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10 Non-Obvious Social Media Trends You Need to Consider Right Now

Every year, social media prediction posts tend to be repetitive and dull, often mentioning the same obvious trends.…
10 Non-Obvious Social Media Trends You Need To Consider Right Now

Every year, social media prediction posts tend to be repetitive and dull, often mentioning the same obvious trends. But amidst significant and unexpected changes, it’s time to look at some less-obvious social media trends that are truly insightful and impactful.

Forget the cliché “year of the video” predictions; let’s explore bold and important trends that are often overlooked.

And guess what? I’m not relying heavily on AI (too predictable!).


1. Marketing speed

10 Non-Obvious Social Media Trends You Need To Consider Right Now

Absolutely! Here’s a simplified, SEO-friendly rewrite:

“Speed is crucial for social media success, yet it’s often overlooked. Recently, I explored this in a blog post, highlighting the importance of quick responses, especially on platforms like TikTok, where trends come and go in minutes.

Many companies aren’t prepared for this fast-paced environment, especially regarding legal matters. Quick marketing greatly impacts measuring success, handling customer service, dealing with legal issues, and managing agency relationships.

For instance, one financial services company I collaborate with hired a lawyer to speed up content approval. How are you adapting to the need for speed in marketing?”


“Many people are talking about how AI will shake up online searches, but there’s a bigger trend flying under the radar. Statista data reveals that Gen Z is nearly searching for as many products on social media as they are on Google.”

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“This connects closely with the influencer marketing wave. Gen Z spends much time on social media following their favorite influencers, who often showcase new products they love.

But it’s not just Gen Z. According to GWI’s 2024 trend report, there’s been a 57% increase in baby boomers using TikTok since Q2 2021. Surprisingly, they’re even more likely than Gen Z to have made online purchases in the past week.”

This hints that SEO should be more linked with influencer marketing. But is anyone considering this? Is it even being considered?


3. The big new platform

10 Non-Obvious Social Media Trends You Need To Consider Right Now

“Predicting the next big social media platform is tough, but there are hints. Each generation seems to have its favorite platforms, like Facebook for older folks and TikTok for Gen Z.

The next big thing might be for Gen Alpha, the kids following Gen Z. They’ll want their own space. It’ll likely focus on video and emphasize authenticity and relationships, maybe mixing features from TikTok, Snapchat, and BeReal.

It might take more than a year, but some say a decentralized social network powered by blockchain could be the future. It’s about transparency, control, and security, and blockchain might help.”

This new platform for Gen Alpha could be a game-changer, offering a space tailored specifically to their needs and preferences. With video at its core, it could provide a platform for genuine connections and authentic expression.


4. Influence is everything

10 Non-Obvious Social Media Trends You Need To Consider Right Now

“The marketing world is changing big time. Traditional ads are becoming less visible and pricey, so where do brands spend their money?

New research by Ed Keller points to one answer: influencers. The creator economy is way bigger than we thought, but it’s been tricky to measure.

Take YouTuber Mr. Beast, for example. He’s pulling in over 2 billion views every month. That’s huge—a bigger reach than a Super Bowl ad!

People trust digital creators like Mr. Beast more than traditional ads because they feel part of the family. Their endorsements are super powerful.

A recent study showed a whopping 39% increase in people engaging with creator content. That’s a big deal! By teaming up with creators, brands can speed up getting people interested in buying their stuff.

Creators are the new media. They’re taking over marketing. Are you ready to join the revolution?”


5. Social listening is in trouble

10 Non-Obvious Social Media Trends You Need To Consider Right Now

“According to Edison Research, from 2022 to 2023, the number of people actively using Discord’s social community app jumped from 13% to 20%. However, the real shocker comes from the data: while TikTok use among young people is declining, Discord is booming. Daily usage among those aged 12 to 34 increased from 26% to 42% in just one year.

