MORE than four million people were reached through the SNP and Yes social media accounts on the day that Nicola Sturgeon delivered her major indyref2 update.

The SNP-run yes.scot campaign said the update had “shifted the world’s attention back onto Scotland”.

On Tuesday, the First Minister laid out her proposed path to an independence referendum – explaining that the Supreme Court will examine whether her government has the power to pass its Referendum Bill.

READ MORE: Scottish independence: Yes and No sides 'neck and neck', poll finds

If the court determines that the Scottish Parliament does not have the power, the First Minister intends to use the next General Election as a de-facto independence referendum.

She confirmed to the BBC on Wednesday night that if more than 50% of votes were for the SNP, she would consider that a mandate for independence.

The National:

"Scotland can't become independent without a majority of people voting for it, which is a majority of votes have to be cast for independence", Sturgeon told the broadcaster.

According to the SNP and its Yes campaigning channel, there has been a “significant spike” in online traffic since the FM’s announcement to MSPs.

Not including the accounts of personal and politician accounts, the party reached more than 4 million users across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.

@scotnational Nicola Sturgeon took on a BBC host over indyref2 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 #indyref2 #snp #nicolasturgeon #scottish #scotland #foryou ♬ original sound - The National

More than half a million – 518,628 – people have now pledged their support to Scottish independence at the official www.yes.scot platform.

READ MORE: Indyref2: Project Fear 'in overdrive' amid Fortnum & Mason ban claims

A spokesperson for Yes.scot said: “Tuesday’s announcement by the First Minister really shifted the world’s attention back onto Scotland.

“We saw a significant spike in online traffic, and we have big plans – online and offline – for the months ahead.”

Meanwhile on Thursday, the SNP accused the UK Government of trying to “imprison” Scotland in the Union.

SNP Commons leader Pete Wishart asked the Government to organise a debate about democracy in the UK, amid claims it has been put in “some sort of Tory deep freeze” where people cannot change their minds.

But Commons leader Mark Spencer described Wishart as the “master of smoke and mirrors”, adding the SNP MP did not want to focus on other matters such as the “disastrous” education system in Scotland.