale.
For instance, Instagram alone has reached 3 billion monthly active users, and TikTok and WhatsApp each attract more than a billion users globally. These numbers show just how large the audience is, but raw user counts do not tell the whole story.
This shift creates room for aspiring entrepreneurs to develop social media platforms that go beyond broad networks to offer users tailored value.
In this blog, we will discuss how to develop a social media app that meets today’s user expectations, solves real problems, and is positioned for both adoption and growth, all built on data‑backed trends and practical steps.
Why Developing a Social Media App is a Profitable Idea?
Even though the social media space looks crowded, the data shows there is still strong growth, revenue upside, and unmet demand. It is especially for apps that solve real issues.
► Social Media Usage is Still Growing Strongly
As we have already discussed, over 5.2 billion people globally use the top social media platforms. That’s a massive audience, and it’s one that is still growing. Even apps once considered mature, like Facebook and Instagram, continue to attract huge numbers.
| The worldwide market size of the social media industry was worth $32.48 billion in 2025 and forecasted to hit $124.63 billion by 2032. |
These massive adoption figures mean there is still space for new players. It is especially those that focus on specific communities, niches, or user needs that mainstream apps do not serve well.
► Users Are Turning Away From Generic Experiences
While total user numbers are high, many social media apps face user frustration and dissatisfaction. For example, algorithms often prioritise ads or broad content over meaningful personal connections. Also, many people feel feeds are cluttered with irrelevant posts.
This shift is not just an opinion. It shows up in real usage trends that include how users engage with different types of content and how newer or niche apps attract particular audiences.
► Revenue Opportunities Are Still Massive
Social media is not just about users. It is also about monetization power.
| Global social media ad spend is forecasted to reach around $275 billion in 2030. This accounts for nearly a third of all digital advertising revenue. |
Besides, social commerce is booming with a growing number of users making purchases inside apps rather than on separate websites. About 61% of users now make purchases directly on social apps. It shows that social networking and e-commerce are converging rapidly.
It means your mobile application has multiple potential revenue paths like ads, subscriptions, in-app purchases, social commerce, and so on. Multiple monetization models spread risk and make your business strategy more resilient.
Market Gaps in Mainstream Social Media Applications
These frustrations reveal clear opportunities for a new social media application :
- Niche communities: Users want spaces tailored to their interests. For example, fitness, hobbies, or professional networks. You can provide AR VR in social media apps like AR-based city guides or virtual tours.
- Privacy-focused experiences: People are seeking ad-light, safe platforms where data is not exploited.
- Hyper-local engagement: Localized platforms for neighborhoods, cities, or specific regions are still underrepresented.
- Creator-first platform: Many creators feel underserved in terms of monetization.
- Meaningful connections: Users want platforms that foster real interaction instead of passive scrolling.
By targeting these gaps, you can develop a social media app that can stand out from big players, attract loyal users, and create a sustainable business model.
Can a Social Media App Succeed Today?
The social media market may seem saturated, but new apps can still find success when they focus on the right strategies and user needs.
Let’s check out why launching a new social media app in 2026 is still possible :
♦ Niche Positioning Matters More Than Ever
Validating your idea at this stage ensures your app addresses real user needs and avoids common pitfalls that many new social media apps encounter.
Popular apps like TikTok or Facebook dominate broad audiences, but users are increasingly moving toward niche communities. Apps that focus on particular interests, professions, or local groups are seeing higher engagement per user compared to general social networks.
For example, a fitness-focused social app may attract fewer users than Instagram, but those users are highly engaged. They spend more time daily and interact with each other very frequently.
♦ New Apps Can Attract Users by Solving Real Problems
Although major apps have billions of users, many do not meet all user expectations.
People are frustrated with :
- Irrelevant content in feeds
- Privacy concerns
- Lack of meaningful interactions
A new mobile app that directly addresses these frustrations can capture attention and retain users more effectively than one that simply copies mainstream features.
What are the Types of Social Media Apps?
There is no single type of social media app that fits all users. Different apps serve different purposes, and choosing the right category is the foundation of your app’s success.
