A global social media boom right now shows no sign of slowing down. It’s no longer just about established social platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, there’s a raft of networks gaining a grip in the space and causing waves amongst marketers and brands. We bring you some of the new social media trends.
Take the rise of reels, which continues to explode in popularity, or YouTube, a go-to channel for video lovers, or Instagram’s refined formats to focus on video content. Then there’s a shift in social media demographics as platforms attract bigger audiences and offer more advertising potential.
During 2023, it is predicted that the number of social media users shall be in the top 3.9 billion and grow to a whopping 4.4 billion in 2025. That’s a lot of eyes to get your content and brand in front of and it creates enormous opportunities for organic search and paid search advertising.
Following are a few emerging new social media trends. As social media continues to evolve, we can expect to see new trends emerge and old ones fade away.
- Live streaming
- Short-form video content
- Niche social media platforms
- Ephemeral content
- Social commerce
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Live streaming:
Live streaming is becoming increasingly popular on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Users are using live streaming to connect with their audience in real time, providing them with a more authentic and engaging experience. There are many benefits to live streaming on social media. It allows brands to connect with their audience in a more personal and engaging way. It also creates a sense of exclusivity, as viewers can participate in real-time and interact
Live streaming can be used for a variety of purposes, such as product launches, Q&A sessions, interviews, and behind-the-scenes content. Brands can also use live streaming to host webinars and virtual events, which can be a great way to reach a wider audience.
One of the key advantages of live streaming is the ability to create a sense of urgency. Viewers know that the content is only available for a limited time, which can encourage them to tune in and participate. Another benefit of live streaming is that it allows brands to showcase their authenticity and personality. Unlike pre-recorded videos, live streams are unedited and unfiltered, which can make them more relatable and humanizing.
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Short-form video content:
Short-form video content has become incredibly popular on social media platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Snapchat Spotlight, etc. Users are creating short, snackable videos that are easy to consume and share.
One of the key advantages of short-form video content is its ability to capture and hold the viewer’s attention. With attention spans continuing to shrink, short-form videos provide a quick and easy way for users to consume and share content.
Short-form video content is also highly shareable, with many platforms allowing users to easily share videos with their followers and beyond. This can help to increase the reach and engagement of the content.
Another advantage of short-form video content is its versatility. It can be used for a variety of purposes, such as showcasing products, providing how-to tutorials, sharing behind-the-scenes content, and more. Brands can use short-form videos to engage with their audience more creatively and engagingly.
One of the keys to success with short-form video content is to make it visually engaging and entertaining. This can be done through the use of music, special effects, and creative editing.
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Niche social media platforms:
In recent years, niche social media platforms have emerged as a social media trend. These platforms cater to specific interests or communities, providing a more specialized and personalized experience for users.
A few examples of niche social media platforms include:
Twitch – a live streaming platform primarily for video game enthusiasts but also for other creatives.
Nextdoor – a neighborhood-based social network that enables local community building and sharing of information and recommendations.
LinkedIn – a professional networking platform that connects individuals in the business world.
Untappd – a social network for beer lovers to share reviews, ratings, and recommendations of different beers.
Ephemeral content:
Ephemeral content has become a popular trend in social media in recent years. It refers to content that is available for a limited time only, usually 24 hours or less before it disappears.
Platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp have all adopted ephemeral content in some form. Snapchat was the first platform to introduce ephemeral content with its Stories feature, which Instagram and Facebook later adopted.
The popularity of ephemeral content can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, it creates a sense of urgency and exclusivity as users know that the content will disappear after a short time. This encourages users to engage with the content and check back frequently to avoid missing out. It allows users to be more authentic and spontaneous as the content is not permanently stored on the platform. Users can share content without worrying about it being permanently available online, which can lead to more creative and candid content.
Overall, the trend of ephemeral content is likely to continue as social media platforms continue to evolve and adapt to changing user behavior and preferences.
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Social commerce:
Social commerce is a growing trend in social media, where social media platforms are integrating e-commerce functionalities into their platforms to make it easier for users to shop and purchase products directly within the app. It allows users to discover and purchase products without leaving the social media platform, making the shopping experience more convenient and seamless. This trend has been gaining momentum in recent years, with platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest all introducing features that enable social commerce. For example, Instagram has introduced features like Instagram Shopping, which allows businesses to tag products in their posts and enable users to purchase those products directly within the app. Facebook has also introduced Facebook Shops, which allows businesses to create an online store within Facebook and Instagram.
The rise of social commerce can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, social media platforms have large user bases, making them an attractive place for businesses to reach potential customers. Secondly, social media platforms have rich data on user behavior and preferences, allowing businesses to target their products to specific audiences.
Social commerce also provides a more engaging and personalized shopping experience, as users can discover products through their social media feeds and interact with businesses directly through messaging.
Overall, social commerce is a trend that is likely to continue to grow as social media platforms continue to integrate e-commerce functionalities and businesses look for new ways to reach and engage with their customers.
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