A recent study conducted by MyCross, a company specializing in Christian jewellery, has analyzed the online and social media visibility of the world’s major religions to better understand how faith communities engage with digital platforms.
The research examined several indicators of online presence, including search engine activity and engagement on major social media platforms. The aim was not to measure religious belief or practice, but rather digital visibility and engagement in an increasingly online global environment.
Internet Search Trends by Religion
According to the study, Islam is the most searched-for religion globally, with more than 31 million monthly Google searches related to its beliefs, practices, and teachings. This high level of search activity suggests widespread global interest, including from both followers and those seeking general information.
Christianity follows with approximately 21 million monthly searches, indicating sustained global interest. Christianity-related searches include questions about theology, traditions, holidays, and interpretations of scripture.
Buddhism ranks among the religions that generate high curiosity online, with around 8 million monthly searches focused on its philosophy, meditation practices, and teachings.
Hinduism, one of the world’s oldest and largest religions, also shows significant online interest. Millions of searches each month relate to Hindu scriptures such as the Bhagavad Gita and Vedas, as well as concepts like yoga, dharma, karma, and meditation. The study notes that interest in Hinduism spans religious, cultural, and philosophical topics.
Sikhism, though followed by a smaller global population, demonstrates steady search interest. Online queries often focus on Sikh beliefs, history, the teachings of the Gurus, and the Guru Granth Sahib. Educational searches, particularly outside South Asia, contribute notably to its digital presence.
Jainism, one of the world’s oldest religions, records comparatively lower search volumes but maintains consistent interest, particularly regarding its principles of non-violence (ahimsa), ethics, and ascetic practices. The study notes that Jainism’s digital footprint is driven largely by educational and philosophical inquiry.
Social Media Activity and Visibility
The analysis found that Christianity has the strongest overall social media presence, particularly on Instagram. More than 11 million Instagram posts are tagged with Christianity-related hashtags, reflecting high levels of user-generated content such as scripture sharing, worship activities, and faith-based messaging.
Islam also maintains a strong social media presence, especially during key religious periods such as Ramadan and Hajj, when engagement increases across platforms including Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
Hinduism shows substantial visibility on social media, driven by festivals such as Diwali, Holi, and Navratri, as well as content related to yoga, spirituality, and temple culture. Much of this engagement blends religious, cultural, and lifestyle themes.
Buddhism’s social media presence is closely linked to mindfulness, meditation, and philosophical teachings, often reaching audiences beyond practicing Buddhists.
Sikhism’s digital engagement frequently centers on community service (seva), religious education, and cultural identity, while Jainism’s social media presence remains more niche, focusing on ethical living, vegetarianism, and spiritual discipline.
Religious Texts and Online Research
The study highlights that the Bible is the most researched religious text globally, with approximately 47 million monthly searches related to its verses, stories, and interpretations.
Other religious texts, including the Qur’an, Bhagavad Gita, Guru Granth Sahib, Tripitaka, and Agamas, also attract millions of searches, reflecting both religious devotion and academic interest.
Methodology
To calculate overall digital visibility, the study used five key metrics:
Global religious population demographics
Monthly Google search queries related to each religion
Instagram hashtag usage
Search volume related to holy scriptures
A YouTube Visibility Index, based on the number of religion-related channels and videos
These indicators were combined into a composite score to assess overall online and social media presence.
Digital Faith in a Connected World
A spokesperson for MyCross noted the growing role of digital platforms in religious engagement:
“Faith has always been about connection, and today that connection is increasingly digital. Social media, video platforms, and online resources are shaping how people learn about and engage with religious traditions.”
As of 2025, an estimated 5.6 billion people - nearly 70% of the global population - use social media. The study suggests that digital platforms are becoming an important space for religious expression, education, and interfaith visibility across all major traditions.
Interesting breakdown of how digital presense doesn't always match up with follower count. The contrast between Jainism's philosophical influence and its smaller search volume really highlights how some traditions prioritize depth over scale in their outreach. I remember researching comparative religion in grad school and noticing similar patterns where smaller traditions had way more concentrated engagement even tho the numbers looked tiny. The Instagram metric is pretty telling about how different faiths adapt to visual platforms.