Google and YouTube capture 25 % of the world's web traffic, surpassing the top 15 sites worldwide combined. An unprecedented dominance in the history of the Internet.
Google generates more traffic than the world's top 15 websites combined
Despite competition from social networks like TikTok and Instagram, as well as the rise of artificial intelligence like ChatGPT, Google and YouTube remain the most visited websites in the world.
In 2024, Google alone accounts for 18.73 billion TP7T of global web traffic, while YouTube, which remains the reference platform for video content, generates 6,44 %. Together, they concentrate one visit in four across the entire web.
For comparison, The other 14 most popular sites combined generate less traffic than Google alone, which shows the search engine's unparalleled hold on the digital ecosystem.
YouTube still dominates despite TikTok and Instagram
Social networks like TikTok and Instagram gain ground, especially among the younger generations, but YouTube remains the most powerful video platform in terms of web traffic.
Android users spent an average of 32 hours a month on TikTokthree hours more than on YouTube. However, the latter still generates nearly 40 % more traffic than Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, X, Reddit and WhatsApp combined.
Its recommendation algorithm and diversity of content, from tutorials to documentaries to entertainment, enable it to retain a wider and more diverse audience than its competitors.
Social media stagnates, while ChatGPT grows
While YouTube and Google continue to dominate, social platforms seem to be reaching a plateau in terms of web traffic.
- X (formerly Twitter) represents today only 1 % of web traffic, suffering a drop in audience due to controversial management decisions.
- Wikipedia, which historically represented a major source of information, is now closely followed by ChatGPT. The generative AI tool now captures 0.8 % of worldwide traffic, threatening to overtake the online encyclopedia.
ChatGPT already ahead of historical sites like Reddit, Yahoo and Amazon, proving that conversational AI is redefining information search and consultation habits on the web.
The 15 largest sites account for 37.5 % of global traffic
All web giants centralize most of the traffic, leaving little room for new players. Google and YouTube account for 25 % of global trafficand Top 15 sites total 37.5 % Internet visits.
| Platform | Share of worldwide web traffic (%) |
|---|---|
| 18,73 % | |
| YouTube | 6,44 % |
| 2,22 % | |
| TikTok | 1,94 % |
| 1,56 % | |
| X (Twitter) | 1,00 % |
| Wikipedia | 0,89 % |
| ChatGPT | 0,80 % |
| 0,79 % | |
| Yahoo | 0,78 % |
| Amazon | 0,61 % |
This table shows how much the The web is dominated by a small number of platforms. It becomes increasingly difficult for new sites to break through, because the majority of traffic is concentrated among a few major players.
Google and YouTube: a hegemony that continues
As digital trends evolve rapidly, Google and YouTube maintain their central position in global web browsing.
The search engine remains indispensable to access information, while YouTube maintains its status as the essential platform for long-form video.
With the rise of AI and new social platforms, these giants will have to constantly innovate to maintain their supremacy. But for now, they remain untouchable.