Social Media trends to follow in 2018

Social media is a controversy topic today. It makes easy for people to communicate and interact with each other anytime anywhere in the world. 

People can stay connected to their families and loved ones no matter how far they are from each other. 

The trend in social media is also changing very quickly. Here, we are listing a few social media trends to follow in 2018 

Video

Bigger than ever, video is the global Internet traffic leader, and is retained by consumers at a far higher rate than text advertising (95% for video, only 10% for text).

Augmented Reality

AR marketing is already proving to be a game-changer for integrated marketers. 

Providing a creative way to connect with audiences in an accessible way, AR is being rapidly introduced across new platforms including games, social media, and photography.

Messaging platforms

Integrated marketers are finding it valuable to participate on messaging platforms like Facebook, as well as so-called ‘dark-social’ platforms – those that are not publicly visible like SnapChat, WhatsApp, and Messenger. 

The latter two platforms lead the pack of the top social messaging platforms.

Mobile-Ready content

Each year the number of smartphone users grows, and with this rapid adoption comes an increase in time spent on mobile devices. 

As mobile grows, there is a greater dependence on mobile-ready content and platforms from SMBs.

AI and Chatbots 

Facilitating real-time customer service engagement, AI & Chatbots serve as support services that help tackle any communication barriers between companies and their audiences. 

With 30% of our chats expected to be handled by chatbots in 2018, their accessibility, flexibility, low cost, and scalability make these beneficial to companies looking for new and affordable ways to talk with their clients.

Ephemeral Content 

Short-lived content is novel and fleeting, appealing especially to younger consumers. 

Ephemeral content is an inexpensive way to interest and connect with followers. 

This type of marketing is great for authenticity, FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), high engagement, and mobile.

Influencer marketing

The fastest growing marketing channel is influencer marketing, topping even search and email.

94% of marketers using influencer marketing believe it’s effective and have found that they can garner up to 10 times the conversion of other tactics.

Shifting focus to gen Z

In the recent past we have focused on the needs and requirements of the millennial generation, but move over millennials – Gen Z is coming up fast, and they have their own unique demands!

Born between 1995-2012, Gen Z is heavily invested in visual, streaming and ephemeral content.

Live streaming

Streaming on social media platforms has grown by leaps and bounds over the last six years. 

In particular, Facebook live videos are watched for three times longer than regular videos.