Facebook was expecting a traffic spike on its apps over New Year’s Eve, but this year broke all previous records for voice and video calling on its apps.
“Together, even when apart” was the tune we all danced to this New Year’s Eve as “together IRL” was ruled out due to the COVID-19 pandemic that is still going strong across the globe. NYE was very different this year, as people celebrated (mostly) at home, and so many connected with each other using one app or another.
Three apps, in particular, got a lot of love this NYE: Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp, which saw record numbers of video and audio calls.
Related | Facebook Temporarily Disables Some Messenger And Instagram Features
“Before COVID-19, New Year’s Eve generated Facebook’s biggest spikes in messaging, photo uploads and social sharing at midnight across the world” explains Caitlin Banford, technical program manager at Facebook. “However, in March 2020, the early days of the pandemic produced traffic spikes that would dwarf New Year’s Eve several times over — and it lasted for months.”
So, Facebook was prepared for the traditional NYE spike – one that broke all previous records this year.
On WhatsApp, over 1.4 billion voice and video calls were made on New Year’s Eve 2020 around the world, marking the most ever calls in a single day on the app. Compared to the year before, WhatsApp calling increased over 50%.
On Messenger users celebrated New Year’s Ever 2020 with effects. Unsurprisingly, therefore, the top AR effect in the US was “2020 Fireworks.” NYE 2020 saw the most Messenger group video calls with over 3 people in the US. The app saw almost double the number of group video calls on NYE compared to an average day.
Similarly, Instagram Live and Facebook Live saw a huge increase in live broadcasts, with over 55 million taking place across both Facebook and Instagram globally.
You might also like
More from Facebook
Meta Is Killing Its Messenger For Apple Watch App
Meta announced it will remove the Messenger for Apple Watch app on May 31 “After May 31st, Messenger won’t be available …
Facebook Probably Owes You Money
Meta has agreed to pay out $725 million to Facebook users to settle a class action lawsuit concerning user privacy. If …
Meta Verified Service Goes Live In The US
Want to get the coveted blue verification checkmark on Facebook and Instagram? If you're in the US, now you can. …
Facebook And Instagram Start Selling Blue Checks With Meta Verified
Meta Verified will give you a blue check badge on both Facebook and Instagram, along with other benefits for $12 …
Meta Brings Back #BuyBlack Friday For A Third Year
Meta is bringing back #BuyBlack Friday for a third consecutive year in North America. Meta emphasized the importance of the Holiday …
Facebook Is Giving You More Controls Over What You See On Your Feed
Facebook is introducing new "show more" and "show less" controls to let you adjust what you want to see on …
Meta Introduces Facebook Reels API, Offering An Option To ‘Share To Reels’
Meta has introduced the Facebook Reels API, a solution allowing developers to build a 'share to reels' option into their …
Facebook Gets Into Delivery With DoorDash Partnership
DoorDash is partnering with Meta to pilot Facebook Marketplace deliveries across multiple cities in the U.S. Drivers will only transport items …
Meta Rolls Out Horizon Worlds In France And Spain
Meta Horizon Worlds, the VR community and game, is now available in France and Spain.
