From brands jumping onto the Barbie bandwagon to Meta releasing celebrity lookalike AI chatbots, 2023 proved that social media shines through and through when it comes to digital marketing. With the influx of new tools and Generative AI, there are several emerging trends flowing in and changing the face of social media marketing. To consider the future and fluctuating trends, observing shifts in how people collaborate in businesses and outside of it becomes phenomenally important
Fast-forwarding to some social media trends 2024, while it becomes relatively obvious that AI is going to reign, it isn’t as bad a piece of news. Regularizing policies, keeping hate speech at bay, and making social media a safer, more inclusive space to accommodate everyone, it becomes imperative to consider AI to the rescue. If social platforms continue to be even a little hostile, it is estimated that about 50% or more people will limit their usage. So, it becomes rather essential for brands and marketers to produce inclusive and user-friendly content ahead of 2024.
Here are some sure shot trends that are going to emerge through 2024.
Adapting to Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence is expected to revolutionize personalization by 2024. Retailers can better understand individual tastes and behaviours by analysing large volumes of customer data by utilizing machine learning algorithms. As a result, customers have extremely personalized shopping experiences, with discounts, product recommendations, and even store layouts catered to their individual interests. Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing social media statistics and management, with platforms learning from brand social history to generate fresh content ideas. AI-powered platforms speed up content creation, but potential algorithmic biases could lead to unjust treatment and privacy issues. Social teams must wield AI responsibly while preserving an authentic brand voice, ensuring a balanced approach to AI in social media.
Forget SEO, SGE is the new buzzword!
Google’s SGE (Search Generative Experience), set to launch ahead of 2024, is set to revolutionize search engine optimization by shifting focus from keyword density to understanding search intent and context. It will prioritize user experience, boosting search rankings for websites with valuable, accessible content. While AI will play a central role in SEO strategies, enabling professionals to anticipate trends and understand user behaviour, voice search optimization and local SEO will become increasingly important, with SGE aiming to provide personalized, location-specific search results. Social media marketing strategies will also become crucial. The introduction of Google SGE marks a significant shift in search engine technology, emphasizing the importance of understanding it to stay competitive in SEO.
The need for authenticity
Influencer marketing is a powerful force that has gained significant consumer trust, with a 20% surge in brand investment predicted for 2024. Studies show that 50% of Millennials place their trust in influencer marketing, surpassing the credibility of celebrities. This trust is primarily attributed to authenticity, with 88% of Millennials valuing sincerity and relatability in influencers they follow. Platforms like LinkedIn, Meta, and TikTok are focusing on better brand-influencer relationships, highlighting the importance of authenticity in influencer marketing. Platforms like LinkedIn have introduced brand partnership tools, while Meta and TikTok have expanded their capabilities to track branded content campaigns within their ad libraries.
Bite-sized but impactful content
In 2024, short-form videos have become an undeniable dominance in content marketing strategies. With attention spans dwindling and digital platforms becoming saturated, brands are turning to platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Shorts for storytelling. These platforms allow businesses to convey messages in seconds and leave a lasting impact. The real magic lies in their shareability, as audiences are quick to engage and share these videos. Short-form videos also have the ability to forge an authentic connection with viewers, allowing brands to showcase their human side. This authenticity resonates deeply, making short-form videos a strategic marketing move and an opportunity for brands to establish trust and relatability. Mastering the art of short-form video has become non-negotiable for businesses striving to remain relevant and captivating in 2024.
Is Google taking a back seat? Social Search to Lead 2024
Statistics predict that social media AI is largely going to overtake Google as the preferred search engine in 2024. Is it truly possible? People use Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and the most popular social media platforms to find everything from juicy gossip to popular items. In fact, 44% of internet users rely heavily on social media to get their news feeds. Marketers must embrace this trend and make the most of their online presence on these channels. It’s time to surf this wave of social media metrics and social media search dominance with captivating images, pertinent hashtags, audience engagement, and staying up to date on algorithms and trends.
Augmented Reality becoming 2024’s new reality
Augmented reality (AR) technologies are expected to advance beyond deciphering sensor data to construct realistic human models and object scans. In 2024, we will see that AR will be capable of constructing three-dimensional models for virtual environments and avatars. Machine vision can identify and label objects, making AR interactions easier. Real-time translation and text recognition are possible with a camera’s focus on text. Future applications of AR are promising, with generative AI models like Chat-GPT and natural language processing being used to build and edit 3D objects, as well as textures and animations.
Leverage LinkedIn’s best features
LinkedIn, the premier platform for professional networking and career advancement, offers a wealth of lesser-known features that can significantly enhance your profile’s visibility to recruiters. The platform uses sophisticated algorithms to match candidates with job openings, considering factors like skills, experiences, and engagement levels. Keywords play a pivotal role in making your profile discoverable, so strategically placing industry-specific and job-related keywords in various sections of your profile can significantly boost your visibility. In 2024, LinkedIn’s AI-driven profile suggestions provide personalized recommendations, while advanced skill assessments allow users to demonstrate proficiency levels. The platform has expanded its portfolio capabilities, allowing professionals in creative fields to create interactive presentations embedded directly into their profile. Engagement analytics provide insights into who is viewing your content, including recruiters, helping you tailor your content strategy to increase engagement and visibility. In addition to these features, LinkedIn’s predictive job matching and personalized connection requests allow recruiters to send personalized connections to potential candidates, directly increasing your visibility among recruiters in your industry.
Prioritize personalization for better positioning
Product personalization has become a business imperative in the e-commerce landscape, enabling customers to experience an immersive shopping experience. Sephora, a giant in the glam industry has embraced AI-powered virtual beauty tools, allowing customers to try on products digitally. Indian beauty e-commerce giant Nykaa isn’t lagging any behind, with persistent personalization through it mobile application. Mobile e-commerce sales are projected to reach $3.44 trillion by 2027, making a seamless mobile experience crucial for businesses. Real-time display options allow customers to design and visualize their customized products before making a purchase, reducing order returns and enhancing customer satisfaction. Online product design tools have expanded product personalization options, allowing customers to personalize every aspect of a product. AI-powered personalization is playing a pivotal role in enhancing customer experiences, with major e-commerce players like Amazon and Etsy leveraging AI to analyze consumer data, predict preferences, and offer personalized recommendations. Subscription services offer enhanced marketing results, higher customer retention rates, improved margins, and streamlined inventory management. Location-based personalization enhances real-time browsing experiences.
To wrap it up
The list doesn’t just end here, and brands cannot afford to wait and watch how social trends unfold in 2024. There sure are going to be unimaginable developments to which, they need to get going and apply real-time changes to their marketing strategies. With that said, it is absolutely necessary to plan how brands want to move forward with the upcoming social trends. It’s a little tricky though how one navigates and channels through the chaos that social media can be, sometimes. Well, with our team of marketing experts at Neoma Media keeping an eagle eye on everything important and trending, you can leave your branding and marketing requirements to us.
