Top Social Media Trends Which Will Rule in 2024
| December 18, 2023
2023 is almost over, and 2024 is round the clock to spark in. Besides preparing holiday rushes, you must start planning for the business year ahead. Are you ready for the next 12 months to change your approach to digital marketing? Are you aware of the next social media trends? We can reshape our interactions with the business world based on the next wave of media trends, innovations and updates.
As we step into 2024, it’s crucial for businesses, marketers, and individuals alike to stay ahead of the curve by understanding and embracing the latest social media trends. This AXAD blog will delve into the key trends set to redefine the social media landscape in 2024.
Video Dominance
Video content has rapidly gained traction in recent years. And in 2024, it is all set to dominate social media platforms. According to Wyzowl’s study, people, on average, watch 17 hours of online video content per week. As per resources, marketers predict that video content boasts one of the highest ROIs among media trend formats, with 92% asserting it provides a substantial return on investment. With the rise of short-form videos, reels, and live streaming, users are increasingly drawn to dynamic and engaging visual content. From short spins on Instagram to in-depth YouTube tutorials, Businesses should leverage this trend by incorporating video content into their social media marketing strategies to enhance engagement and connect with their audience on a deeper level.
Augmented Reality Experiences
The integration of augmented reality (AR) into the platforms of social media trends is poised to revolutionise user experiences. From interactive filters to AR advertisements, platforms invest heavily in immersive technologies. AR enhances real-life visual content and alters how it looks to make it stand out in media trends. With AR, Facebook and Instagram have improved the social shopping experiences for their users. Brands can capitalise on this trend by creating interactive and shareable AR content, providing users with unique and engaging experiences beyond traditional forms of interaction.
Emerging Virtual Reality Trends
Virtual reality trends could be faster in comparison to AR technologies. It is counted as one of the best technological trends that can provide a complete immersive interaction. Therefore, it will continue to pick up speed in 2024. The real reason that hampers VR utilisation in social media trends is its costs. However, every new technology will be down to the mainstream market for wider use after a period.
VR’s current focus area is virtual reality gaming. YouTube also experiments with virtual reality to offer different experiences of watching concerts, encouraging sports activities, and spending time on virtual safari tours. It is a fact that VR is here to stay. The increasing demand for VR audiences will set a new bar for ecommerce platforms when 3D product showcasing is introduced. It just started, and in 2024, it will surely grow.
Rising Ephemeral Content
Ephemeral content and social media marketing trends are all set to go in 2024. If you need to learn what Ephemeral content is, these are the stories you see on social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat. These are like the feeling moments that disappear after 24 hours. This content is gaining popularity due to its temporary nature. Marketers should incorporate this trend into their social media marketing strategies. According to studies, after viewing stories on Instagram, 62% of users become more interested in a brand or a product. They are creating content that fosters a sense of urgency and exclusivity, driving higher user engagement.
Rising Role of Micro and Nano Influencers
Today, brands seek influencers who authentically align with their values and have diverse and engaged following. While celebrity endorsements are very impactful, in 2024, you will see a rise in shifting towards micro (10k-50k followers) and nano influencers (<10k followers). Their niche audiences, genuine engagement, and trust make them invaluable for brand partnerships. Linqia study revealed that 90% of marketers want to work with micro influencers because they have better engagement than larger ones.
Social Media Automation
Genuine interaction is the centre of attraction of all social media trends. Logistics needs optimization because time is money, and automation is the key. Starting from writing social media captions to scheduling posts, brands are looking for tools that can help them scale and automate content production. According to Ascend2, in 2023 50% of brands have adopted marketing automation tools for social media management. It is a 6% increase from the previous year. This growth is expected to persist as automation reduces costs and enables brands to concentrate on strategy and content creation. In 2024, these tools help brands in providing consistent posting, real-time engagement tracking , and heightened overall efficiency.
Generative AI
As artificial intelligence technology is increasing, it is anticipated that a broader integration of AI will enter into the platforms of Social media trends. According to the Hootsuite Social Trends 2024 Survey, it is projected that 318% increase in organisations planning to leverage AI for customer support activities and 260% surge in the use of AI for image editing.
AI will make processes faster and more efficient and serve as a valuable tool for tasks such as refining ideas, generating images and aggregating user data.
In 2024 you will witness Hybrid Content Automation, and that represents a fusion of artificial intelligence and human creativity in content creation. Botco.ai study says that 73% of B2B and B2C marketing executives are already using generative AI to help create text, images,videos and other content.
User Generated Content
User Generated Content (UGC) is the future of content marketing trends. UGC develops a dynamic brand consumer relationship by transforming passive viewers into active participants and advocates as consumers become major storytellers.
LEGO, Starbucks, and GoPro are the brands that have masterfully leveraged UGC. They are turning customers into content creators through their campaigns, contests, and community engagement to amplify brand loyalty.
Authenticity is the centre stage
Today users have a craving for real and transparent interaction. Brands need to be genuine in their communication and acknowledge their mistakes will foster more loyalty. As per Stackla Survey, 88% of consumers prioritise authenticity when choosing brands to support.
The modern consumer values transparency over curated perfection. In 2024, brands are definitely going to showcase behind the scenes looks, candid moments, and even acknowledge imperfections or mistakes.
Along with authenticity, brands need to grow their concern about user privacy. Now, all social media platforms should prioritise data protection features. Because users are now more conscious of how their data is being utilised, and platforms are responding with enhanced privacy settings.
Growing Hyper-Personalization Zone
Hyper- personalisation media trends in marketing are going to be big in 2024. With the advancement of AI and Machine Learning, users now expect content tailored specifically to their preferences. Hyper-personalisation involves leveraging data analytics to deliver more relevant content, product or email to users.
According to a Deloitte study, 90% of customers find personalised advertising appealing. For example:
Winky’s personalised playlists
Amazon’s customise shopping suggestions
Netflix, Hotstar, Amazon Prime’s viewing recommendations.
These brands have taken hyper-personalisation to the next level, and more businesses are likely to employ similar strategies in 2024.
Final Thoughts
2024’s social media trends will enter into the dynamic landscape, user centric, and more integrated than ever before. For brands and marketers, staying updated with these media trends is not just recommended, instead It is essential.
From the dominance of video content to the rise of augmented reality experiences, all the above trends offer exciting opportunities for those ready for a change. By incorporating these changes in social media trends, you can foster deeper connections with your audience , stay competitive in your industry, and position yourself for success in the dynamic world of social media.
Things are always changing in the social media landscape. It is hard to predict exactly what will be coming next. But these are AXAD marketing experts best guesses at what each social media platform will be doing in 2024, which could help you to plan for the next stage. So be a partner with AXAD and know what’s next.