This chapter focuses on people’s motives for using social media in relation to loneliness. Based on a review of the relevant literature, a typology of motives for social media use is developed consisting of four main categories: interpersonal connection, compensation, entertainment and escape, and self-expression and self-promotion. Research findings connecting these motives to loneliness are reviewed and interpreted. While studies are still relatively few in numbers, and longitudinal studies mostly lacking, it appears that using social media for interpersonal connection can have different outcomes for different people. For those who already have sufficient relationships, social media can be a platform for communicating with them, and thereby prevent or reduce loneliness. For those who have insufficient real-life relationships, turning to social media as a compensatory strategy may rather increase their loneliness. While less evidence concerns the entertainment/escape and self-expression/self-promotion motives, some studies suggest that such motives can be related to higher loneliness. Awareness of one’s motives for using social media may help individuals use them with most benefit, and avoid using them when their goals can be more effectively pursued by other means.