Social media has become an essential part of people's lives and daily routines. Some people are so dependent on it that when they wake up, the first thing they do is check their social media accounts.

Because of the importance of social media in the lives of consumers, marketers and businesses move to social media platforms in the hopes of interacting with their target audiences. However, there is a lot of content on social media, and the competition is very high. It can be challenging for your business to stand out unless you have a clear social media marketing strategy. Staying updated on the latest social media trends can help fuel your strategy and make you stand out compared to your competitors. Here are a few social media trends that you need to be aware of for 2022 and beyond.

Live streams
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Stories as a Content Format
Virtual Reality (VR)
Augmented Reality (AR)
Social Commerce
Video Content

1. Live streams

The global health crisis saw many businesses going digital however it prevents the spread of COVID-19. Face-to-face meetings changed into Zoom conferences and live concerts turned into live streams of artists playing from their homes.

Live streaming is quickly expanding to other industries, especially “live shopping.” Live shopping is the latest online shopping trend to integrate social commerce with live streaming.

Instagram Live Shopping, which allows brands and creators to sell during live broadcasts, was recently launched. Many brands are taking advantage of this feature to collaborate with influencers and creators to increase their sales.

2. Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI in social media holds the power to transform how brands market across networks like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. AI is the heart of global business and industry in the future. With the increasing use of AI, we can see how users behave online, what their buying patterns look like, and provide proper targeting for your target audience.

AI can help businesses understand how customers find their products and services by analyzing consumer behavior and search patterns, as well as using data from social media platforms and blog postings.

3. Stories as a Content Format

Stories are becoming more popular on social media. Unlike posts, stories enable more interaction with followers. Stories can also increase the interaction between brands and social media users through various story functions such as voting, question box and countdowns, and product stickers.

If you haven’t started using the Stories function, you should give it a try now!

4. Virtual Reality (VR)

Amid the stay-at-home orders and the need for social distancing, people are looking out for more meaningful interactions virtually. VR is one of the current technological trends that can provide them with those interactions.

When you interact with people through virtual reality, you get the feeling that you're truly there with them, even if they're halfway around the world. This is the exact kind of exposure that people need at a time when they must socially distance themselves.

2021 is likely to see VR gaining more popularity on social media as platforms move forward with this technology.

5. Augmented Reality (AR)

Because of the seamless integration of AR and social media, businesses of all sizes and types can take advantage of this latest technology.

More people use mobile devices today as the devices themselves become more effective and the apps integrate better with AR. Business owners will want to get in the game of engaging with their customers through AR before the competition does. Consider how mobile devices could trigger AR content for your brand that gives an outstanding experience by employing location targeting.

Creatively implementing AR into your social media marketing strategy for 2021 could very well help your brand stand out from competitors. As social media platforms improve their AR features, businesses can make AR a major element of their social media marketing strategy. Make sure to keep up with social media AR trends so that you can stay ahead of the competition and grow your business.

6. Social Commerce

Social commerce is also emerging as a great trend. Users find it livelier to shop on social media platforms and are more engaged because they can like, comment, and share content.

Instagram was one of the first social commerce platforms. It introduced a shopping function in 2020, permitting users to visit a shop from a business’s Instagram profile, feed, and Stories. Visitors can browse products and directly checkout on the app, which provides a seamless shopping experience. In 2021 we expect to see other social media sites follow this formula.

7. Video Content

Video content is one of the most engaging sorts of content and will eventually dominate social media - outperforming all other types of content. Whether it is short-form videos, stories, or long-form content on YouTube, videos are the future of social media content.

If you're not currently creating videos, it is the right time that you to include them in your content strategy. Shortly, videos will dominate social media, and anyone who doesn't realize that will have a tough time.

Ready to stay on top of trends?

Social media trends are everchanging, so it’s essential to watch out for new trends and act accordingly. Start your video marketing. Use stories to interact with your followers. Take advantage of social commerce, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality! These are some of the trends that will dominate the social media platform in 2021 and beyond.

Test and try different strategies to see what works best for your business. It’s never too late to start!

Smithy, a leading website development company in Tyler, Texas offers end-to-end services from web design and search engine optimization to social media marketing services. Our expert team establishes an authoritative online presence with the best marketing strategies.

Stop Stressing! Let us help you manage your social media platforms with the latest social media trends!