Social network user numbers are still rising in the US, UK, and Canada—albeit slowly. This is to be expected as the social media market matures. But the user makeup of the main platforms is changing, and there’s more competition.

The number of social network users in Canada continues to climb, as a wider variety of platforms become available that can satisfy user appetites for information, entertainment, and personal expression.

The reduction in commuting during the pandemic suppressed radio consumption: Just 77% of survey respondents in Canada said they traveled in a car in 2021, compared with 92% in 2020, according to Edison Research’s Infinite Dial Canada 2021 report. Remote working, which is still common in much of the country, will continue to buoy digital audio consumption in the years ahead.

Internet users in Canada are most likely to discover new TV and video content from friends (57%), per Media Technology Monitor—far above the 41% who rely on personalized suggestions or the 23% who get recommendations from commercials.

The news: Meta reported 1.96 billion users on its legacy Facebook social media platform while outlining growth plans for the metaverse hinged on a new premium headset that it hopes can replace laptops. Why it's worth watching: Meta shares jumped up by as much as 19% yesterday after the company reported user growth that was higher than projected for the quarter, per Bloomberg.

The trial will be open to creators in the US and Canada. Meta plans to take a 25% cut of the 70% that’s left after the platform fee, leaving creators with just over half of an item’s sale price.

Metaverse environments, like social media, have network effects—but that doesn’t mean a social media provider will figure this space out first. There are plenty of players seeking to carve out a niche in the metaverse—and Meta is just one of them. Go further: Our Connectivity & Tech team covered this story from a different angle.