Social Trends for 2024: Our Predictions
Wondering what you need to know to keep your brand ahead of your competitors on social this year? We’ve got you covered!
In this blog, we explore the social media trends many are predicting will shape user experiences in 2024.
Use of niche and community-centric social media platforms will ramp up:
Meta, TikTok, Google – the big channels are still going strong, and they’re not going anywhere anytime soon… BUT we reckon 2024 will see a greater percentage of people adding niche apps to their social browsing habits.
That’s because, as the social media marketplace matures, users are expecting more and are seeking out more experiences that are less ‘mass’ and generic and more tailored to their lifestyle and passions. That creates an opportunity for platforms catering to specific interests or communities to gain traction. These platforms provide a sense of belonging and authentic connections, fostering deeper engagement among users.
Clubhouse (audio-based social), Partiful (a social app built around party planning) and Supernova (social media with a social conscience) are just a few examples of the many niche apps exploding right now.
Interested in finding out about niche social apps? Here’s an awesome list from Exploding Topics.
Short-form video will become more sophisticated:
Like most others, we’re expecting to see the short-form video trend, popularised by platforms like TikTok, evolve in 2024.
So, what will that look like? Here’s our wish-list:
Development of shoppable features
Advanced AI tools for enhancing video
Creation of tools that allow us to create interactive video
We can’t wait to see what players like TikTok bring to the party this year… watch this space!
AI will create more personalised experiences for social users:
Artificial Intelligence (AI) dominated digital marketing discussions throughout 2023, and we think 2024 will see AI play a more prominent role in social media - particularly in enhancing personalisation.
What does that look like? One example is that AI algorithms will become more sophisticated, tailoring content recommendations and user experiences based on individual preferences, behaviours, and engagement patterns.
While there are often complaints about the ‘creep’ factor that goes along with this kind of personalisation, the flipside is that it also creates a more seamless and enjoyable browsing experience for users.
Voice and audio-first experiences will start to trend:
Audio-centric platforms like Clubhouse are growing at pace, showing the shift towards voice-based interactions. With that in mind, many social media commentators are predicting that platforms will invest more in voice and audio-first experiences during 2024.
In practice, this is likely to look like voice posts, audio-based communities, and podcast integration, providing users with alternative ways to engage and share content.
Will there be a social media channel devoted entirely to ASMR? We can only hope!
Augmented Reality (AR) will cross over into social commerce:
Social commerce is on the rise, and its integration with social media platforms is expected to deepen in 2024.
Along with more seamless shopping experiences directly within social apps (think in-app checkouts and live shopping events), we’re picking that fashion brands with a focus on social commerce and innovation will be looking to offer AR try-on experiences.
Interested in AR for social? Check out this great article by Nextech3D.ai for more commentary.
And these trends are just the tip of the iceberg…
Of course, there are plenty more advances in the realm of social just waiting to surprise us in 2024. For example, will this be the year the Metaverse becomes the centre of our universe? We don’t think so – but who really knows?
If you’re keen to stay across social media trends, make sure your follow us on social for more content about new tech, trends and industry insights.
And, if you’re looking for a social media agency to keep your brand ahead of your competitors on social then go ahead and get in touch with us today.