The 2019 social media scene has had its fair share of memorable moments. The shutdown of Google+, the removal of likes on Instagram and the rising popularity of chatbots are among this year’s highlights. As we prepare to enter a new decade, it’s important to look onwards and keep an eye out for future changes in the industry. So, here are our Top 6 Anticipated Social Media Trends for 2020.
Mobile-adapted content
An increasing number of people now have access to smartphones. According to Facebook, more than 3 billion people will own a smartphone in 2020. On top of that, 91% of social media users access platforms via mobile.
It’s a good idea for social media managers to make efforts towards creating engaging mobile content. Prioritizing the publication of vertical videos and short stories are just a few examples that can make a real difference on your pages.
When it comes to your website, make sure that it is both user-friendly and mobile-responsive for an optimized experience.
The rise of “niche” platforms
Facebook and Instagram have been ranking at the top of the list of the most used social media for a while now, but 2020 seems very interesting for platforms that are considered “niche.”
We can already see this trend taking place, notably with Tik Tok, a hugely successful app, with over 500 million active users. Its success can be attributed to Generation Z adolescents and young adults since they make up 41% of its users. Also, Twitch, a platform dedicated to gamers, attracts more than 15 million active users per day. While this number is second to any other more massive social media, many celebrities have embraced this platform to reach this niche community.
A place for technology
Technology will play a key role in social media usage in 2020, as it will continue to offer new ways to interact. While some platforms (most notably Snapchat) already make use of augmented reality (AR) with numerous filter options, many others will start using this technology in innovative ways. For example, Instagram is now offering a new beta-app in which users can try certain products online through augmented reality.
Virtual reality is also in the game since Facebook is set to release Horizon, a virtual platform where users can interact with each other using an avatar.
Finally, it’s important to note that a good interactive experience is a golden opportunity to increase a company’s brand awareness.
Micro-influencers brand deals
According to Mediakix, nearly 80% of social media marketers find influential marketing useful and nearly two-thirds are thinking of increasing their budget. In short, influencers will remain an integral part of social media marketing strategies in 2020. However, businesses will be using micro-influencers far more than before, since doing so will help reduce the investment risk. Besides, targeting their audiences often creates a more authentic engagement rate compared to when dealing with macro-influencers and celebrities.
Videos FTW
Say goodbye to images and texts because videos are the future standard of social media! According to a study by Cisco, nearly 82% of online content will be in video format by 2022. A prediction that seems far from far-fetched since already 56% of Internet users watch videos on social media every month.
Let’s not forget ephemeral content
Fans of Instagram stories and snaps shall rejoice; ephemeral content will still be “in” in 2020! According to Statista, the number of active users who publish Instagram Stories daily has increased to 500 million in January 2019. This represents an increase of 20% compared to June 2018. If you have not implemented this type of content in your strategy, we strongly advise you to do it in 2020!
2020 looks promising for the world of social media. As the online world continues to evolve, only time will tell if marketing specialists will be able to adapt to the various upcoming changes.
