Now that we are two months into 2022, we can analyse what trends are emerging on social media compared to the previous year. However, attempting to predict the social media landscape is a challenging task due to the constant evolution of platforms and the speed of the industry. Combined with the impact of the social environment, it becomes a complex undertaking. For example, no one predicted the pandemic and its impact on the rapid rise of TikTok.
Even though nobody knows for sure what 2022 will bring, we can make informed guesses based on last year's market development. So here are five social media trends to watch out for:
- TikTok is conquering the social media world.
- Snackable Content as the Star
- The dominance of video content
- Social Commerce Boom
- Authenticity with User-Generated Content
# 1 TikTok conquerors the social media world
TikTok was the cool kid on the block in 2021, and that's not going to change in 2022. With over a million monthly active users, TikTok is a space for everyone. As 60 % of TikTok's users are Gen Z, we expect to see more and more brands trying to tap into this market. TikTok allows brands to be more casual and experimental to connect with their audience more directly. We’re excited to see how this trend unfolds throughout the year.
# 2 Snackable Content as a Star
It should come as no surprise that short, engaging content that immediately grabs attention is indispensable on social media. However, with the dominance of shorter content in the world of online videos, this is becoming even more extreme. This is most likely due to the rapid growth of TikTok. Originally, the platform only allowed the uploading of 15-second videos. This has changed over time, with the maximum length now being three minutes, but shorter videos continue to dominate the space, as more platforms have adopted TikTok's format.
Video content should already be part of your social media strategy, but are you spending money on 10-minute videos that nobody is watching? Consider reducing the amount of content and focusing on short, engaging videos.
# 3 Dominance Video Content
In many cases, video posts perform better than static image posts. In some cases, Instagram videos received twice as much engagement as photo posts. Many social media platforms are creating more and more opportunities for short video posts. This is because the longer the posts are, the higher the chances that the user will not read or watch them due to their short attention span. This format also uses audiovisual stimuli that specifically appeal to the recipient on multiple levels. Therefore, to compete with TikTok, Instagram introduced Instagram Reels in 2020. With Reels, users can now record and post videos up to 60 seconds long. YouTube also introduced a new format in 2020, YouTube Shorts, which is similar to TikTok videos and Instagram Reels.
# 4 The Social Commerce Boom
Social commerce is a sub-sector of e-commerce where everything takes place on social media – product discovery, click-to-purchase, and post-purchase support.
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Most online businesses today appreciate the importance of a social presence. Generation Z, in particular, is a mobile-first generation and Instagram is their primary discovery channel. As online purchases become increasingly common and consumers use social media to buy or review products, your customers should have simple, mobile-friendly ways to buy from them.
# 5 Authenticity with User Generated Content
Businesses are increasingly incorporating user-generated content (UGC) into their social media marketing strategies. UGC offers several advantages for businesses, including being cheaper than traditional advertising, having higher brand recognition, and helping brands be perceived as more authentic and social. Authenticity is increasingly important to consumers in 2022. UGC not only facilitates direct dialogue but also fosters engagement with users.
Conclusion
Social media usage is expected to continue to rise over the next two to three years. Social media stars (like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat) are unlikely to disappear, despite emerging competition.
Although it can be overwhelming when a new feature is introduced or a trend emerges, you can experiment with it and find out what works best for your specific audience and goals. It's expected that growing engagement will continue to fuel social commerce and generate high revenues for businesses. Whether it's posting more video or snackable content – these five social media trends are worth keeping an eye on.
