6 Social Media Trends Marketers Need to Know About for 2023

You’ll never know which social media trend will blow up next. But we have insights.

Social media trends are constantly changing, and what’s popular today might be gone tomorrow. In order to effectively communicate with your target customers via social media, brands need to understand which popular social media platform people are using and what types of content social media users are engaging with. It’s essential for marketers to stay on top of all the latest trends; whether it’s a particular video format, a silly dance challenge, or an unsuspecting audio track. Stay way ahead of the curve, and make sure your social media marketing strategies are up-to-date!

We know short-form video content has been all the rage lately, but what else is new? In this blog post, we will discuss in-depth about the 6 social media trends that marketers need to know about for 2023.

Table of Contents

Social media trends 2023

Augmented reality (AR)
Ephemeral content
Influencer marketing
Live streaming
Micro-moments
Chatbots/messaging apps

What used to be a one-way street for companies broadcasting messages to customers has now transformed into a two-way conversation. Social media has provided customers a platform to voice their opinions, share their experiences, and connect with other like-minded people. This resulted in social media becoming a necessary tool for all marketers.

If you want to stay ahead of the competition and effectively connect with customers on social media, then you need to be up-to-date on the latest trends. Keep reading to learn about the top six social media trends for 2023!

Augmented reality (AR)

One of the latest social media trends that is taking off is augmented reality (AR). AR allows users to superimpose computer-generated images on top of real-world objects. For example, Snapchat’s filters are a form of AR.

AR is no longer just for gamers and tech enthusiasts. With the release of ARKit and ARCore, Apple and Google’s Augmented Reality development platforms, respectively, AR is made accessible to anyone with a smartphone. And it’s not just limited to games and entertainment anymore; businesses are also starting to use AR. IKEA, for example, has developed an app that allows customers to place furniture virtually in their homes before making a purchase.

Ephemeral content

Ephemeral content, or content that disappears after a certain amount of time (e.g. 24 hours on Snapchat, Instagram Stories), is becoming increasingly popular on social media. Snapchat was the pioneer of this type of content, but now other social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and even Twitter have all introduced their own ephemeral content features.

According to TechCrunch, 500 million people use Instagram Stories every day. The appeal of this type of content is that it’s temporary and can’t be saved or shared, so people are more likely to consume it in the moment. This makes it ideal for brands wanting to connect with customers on a more personal level. As social media platforms increasingly move towards ephemeral content, marketers need to adapt their strategies accordingly.

Influencer marketing

Influencer marketing is nothing new; businesses have been partnering with celebrities and other influential people to endorse their products for decades. This has given rise to a new breed of influencer: the social media influencer. These are people with large followings on social media who have the ability to influence their fans’ purchasing decisions.

Mediakix, a leading influencer marketing agency, defines influencer marketing as “a form of social media marketing involving endorsements and product placements from influencers, people and organizations who hold a sway over potential customers.” According to Nielsen’s latest Global Trust in Advertising report, 92% of consumers trust social media influencers more than traditional advertising. If you want to reach potential customers on social media, then partnering with an influencer is a great way to do it.

Live streaming

Live streaming is another social media trend that has been on the rise in recent years. According to Livestream, 82% of internet users have watched a live stream, and 80% say they would prefer watching a live video than reading a blog post.

Share content and engage with your audiences in real-time

Source: Freepik

Live streaming allows businesses to connect with their audiences in real-time and create an interactive experience. This content format is especially popular with millennials and Gen Zers, who are used to consuming content on demand. Include this in your social media strategies as it is a great way to reach these demographics.

Micro-moments

Micro-moments are defined as “intent-rich moments when people turn to their devices for answers or solutions.” They are becoming increasingly important for marketers as mobile usage continues to grow; according to Google, there are now more searches on mobile than on desktop. Businesses need to be visible on mobile and have a mobile-friendly website to reach potential customers during these micro-moments. They also need to be providing the relevant answers and solutions that potential customers are looking for.

Chatbots/messaging apps

Last but not least, chatbots/messaging apps are another social media trend that is worth mentioning. Chatbots are capable of simulating human conversation, and they can be used to automate customer service or sales tasks. Messaging apps are also being utilised by businesses to communicate with customers. Statista reported that WhatsApp is the most popular messaging app worldwide, with over two billion monthly active users as of Jan 2022. Chatbots and messaging apps are fantastic approaches to connecting with potential consumers on social media.

Social media platforms are no longer just a way for people to connect with their friends and family. As the world increasingly moves online, social media is becoming vital for businesses wanting to reach their customers directly. By understanding the trends and adapting your social media strategy accordingly, you’ll be able to stay ahead of the competition and connect with potential customers in a way that is relevant to them.

Work with Primal, Malaysia’s leading digital marketing agency, to ensure social media success in 2023! With our experienced social media team, we can help you create a social media advertising strategy that is tailored to your business goals.