Social media is now an integral part of people’s lives. But have you noticed that it has evolved over the last few years?
Today, it’s less about simple status updates – and more about selling products and connecting with your target customers.
By staying up on the latest social media trends, you can energize your marketing strategy, stand out among your competitors, and connect with your audience.
So, what trends can you expect to see in 2022? Let’s take a closer look at the top social media trends you need to know!
Summary of Social Media Trends in 2022 – and Beyond
1. TikTok will take over.
2. Social commerce will continue to grow.
3. Video content will dominate.
4. Paid advertising will become essential.
5. Augmented reality will become more mainstream.
6. Memes will continue to engage.
Top 6 Trends to Watch in 2022
1. TikTok will take over.
Instagram may still be a favorite, but TikTok is beginning to take over. Over the past two years, it launched many useful tools aimed specifically at businesses – like ads and business profiles.
TikTok’s fast growth is undeniable. In fact, it was the world’s most downloaded app in 2020. As more consumers use the entertaining platform, brands are taking advantage of the chance to show their brand personality and connect with a new audience.
2. Social commerce will continue to grow.
Brands have used social media platforms for several years to sell their products. But in 2022, buying products directly via social media will become the norm. eMarketer predicts that the social commerce industry will be worth $80 billion by 2025.
So, what exactly is social commerce? It’s a subset of e-commerce where everything happens on social media – product discovery, click-to-purchase, and even post-purchase support.
Social networks continuously evolve to become retail platforms – from shoppable posts to Instagram Storefronts. Brands and marketers will continue to incorporate social commerce into their sales strategies in 2022. Keep this trend in mind when designing your user experience. Today’s customers want a smooth and easy shopping experience, and you may lose them if they have to switch to a website to make a purchase when they’re browsing social media.
3. Video content will dominate.
Video content is one of the most engaging forms of content. According to a recent study, 82% of all online content will be video in 2022. So, it’s time to start including videos in your content strategy if you aren’t already.
Keep in mind, though, that long-form content isn’t the way to go anymore. Consumers now prefer engaging short-form videos like TikTok, Reels, and Stories. 85% of video on Facebook is watched without sound – and over 430 million people in the world have hearing issues. So, it’s a good idea to use subtitles or captions on your videos to make them more accessible for everyone.
4. Paid advertising will become essential.
According to Hootsuite’s 2022 Social Media Trends survey, over 40% of respondents said the decline in organic reach and the need to spend more on paid advertising were two of their biggest challenges. Since the average organic reach for a Facebook post is only slightly over 5% (according to Hootsuite’s data), it makes sense that paid advertising will become essential.
5. Augmented reality will become more mainstream.
Augmented Reality (AR) has been around for a few years, but in 2022, it will become even more mainstream. AR enhances our reality by adding digital features and changing how things look.
But the applications of AR on social media are more than just photo filters to create fun posts and stories. Brands are also using AR so customers can try out products before they buy. In fact, AR can boost click-through rates by as much as 33%. This technology will continue to trend as social media platforms add more AR functionalities.
6. Memes will continue to engage.
Who doesn’t love a good meme? They're a fun and appealing way for brands to connect with their audience and participate in trending conversations. That's why we predict both static and video memes will continue to engage in 2022. They're not going anywhere, so take advantage of this entertaining trend!
Bottom Line
These are just a few trends we predict will dominate social media in 2022. Remember, social media is a competitive platform – and it’s constantly evolving. What worked before may not produce the same results. Incorporating new trends and features can often feel overwhelming, but it allows you to experiment and decide what works best for your target audience and goals.
Impact Group Marketing offers multiple social media management programs to help you attract and connect with customers. If you’re interested in learning more about what we can do for you, contact us today.
Related Posts:
How Social Media Can Hurt Your Business
8 Effective Ways to Grow Your Social Media Following
Should Your Business Be Using Social Media?