This growth is unprecedented for a social media platform. Even more intriguing is that many important conversations on Discord are invisible to social listening platforms like Sprout Social and Sprinklr. Brands relying on these tools to track sentiment, mentions, and competitors are becoming increasingly blind as more young people gather behind Discord’s virtual walls.”

“This rapid shift to Discord presents a formidable challenge for brands striving to stay connected with their audience. With a significant portion of young people now congregating on Discord, traditional methods of monitoring social media chatter may no longer provide a comprehensive view. These hidden conversations are taking place beyond the scope of conventional tracking tools, necessitating a reevaluation of brand monitoring strategies.”


6. Community is the future of marketing

10 Non-Obvious Social Media Trends You Need To Consider Right Now

“I recently found an interesting quote: ‘Creators are the new priests.’ It’s not about religion but about bringing people together. I wrote a book called Belonging to the Brand, explaining how building communities can create strong emotional connections—the ultimate goal for brands.

I’m not suggesting exploiting people’s emotions. Brands are a big part of our lives, and creating brand-based communities can genuinely connect and provide support.

I’m not the only one who thinks this way. McKinsey recently published a white paper stating that community is the next big thing in marketing.

As I’ve discussed, social media isn’t just a strategy—it’s the start of a journey toward building communities.”


7. Social Commerce, finally

10 Non-Obvious Social Media Trends You Need To Consider Right Now

In 2022, we saw an increasing number of people buying stuff straight from social media. This trend is going strong in 2024, with social media becoming the go-to place for shopping.

Experts say global social commerce sales could hit a huge $6 trillion by 2026, and the US might have about 108 million people buying stuff on social media by 2025.

According to a HubSpot survey, 22% of social media users bought things directly from Instagram, and 21% did the same on Facebook.

“Live commerce” is big in Asia—influencers show off products live, and people can buy them immediately. And guess what? It’s going to take off worldwide this year!


8. Designer content

The competition in social media is all about keeping you hooked. Platforms want you to stay as long as possible to gather data, show you more ads, and make more money. They use recommendation algorithms to suggest content they think you’ll find irresistible—sometimes even aiming to make you addicted.

Imagine you love looking at photos of cute kittens, especially ones dressed in human clothes. Why wouldn’t Instagram show you endless pictures of exactly what you adore? They could use AI to generate these images tailored to your preferences, making you want to keep scrolling for more.

10 Non-Obvious Social Media Trends You Need To Consider Right Now

Now, think about the future. Soon, we’ll be able to make entire movies using AI right on our computers. So why wouldn’t social media platforms like Instagram start creating custom video content for you? Even big players like Netflix and Disney might follow suit, sending personalized movies your way.

We’ll be glued to our screens, mesmerized by content that’s just what we love. Who knows, maybe this obsession with content will lead to something like the Matrix! But hey, if it does, we might just have kittens to blame.

Think about it: we could spend hours consuming content perfectly tailored to our interests, like those adorable kittens. It’s a bit like being in a trance. And who knows, maybe one day we’ll look back and realize that our obsession with personalized content was the beginning of something like the Matrix.

But for now, let’s enjoy those cute kitten photos and the personalized videos while they last. After all, who can resist a furry friend dressed in a tiny outfit?


9. Watermarked content

Place Watermark

This is the year we will see massive disruption from deep fakes. It will be more than disruption. It will be chaos. I’ll bet we see at least one death this year attributed to deep fake content/misinformation.

We must establish safety watermarks for all content to discern what’s true. While progress is underway in this domain, the real challenge lies in creating a watermark that can be universally detected yet remains impervious to forgery.

This will soon be your major priority if you’re working in social media and content creation.


10. Local content hubs

10 Non-Obvious Social Media Trends You Need To Consider Right Now

In my hometown of Knoxville, we have a local celebrity named Bill Landry. He might have been the first independent video creator to make money from an audience—not on YouTube, but on local TV.

