As social media continues its rapid evolution, so do the strategies shaping its marketing landscape.
As we near the close of 2023, it’s crucial to spotlight emerging social media trends that will likely redefine social media marketing strategies in 2024.
25 Social media marketing trends
Get ahead with the best 25 social media marketing trends for 2024.
1. Short-form video is still the king
Short-form video’s popularity is going strong. It’s highly engaging, with approximately 26% of marketers using it as an advertising format. Short-form videos are known to be 2.5 times more engaging than long-form content, driving increased user interaction and attention.
This format will likely persist due to its effectiveness in quickly capturing audience attention. The rise of platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels showcases this trend, but evolving platforms or features may alter this landscape.
2. YouTube is alive and kicking, sorts off
With over 2 billion monthly active users, YouTube remains a powerhouse in social media. The platform has continuously adapted, introducing new features and catering to various content creators and audience preferences. It’s likely to maintain its status as a major player in content consumption and influencer marketing.
3. Social commerce will continue to rise
Social media commerce has been on the rise, and this is one of those social media trends that is expected to continue. More platforms are integrating shopping features, allowing users to buy directly within the app.
The convenience and seamless shopping experience offered by social commerce are likely to appeal to both businesses and consumers. Statistics showcasing this growth might vary, but the trend itself is undeniable.
4. The content creators hold the power
The power dynamic in content creation has shifted. Creators hold significant influence and authority in shaping social media trends, opinions, and consumer behavior. Brands often collaborate with content creators to leverage their authenticity and engage the audience. As a result, creators have gained more control and recognition, influencing the social media landscape’s direction.
5. Community over followers
Building a community rather than focusing solely on follower count has become crucial. Platforms have emphasized fostering meaningful interactions, encouraging conversations, and creating tight-knit communities. Prioritizing engagement, dialogue, and shared interests among followers fosters loyalty and strengthens connections between users and brands.
6. Narrow-Targeted Social Media Ads
Marketers are increasingly focusing on highly targeted social media ads. With 83% of marketers using social media advertising, it’s a significant avenue for reaching specific audiences. This trend is driven by success rates, with social media ads ranking second in effectiveness after search engine marketing. The specificity and precision offered by targeting allow for more efficient ad spending and higher conversion rates.
7. Digital Trust Reshaping LinkedIn
LinkedIn has emerged as a platform for business professionals and decision-makers. With 65 million decision-makers on the platform and around 4 out of 5 users participating in organizational decision-making processes, LinkedIn is a vital space for B2B marketing and networking.
However, the digital trust landscape is shifting, impacting how users engage and trust content and connections on the platform. This could lead to changes in how businesses approach LinkedIn marketing and networking strategies.
8. Social SEO’s Growing Importance
Social media platforms continue to influence search engine optimization (SEO).
Social signals, such as engagement, shares, and comments, contribute to a brand’s online visibility and ranking on search engines. Ignoring social media SEO means missing out on an essential aspect of online visibility and discoverability.
9. AI-Generated Content’s Expansion
The integration of AI in content creation is one of those social media trends that is on the rise, with a projected market size of $107.5 billion by 2028. Marketers are increasingly leveraging generative AI for content creation, attributing its usage to increased performance. About 58% of marketers using generative AI reported improved content performance, showcasing its potential to streamline content creation processes and enhance results.
10. Instagram Threads’ Sustained Presence
Instagram Threads, a messaging app designed for close friends, boasts 141 million active users. The sustained growth of this platform indicates its popularity and utility among users seeking more private, intimate, or selective communication with specific groups. Its continuation signals the importance of niche or private social networking spaces in the larger social media ecosystem.
11. Text-Only Posts’ Resurgence
Text-only posts might become a surprise hit in 2024, reviving the simplicity and impact of written content. Such social media posts can provide a break from the visually dominant content, focusing on storytelling, information, or thought-provoking messages. They can facilitate genuine engagement and discussions, providing depth beyond visual elements.
12. Social Platforms as Search Engines
With 75.78% of consumers already using social media to discover products and brands, these platforms are likely to evolve into significant search engines.
Users increasingly turn to platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and others for product searches, recommendations, and reviews. Enhanced search functionalities within social apps might emerge, offering users a seamless experience for product discovery and research.
