Top 10 Social Media Trends to Watch for in 2024: Stay Ahead of the Curve

In this insightful blog post, we've curated a list of emerging social media trends poised to reshape the digital landscape. Stay ahead of the curve and ensure your online presence thrives by keeping a vigilant eye on these transformative developments.

Trend Number One: The Emergence of New Search Engines

In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital exploration, we foresee a significant shift in how individuals seek information. Social platforms are poised to become the primary search engines for the majority of smartphone users. Gone are the days when Google was the go-to solution for all queries. Presently, most Millennials, Gen Z, and younger generations turn to their favorite social media platforms as their initial source of information. Whether it's seeking answers, conducting research, evaluating products, or virtually any other inquiry, it will be done on a social media platforms.

Google's ownership of YouTube further solidifies this transition. Additionally, the recent partnership between Google and TikTok signifies a crucial moment in search engine dynamics. Consequently, we anticipate a convergence of Google and Wiki results within TikTok searches, and vice versa. It won't be long before TikTok videos start appearing prominently in Google search results, revolutionizing how information is accessed and disseminated.

Trend Number Two: The Rise of SEO Over Hashtags

Higher quality and more efficient search engines are becoming a priority for every major social platform, such as Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. This increased focus on improving search functionality leads us to predict a shift where SEO will surpass the significance of hashtags.

SEO can seem daunting to many, but with the integration of social media, it's become more accessible than ever. Originally, SEO revolved around optimizing websites with backlinks, coding, and keyword strategies to rank higher on Google searches. However, the presence of social media has simplified this process significantly.

In the early days of Instagram, hashtags were the quickest way to find content, like #Sport or #Entrepreneurship. Now, users are shifting towards searching for phrases rather than hashtags. If this trend continues, hashtags may diminish in importance over time, reducing the pressure on content creators to rely on them.

Content creators who invest time in learning how to incorporate SEO into their strategies are likely to see increased visibility on their profiles, regardless of their use of hashtags. This shift underscores the importance of adapting to evolving search trends to maximize online presence and engagement.

Trend Number Three: The Rise of E-commerce

There are several factors driving the surge of e-commerce in 2024, or rather, shaping our buying habits. Firstly, the introduction of TikTok Shop has been a game-changer. It's nearly impossible to scroll through your For You Page without encountering that distinctive orange icon on a video, indicating a product tag. Even Black Friday shopping witnessed a significant presence on TikTok Shop, with sellers offering substantial promotions on their most sought-after items.

Additionally, in November 2023, Amazon announced its partnership with Meta to revolutionize social commerce. Through this collaboration, in-app ads on Facebook and Instagram will prompt users to make purchases via Amazon without ever leaving the Instagram app, streamlining the checkout process. Moreover, YouTube has rolled out new features enabling creators to tag products in their long-form videos, whether it's their own merchandise, items from their website, or products from other brands.

With these developments, it's inevitable that your feed will soon be flooded with content creators reviewing, testing, or simply recommending various products. The landscape of online shopping is rapidly evolving, driven by seamless integration across social media platforms and e-commerce giants, reshaping consumer behaviour and expectations.

Trend Number Four: A.I. Revolutionizes Content Creation

It's no surprise that AI is poised to dominate as a top trend in 2024, but what might come as a pleasant surprise are the innovative ways it will be integrated into the content creator space. One such advancement is the introduction of features like Dream Screen on YouTube. Dream Screen utilizes AI to generate short videos based on prompts or phrases provided by users. For instance, if you desire a video of a panda drinking coffee, simply input the request, and the AI generates the desired content.

Moreover, YouTube is set to roll out AI-powered insights in 2024. These tools are designed to assist creators in sparking creative ideas for their channels. By analyzing data on viewership patterns and audience engagement, the AI generates outlines for potential video concepts. Additionally, YouTube's AI will scour through comments to identify questions posed by followers, transforming them into potential video ideas.

Beyond YouTube, a abundance of AI-powered video editing tools are emerging across various social media platforms. For instance, vidIQ offers AI tools to generate viral video titles for YouTube content, while Stan Store's Stanley AI bot assists in generating product ideas for paid promotions.

This is just the beginning of a new era in content creation, with AI tools continuously evolving to aid creators in enhancing their workflow and simplifying the content creation process. Expect to see more groundbreaking AI innovations tailored specifically for content creators as the year progresses.

Trend Number Five: The Rise of Creator Wealth

Creators are cashing in big time, as evidenced by the Forbes top 50 content creators list. The influencer marketing industry saw staggering growth, projected to reach approximately $21.2 billion in 2023 alone. According to Data Bridge Market Research, the influencer marketing platform market is expected to soar to $69.92 billion by 2029. But what income trends can we anticipate in 2024?

UGC (user-generated content) is expected to continue its upward trajectory. Brands are increasingly recognizing the high return on investment in authentic videos created by everyday individuals, as opposed to overly produced advertisements. In terms of brand collaborations, TikTok partnerships are likely to receive a boost in budget allocation from brands.

In 2023, TikTok emerged as a pivotal platform, with users spending an average of 31 hours and 14 minutes per month on the app, surpassing both YouTube (27 hours and 21 minutes) and Instagram (13 hours and 49 minutes). With TikTok's growing user engagement, brands are logically inclined to invest more in the platform. YouTube, with its evergreen content, closely follows TikTok in terms of brand spending.

