TikTok, Instagram, Facebook: which platforms show the highest user engagement

Overview of social media engagement trends

User engagement has become one of the most critical indicators of success in social media marketing. Likes, comments, shares, and views reflect not only audience interest but also the effectiveness of content distribution algorithms. According to a large-scale study published by Social Media Today and conducted by Socialinsider, over 70 million posts across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and X were analyzed to establish reliable SMM benchmarks for 2026.

The study evaluated engagement rates, average reach, interaction types, and optimal posting frequency. These metrics help brands understand where attention is concentrated and how user behavior continues to evolve across platforms.

Engagement rates and user behavior

The data clearly shows that TikTok remains the leader in engagement, with an average rate of 3.70%, marking a 49% increase year over year. This growth is largely driven by TikTok’s recommendation-based feed, which prioritizes content relevance over follower count. As a result, even small accounts can achieve high visibility and interaction.

Instagram maintains a stable engagement rate of 0.48%, showing minimal change compared to 2025. While reach remains significant, user behavior has shifted toward more passive interactions such as views, saves, and story taps rather than active commenting.

Facebook records the lowest engagement rate at 0.15%, continuing a steady decline that began in early 2025. This reflects aging audiences, increased advertising saturation, and reduced organic reach for brand pages.

Content interaction and posting frequency

One of the most notable trends is the decline in comments per post: down 24% on TikTok and 16% on Instagram. This suggests that users increasingly prefer low-effort engagement. Brands currently publish an average of five posts per week on both platforms, indicating a strategic balance between consistency and content fatigue.

While performance varies by niche and content type, these benchmarks provide valuable context. Brands that adapt their strategies to platform-specific behavior are more likely to achieve sustainable growth and meaningful engagement.