13. The Return of Longer Videos
As video content continues to dominate internet traffic (projected to reach 82% by 2025), platforms are expanding their maximum video lengths to accommodate longer-form content.
For instance, Instagram Reels now supports videos up to 15 minutes long. This shift could encourage creators and brands to invest in more extensive storytelling and in-depth content, diversifying the video landscape.
14. Engagement Focused on Direct Messages (DMs)
A move towards direct messaging for engagement might arise in 2024. This shift emphasizes personalized interactions, one-on-one communication, and fostering deeper connections. Brands and creators may prioritize engaging with their audience through DMs to create a more meaningful and private relationship.
15. Shares’ Enhanced Significance
Shares are one of those social media trends that might gain prominence over likes, comments, or follower counts. A share indicates a higher level of endorsement, implying that users find the content valuable enough to share with their network. Social media algorithms may evolve to give more weight to shared content, considering it a strong signal of relevance and quality.
16. Telegram’s Rise as a Super App
Telegram’s potential to reach over 1 billion users by 2024 indicates its growing popularity. With an average user spending around 2.9 hours monthly, its appeal lies in its secure messaging, channel features, and growing functionalities beyond messaging, suggesting its evolution into a super app. If Telegram continues this trajectory, it could become a multifunctional platform offering various services, akin to apps like WeChat.
17. The Fediverse’s Emergence
The Fediverse, a decentralized social network comprising interconnected servers running different social media platforms, might gain traction. This distributed model allows users on one platform to connect with those on other platforms within the Fediverse.
The concept promotes privacy, autonomy, and diversity, potentially attracting users seeking alternatives to centralized social media platforms due to concerns about data privacy and control.
18. Grid Posts Evolve into Photo Dumps
The future of social media grid posts might shift toward showcasing multiple photos or content dumps in a single post. Rather than a single image, users might post grids or carousels, offering a snapshot of various moments or a thematic series. is one of those social media trends that could stem from users’ desire for more immersive storytelling and diverse content presentation.
19. LinkedIn’s Shift from Personal Content
LinkedIn might pivot away from prioritizing personal content to refocus on professional networking and industry-related updates. This shift aims to emphasize business-centric engagement over personal posts, aligning more closely with its original professional intent.
20. TikTok Shop’s Retail Revolution
With 68% of Gen Zers reportedly inclined to make purchases directly on TikTok, the introduction and expansion of TikTok Shop could be a significant trend. TikTok Shop is one of those social media trends that transform social commerce by allowing seamless in-app purchases, creating a new avenue for brands to engage users and facilitate direct sales within the platform.
21. Voice-Activated Social Features
With nearly 50% using voice search for product research, social media platforms could leverage voice-activated tools for enhanced user interactions and content creation. This is one of those social media trends that mirrors the growing reliance on voice-enabled tech for everyday tasks, hinting at a surge in voice-driven social features for convenience and accessibility.
22. Inclusivity and Diversity in Content
Gen Z’s strong demand (94%) for companies to engage in social issues may propel an intensified push for diverse content. Platforms might prioritize inclusive narratives, catering to this demographic’s expectations for genuine representation and social responsibility.
23. Hyper-Personalization of Content
Advanced AI algorithms could drive tailored content delivery, focusing on individual preferences. This is one of those social media trends that aligns with the rising consumer preference for personalized experiences, potentially leading social media platforms to offer more personalized feeds and targeted content.
24. The Metaverse and Social Interaction
Forbes predicts that the metaverse market will be $783.3 billion strong by 2024. The evolution toward the metaverse suggests a shift in how users engage and connect online. This is one of those social media trends that could introduce novel social experiences, blurring boundaries between virtual and real-life interactions within expansive digital environments.
25. Augmented Reality (AR) Experiences
Social media platforms might extensively adopt AR features, revolutionizing user experiences. Expect immersive filters, interactive product demonstrations, and enhanced storytelling, enhancing engagement and reshaping how users interact and consume content on social platforms.
Conclusion
Keeping up with social media marketing trends can be tough. This is why it is important to stay up-to-date with what your audience is talking about, the sentiment behind the same and how you can chip in.
This is where Radarr comes in with its social listening, monitoring and online reputation management solutions.