Let’s have a look at the following so that you can decide which type of app you want to develop :
➤ Social Networking Apps
These are the most common types of social media apps. They help users connect with friends, family, or professional contacts. For example, apps like Facebook or Instagram allow profile creation, friend requests, status updates, and private messaging.
These apps are best suited for building long-term relationships and large user bases.
Best for: General users, professionals, brands
Core focus: Connections and communication
➤ Media Sharing Apps
Media sharing apps like Instagram and Snapchat are designed for sharing photos, videos, and live content. They are highly visual and focus on creativity and entertainment.
These platforms usually include features like filters, editing tools, reels, and story formats. User engagement mainly depends on content quality and algorithm-based recommendations.
Best for: Creators, influencers, brands
Core focus: Visual content and engagement
➤ Messaging-Based Social Apps
Messaging apps like WhatsApp focus on private or group communication. While some are simple chat apps, others include social features like status updates, channels, or communities. Security and speed play a major role in these apps, especially when users share personal information.
Best for: Direct communication
Core focus: Real-time messaging and privacy
➤ Community and Discussion Apps
Community and discussion apps like Reddit or Quora bring people together based on shared interests, questions, or topics. Users participate in discussions rather than personal networking. Content moderation and topic organization are vital in such apps to maintain quality conversations.
Best for: Knowledge sharing and niche communities
Core focus: Discussions and engagement
➤ Niche Social Media Apps
Niche social media apps are built for a specific audience, like fitness enthusiasts, travelers, gamers, or professionals in a particular industry. Since they serve a focused group, niche apps often have higher engagement and loyalty compared to general platforms.
Best for: Targeted audiences
Core focus: Specialized features and community value
Step-by-Step Process to Develop a Social Media App
After understanding the types of social media apps, the next vital step is knowing how to build one the right way. Social media app development is a structured process. Skipping steps or rushing can lead to poor user experience, technical issues, and low engagement.
So, do not skip the step-by-step process to build a social media app :
1. Idea Validation and Market Research
Before you develop a social media app, it is vital to validate your idea to ensure it solves real problems and attracts users. Many apps fail simply because they were never tested with the audience they intended to serve.
Validation helps you save time, reduce costs, and increase chances of success. After this, mobile app market research is critical. You should analyze competitors, study user reviews, and identify trends in your niche.
Additionally, consider testing your idea with a small group or using surveys. This step prevents wasted resources and ensures your app addresses real user needs.
2. Planning Features and User Flow
Once your idea is validated, it is vital to map out the social media app’s features. You can start with must-have features and later on add the advanced features like AI-powered recommendation, push notification, etc.
After listing features, you must create a user flow diagram showing how people will navigate the app. A clear flow reduces confusion and improves user retention.
Besides, do not forget to prioritize features into MVP and optional enhancements. When you launch with an MVP, it allows you to test the market faster and gather user feedback before scaling with advanced features.
3. Create a UI/UX Design
Mobile app design is critical in social media apps since users spend hours interacting with the interface. A visually appealing and intuitive design improves engagement.
UI focuses on visual elements like buttons, icons, and color schemes. However, UX ensures smooth navigation and easy interactions. Designers typically begin with a mobile app wireframe and interactive prototypes to visualize screens.
This enables users and early testers to offer feedback that reduces costly design changes during development. It is vital to incorporate user-centric design to ensure higher adoption rates from day one.
4. Backend and Frontend Development
To develop a social media app, the frontend and backend are the main parts of it. Once your designs are ready, the dedicated development team begins to code the app. Frontend development handles the app interface, animations, and user interactions.
However, the backend development handles databases, server logic, content management, and security. A strong backend is vital for real-time updates, notifications, and high user traffic.
During social media app development, APIs are integrated to enable features like social login, video streaming, and third-party analytics. Social mobile app security is the utmost thing. So, it is crucial to implement security measures to protect user data.
5. Test and Launch the App
Mobile app testing ensures the social media app works as intended. So, the QA performs multiple testing methods like functional, usability, performance, and security testing. Continuous testing during development prevents major post-launch issues.
