Social Media 2017: Top Trends to Watch

The year is coming to an end, which means it’s time to look at some of the trends that will be shaping the year to come. 2017 will see a lot of changes in social media, which is no different to every other year in this fast-moving area.

So what does the next year hold in store? Here are some trends to look out for.

Live Streaming Video

Live streaming exploded onto the scene during 2015 and 2016. It started with Meerkat, and was followed by Periscope and Facebook live streaming, with YouTube Live coming soon.

Video is one of the most popular types of content on social media, leading to higher engagement, so it makes sense that live streaming will catch on in a big way. Watch this trend because it could help to direct your social media activities over the coming year.

Expiring Content

Snapchat was the first to introduce expiring content, and now others are getting involved. This disappearing content can bring more urgency to content because people know they only have a certain amount of time to read it. Expect to see more experimentation in this area in the coming year.

More Focus on Specific Platforms

There are many social platforms now, and businesses cannot dedicate serious time to each of them. As such, more businesses are expected to choose a few platforms and stick to them. If you have a presence on various channels, perhaps this is the year to choose one or two and consolidate your activity.

Growth of Chatbots

Chatbots are growing, and soon they will be everywhere. Digital assistants like Siri are improving, and now social media has got involved with Facebook, Twitter and others having their own chatbots.

These can help with simple tasks, and they are useful for getting your questions answered. So expect to get very used to talking to more bots over the next few months.

Growth of VR and AR

Not a day goes by when we don’t read something about virtual reality or augmented reality. Could this be the year it finally takes off? More VR sets are going on sale, and it is likely to play a bigger role in our lives over coming years. Perhaps it won’t be dominant, but it should start to have more impact, and it’s likely to have a role in social media.

More Automation

Managing social media is more complex than ever, and an automation tool is becoming essential. With tools like Hubspot and Marketo becoming cheaper and better than ever before, now is the time to start using them.

Focus on Paid Social

Social marketing is still mainly about sharing great content, but paid advertising is becoming increasingly important to reach your audience. There is now reduced organic reach, meaning ads are becoming essential, so if you haven’t yet looked at social ads, now is the time.

Follow the Trends Next Year

These are just some of the trends to expect next year. Others include more real-time engagement, greater use of analytics, even more focus on mobile and increased personalisation. Of course, these trends may fail to materialise, but keep a close eye on how social media is evolving. Things move fast in this area, and it’s important to stay ahead of the curve.

If you need any help with your online presence, our social media consultancy is an excellent way to increase your visibility. As a specialist digital marketing agency consisting of a number of highly experienced digital consultants, Web Results Direct is expertly placed to support its clients with advanced, and strategic, digital marketing consulting services. To learn more contact us – call us now on 01483 429222