With a history that dates back all the way to the 1950s, the internet has gone through considerable changes to get to the stage it is at today. You only have to go back to the start of the century to see how much it has transformed in just 20 or so years.
Nowadays, virtually everyone in developed countries graces the world wide web daily. Based on research from the Internet World Stats, 5% of the world population were on the internet in March 2000. By December 2020, however, that percentage had jumped to over 64%.
Even though the internet is a diverse land with websites about essentially any subject, there are certain online destinations that many have visited and prefer over others. However, which are the most popular? For the answer, here are the top five websites in the world in 2021.
1. Google
It should not come as a surprise that, out of the top websites on the internet, Google is the one that reigns supreme. While search engines like Yahoo and Bing feature high up on the list, they cannot come close to matching the dominance displayed by Google.
After all, there is a reason why internet marketers only ever abide by Google’s rules regarding search engine optimization! Yet, due to its simplicity and effectiveness, everyone uses Google as this #1 ranking highlights.
2. YouTube
Followed closely behind Google is the video streaming behemoth known as YouTube – and is coincidentally owned by Google. Having started in 2005, YouTube popularized the way people watched videos online, moving away from downloads to allowing people to stream them in their web browser.
Due to how easy it was for others to upload and share their videos, YouTube quickly blossomed. Now it is used by everyone from A-list celebrities, major corporations, to people who are vlogging from their bedrooms.
3. Facebook
Social media plays a large part in the daily lives of many. This is evidenced by the performance of the main platforms on this list. Out of the ‘big three’, aka Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook still remains top of the pile.
Even though it does not possess the most glowing reputation, Facebook is still the way most people keep in contact with their friends and family online.
4. Twitter
Twitter is not far behind Facebook and ranks #4 overall in the global website rankings. However, when you factor in its simplicity to share short text posts, images, and videos, it’s easy to see why Twitter scores so highly in the popularity stakes.
5. Instagram
Sitting just above Wikipedia, which is ranked #6, Instagram rounds out this particular top five in style. The platform has a primary focus on photos and videos. So, whether it is a carefully planned selfie, a snap of a meal at a trendy restaurant, or a video demonstration of a new product, Instagram is the ideal platform for those with eye-catching content to share.
