Social media is the fastest changing industry in the web space. Sometimes a new technology or an old idea gains viral popularity. In both cases, the results have always made a huge impression and 2017 will be no different. India is catching up with global trends and online companies in Puneshould be aware of such trends. Here are a few social media trends that will monopolize the online market in 2017:
1. Social messaging
When social media is discussed there has always been more focus on social networks than social networking. Businesses are already taking advantage of the huge audience base on social messaging platforms. This is an interesting piece of fact, as messaging apps have a much wider community of users than social networks. WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Viber and WeChat have more users than Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Over-the-top (OTT) messaging and SMS messaging is a preferred form of communication for many people out there. Sixty-two percent of users are loyal to brands that engage them via those channels and an estimated two billion users will be messaging through OTT apps by 2018. People now-a –days look for personal touch, transparency and collaboration that a one-on-one communication permits.
2. The battle against fake information
The majority of people are now turning to the internet as their main news source instead of traditional channels like TV, newspaper and the radio. As a result, there’s been a rise in “fake information” from sites that intentionally publish and distribute imprecise information about current events.
The worst example was seen during the 2016 presidential election; fake information about candidates was publicised across social networks like Facebook and Twitter. Facebook is now taking steps to suppress fake information appearing on such social sites and such information accounts are not allowed to advertise on these sites.
But the fight against fake information is not likely to disappear in a hurry. Germany is already considering legislation to fine social media sites that let fake information thrive on the web. This will catch the attention of all major platforms. Users are tech-savvy and get their news from social media sites and value honesty, and they are more likely to research and verify the information they see; there is a need for transparency from media outlets.
3. Authentic content (a.k.a. live video)
YouTube offers people to capture real videos and unfiltered moments. Now social media is taking it to the next level by offering the same kind of content in real-time. Live streaming video was first made trendy by Twitter’s Periscope. Now Facebook Live has begun. Social videos have a lot more engagement than any other content format and have been responsible for a lot of growth on Facebook. The online world is changing since the launch of live video.
Instagram has started their own live video option, and they will not be the last platform to implement live streaming video. Social media is becoming fascinated with live and authentic content.
4. Augmented reality
Snapchat self-filters brought on the idea of augmented reality into the social world. Pokémon Go went viral in 2016.
Other social platforms will race towards augmented reality. Mark Zuckerberg has announced that Facebook is already experimenting with augmented reality. They recently acquired Masquerade, a live filter and selfie application for live streaming video.
Augmented reality is quite an old technology that started to go viral due to social media. Like the video, augmented reality create new opportunities for brands to connect with their audience by sharing real life experiences, rather than random information, on social media. 75% of users are interested in virtual reality, and 2017 may just be the year where the idea of self-insertion into media booms.
5. Chatbots
Chatbots are of artificial intelligence that allows someone to have a conversation. Facebook had included it within Facebook Messenger, and businesses are now using them to communicate with their customers.
Chatbots are already helping businesses to improve their customer services by quick answers to their comments and questions. The tool is expected to become very popular in 2017, especially when social media sites want to keep people on their platform instead of driving them away to a business site.
It’s still a budding concept, but chatbots already have the intelligence and ability to help people read relevant content, answer questions, and complete a transaction. More than a third of people already prefer social media over a phone call for customer support. Brands may soon not bother having a website at all and conduct all their customer relations through social media platforms.
Digital marketing and content marketing companies in Pune should make use of such trends offered by the web space and grow audiences for their clients in 2017. For more information about digital marketing and how it can help your brand grow in 2017, visit Dreamworth Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