Once testing is complete, your dream app is ready to launch. But launch is just the beginning. You have to continuously maintain the app to fix bugs, update features, and improve performance.
Besides, if you collect user feedback post-launch, it helps to prioritize improvements and plan new features. Regular updates build trust, engagement, and long-term retention.
Must-Have Features For Your Social Media App
Creating a social media app is exciting, but if users do not find it useful or easy, they will not use it. To make your social networking app successful, it must include the basic features users expect and some best social media app features that modern users love.
Below are the features you must check out :
► Easy sign-in and onboarding
Your social media app should allow users to easily register. You can allow them to sign up with email, phone number, or through other social media accounts. Once they sign in, give a short tutorial that teaches them how the app works, so they don’t get confused.
► User Profiles
User profiles allow users to show who they are. For example, their photo, bio, interests, etc., make the social media app feel personal. They should be able to change their information anytime, upload a profile picture, and control what others see about them.
► Content Feed
The content feed is where users see all posts from friends, followers, or topics they care about. This feed should update in real time and show relevant content first.
► Search and Explore
Users should be able to look up people, groups, and content quickly. A powerful search bar that shows outcomes instantly makes the app feel easy to use. The explore section can show trending topics, popular posts, and suggested users.
► Posting Content
Your social media app should allow users to post text, photos, videos, or audio. You can include elements like tags, hashtags, filters, and labels to make posts more interesting. The easier the posting feels, the more users will share their thoughts and creativity.
► Push Notifications
Push notifications remind users to come back to your app. Whether it’s a new message, comment, like, or trending post, notifications help keep the app alive in users’ minds. Smart notifications make a big difference in engagement.
► Chat, Messaging & Comments
Communication is the heart of social media. One-on-one chat, group messaging, and comments under posts help people connect. Users enjoy features like emojis, voice notes, and stickers in their conversations.
► Likes, Shares & Reactions
When users can like, react, or share content, it increases activity. These small actions make people feel noticed and connected. Reactions help the app’s algorithm understand what people enjoy.
How AI Is Transforming Social Media App Development?
AI helps you develop smarter social media apps by boosting engagement, personalization, automation, and insights for better business growth results.
Let’s have a look at the impact of AI :
♦ Personalized Content Recommendations
Artificial intelligence now controls around 70-80% of what people see in their social media feeds. This means instead of showing random posts, apps can earn what users like and show them content they care about.
For instance, if someone loves cooking videos, AI in social media apps will prioritise similar posts, recipes, or foodie influencers. This keeps users scrolling longer because everything feels relevant and tailored just for them.
Additionally, personalised feeds make users feel more connected to the social media app. This improves engagement and loyalty over time.
♦ Smarter Content Moderation
About 50% of social media apps now use AI to automatically find spam, fake profiles, or harmful content. AI works faster than humans, flagging inappropriate comments or posts before they spread.
However, humans still review tricky cases, and AI manages the majority that keep communities safer. This not only protects users but also builds trust in the platform.
A safer environment encourages more people to join and interact, which is vital for growing a social media app successfully.
♦ Chatbots For Instant Help
AI-powered chatbots now handle about 40% of customer support requests on social apps. They can answer simple questions instantly, guide users through app features, or help with account issues. This social media trend reduces wait times and improves user satisfaction.
Human teams focus on more complex issues while chatbots manage routine requests. For new users, AI chatbots also act like a mini-tutorial that helps them feel comfortable with the app from day one. This reduces drop-offs and increases user retention.
Monetization Models For Social Media Apps
If you want your social media app to succeed, you have to think about how it will make money. But choosing the right monetization model is one of the most important decisions when building a social media app. A good model helps you earn revenue without harming the user experience.
Below are the most proven ways that social media apps make money :
➤ In-App Advertising
In-app advertising is one of the easiest ways to start earning from app monetization. Many businesses pay to display their products to your users, either as banners, videos, or posts in feeds.
The key is to make ads relevant and non-intrusive. Users do not like their feed cluttered with random promotions. So, you can show the right ad at the right time, which can help you make money and keep users engaged longer.
