The Internet has become the foundation of global connectivity, serving as the backbone of modern society and enabling access to critical information, services, and tools that power daily life. Its influence permeates every aspect of human activity, from aiding first responders in saving lives to allowing citizens to engage with their governments, register to vote, and contribute to thriving digital economies. This reliance underscores its indispensable role in connecting people, systems, and devices worldwide.
Cloudflare’s 2024 Year in Review sheds light on this profound dependency, revealing significant trends and insights into the Internet’s ever-expanding landscape. The report highlights a 17% year-over-year growth in global Internet traffic, driven by the increasing number of users and devices coming online. This surge not only underscores the Internet’s essential nature but also brings to the forefront its evolving role in shaping industries, communities, and personal interactions.
Matthew Prince, CEO and co-founder of Cloudflare, emphasized the Internet’s deep integration into everyday life, describing it as a cornerstone of modern interactions. From using smart home devices and navigating cities through rideshare apps to accessing financial services and staying connected via social media, the Internet underpins virtually all daily activities. Prince noted that many of these interactions, though often taken for granted, involve intricate digital connections, with a significant portion routed through Cloudflare’s global network. As one of the largest networks worldwide, Cloudflare provides a unique vantage point for analyzing Internet usage, connectivity, and security trends.
The report highlights key developments across various sectors, offering insights into the Internet’s shifting dynamics. Google maintained its position as the most popular Internet service for the third consecutive year, followed by Facebook, Apple, and TikTok, reflecting continuity in user preferences. However, WhatsApp’s debut in the top ten signals its growing significance as a communication tool globally. In the realm of generative AI, OpenAI continued to dominate, while emerging platforms like Codeium, Claude, and CoPilot gained substantial traction, showcasing the rapid evolution of AI-powered technologies.
The gaming industry also experienced significant shifts. Platforms like Steam and Minecraft entered the ranks of the most popular services, demonstrating the growing appeal of interactive entertainment. Meanwhile, Roblox retained its position as the leading gaming service for the fourth year in a row, highlighting its sustained popularity across diverse demographics.
Cloudflare’s analysis of cybersecurity trends revealed that the Gaming and Gambling industry overtook Finance as the most targeted sector by cyber threats. This shift was particularly evident during high-profile events like the Super Bowl, where malicious activity spiked. Despite this, the Internet’s overall security landscape saw only a marginal increase in malicious traffic, which accounted for 6.5% of global Internet activity.
AI bots and crawlers played a significant role in shaping web traffic patterns. ByteDance’s Bytespider and Anthropic’s ClaudeBot emerged as the most active bots, though their traffic declined over the year. The report also addressed the impact of government-directed Internet shutdowns, which were responsible for more than half of all global outages. These shutdowns, often implemented during protests, civil unrest, or even school exams, disrupted connectivity in numerous countries, including Mozambique, Iraq, Syria, Bangladesh, Senegal, and Pakistan.
Cloudflare Radar, the tool powering these insights, exemplifies Cloudflare’s commitment to democratizing Internet data. Launched in 2020 during the pandemic, Radar offers an accessible platform for exploring global Internet trends and patterns. It aggregates data from Cloudflare’s expansive network, spanning over 330 cities in 120+ countries, and its widely used 1.1.1.1 public DNS Resolver. By making these insights available to anyone, Cloudflare Radar aims to foster a more informed and resilient online world.
David Belson, Head of Data Insight at Cloudflare, highlighted the importance of transparency and accessibility in understanding the Internet’s evolution. The 2024 Year in Review continues this mission, offering a comprehensive look at how the Internet is shaping lives, industries, and global connections. As the Internet continues to grow in scope and influence, Cloudflare’s insights provide invaluable guidance for navigating its challenges and opportunities.