Digital 2026: Internet Users Exceed 6 Billion
According to the Digital 2026 report by Meltwater and We Are Social, the number of internet users has surpassed 6 billion, with significant milestones achieved in AI and social media adoption.
The report reveals that there are now 5.66 billion social media users worldwide, equivalent to 68.7% of the global population. This represents a 4.8% annual increase, with 259 million new users added in the past year.
“We’re seeing a profound shift in how people discover brands,” said Alexandra Bjertnæs, Chief Strategy Officer at Meltwater. “More people are turning to social media and AI platforms than ever before.
- 5.66 billion social media users globally
- Over 1 billion GenAI adopters
- Global ad market valued at $1.16 trillion
Author's summary: Digital 2026 report highlights social media and AI dominance.