Bill was the writer, director, producer, and actor for The Heartland Series, which featured 1,400 short stories about Appalachian history, food, crafts, and rural life. His amazing storytelling aired on local TV sold as DVDs and even became books. Thanks to his self-made fame, Bill became a sought-after speaker.

This is the classic creator model—build an audience and then monetize it. And Bill was doing this back in the 1980s!

This is the only partnership between a “creator” and mainstream TV I’ve heard of. But why can’t this format be popular today?

Local TV studios often have unused production and ad sales capacity. Local creators need revenue, production facilities, and an audience. It makes sense. Why wouldn’t local TV stations produce local cooking, sports, and music shows for a livestreaming audience and create a new revenue stream?

This idea is retro. Early local TV stations featured lots of local talent. Today, there seems to be a barrier between traditional TV and streaming content, but why? If social media is crowded, why not reimagine local TV as a community content hub?

Some of the most non-obvious social media trends involve posting content and earning audiences in unconventional places.

So there you have it. I hope these non-obvious social media trends made you think about new marketing strategies and business opportunities. The world of marketing is endlessly fascinating, and these trends are just the beginning of what’s ahead!


Conclusion

Navigating the ever-evolving landscape of social media requires more than just staying updated with the obvious trends. In this dynamic environment, recognizing and leveraging non-obvious trends can be the key to standing out and achieving meaningful engagement. Here are some critical, less apparent trends to consider right now:


FAQs

Q1: What is the rise of private social media networks?

Ans: Private social media networks allow users to interact within a closed, invitation-only environment. Examples include Discord servers and private Facebook groups. These networks emphasize community building and privacy, catering to users’ desire for more intimate and controlled online interactions.

Q2: How is social commerce evolving?

Ans: Social commerce involves using social media platforms to facilitate online shopping. The trend includes shoppable posts, in-app purchase options, and influencer-led brand promotions. This integration makes the shopping experience seamless and leverages the social aspect to drive sales.

Q3: What is the impact of brief content?

Ans: Ephemeral content, such as Instagram Stories and Snapchat Snaps, are temporary posts that disappear after a short period. This trend taps into users’ FOMO (fear of missing out), encouraging frequent engagement and creating a sense of urgency around content consumption.

Q4: Why are micro-influencers gaining more attention?

Ans: Micro-influencers, with follower counts between 1,000 and 100,000, often have more engaged and loyal audiences than mega-influencers. Brands increasingly collaborate with them because their recommendations feel more authentic and relatable, leading to higher trust and conversion rates.

Ans: Social audio includes platforms and features dedicated to live audio conversations, such as Clubhouse and Twitter Spaces. This trend offers an alternative to text and video, providing a more personal and interactive way to engage with audiences.

Q6: How is user-generated content (UGC) changing brand strategies?

Ans: UGC involves content created by consumers rather than brands. Encouraging UGC allows brands to showcase authentic customer experiences and enhances trust. Campaigns centered around hashtags or challenges can effectively generate UGC, increasing organic reach and engagement.

Q7: What role does augmented reality (AR) play in social media?

Ans: AR technology enhances social media experiences by overlaying digital information onto the real world. Features like Instagram filters and Snapchat lenses use AR to engage users in interactive and immersive ways, often leading to higher engagement and shareability.

Q8: Why is there a focus on mental health and well-being content?

Ans: As awareness of mental health issues grows, social media platforms are increasingly featuring content that promotes well-being. This includes stress-relief tips, mindfulness exercises, and supportive communities. Users are drawn to positive, value-driven content that helps them cope with daily challenges.

Ans: Decentralized social networks, such as Mastodon and Minds, are emerging as alternatives to traditional platforms. They offer users more control over their data and content, addressing privacy concerns and reducing reliance on corporate-controlled social media giants.

Q10: How is video content consumption changing?

Ans: Short-form video content, popularized by TikTok and Instagram Reels, continues to dominate. These platforms cater to users’ decreasing attention spans and preference for quick, entertaining content. The trend is pushing brands to create concise, engaging videos to capture audience interest quickly.


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