The world of social media has certainly been under the spotlight throughout 2018. Stories including Facebook being slapped with a large fine for its use of users data and adult content being banned from Tumblr have thrust the medium itself into the centre stage. With studies showing that the overuse of certain apps can lead to potential problems in other areas of life and many younger people deciding to close their accounts entirely, social media is in turmoil. Though its still considered one of the most important ways of communicating with each other that we have available to us, there is no denying that things have changed a great deal since the early days of Myspace, when this who medium seemed new and unknown. So what can we expect from 2019 when it comes to Social Media trends? This article aims to find out.
Video killed the Facebook rant
Though many people may still use Facebook, Twitter or other platforms to write about how they’re feeling or what they’ve been doing, the rise of video content cannot be ignored. It’s not just YouTubers who are uploading footage of themselves now, many every day social media users have started posting quick, Snapchat style videos or longer, day in the lifestyle entries. Though it won’t be something that everybody will feel comfortable doing immediately, more and more users are swapping text for video updates. It saves time, can be more engaging and also doesn’t require a spell check. 2019 will almost certainly see more video content on social media than ever before.
Content is still KING
Whether its user-generated or comes from another source, the content on social media is what keeps people coming back for more. The trend for sharing videos, memes, quizzes, news articles and more means that the way people use the platform is changing. Content is spreading quickly due to this developing sharing culture but it has also become less personal. Now users are starting to create their own videos and news pieces, which is something a lot of tech companies have realised and capitalised on. User-generated content will no doubt begin to compete with the high production value videos that dominate many feeds at the moment.
Live streaming. The world as it happens.
The prolific spread of live streaming means that anybody with access to a smartphone, tablet or laptop can broadcast themselves and others all over the world. Whether its a constantly updating news feed, delivering up to the minute updates that are relevant to your followers or video of events taking place as they happen, businesses and professionals have been taking advantage of this exciting new medium. Radio stations, professional gamers and podcasters have all embraced the world of instant streaming technology so it would make sense for the wider business and marketing world to follow suit in 2019.
Chatbots Will Become Commonplace
Love them or hate them, chatbots are becoming a standard feature on most business websites. On the plus side, they offer an immediate connection with your customers and can help to create a more personal experience. On the negative side, they are now used by even smaller business owners, so they can also become a little grating, like too many pop ups when you’re trying to read an article. From a business perspective, the spread of chatbots on social media will ultimately be a good thing as it allows users to voice concerns, address issues or offer feedback in a direct and instant way. Providing you manage them properly, chatbots can still provide you with an effective way of communicating with your followers.
CEOs Will Start Opening Social Media Accounts
It’s no secret that some of the most influential figures in the world of social media don’t have accounts themselves. After the numerous scandals, this year and rising concern about overuses, its likely that many of the key figures in the industry will adopt a more transparent position when it comes to their own personal data. Its unlikely we’ll see Mark Zuckerberg sharing his innermost secrets, but there’s a good chance that he and others from the organisation may decide to show more of a presence on their own platforms.
Streaming, Dating, Shopping and More
It’s already started to happen so its almost certain that giants such as Facebook, Twitter and Youtube will continue to be integrated into other services. Netflix, Amazon and a number of other very high profile services have already started to allow users to use social media accounts to authenticate themselves as they log in. For marketing professionals and business owners, this means consumers can access a number of different services from one platform, so overall, it should be a positive thing that drives growth quite significantly.
Augmented Reality
Its impossible to have escaped the influence of this new technology already, with Snapchat and Instagram filters now ubiquitous with the humble selfie. Augmented reality is estimated to continue making billions in the tech industry, so there’s every chance that elements of it will be integrated further into more social media platforms. As developers continue to push the boundaries of what the technology can do, we are likely to see more interactive streams, videos and chats that utilise AR.
Messenger Apps Will Remain Popular
When was the last time you sent a text message? The answer to that will depend on a few things but social media use is definitely one of them. The majority of social media users now prefer the integrated messenger apps on the platforms to standard SMS messages. It’s quick, convenient and you don’t even have to leave the app or the webpage to respond. Though some changes to the existing format will inevitably happen to incorporate new developments such as augmented reality and chatbots, the social media messenger app will be around for a while.
