# Global social media usage and influence > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-social-media-usage-and-influence > Updated: 2026-09-04T08:59:45.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. Global social media usage has reached approximately 5.24 billion active users. The landscape is characterized by a shift toward platforms that prioritize engagement through specific signals such as watch time, clicks, and perceived relevance. As these platforms have evolved, they have exerted significant influence over diverse sectors, including real estate markets, consumer behavior, and global culture. Social media has become a tool for decentralizing information and organizing social movements, such as EndSARS in Nigeria and FixTheCountry in Ghana. However, this growth brings systemic challenges. From a business perspective, analysts note that high engagement metrics do not always translate to direct value. From a societal and psychological standpoint, there are increasing concerns regarding the spread of misinformation and the impact of dopamine-driven design on mental health and digital addiction. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-04: Social media platforms exert growing influence on global behavior and markets Social media has transitioned from a communication tool to a dominant force influencing consumer choices, global news dissemination, economic trends, and social activism worldwide. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/social-media-platforms-exert-growing-influence-on-global-behavior-and-markets ### 2026-09-01: Social media usage reaches 5.24 billion users amid focus on engagement and design As global social media users reach 5.24 billion, the focus shifts to the complexity of engagement metrics and the psychological impact of dopamine-driven app designs on user behavior. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/social-media-usage-reaches-524-billion-users-amid-focus-on-engagement-and-design --- Cite as: Global social media usage and influence. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-social-media-usage-and-influence