TikTok Surpasses YouTube and Instagram in News Reach

TikTok has officially overtaken YouTube and Instagram as the leading social app for news among young people in 2025. According to fresh Pew Research data, 43% of U.S. adults aged 18–29 now regularly get their news from TikTok, compared to 41% from YouTube and Facebook, and 40% from Instagram.

Key Findings

• TikTok leads the pack: For the first time, TikTok is the top social media platform for news among young Americans.
• Close competition: YouTube and Facebook are tied at 41%, while Instagram follows at 40%.
• Other platforms lag: X (formerly Twitter) sits at 21%, and Reddit at 18%.
• Social media dominance overall: 67% of young adults say they often or sometimes rely on social media for news, compared to 60% who use traditional news websites.

Why TikTok is Winning

• Short-form video appeal: TikTok’s algorithm delivers bite-sized, engaging news clips that match young audiences’ consumption habits.
• Community-driven content: Users often encounter news through creators, commentary, and stitched videos rather than traditional outlets.
• Platform investment: TikTok has rolled out tools for publishers and community fact-checking, making it more credible as a news source.
• Cultural relevance: TikTok’s meme-driven, fast-moving style resonates with younger audiences who prefer conversational and visual formats over long articles.

Risks & Challenges

• Misinformation: TikTok’s viral nature means false or misleading content can spread quickly.
• Algorithmic bias: News exposure depends heavily on TikTok’s recommendation system, which may skew perspectives.
• Credibility gap: While TikTok is popular, traditional outlets still hold more trust among older demographics.
• Regulatory scrutiny: Governments are increasingly concerned about TikTok’s influence on public opinion and its role in shaping political discourse.

Comparison Table

Platform	% of Young Adults (18–29) Using for News	Strengths	Weaknesses
TikTok	43%	Engaging short-form video, cultural relevance, creator-driven	Misinformation risk, algorithm bias
YouTube	41%	Long-form depth, established creators	Less immediacy, slower trend adoption
Facebook	41%	Broad reach, community groups	Declining youth engagement, credibility issues
Instagram	40%	Visual storytelling, lifestyle + news blend	Less focus on hard news
X (Twitter)	21%	Real-time updates, breaking news	Toxic discourse, declining trust
Reddit	18%	Niche communities, in-depth discussion	Fragmented, not mainstream

TikTok’s rise marks a seismic shift in how younger generations consume news — away from traditional outlets and even away from older social platforms, toward algorithm-driven, creator-led ecosystems.