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 such as TikTok and Instagram, as well as the rise of artificial intelligence like ChatGPT, Google and YouTube remain the world's most visited websites.
In 2024, Google alone accounts for 18.73 % of global web trafficwhile YouTube, which remains the benchmark platform for video content, generates 6,44 %. Together, they concentrate one visit in four all over the web.
For comparison, the other 14 most popular sites combined generate less traffic than Google aloneThis demonstrates the search engine's unrivalled grip on the digital ecosystem.
YouTube still dominates despite TikTok and Instagram
Social networks like TikTok and Instagram gain groundparticularly 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 together.
Its recommendation algorithm and diversity of content, from tutorials to documentaries to entertainment, enable it to win the loyalty of a wider, more diversified audience than its competitors.
Social networks stagnate, while ChatGPT progresses
While YouTube and Google continue to dominate, social platforms seem to be reaching a plateau in web traffic.
- X (formerly Twitter) today represents only 1 % of web trafficwhich has suffered a decline in ratings due to controversial management decisions.
- Wikipediawhich historically represented a major source of information, is now followed by ChatGPT. The generative AI tool now captures 0.8 % of worldwide trafficthreatening to overtake the online encyclopedia.
ChatGPT has already overtaken historic sites such as Reddit, Yahoo and Amazonproving that conversational AI redefines 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 trafficleaving 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 just how much web is dominated by a limited number of platforms. It becomes increasingly difficult for new sites to break throughThis is because most of the traffic is concentrated among a few major players.
Google and YouTube: an enduring hegemony
At a time when digital trends are evolving 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 leading platform for long-form video.
With the rise of AI and new social platformsthese giants will have to innovate constantly in order to keep their supremacy. But for now, they remain untouchable.