Top 12 Game-Changing Trends in Social Media in 2017

Aug 08, 2017 — Social Media Marketing

Social Media is expected to grow beyond our expectations in 2017. Social Media saw an enormous growth in 2016, adding 1.9 billion mobile users worldwide. Marketers are routinely using social media marketing with their core marketing strategies. If for some reason you were not aware about social media emerging last year and if you own a business that doesn’t use social media, then there is no need to panic. Social media is not going to go anywhere in 2017. Mentioned below of social media trends will show you why.

1. Social Messaging –

Private Social Messaging is one of the most common trends that will triumph in 2017. Users prefer using more of private social media messages rather than communicating on social media. According to recent statistics, it is shown that users prefer using messaging apps compared to social networks. Also, users would likely uninstall a social network app after a single use except for messaging apps. This study shows that where a potential customer is heading and where an organization should head in the future for its business. Whether you are a consultant, a public speaker or even an author, the point is it doesn’t really matter. You need to consider these trends and use them in your business strategy.

2. Virtual Reality –

Virtual reality is the next big thing in the tech industry. And is it predicted to get more popular in 2017. There are brands like GoPro, Facebook and vTime who are investing a lot in VR and there is a reason why they are investing. Example GoPro has released several clips based on VR on its YouTube channel. Not to forget vTime which is the first social network channel powered by VR. It allows users to communicate with friends in virtual world. VR video clips are doing well and will continue to well in 2017 also. Users using internet prefer video content compared to other type of content. So, if brands can come up with appealing VR headsets, we will see VR having a massive impact in our lives.

3. Social Media E-commerce are becoming a powerful source for sales

4. Snapchat Users Will Switch to Instagram

This trend is a very interesting one indeed. There is a rumour that snapchat users will be switching over to Instagram after the launch of stories. After the introduction of launch stories by Instagram, it received almost 100 million daily active viewers. One of the major reason for this is Instagram has a number of users compared to Snapchat’s (600 million compared to 150 million). Also, Instagram has more additional features like permanent portfolio and facility to use information from Facebook for advertising. Experts have predicted that Instagram will finish off Snapchat in 2017. Hence brands will shift their focus from Snapchat to Instagram more. If this shift does happen in 2017, it is going to be the biggest one. With Instagram’s growth, Facebook will also grow and it will encourage many users to get involved in Facebook for more information.

5. Chatbots

Chatbot is a computer program which interacts with humans on the internet. Facebook has introduced chatbot on its own messenger, where many businesses are using this program in order to communicate with its customers and help them solve queries. Any business can design their own chatbot program and customize it to their own manner. Chatbots is helping many businesses to solve a customer’s queries because it is difficult for many organizations to maintain a decent response on social networks. Hence many organizations will switch over to chatbots as it is turning out to be a reliable source of tackling customers’ difficulties.

6. Ephemeral Content

Ephemeral content is a type of content that usually lasts for a short moment or up to 24 hours and vanishes. Snapchat has been using this type of content sharing which is loved by its users. At the same time, Instagram started launching a similar type of video and messages which disappears after a short period. This type of ephemeral content will continue to grow in the next coming years. Why? That’s because people like it especially youngsters of age group between 18-24. Users take a lot of pics and they themselves forget about their old pics. This is where snapchat-content shines. A few case studies on snapchat proves that content disappearing after 24 hours is more effective because of the excitement it generates in users to make the best content in the smallest possible time just like a season sale offering discounts for a limited period of time. In this way, we will be seeing this type of content on social networks from different brands.

7. Social Advertising

Many organizations continue to spend huge amount to make their content seen. Although social networks are similar to search engines, organizations find it tough to make their posts seen. That’s why paid advertising on social network helps brands to make their content seen for customers. In 2016, social ad revenue crossed over $1.3 billion across the globe.

8. Restricting fake news

Nowadays internet has become the main source for news, hasn’t it? We tend to ignore TV and newspapers. Unfortunately, there has been a rise in fake news from news websites in order to gain traffic. To stop this issue, Facebook has already taken steps to stop fake news agencies. While Germany has taken an initiative to impose ban on news agencies that release fake news. We will be noticing strict rules world-wide very soon on social networks, where businesses will be allowed only certain valuable contents to be posted.

9. Mobile Advertising to grow more

The number of smartphones users is growing fast. Users use mobiles consistently during their daily activities for research and executing buying decisions. Advertising via mobile devices is about unlocking massive potential on expanding and engaging audiences to stay ahead of its own competitors. So, organizations should take note about their mobile marketing strategies. In 2016, mobiles took over desktop as a way to advertise and shop online. Hence mobile is the new boss of commerce.

10. Business Analytics

Social Networks have their own tools that help in finding trends and the consistency of the footprint on various channels. Analytic tools are used to find what works and what will be trending in the near future. Some of these are Crowd booster, SocialBro, Hootsuite etc.

11. Employee Advocacy will see huge potential

Employee Advocacy is the promotion or creating awareness of a business by its employees. Organizations having Employee Advocacy a program helps them to promote and create brand awareness. A report stated that the efficiency of employee advocacy rose up to 191% since 2013. It is expected that in 2017, employee advocacy is expected to grow even more as many business have stated that employee advocacy is the largest asset available to them. It is also reported that many consumers prefer connecting and interacting with people as well. Businesses are investing more in employee advocacy as ROI is exceptional in terms of user engagement.

12. Social Influencers is Rising

Social Influencers will grow massively in 2017 and for 3 main reasons. About 50% of online users use ad blocks. They use ad blocks to avoid annoying blocks. Hence old schooled advertising techniques will not work. Influencer marketing seems to have a positive approach and many marketers reported to plan and use at least one influencer marketing campaign in the next months. Many CEO’s of different companies in 2017 are expected to use Social Networks which is going to boost social influencer marketing.

There is not a proper conclusion as social media trends keep evolving. And it is always necessary to be one step ahead because trends always keep changing. At the end of the day social media are continuously evolving.