Top 10 most visited websites in the world in August 2024

In today’s Silicon Age, the internet is everywhere and affects almost everything we do daily. Whether it’s keeping an eye on the forecast or spending hours watching pet videos, the internet is our preferred destination.

Among the countless websites out there, few stand out as everyone’s favourites and are the most visited websites. From search engines to social media platforms, these websites have completely changed how we find information and connect with others, shaping global communication.

In this article, we’ll examine the world's top 10 most visited websites, delving into their unique features, user engagement metrics, and the reasons behind their popularity.

Top 10 most visited websites

Check out the top-rated websites globally, with data sourced from SimilarWeb a August 2024.

Rank & Website	Monthly Visits in August 2024	Type
#1 google.com	83.5 billion	Search Engine
#2 youtube.com	29.5 billion	Video Sharing Platform
#3 facebook.com	12.88 billion	Social Media Network
#4 instagram.com	5.85 billion	Social Media Network
#5 x.com	4.802 billion	Social Media Network
#6 whatsapp.com	4.534 billion	Social Media Network
#7 wikipedia.org	3.954 billion	Online Encyclopedia
#8 yahoo.com	3.588 billion	Search Engine, Mail & Web Portal
#9 reddit.com	3.584 billion	Community, Social Media Network
#10 yahoo.co.jp	3.581 billion	Search Engine, Mail & Web Portal

To better understand what makes the most visited websites so popular, let’s get a closer look at each one of them:

1. google.com

• Established: 1998
• Country: United States

Google commands over 92 percent of the global search market share. Its dominance stems from its extensive and efficient search capabilities, which deliver fast and accurate results for virtually any search query. Further, Google isn't just a go-to search engine; it offers a range of tools, such as Maps, News, and specialised searches, enriching the user experience. With users spending an average of 8 minutes per visit, it's evident that Google delivers what they need and more.

2. youtube.com

• Established: 2005
• Country: United States

YouTube is the second most visited website globally, with 2.49 billion monthly active users. This video-sharing platform, owned by Google, allows users to view, share, and upload videos. YT’s popularity is due to its wide range of videos catering to various interests, including entertainment, education, vlogs, and much more. Over the years, YouTube has continuously increased the number of videos uploaded and viewers, cementing its role in online streaming.

3. facebook.com

• Established: 2004
• Country: United States

Facebook's primary function is to make it easy for users to connect and share their content with family and friends online. In 2004, Mark Zuckerberg designed it for college students while enrolled at Harvard University. Today, Facebook is the world’s largest social media platform. Despite some controversies, Facebook remains a dominant player in the social media landscape, with its vast user base and functionalities.

4. instagram.com

• Established: 2010
• Country: United States

Launched in 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, Instagram is an American photo-video-sharing social networking platform headquartered in Menlo Park, California. The platform introduced hashtags, allowing users to discover new hustle-free content and connect with peers who share similar interests. In addition to its social networking features, Instagram has also been used by businesses and influencers to promote products and services.

5. x.com (twitter)

• Established: 2006
• Country: United States

X, a micro-blogging platform, allows users to share text messages, videos, and pictures as "posts," making it one of the most visited sites worldwide. It is known for real-time information sharing and conversations, offering users a unique space to connect, express their opinions, and stay updated on various topics. It was acquired by Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who has initiated the integration of the platform into his vision for an everything app called X.

6. whatsapp.com

• Established: 2009
• Country: United States

WhatsApp is a widely used messaging and video-calling app owned by Meta Platforms, Inc. WhatsApp's commitment to user privacy and security through data encryption distinguishes it from other messaging applications. In addition to its core messaging and video-calling features, WhatsApp also offers a business version of the app, WhatsApp Business, which includes additional features tailored to the needs of any business.

7. wikipedia.org

• Established: 2001
• Country: United States

Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, allows anyone with internet access to edit its content, with millions having already contributed. Since 2001, it has grown into the world’s largest reference website, attracting millions of visitors monthly. The platform is based on the principle of “the wisdom of the crowd,” where anyone can edit, improve, and add information to the articles.

8. yahoo.com

• Established: 1994
• Country: United States

Yahoo is a multinational technology company renowned for its search engine, Yahoo Search, and web portal (Yahoo.com). Over the years, Yahoo has evolved into a digital media giant offering services like email (Yahoo Mail), news, finance, sports, and advertising solutions, becoming one of the world's top 10 most visited websites. Yahoo has been a pioneer in the web industry, shaping the early days of the web and contributing to the development of online services.

9. reddit.com

• Established: 2005
• Country: United States

Reddit was founded by University of Virginia roommates Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian, as well as Aaron Swartz, in 2005. It began as a forum for social networking, but these days, with the unreliability of Google's AI search suggestions, users are relying on Reddit to provide credible and ad-free information. Registered users can submit content such as links, texts, images, and videos to be voted up or down by other members. More 'upvotes' mean the content will be ranked higher. Members can also create subcategories to the topics called 'subreddits'. There are unpaid community moderators who keep a check on the content. The company debuted on the stock market on March 21, 2024, and its current market cap is $10 billion.

10. yahoo.co.jp

• Established: 1996
• Country: Japan

The Japanese version of Yahoo was launched in collaboration with the SoftBank group on April 1, 1996. It is the second most-visited portal in the country to get search results.  In January 2000, it became the first stock in Japanese history to trade for more than ¥100 million per share. The portal currently offers Yahoo! Japan Mail as an email service, Yahoo! Japan Auctions for internet auctions like eBay, Yahoo! Japan T-Point, which rewards users with points to be able to buy goods or get cash, and then there is Yahoo! Premium--a paid service which combines the features of Yahoo! Points with Yahoo! Wallet.

FAQs:

What is the most visited website in India

According to SimilarWeb's top website rankings, Google.com was the #1 most visited website in India in August 2024.

What was the first website?

British computer scientist Tim Berners-Lee created the first website at CERN, a European nuclear research agency. It was launched on August 6, 1991, and contained information about the World Wide Web Project.