We expect several social media trends that have been part of 2020 to grow in 2021, but some will certainly change and improve along the way.
We can all speculate what the world will offer us in the next calendar year but considering what we’ve been through in 2020 that might not be wise. With that in mind, we do have some idea of what to expect going forward in the digital world.
More Platforms Will Use Ephemeral Content
One of the most popular trends in social media has to do with content that’s only offered for a short period of time before it disappears. This content is called Ephemeral Content and it’s been used on Instagram and Snapchat for quite some time. This type of content will continue to gain popularity and create a trend of speedier reactions to what’s being shared.
A Shift in the Type of Content on Social Media
When you review engaging content and useful content together, a shift has been created toward useful content. While engaging items will certainly capture the attention of an audience, more searches are being performed to solve an issue, look for an item, or find a needed service. The most likely success of the content offered will be a blend of useful and engaging to give the audience a little of everything in one place.
More Platforms Will Incorporate Newsfeed Algorithms
We know that Facebook uses an algorithm to show you the content that’s most relevant to you based on this information. Unfortunately, this means some of your contacts might not show up in your newsfeed unless you engage with them regularly. More platforms are expected to make this change, which could pose a challenge for businesses that rely on social media engagement for leads.
Dominance Will Continue with Traditional Social Media Platforms
Younger generations can tell you that Facebook is for old people or that Twitter doesn’t matter, but the fact is, when it comes to marketing, they do. Both platforms will continue to dominate in their respective spheres while others may show up and gain some momentum. The beauty of collaborative competition will give all users what they want and offer companies continued success through social marketing.
Video Content Will be More Important than Ever
We already rely on videos for much of the information we look for. Whether we’re searching for DIY videos to learn to do something special or we use them as entertainment, the growth of video is evident. More social media platforms will make it easier than ever to share videos and bring your message to the forefront of where your customers are.
Buying Online Will Become Easier on Social Media
The COVID-19 pandemic thrust many digital marketing agencies into a panic to figure out how to build an e-commerce platform quickly for their clients. This expanded into an easier way to click and buy right from the posts on various social platforms. Expect this process to become even easier and allow you to enjoy the benefits of a smoother transaction from your newsfeeds.
Using Live Streaming Services Will Continue to Grow
One thing 2020 taught us is how many can do their jobs from home and continue to be productive. Zoom meetings have been a hit and have become a great way for teams across the country or globe to collaborate easily. While not truly a social media trend, the social nature of online collaboration through live streaming makes sense and could become a new normal for many organizations.
Listening Has Never Been So Crucial
Having social media posts for your business that don’t garner the following or audience that you expect can be frustrating. During 2020, we learned to listen and employ the necessary changes to content that would create the buzz and desired following. That is expected to continue and be a huge part of what we see in various posts on the platforms we use every day.
Reality Will Become More Augmented than Ever
We have only scratched the surface of what virtual reality and augmented reality programs can do for us. Expect these items to make their way into social media and become a normal part of our world. From the virtual testing of products before using any material to make the item to the experimentation in a lab, there are many ways that virtual and augmented reality programs can be of use to us in the future.
