Article 10 Predictions for the future of social media

In 2020, the social landscape will look different, but familiar. Let’s take a dive into our top 10 predictions for the future of social media.

2020 will be a fun year. Not only because it is oddly symmetrical, but because social media will reach a point where it must keep up with the demands of social media users rather than playing the offered hand like before.

Of course, this means that as a business owner, you will have to know the latest info and modify your strategy once the new trends start kicking in. (Remember the 1960s when there were no smartphones and trick or treating was still a super fun thing to do? I mean, Instagram who?)

Let’s look at some of the most expected social media predictions in 2020. Specifically on how to integrate them, before the next Gen Z grabs an office chair right next to you.

1. More visuals

• According to Andrew Ng, the chief scientist at Baidu, 50% of searches by 2020 will be done through voice recognition systems or graphics. The rise of visual content is becoming familiar for social media users. People are getting used to talking to Google Home and Amazon devices every morning, while website layouts have been optimized in ways that allow image searching in just seconds.
• With the rise of social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat, visual-based content has massively increased in usage since smartphones now have access to cameras, photos, and videos.

2. More social videos

• 56% of users use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Snapchat to watch and engage with brands’ videos each month.
• 1 out of 3 social media users watch or interact with videos made by brands every month.
• Do you watch YouTube in your free time? Or follow lifestyle channels every once in a while?

Needless to say, it is almost certain that we will be seeing an evolution of social media videos in 2020, including the newbie, live video, which has been trending the past year.

3. Mobile vs desktop experience

Think mobile before desktop. Comparing the time you spend on your smartphone/pad to the time you actually open your laptop and get some work done, you will understand what we are trying to say here.

Again, always think mobile-first.

4. Social media CEOs

When there are so many things that are using social media, people are required to be able to understand the formulas behind social platforms. If you tell me you have never searched for things like how to get more brand engagement or how to run an ad for Facebook, I won’t believe you.

5. Here are some memes for your next personal content

You know it, people barely read personal updates nowadays. Even though we care about our friends and wish them the best, cute animal videos are still one of the most engaging types of content on social media.

Social media, in general, are sharing less personal information and are more interested in engaging videos or funny memes to tag friends.

6. Chatbots

If you happen to have your own business online, then one of the most beneficial tools you can use is chatbots. Chatbots were created during a time when, ironically, nobody wants to talk with anybody.

From displaying a product gallery on Instagram to a product tag on Facebook, younger demographics are using social platforms, especially chatbots, to engage and discover products. Make reservations, get a location, answer some simple FAQs, etc. The world is endless, my friend.

7. Personal conversation

Teens are now eager to send video and image snippets rather than typing or replying to a message on their phone. By understanding this behaviour, businesses can move forward with different forms of social videos that grow a customer community while showcasing a balanced amount of broadcast content and product integration.

8. Influencer marketing

While our privacy is being compromised, influencer marketing is indeed on the rise. Unlike social media ads, where people can be creeped out wondering why their previous searches pop up every now and then when an influencer shares a product on social media, it doesn’t feel like advertising. These are personal connections coming from a real human being.

9. Local content, the secret weapon

Imagine you’re a big brand with over 1,000 stores around the country. Do you think national marketing strategies are strong enough to retain customer turnovers? Local brand social media pages give customers the chance to communicate with brands on a personal level. Instagram now has started implementing location pages to make it easier to search and explore products.

10. The co-existence of fake news and regulations

We have a certain tolerance toward fake news, but in 2020 marketers might be looking at a stricter regulated industry. Social platforms are not a wild wonderland anymore. Facebook will soon be asking businesses for consent before posting to any niche audience. Still, there will be a lot of fake news as we turn towards the reelection. Get yourself ready for emerging fake news about data privacy.

Innovative Marketing SA™️ is a complete digital marketing turnkey solution with the added benefits of graphic design, photography, videography, website development and customised branding services.

We populate & manage the online community with your business’ brand identity for you. All in an effort to develop and monitor your business’ success and growth by keeping you in front of mind in the consumer’s markets.

For more information:

Please get in touch with us on 082 568 7525 / (011) 888-3658 | info@innovativemarketing.co.za

We would love to connect with you @InnovativeZA

Source: https://medium.com/better-marketing/12-predictions-for-the-future-of-social-media-9c08ad247b63