The most influential religions in the world
A new global analysis has revealed that Islam will be the most visible religion on the Internet in 2025, with more than 31 million online searches every month, while Christians will remain the most active group on social media, generating over 11 million Instagram posts about their faith.
The research, conducted by MyCross, examined the world’s leading belief systems to determine which religions command the largest online presence.
The study assessed five indicators of visibility: global population size, monthly Google searches related to each religion, Instagram hashtag volume, queries linked to holy texts, and a YouTube Visibility Index based on the number of creators and religious content available on the platform.
The findings show that online engagement around faith continues to expand rapidly, with YouTube now hosting more than 10 million videos related to religion as digital communities turn to streaming platforms to connect with younger audiences.
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Islam ranked first overall. More than 36 million people search for Islamic teachings each month, and 9.4 million Instagram posts showcase prayers, Ramadan observance and cultural traditions.
Islamic content also dominates YouTube, where creators share Quran interpretations, history, and modern reflections on identity and belief.
Christianity followed closely in second place. Over 21 million users search the internet for answers on Christian doctrine each month, and the Bible remains the most researched religious text globally, with 47 million monthly queries. On Instagram, more than 11 million posts capture church services, worship and spiritual experiences.
Hinduism ranks third, driven by its one billion adherents and sustained digital engagement. About 3.4 million people search for Hindu teachings monthly, with Hindu creators active across YouTube and Instagram, where more than 200,000 posts highlight festivals and rituals.
Buddhism placed fourth, with 530 million followers worldwide and 7.7 million monthly online searches, surpassing Hinduism in curiosity volume. More than 436,000 Instagram posts document meditation practices and its philosophy of mindfulness.
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Sikhism rounds out the top five, buoyed by exceptional search interest relative to its size—5.7 million monthly queries for a faith with 29 million adherents. Instagram hosts more than 1.9 million photos featuring Sikh identity, from turbans to gurdwara ceremonies.
Judaism ranked sixth, drawing 4.9 million monthly searches and 1 million Instagram posts, while Jainism placed seventh with nearly one million monthly queries and 1.3 million social posts.
Spiritism and Spiritualism follow closely, posting strong digital engagement driven by interest in life after death, mediumship and spiritual healing.
Shintō placed ninth, and Zoroastrianism completed the top 10 despite having the fewest followers; more than 1.1 million people seek information about it each month.
A spokesperson for MyCross said the findings reflect a major transformation:
“Faith has always been about connection, and today that connection is increasingly digital. Religious communities are using social platforms to share their traditions, answer questions and stay visible to younger generations. Digital life has become an extension of spiritual life, shaping how billions engage with belief in the 21st century.”
