With over 4 billion video views daily on Facebook in 2015 and Instagram hitting the 300-million-user mark, we can’t say that social media is just a fad. CJG Digital Marketing named these the top eight social media trends and features that will be big in 2016 and beyond:
- Buy buttons and eCommerce: Some sites have made it easier for advertisers to market their products and services directly through these social networking platforms.
- The new publication game: Facebook’s Instant Articles allows digital marketers to publish full-length articles through the social media platform.
- In-the-moment and virtual reality domination: Live stream and in-the-moment updates will dominate, satisfying users’ craving for immediacy.
- Search and social media: As much as 80 percent of consumers rely on the opinions and advice of their peers and other consumers they associate with on social media. This will continue to grow as search features on social media sites become more powerful.
- The wild scramble for organic visibility: Competition for organic visibility is getting fierce and forcing businesses to understand and utilize the most effective channels.
- Better engagement with in-app functionality: Social networking sites are offering better and more effective in-app functionalities.
- The continuing power of video: See infographic.
- Increased concern for security: Social networks have started to beef up their security ... and privacy features as the concern grows.