➤ Subscription Model
Subscriptions are becoming really popular in social media apps like Netflix or Amazon Prime. Users pay a monthly or yearly fee to access special content or features.
Some examples of premium benefits are no ads, exclusive videos or posts, advanced analytics for creators, and extra customization options. It is great because they create a predictable income and attract users who are willing to pay for better experiences.
➤ In-App Purchases
The next monetization strategy you can implement is in-app purchases. They are small and have optional payments inside the app. Users buy items that improve their experiences or show off their personality.
For example, stickers, emojis, virtual gifts for other users, and special badges or profile highlights. This model works best if your app has active users who like to express themselves.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a Social Media App?
The cost to develop a social media app varies based on the market rates of different regions. Also, it varies depending on the complexity, platform, and location of your development team. Most of the work goes into building the backend and frontend of the social media app.
Let’s understand this with the table below :
| Feature | Backend Development, Hours | iOS or Android, Hours |
| Account Setup & Intro Guides | 28 | 65 |
| Profile Creation & Editing | 50 | 95 |
| Feed & Content Display | 75 | 140 |
| Search & Recommendations | 38 | 42 |
| Private & Group Chat | 80 | 130 |
| Uploading Posts | 70 | 175 |
| Push Alerts & Notifications | 22 | 22 |
| Third-Party Integrations | 48 | 120 |
| Total | 411 | 789 |
This is just a rough estimate. For an MVP, developing a single platform typically takes more than 1000 hours.
Hourly rates vary depending on the region of the development team :
- USA: $140–$160 per hour
- Eastern Europe: $50–$70 per hour
- India: $30–$50 per hour
With these rates, developing a social networking app could cost range from $20,000 – $200,000 or more. Every app is unique, and the social media app development cost can change based on extra features, design complexity, and social media integration. It is best to consult with a development team to get a precise estimate for your dream project.
How to Create a Social Media App: Nimble AppGenie’s Experience
We know that social media app development can feel overwhelming, right from ideation to launch. As a trusted social media app development company, we make this really simple by combining strategy, design, and technology.
Our main focus is on creating smooth navigation, intuitive interfaces, and engaging features for better user retention. One of the best examples of our work is MM Arcade, a gaming and social networking app that mixes fun and competition with social interaction.
MM Arcade: Gaming & Social Networking App Case Study
Client Type: Mobile gaming and entertainment app named MM Arcade.
Challenge: Low user interaction, minimal content participation, and slow prize distribution.
Solutions Implemented :
- Real-time content updates and push notifications
- Gamified challenges with weekly cash prizes
- In-app wallet for instant reward management
- Anonymous voting for fair and private participation
Business Results :
- 40% increase in active users
- 55% higher contest engagement
- 40% faster prize processing
- Boosted community interaction and retention
Key Takeaway :
MM Arcade successfully blended gaming and social networking, increasing engagement and loyalty while streamlining contest management and reward distribution.
Conclusion
Are you planning to develop a social media app or want to start a social media business? The key is to focus on what makes your app unique and valuable to users. No matter what the niche is, small, thoughtful features can make a big difference.
With the right guidance, like Nimble AppGenie’s approach to social media app development, you can turn your idea into a platform that users enjoy and trust.
Always remember, success is not just about attracting users; it is about keeping them engaged and coming back. So, start smart, iterate based on feedback, and build a next-gen app that truly connects people.
FAQs
To build a social media app, you have to follow the roadmap given below :
- Know your target audience.
- Do market research.
- Plan out the core features.
- Choose the right social media tech stack.
- Create the UI/UX design.
- Develop an MVP version.
- Test and launch the app.
- Promote and maintain it.
Niketan Sharma, CTO, Nimble AppGenie, is a tech enthusiast with more than a decade of experience in delivering high-value solutions that allow a brand to penetrate the market easily. With a strong hold on mobile app development, he is actively working to help businesses identify the potential of digital transformation by sharing insightful statistics, guides & blogs.
Table of Contents
No Comments
Comments are closed.