2021 has been an eventful year for social media trends, from the COVID-19 memes that helped us cope to the rise of the metaverse. We are reaching the end of yet another pandemic-filled year trying to reach some sense of normalcy. Even with restrictions and lockdowns easing, the popularity of TikTok and its ever-changing trends doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, nor are the other avenues of virtual connection – whether that be through Instagram, Pinterest, Zoom, or Slack.
Facebook’s goal to transition into the VR space is to create an online community that will represent the future of the internet. The goal of the metaverse is to always be one step ahead and connect people online globally. So is this transition to the VR space setting up a trend for all other platforms to follow their lead? Microsoft and Nvidia are currently working on their own versions of the metaverse. This virtual reality will be the key for social and business engagements.
In 2022, Instagram and Pinterest’s footprints in the e-commerce space will grow, as they redefine what online shopping will look like. This feature blossomed thanks to the pandemic. eMarketer predicts social commerce will be an $80 billion industry by 2025. Updates to platforms to integrate e-commerce in innovative ways have provided new selling and purchasing solutions, creating a seamless shopping experience for consumers to find what they are looking for by simply scrolling on social media. After all, getting directed to a website is an extra step no consumer would want to take!
Content creators and influencers have been around for a decade now. However, there has been a spike due to the pandemic as individuals try to find extra ways to monetize their creativity, for reasons related to unemployment or from spending more time at home. In the coming year, businesses are set to spend $15 billion on influencer marketing in 2022. In the US alone, 72.5% of marketers are set to use influencer marketing, incentivizing social media platforms to continue to add new monetization tools in 2022.
For the year 2022, avoid long-form videos at all costs! They are no longer a hit unless you still watch videos on YouTube. According to the video software company Vidyard, 60% of all videos published in 2020 were under 2 minutes long. The arrival of TikTok was a driving factor behind these stats. As a response to this, YouTube has recently introduced Shorts to follow in the footsteps of the success of TikTok and Reels. Although it’s not solely about the duration of the video, the content of the video has to be entertaining, engaging, and exciting in the first 5 seconds, or you risk losing the interest of your viewers straight away.
It’s clear: the year 2022 is going to be all about the consumers. The predictions outlined above are strategies and trends that will likely become popular in 2022, to help reinforce and create an interactive experience online for all consumers. Remember, behind every content strategy, influencer campaign, or marketing plan, is the consumer.
