Based on an internal survey, it has been revealed that Instagram stands out as the most favored social network among Iranians, while domestic messengers lag behind in popularity among citizens.
According to the recent ISPA survey, conducted by the Iranian Students’ Opinion Center and released on January 22, a noteworthy 46.5% of Iranians utilize Instagram, 35.3% opt for WhatsApp, and 34.6% choose Telegram for messaging.
The findings indicate a notable disparity in popularity between domestic and international messengers, despite extensive promotional efforts for local platforms. The survey discloses that a mere 25% of respondents use the internal messenger ‘Eitaa,’ approximately 24% prefer ‘Rubika,’ and merely 8% opt for ‘Bale.’ Other messengers and social networks collectively garner less than 7% usage.
Remarkably, these statistics emerge even as domestic messengers benefit from substantial regime budgets and extensive advertising campaigns aimed at increasing their adoption among Iranian users. Conversely, social networks and foreign messengers face strict filtration, compelling users to access them through workarounds.
The prior ISPA survey from June 2022 had identified WhatsApp as the dominant messenger with a 71.1% share, while Instagram claimed the top spot among social networks with a 49.4% share in Iran.
An internet information group within Iran, ‘DataaK,’ reported in early June that in 2022, 54% of Iranians, including those residing abroad, were active on social networks. Unofficial sources estimate Iranians abroad to number between four and ten million.
The report reveals that in 2022, during a period marked by nationwide protests and increased censorship, 58 to 61 million Iranians used Telegram, 42 to 46 million were active on Instagram, and approximately four million were on Twitter.
Despite continuous efforts by Iran regime’s communication and security institutions to filter foreign social networks and restrict citizens’ online activities, various surveys indicate these measures have not effectively curtailed the use of these platforms. Criticism has arisen as regime’s officials also use foreign networks and messengers.
