Technology, as we know, changes exponentially. We are now at the point where we could expect updates and changes from platforms to occur monthly instead of yearly. Because of it, social media trends and what’s hot and what’s not is also changing. While 2025 may seem a bit far away, it’s not. And that means that you have to ensure that you’re hitting all cylinders now to secure tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of followers in the years to come.

2020 shifted tons of things. For instance, it changed how we communicate, how we shop, and the way we work. The pandemic lockdown and constraints on social activities moved virtually everyone online. For the first time, you had seniors who did not use FaceTime, Messenger, or Zoom learning how to use it to stay connected. Of course, social media also became a lifeline for remaining connected to others.

The Full Move to Digital

With physical interactions restricted, people craved social interactions, and social media provided the perfect and secure gateway. In turn, it helped to soften the psychological and emotional issues for isolated people. Within an article release by Facebook, it reported a 70% increase in the time spent on its applications (Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp).

Aside from utilizing social media for socializing and amusement, as mentioned, many moved to remote work and education. As we know, people use social networks for virtual conversations between households and friends. But, there’s also an increased reliance on social media for real-time information updates (e.g., the news).

In short, the world has moved online and is digital. Will this trend reverse once the pandemic is entirely gone? We don’t think so. We believe that this trend will continue as consumers become more habituated to digital life. Thus, it imperative for businesses to concentrate their social media plan to adapt to these trends.

Here are the top 5 social media trends which we see will shape the future of social networks.

1. Video content will become the de facto standard

Video content is already probably the most engaging form of content and will soon become the de facto standard while publishing content. Whether it’s short-form videos on TikTok or Stories or long-form content on YouTube, videos are the future of social network content. Another popular fad catching up fast is Live videos. Since their introduction by YouTube in 2008 and Facebook in 2016, entrepreneurs are increasingly utilizing live videos to engage with their audience.

2. Influencer Marketing will increase its domination

Influencer marketing isn’t really a brand new trend. But it’s something that will increase its domination within the arena of digital online advertising. The increased usage of social network tools has also supplied many influencers to build their communities. Purchasing influencers are increasingly becoming affordable, and even small businesses can now compete with big corporations. As social network usage increases, more micro and nano-influencers will dominate the social network marketing space.

3. Exponential growth of commerce on social media

The pandemic forced businesses to find avenues to sustain and grow their businesses. With people confined to their homes, companies had to reach out to their customers instead of waiting for them to come to them. As a result, brands have used social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to sell their products. This trend is only going to get stronger. If you think this trend is temporary, think again. A study done by Accenture showed that people are rethinking the way they shop. The report shows a rising change in consumer shopping behavior, which will continue even after the pandemic.

4. Increased usage of AI

The recent years have seen increased usage of chatbots by businesses. The chatbots market is expected to grow from $2.6 billion in 2019 to $9.4 billion by 2024. Chatbots already help companies to reduce costs and improve customer service operations. Therefore, with advancements in technology and the work done on AI, this will only get better. Chatbots will find increased usage in other business processes, including sales, troubleshooting, and others.

5. A sharp rise in social media communities

Social media communities or groups have existed for a while. However, their importance is increasing by the day, and coupled with the influencers, they play a crucial role in your social media strategy. Social media communities are social groups formed by brands that provide a platform for your brand’s existing and prospective customers to interact.

Community members discuss various topics, share their personal experiences, and seek solutions to their challenges. The ultimate goal of any marketer is to bring more people to a product or service, ideally, at the lowest cost possible. A community helps marketers do this quicker and at an affordable price.

© 2020 Grafix Design Studio. All Rights Reserved.