Social media trends come and go so fast that it can be difficult for marketers to keep up. They can either participate in a trend to stay relevant or they can wait for the wave to pass and risk missing the opportunity altogether. Keeping on top of the yearly social media news trends can help marketers decide when to jump in and what tactics will be most effective for their campaigns.
Authenticity wins
Consumers are increasingly seeking brands that understand their identity and share it authentically on social media. This is particularly true of millennials who prefer brands that showcase a sense of humor or a unique point of view. In fact, 49% of consumers say that raw, first-person content makes a brand stand out.
Platforms are stepping up to meet the demand for social media content that is informative and entertaining at once. For example, LinkedIn has rolled out a feature that allows users to add video as header images to articles, which will play in the feed and appear as thumbnails when shared via email. Meanwhile, TikTok has launched a new feature that lets sellers create livestreams with a countdown bid option. This feature can be used to promote products that are available for a limited time or to generate excitement before an event.
Social media has become a vital source of news for Americans, with the majority saying they at least occasionally get their news from social media sites. But the types of news they consume differ between platforms. For instance, greater shares of Americans regularly get their news on Nextdoor, TikTok, Snapchat and X than on YouTube or Facebook. And partisan differences are also seen: a greater percentage of people who regularly get their news on Truth Social and Rumble are Republicans, while a larger portion get their news on Nextdoor and Reddit.