How Lebanon Uses Social Media
Last updated October 19, 2026
Lebanon is one of the most connected countries in the region. About 5.4 million people, or 92% of the population, were online at the end of 2025, and there were 4.58 million social media user identities. Lebanese use social media to shop, sell, follow the news and stay in touch with family abroad. This guide covers which platforms Lebanese use most, who is on each one, how businesses use them to sell, and which ones actually pay creators.
Which platforms Lebanese use most
These are each platform's advertising reach in Lebanon in late 2025, from DataReportal's Digital 2026 report. Ad reach shows how many people an advertiser can reach. It is not the same as active users, but it's the most consistent way to compare platforms.
| Platform | Reach in Lebanon | Share of adults |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok | 4.58 million* | — |
| 3.45 million | 85% | |
| YouTube | 3.12 million | — |
| 2.95 million | 72% | |
| Messenger | 1.65 million | 41% |
| Snapchat | 1.46 million | 27% |
| 1.40 million** | 35% | |
| X (Twitter) | 555,000 | 13% |
TikTok
Reach: 4.58 million*
Share: —
Reach: 3.45 million
Share: 85%
YouTube
Reach: 3.12 million
Share: —
Reach: 2.95 million
Share: 72%
Messenger
Reach: 1.65 million
Share: 41%
Snapchat
Reach: 1.46 million
Share: 27%
Reach: 1.40 million**
Share: 35%
X (Twitter)
Reach: 555,000
Share: 13%
* TikTok only reports users aged 18 and over, and DataReportal flags its Lebanon figure as possibly inflated.
** LinkedIn reports registered members, not active users.
WhatsApp isn't in the table because it doesn't publish country figures, but it's almost certainly the most used app of all. In 2019, a proposed tax on WhatsApp calls was enough to bring people into the streets across the country.
Who uses what
Each platform reaches a different part of Lebanon:
- Facebook reaches the widest adult audience, about 85% of adults. It skews older and is where local news pages, community groups and neighbourhood businesses reach people. Facebook in Lebanon →
- Instagram is Lebanon's storefront. Restaurants, fashion brands, home businesses and creators run their sales there, and its audience is split almost evenly between women and men. Instagram in Lebanon →
- TikTok has the largest reach and is growing fastest, up about 14% in a year. It's where new creators can get attention quickly. TikTok in Lebanon →
- Snapchat is the only major platform in Lebanon where most of the audience is female, about 59%. It skews young. Snapchat in Lebanon →
- YouTube is where long-form Lebanese content lives: food, comedy, podcasts and vlogs. YouTube in Lebanon →
- LinkedIn is the bridge to work abroad. Lebanese professionals use it to reach employers and clients in the Gulf, Europe and beyond. LinkedIn in Lebanon →
- X is small in Lebanon but influential. It's where news breaks and political debate happens, and its audience skews heavily male. X in Lebanon →
How Lebanese businesses use social media
For many Lebanese businesses, social media isn't just marketing. It's the whole sales channel. A typical sale looks like this:
- A customer discovers the business on Instagram, TikTok or Facebook, through a Reel, a post or an ad.
- They message on WhatsApp to ask prices, check stock or customize an order.
- The order, delivery and payment are arranged in the same chat.
This is why so many Lebanese shops have no website at all. An Instagram page and a WhatsApp Business account do the job. Click-to-WhatsApp ads, which are Facebook and Instagram ads that open a chat directly, are one of the most common ad formats Lebanese businesses run. WhatsApp in Lebanon →
Which platforms pay creators in Lebanon
Most platforms' built-in payout programs are limited to certain countries, and Lebanon is often left out.
- Yes: YouTube pays Lebanese creators through its Partner Program, with ad revenue, memberships and Super Thanks, paid by wire transfer.
- Partly: Snapchat pays for ads in Stories, but not Spotlight or Lens rewards.
- No: TikTok, Instagram and X payout programs don't reach Lebanon.
- Unclear: Facebook monetization doesn't appear to cover Lebanon yet.
On every platform, Lebanese creators earn mainly from brand deals, affiliate links and selling their own products or services. See the full breakdown →
Lebanese creators to know
Lebanon has produced creators with audiences far beyond the country. A few long-running examples:
- Nour Arida. Lebanese fashion figure and social media personality with more than 18 million followers. She was named Arab Woman of the Year in 2023 and is fronting the reality series Confidence is Queen.
- Anthony Rahayel. Founder of NoGarlicNoOnions, one of Lebanon's best-known food platforms, covering restaurant reviews, travel, podcasts and interviews about Lebanese food, villages and producers.
- Joumana Accad. Creator of the Taste of Beirut blog and author of the cookbook of the same name, sharing traditional Lebanese recipes.
FAQ
How many people use social media in Lebanon?
There were 4.58 million social media user identities in Lebanon in October 2025, equal to about 78% of the population. Identities aren't always unique people, since one person can have several accounts.
What is the most used social media platform in Lebanon?
By advertising reach, TikTok (4.58 million adults) and Facebook (3.45 million) lead. WhatsApp doesn't publish figures but is almost certainly the most used app overall.
Which social media platform pays in Lebanon?
YouTube, through its Partner Program. Snapchat pays for ads in Stories. TikTok, Instagram and X payout programs don't cover Lebanon.
How do Lebanese businesses sell on social media?
Mostly through Instagram, TikTok or Facebook for discovery, and WhatsApp for orders, delivery and payment.
What was the WhatsApp tax in Lebanon?
In October 2019, the cabinet discussed charging 20 cents a day for WhatsApp calls. It sparked nationwide protests on October 17, 2019, and the plan was dropped.
Sources
- 1. DataReportal, Digital 2026: Lebanon. Link
- 2. Arab News, Nour Arida to front new reality series 'Confidence is Queen' (Oct 2025). Link
- 3. NoGarlicNoOnions. Link
- 4. Simon & Schuster, Taste of Beirut by Joumana Accad. Link
- 5. Arab News, Thousands take to the streets in Lebanon in protest against WhatsApp tax (Oct 2019). Link