Additionally, we can expect a surge in social platforms offering monetary incentives to content creators to encourage consistent posting. Features such as live shopping, product tagging, and affiliate marketing will likely become more prevalent, as platforms strive to entice creators to utilize their services. Get ready for an influx of incentives aimed at fostering content creator engagement across various social platforms in 2024.

Trend Number Six: The Rise of YouTube Shorts

We believe that YouTube shorts have quietly emerged as a surprising contender in the realm of short-form video content. When TikTok skyrocketed to popularity, Instagram swiftly implemented significant changes to compete head-on. These changes were evident across the Instagram platform. In contrast, YouTube opted for a more subtle approach. While YouTube was already synonymous with long-form video entertainment, they eventually introduced the shorts feature to cater to users interested in shorter content.

YouTube's strategy here was rather ingenious. Unlike Instagram's abrupt alterations, YouTube slowly integrated shorts into its existing framework. They introduced shorts without overshadowing the platform's primary focus on long-form videos. Additionally, they discreetly incorporated a shorts tab on the user homepage, providing easy access for those interested in shorts, while still maintaining the emphasis on longer content.

As time passed, YouTube gradually enhanced the visibility of shorts. The shorts bar on the homepage expanded, allowing users to swipe through four videos instead of the initial two. This gradual approach has been key to YouTube's success with shorts. Consequently, we anticipate that next year will mark the true breakthrough moment for YouTube shorts, propelling them into widespread popularity.

Across YouTube, a diverse array of content creators has experienced rapid growth through shorts. Many creators have amassed over 500,000 subscribers in a short period solely by leveraging shorts, highlighting the immense potential of this format.

Trend Number Seven: POV Content

POV (point of view) content represents our boldest prediction yet. We anticipate a potential surge in POV content in 2024, or at the very least, in 2025. With the rise of innovative camera technology, such as Meta's latest iteration of its Ray-Ban Stories glasses, equipped with built-in cameras, and the new Quest 3 VR headsets, creators have more tools than ever to capture their unique perspectives.

Meta's partnership with Ray-Ban has received positive feedback, particularly for the camera-equipped glasses, which offer users a convenient way to document their experiences. Additionally, devices like the Insta360 Go3 camera, which can be easily clipped to clothing for hands-free recording, further enhance creators' ability to capture their daily activities.

Given the accessibility and convenience of these new video capture devices, we envision content creators embracing the opportunity to effortlessly record their experiences as they unfold. Whether donning camera-equipped glasses or attaching cameras to their attire, creators may increasingly opt to document their lives from a first-person perspective.

While the widespread adoption of POV content may not fully materialize next year, we believe it's a trend that will gain momentum in the years to come. As technology continues to evolve, creators will find new and innovative ways to engage their audiences through immersive, first-person storytelling.

Trend Number Eight: Embracing Content Simplification

Content creators have been experiencing a surge in activity, buzzing around with energy, and pushing themselves to new heights. While we expect the industry to continue evolving and growing in complexity, we anticipate a shift among some creators towards simplification in their business and content creation processes.

One aspect where we foresee simplification taking root is in content funnels. In recent years, with various platforms competing for attention, creators have felt the pressure to maintain a presence across multiple channels. However, we believe that in the coming year, creators will come to the realization that they don't need to be everywhere at once. Instead, they can focus their efforts on one platform and cultivate their presence there, allowing for a more focused and manageable approach.

Trend Number Nine: The Emergence of Small Content Creators

As you scroll through your TikTok "For You" page or peruse your YouTube homepage, expect to encounter an increasing number of recommendations for small content creators. Previously dominated by viral videos, these platforms are now interspersing content from up-and-coming creators. Every few videos, you may stumble upon a video from a fledgling creator, perhaps with only a handful of likes.

TikTok, in particular, seems to be providing these budding creators with an opportunity for their content to gain traction and potentially go viral. Similarly, YouTube has been actively recommending content from emerging creators on users' homepages. This trend of promoting small content creators is one we anticipate will continue to grow throughout 2024.

For these aspiring creators, this represents an incredible opportunity for growth. With platforms increasingly highlighting their content, they have a greater chance of reaching wider audiences and potentially turning their passion into a full-time career.

Trend Number Ten: TikTok's Dominance in Short-Form Content

In the realm of short-form content, TikTok is expected to maintain its position as the frontrunner. It will continue to lead the way in setting trends, with other platforms following suit. However, we anticipate a potential surge in TikTok-related controversies, possibly stemming from concerns about its impact or even discussions of banning the app. This apprehension might peak around the third quarter of the year, coinciding with significant political events in the US.

While there may be discussions about banning TikTok, particularly from certain political candidates, we believe that any potential scare will likely subside without the app facing a ban. By the year's end, TikTok is expected to remain intact and thriving.

Additionally, we may witness the emergence of new social media apps attempting to challenge established platforms like Instagram and others. Similar to the rise of Reels in 2022, there could be a newcomer attempting to make waves in the social media landscape. However, despite potential spikes in popularity for new apps, we don't foresee any major takeovers, with TikTok maintaining its stronghold as the reigning king of short-form content.

In conclusion, as we navigate the dynamic world of social media in 2024, these ten trends offer valuable insights into the direction of digital engagement and content creation. By staying informed and adaptable, you can position yourself at the forefront of these transformative developments, ensuring that your online presence remains relevant and impactful.

With each trend comes a new opportunity to engage with your audience, amplify your message, and shape the future of social media. So, stay proactive, stay inspired, and stay ahead of the curve as we embark on this exciting journey together in 2024 and beyond.