In the fast-paced world of social media and digital marketing, staying up-to-date with emerging trends is crucial to maintain a competitive edge. As we are in 2024, it’s critical to consider the major themes that will influence the sector going forward. In this blog post, we’ll explore the top social media trends and digital marketing trends for 2024 that you need to know.
Social Media Search Optimization
The practice of making your material more search engine friendly for social media platforms is known as social media search optimisation. With the rise of Gen Z, social media search optimization is becoming increasingly important. Platforms such as TikTok and Instagram are optimizing for search, allowing users to discover content based on keywords and metadata. As a marketer, optimizing for discoverability can help increase reach and engagement.
A report by demandsage.com suggests that Social media is booming globally, with nearly 5 billion users (61% of the population) actively engaging on various platforms. This number is likely to grow even further, reaching 5.17 billion by the end of 2024. Facebook reigns supreme with 3.05 billion users, while the average person juggles 6.6 platforms and spends over 2.5 hours per day scrolling through their feeds. Millennials and Gen Z stand out as the most avid social media enthusiasts, shaping trends and driving platform usage. Overall, social media has become an undeniable force in our digital world, connecting billions and permeating everyday life.
The Surge of UGC – user-generated content
You may definitely increase your average numbers by using tried-and-true social media posts. But, businesses must humanize content if they want to remain relevant on social media. Audiences were initially oblivious to content curation, but with time, they evolved into content creators in their own right.Users expect more than just flawless photographs and social media videos, to put it simply. You need to publish information that appears authentic and may elicit feelings. Brands can’t rely only on modified content anymore! Make material on behind-the-scenes activities, employee success stories, the history of your company, and other topics.
User-generated content (UGC) plays a crucial role in driving social media engagement, with an 88% increase in activity. Additionally, UGC contributes to a 29% rise in web conversions and a 25% improvement in ad performance. Consumers highly value UGC, as evidenced by 93% finding it helpful in making purchase decisions. Millennials, a key demographic, dedicate 30% of their media time to interacting with UGC content.
Immersive Augmented Reality Content
We should expect significantly more creative and varied AR uses across a range of industries in 2024. AR has enormous promise as long as technology keeps improving. It has the ability to completely change the way we interact with one another, learn, shop, and see the world. AR is becoming more and more integrated into our daily lives, providing new avenues for enquiry and discovery.
Augmented reality (AR) is growing increasingly trendy on social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat. More immersive and captivating material may now be produced thanks to developments in augmented reality technology. Incorporating AR content into your digital marketing strategy can help differentiate your brand and increase engagement.
Dominance of Short-Form Video
Short-form video is becoming one of the most popular types of content on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. Incorporating short-form video into your digital marketing strategy can help increase engagement and reach a younger audience. However, it’s important to balance short-form video content with other types of content to avoid over-reliance and potential drawbacks.
In 2024, marketers are anticipated to heavily invest in short-form video content, allocating the highest percentage at 26%. Following closely are podcasts or other audio content, and images, each expected to receive 9% of the investment. Case studies and long-form video content are projected to account for 8% each, while blog posts round out the list with a 7% share. This data from Hubspot underscores the evolving landscape of content marketing, with a notable emphasis on visually engaging and succinct short-form video formats as a primary focus for marketers in the coming year.
Interactive Livestream Shopping
Live stream shopping is becoming increasingly popular on social media platforms, providing an interactive and convenient way for consumers to make purchases. Incorporating livestream shopping into your digital marketing strategy can help increase conversions and build brand loyalty.
Live stream shopping boasts conversion rates that can soar up to 10 times higher than the average e-commerce conversion rate. A significant majority, nearly 60%, of viewers engaging in live streams proceed to make a purchase either during the live event or in its aftermath. Facebook Live stream takes the lead as the preferred live commerce platform, with 55% of businesses leveraging its popularity for their live shopping initiatives.
Voice-Optimized Content
It’s getting more and more crucial to get ready for speech-optimized content as voice assistants and smart speakers become more commonplace. Voice-optimized content refers to content that is specifically designed for voice search. Incorporating voice-optimized content into your digital marketing strategy can help increase discoverability and reach a wider audience. According to Statista, the number of voice search assistants (smart assistants) worldwide will reach 8.4 billion units by 2024. That’s even more voice assistants than the world’s population!
And a study by PWC revealed that 71% of consumers would rather use a voice assistant versus typing to search for something online. And 36% of respondents said they’d rather use a voice assistant to shop than visit a physical store.
Rise of Micro-Influencers
Micro-influencers, influencers with smaller followings, are becoming increasingly popular in social media marketing. Micro-influencers can provide a more niche and authentic approach to influencer marketing, often leading to higher engagement rates. Compare and contrast micro-influencers with traditional influencers to determine which approach may be best for your brand.
According to Social Media Today, a substantial 67% of marketers believe that the use of micro-influencers enhances engagement. Furthermore, the impact of TikTok continues to grow, with projections indicating that the platform’s user base will exceed 1 billion by the year 2023, as reported by Business of Apps. In alignment with these trends, Statista forecasts a significant surge in global spending on influencer marketing, estimating it to reach a noteworthy $13.8 billion in 2024. These statistics collectively underscore the increasing importance and pervasive influence of micro-influencers and platforms like TikTok, shaping the landscape of digital marketing and influencer collaborations in the coming years.
AI-Powered Content at Scale
Using AI-powered content to scale your digital marketing efforts can help save time and increase efficiency. AI-powered content refers to content that is generated by artificial intelligence, such as chatbots or automated content creation. While using AI-powered content can be beneficial, it’s important to balance with human-generated content to maintain an authentic brand voice.
The 2023 survey conducted by HubSpot sheds light on the diverse applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the marketing realm. Notably, 33% of marketers harness AI for the crucial task of generating ideas and seeking inspiration, while 28% employ AI during the writing process to craft compelling copy. A significant 26% leverage AI technology for the creation of marketing images, and 25% rely on AI to distill texts into essential key points. Additionally, 23% of marketers utilize AI for the translation of marketing content into multiple languages. These findings underscore the multifaceted role that AI plays in assisting marketers across various facets of content creation and strategy.
In conclusion, staying updated with emerging social media trends and digital marketing trends is crucial for maintaining a competitive edge in the industry. From social media search optimization to AI-powered content, incorporating these top trends into your digital marketing strategy can help increase engagement, reach, and conversions. As we approach 2024, it’s important to prepare for the future of social media and digital marketing by staying informed and adapting to emerging trends
