Let’s welcome 2022 – The Year of the Creator!
According to eMarketer, 50 million users identified as “creators” in 2020. In the next few years, this number will surpass 1 billion. As the creator economy grows and the influencer marketing industry takes on new significance, social media marketing will expand and evolve and usher in a slew of new trends and technology. 2021 ended with trends like Shorts taking precedence over long-form to gaming finally taking its place under the spotlights.
One thing that the digital landscapes promise is CHANGE. New developments kept hitting the shelf, and many worked in favor of the creator.
For creators, this is just the beginning of many exciting opportunities lying in wait in 2022. Here are some popular predictions for the year 2022 in the social media space that influencers and creators must know.
Top 10 Trends Of 2022
1. AR and VR to become mainstream
Usage of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) will increase on social media. Users will seek better and more engaging experiences as these platforms evolve and these technologies can provide.
While VR in social media is still in its infancy, AR adoption is far more advanced. Augmented reality filters are currently available on several popular social media platforms, including Snapchat and Instagram. Aimed to improve the visual content shared on social media, they have become extremely popular. Brands have started using augmented reality to give their customers a better buying experience.
Knowing your way around VR and AR can set you up for better opportunities.
2. Videos are to be predominantly live
Content on the Web began with only text at first. The next to join were graphics, then video, and live streaming on social media.
People want raw, unedited organic content that is authentic, especially in the era of curated marketing and everyone posing for the ideal selfie! The algorithm favors such content and garners views. Social media networks prefer live streams over static photos and video.
You can hold live events, show off new trends and collections, or simply a candid QnA. Only your imagination limits the possibilities! Live streaming keeps your social media channels unique and entertaining, which in turn means more people following and sharing your streams in their network.
3. Shorter content formats to rule
“Snackable content” will continue to rule social media trends even in 2022. Stories began on Snapchat and have now spread to other platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Messenger.
Creators can add photographs, videos, and text to their stories, which stay up for 24 hours. These Story features allow marketers to experiment with various forms of content and change their content frequently.
Instagram has increased the ability for all users to submit links in Stories, allowing any creator to include a direct call-to-action for their audience.
In 2020, Instagram Stories was the most popular marketing format for marketers, and is expected to continue to be a key component of every influencer marketing effort.
4. UGC to be a game-changer
Currently, a whopping 93% of today’s marketers feel that users trust user-generated content more than content provided by the brand. This rings true for all sorts of user-generated material, from product reviews and peer recommendations to social media posts and brand-specific content.
Brands posting user-generated content is not new. It works favorably and will continue to do so in the future. The only thing that has changed is the adoption rate, with more marketers turning to UGC.
For creators, this means brands will be looking for you to turn into ambassadors and advocates with deals to sweeten the collaborations.
5. AI to continue to rise
Artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to play a significant role in distributing content and is predicted to grow as a common trend in social media marketing in 2022.
By forecasting themes that are likely to attract attention and distributing content with pinpoint accuracy around those themes, AI is set to automate Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, display advertising, conversion rates, search engine marketing (SEM), keyword research, SEO, social media marketing (SMM), and website analytics.
Brands will also use AI to identify the best influencers based on their content, reach, and engagement.
6. Topic clusters and sub-niche content will continue to trend
Although topic clusters are not a new trend, they are nevertheless popular and will continue to be utilized by a growing number of creators.
Topic clusters emerge when multiple pieces of content linked to its subtopics are created within a niche category. All related content pieces should be interconnected, and the central theme should be a current and trending industry topic. Customers should find all relevant information about a topic in one spot that encourages further reading.
When an original niche becomes saturated with content, sub-niches emerge. For example, when a food and beverage niche becomes overcrowded, focus shifts towards sub-niches such as gluten-free or organic food. Sub-niches’ primary advantage is their smaller audience size, which leads to higher engagement rates and more targeted content.
7. Chatbots will have all the answers
Chatbots are becoming smarter as advanced technology such as AI becomes available. They may now provide more personalized and provide customer information than before. Chatbots are the most convenient and cost-effective approach to providing customers with the services they require.
The major advantage for an influencer is that it is active 24 hours a day, seven days a week, without requiring them to stay connected to their accounts. This is a huge asset because an influencer may not be targeting a specific country but rather a global audience. Other advantages include collecting client information, catering to multiple people simultaneously without being confused, and more.
8. Emphasis on regulation and security
Consumer privacy is one of the most pressing concerns in today’s eCommerce and marketing industries. The most recent development took place in April 2021, when Apple released iOS updates that gave users unparalleled flexibility over who may see and utilize their behavior data.
This is a step in the right way for consumers who want a safer buying and browsing experience. On the other hand, Apple’s new security measures dramatically alter digital marketing best practices.
However, each disruption brings with it new opportunities. There are more effective ways to connect with consumers than traditional tracking approaches. Those that make the necessary changes will gain audience love and customer loyalty.
9. The important metrics are changing
Previously, brands joined the social media trends world with no clear objectives. When it came to judging the success of their social media efforts, most people relied solely on vanity metrics (such as the number of likes and follows).
However, as the landscape has grown, that perspective has shifted, and more and more brands are focused on the analytics that determine whether or not a campaign is effective. Brand awareness, engagement rate, and conversions will be prioritized in 2022 as key social media metrics. Creators who sweat to grow genuine followers will reap the success they deserve.
10. TikTok will continue to rule
TikTok continues to be the most popular social media app on the market today. It’s swiftly evolving from a powerful platform for creators to a dynamic social commerce marketplace for brands and consumers.
TikTok has also developed various beneficial tools for businesses, such as advertisements and business profiles, over the last two years. As a result, it’s no longer merely a place for young creators to flaunt their talents. Overall, it’s poised to become one of the most popular places for brands to connect with millennials and Generation Z.
In 2022, TikTok will continue to grow as a social media network as more brands look for ways to use the app’s success to increase brand awareness and reach new audiences. We’ll also be watching TikTok’s impact on the broader social media landscape, as other platforms change their features to promote short-form, “snackable” content.
These are just a few of the social media trends that will be prevalent in 2022 and beyond. You may keep ahead of your competitors by taking advantage of these trends. The advent of TikTok and short-form video content are the most expected changes. Oh, and for eCommerce brands, social commerce is a must. AI will become the basis of influencer marketing worldwide.
Keep in mind that social media trends are a dynamic and competitive environment at the end of the day. What worked in the past isn’t always guaranteed to work again. So, stay up to date on the latest advances in these areas and use them in your social media plans.
If you are setting new goals for yourself in 2022 to succeed as an influencer, join hands with Atisfyre. Our AI-based platform will help you stay one step ahead of your competitors and land you your dream jobs. Sign up to join Atisfyre for free!
