The internet has evolved dramatically since the late 1990s, transforming how millions communicate, search, shop, and work. Despite this progress, approximately 2.6 billion people—around 31% of the global population—still lack internet access. From early email and static websites to today’s AI chatbots, social media, streaming platforms, and cloud-based tools, online behavior continues to shift in response to technological innovation and user demands.
This article explores how people interacted online in 2024, based on anonymized DNS query data from Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 public resolver, used by millions worldwide. By aggregating domain traffic and focusing on human-facing services (excluding technical infrastructure like root servers), we present a comprehensive ranking of the most popular internet services across key categories—including generative AI, social media, e-commerce, video streaming, news, messaging, gaming, financial services, and cryptocurrency.
Our analysis reveals shifting digital landscapes shaped by emerging platforms like Temu, GitHub Copilot, and ChatGPT, as well as global events such as the Paris Olympics and the U.S. presidential election. Below is a detailed breakdown of trends that defined internet usage in 2024.
Google Still Rules: The Global Top 10 Internet Services
Google continues to dominate the digital world, maintaining its position as the most visited internet service globally in 2024. Since Cloudflare began publishing these rankings in 2021, no platform has come close to dethroning the search giant.
👉 Discover how top platforms drive global engagement and what it means for digital innovation.
Top 10 Most Popular Internet Services (Overall)
- Apple
- TikTok
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- Microsoft
- YouTube
- Amazon
Facebook holds steady at second place, while Apple remains a strong third through its ecosystem of services hosted under apple.com. TikTok (known as Douyin in China) has intensified competition, challenging Apple for third during peak periods in late August.
AWS improved its standing compared to 2023, securing fifth place despite frequent swaps with Microsoft throughout the year. Instagram climbed to seventh, surpassing YouTube—a sign of growing engagement with visual content and short-form video.
WhatsApp made history by entering the top 10 for the first time, highlighting the enduring importance of private messaging. Notable near-misses include iCloud, Netflix (especially popular on weekends), and Outlook.
In contrast, X (formerly Twitter) has seen a steady decline—from 10th in 2022 to outside the top 15 in 2024—reflecting shifting user preferences and increased competition from newer platforms like Threads and Bluesky.
Generative AI Boom: ChatGPT Leads a Rapidly Evolving Landscape
The rise of generative AI continues to reshape how users create content, write code, and conduct research. Since ChatGPT’s launch in late 2022, AI-powered tools have become integral to both personal and professional workflows.
Top 10 Generative AI Services in 2024
- ChatGPT (OpenAI)
- Character.AI
- Codeium
- QuillBot
- Claude (Anthropic)
- Perplexity
- GitHub Copilot
- Wordtune
- Poe
- Tabnine
ChatGPT remains the leader in this category and made significant strides in overall internet rankings—entering the top 50 globally by September 2024. Its usage peaks on weekdays, aligning with academic and professional schedules.
Other AI tools show dynamic movement:
- GitHub Copilot surged into the top 10 by September, reflecting growing adoption among developers.
- Claude gained momentum after the release of Claude 3 in March and its European launch in May.
- Perplexity, an AI-powered search engine, entered the top 10 late in the year, even surpassing Claude post-U.S. election.
- Platforms like Hugging Face and Midjourney showed volatility, peaking during model updates but falling out of the top 10 later.
👉 See how AI is changing content creation—and what comes next for digital productivity tools.
ChatGPT Breaks Into the Overall Top 50
In broader rankings beyond AI-specific categories:
- ChatGPT rose from ~#200 in early 2023 to consistently ranking within the top 50 by late 2024.
- It now outperforms major sites like eBay, Temu, Telegram, and Prime Video.
- Weekday usage dominates, with an average rank of #56 versus lower weekend traffic.
Character.AI also gained traction globally, reaching #161 at its peak—especially popular on weekends.
Social Media: TikTok Rises While X Loses Ground
Social media remains central to communication and information sharing, with over 5.2 billion users worldwide in 2024—up from 4.95 billion in 2023.
Top 10 Social Media Platforms
- TikTok
- X
- Snapchat
- Discord
- Kwai
Snapchat is closing in on X for fourth place, briefly overtaking it in September and October. Kwai (TikTok’s Chinese rival) climbed to #8, fueled by growth in Brazil and Southeast Asia.
Reddit dropped to #10 but spiked during "Black Friday" shopping events. Threads briefly reached #18 in September but failed to maintain momentum. Bluesky gained visibility post-election, peaking at #193 before stabilizing around #220.
Non-Western platforms like Douyin (TikTok’s Chinese version), VK (Russia), and SnackVideo are increasingly visible in global DNS traffic.
E-Commerce Surge: Temu's Meteoric Rise
Online shopping continues to expand, driven by aggressive pricing strategies and global logistics networks.
Top 10 E-Commerce Services
- Amazon
- Taobao
- AliExpress
- Shopify
- Temu
- Alibaba
- eBay
- Shein
- Mercado Libre
- Wildberries
Temu climbed from #7 in 2023 to #5 in 2024—entering the global top 70 overall by year-end. Known for ultra-low-cost goods, Temu saw peak traffic during Cyber Week.
Shein also grew steadily, hitting #83 on Black Friday. Amazon maintained strong weekend performance, while Shopify peaked at #55 on Black Friday itself.
Video Streaming: YouTube and Netflix Dominate
Streaming remains a cornerstone of digital entertainment.
Top 10 Video Streaming Platforms
- YouTube
- Netflix
- Twitch
- Roku
- Disney+
- Prime Video
- Vimeo
- Plex.TV
- Pluto TV
- Bigo Live
YouTube leads globally, followed by Netflix—even surpassing Twitch in some regions during major sports events or movie premieres.
Disney+ spiked on September 22 with the premiere of Agatha All Along. HBO/Max fell out of the top 100 after October, while Peacock reappeared during the Olympics.
News & Messaging: Trust and Timeliness Drive Traffic
News platforms saw spikes during elections and geopolitical events.
Top News Services
- Globo (Brazil)
- BBC
- New York Times
- CNN
- Fox News
CNN surged to #1 globally on November 6 after the U.S. election results.
Top Messaging Apps
- Telegram
- Viber
WhatsApp entered the overall top 10 for the first time—highlighting its dominance in regions like Latin America and South Asia.
FAQs
Q: What data source powers these rankings?
A: Rankings are based on anonymized DNS queries from Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 resolver—a privacy-focused public DNS service used globally.
Q: Why isn’t X (Twitter) ranked higher?
A: X has experienced declining DNS traffic since 2023 due to platform changes and rising competition from alternatives like Threads and Bluesky.
Q: How did AI impact overall internet usage?
A: Generative AI platforms like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot saw dramatic growth—ChatGPT alone entered the overall top 50 for the first time.
Q: Is TikTok more popular than Instagram globally?
A: TikTok ranks fourth overall; Instagram is seventh—but TikTok leads in over 30 countries including Indonesia, Kenya, and Colombia.
Q: What caused Temu’s rapid growth?
A: Temu’s aggressive pricing model and global marketing strategy helped it climb from outside the top 100 in early 2024 to #63 at peak times.
Final Thoughts: The Digital Pulse of 2024
The internet in 2024 reflects a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, real-time events, and evolving consumer behaviors. From ChatGPT’s ascent to Temu’s e-commerce disruption and Binance’s resurgence amid crypto rallies, digital engagement is more dynamic than ever.
Google remains unchallenged at the top—but innovation is accelerating elsewhere.