WASHINGTON—The Heritage Foundation retained its ranking as the most influential think tank in the United States, according to a digital presence and activity analysis compiled by Forbes. The recognition, awarded in April based on publicly available data, highlights Heritage’s creativity and dominance across multiple major social media platforms and digital channels.
Mary Vought, vice president of strategic communications at Heritage, lauded her team’s success:
“Heritage continues to lead with bold ideas and unmatched impact in the digital space. We are extremely proud of our number one ranking, which is a testament to the power of the conservative message, the strength our team, and the dedication of Heritage’s nationwide network of members and supporters.”
Despite a highly competitive and rapidly evolving media landscape, Heritage has maintained and expanded its reach, underscoring its commitment to advancing conservative values and free-market principles through compelling digital engagement.
Image Credit: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alejandrochafuen/2025/05/09/the-2025-social-media-ranking-of-free-market-think-tanks/
Heritage’s goal is to use its social media content to provide Americans with the facts and context they need to digest the news and promote conservative policies in every corner of the country.
According to the report:
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Facebook: Heritage holds the top spot among U.S. think tanks with 1.9 million likes.
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X: Heritage leads with 742,000 followers, nearly double the next-ranking institution.
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Website Traffic: Heritage tops all U.S. think tanks with 1.5 million monthly visitors.
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YouTube Subscribers: Heritage ranks #1 with 453,000 subscribers.
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LinkedIn: Heritage is again in the lead with 102,000 followers, highlighting its influence among professional and policy-focused audiences.
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Instagram: Heritage dominates with 282,000 followers, demonstrating its ability to connect with younger and visually driven audiences.
The report also notes that Heritage is outpacing competitors in growth on platforms like X and continues to outperform its peers in video and editorial content. Notably, Heritage's former media division, The Daily Signal, now operating independently, experienced a 34% increase in X followers over the past year.
Heritage’s success across platforms illustrates how traditional institutions can remain relevant and influential in a crowded digital environment—without compromising on foundational principles.
If you’re not already following Heritage on social media, you can do so at the links below.
