It happened again. We blinked and the year is over. As we prep for the new year, we can’t help but think about what is in store for 2018. Well, ponder no more social media lovers, we’ve put together a list of 5 predictions for social media in the next year!
1. Video, video, video
We’ve seen a huge rise in video content this year on social networking favorites like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, but there is still more to come in 2018. Some are even predicting that video will account for 80% of all internet content by 2020. Today, 90% of content shared on social media platforms is video. Facebook videos alone receive 135% more organic views than non-video content. In 2018, we predict Facebook will continue to grow its video capabilities making it a huge competitor with YouTube.
2. Influencer marketing will continue to shift to authenticity
This is one of our favorite trends for 2018. We love the idea of influencer marketing and we’re excited to see it evolve in the coming year. One thing we can almost certainly expect is a shift away from using brand name influencers, like celebrities, and a move towards influencers who may not have the largest following, but have authority in their field and possess an engaged audience.
3. Bye bye organic reach?
Industry members are getting ready to kiss free, organic reach goodbye. With 3.03 billion active social media users, it’s safe to say at any given moment your timeline, regardless of the networking site, will be inundated with content. Marketers, advertisers and brands are coming to the realization that the key to exposure lies within a well thought out and strategic paid social campaign. The end of 2017 saw this trend pick up speed, and as 2018 approaches, it shows no sign of stopping.
4. AI & AR Will Become More Common
There has been lots of talk this year about bots on social networking platforms and whether they’re helpful or causing unnecessary trouble for users. Tech gurus are working their magic on augmented reality and artificial intelligence to perfect bots for real-time engagement with customers. Currently, there are 12,000 active monthly bots on Facebook’s messenger platform. In the next year, we can expect 30% of chats to be with chatbots.
5. Generation Z Will Reign Supreme
Known as the true “digital natives,” members of Generation Z were born between 1995 and 2012. RetailDive said, “Gen-Z is two-to-three times more likely to be influenced by social media than by sales or discounts- the only generation to value social media over price when it comes to making purchase decisions.” In 2018, marketers should be shifting their targeting to this younger generation to produce more hot leads and conversions.
Well, there you have it, folks! These are the top 5 trends we expect to see emerge in the new year!
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