Social Media: Trends to Watch in 2022

Constantly evolving, social media experienced a rich and eventful year in 2021. New platforms, new features, the rise of influencers and social selling, ethical influence, the evolution of social ads, and more. In this ever-expanding digital landscape, what trends should we be watching in 2022? Always on the lookout for the latest practices and innovations, our social media agency undertook a brief forecasting exercise. The goal: to identify the strategies that will shape the relationship between brands and consumers on social media in the coming year.     

TikTok, the social media leader

Already a must-have in 2020 and 2021, TikTok will continue its meteoric rise in 2022. With over a billion active users, the app that has won over young people will also continue to broaden its target audience. After the 12-25 age group, seniors are already increasingly using it, for example.

TikTok will continue to inspire all other platforms. In 2020, Instagram launched Reels, a new short-video feature. Next year, other social networks will have to be even more creative to compete with the world's most downloaded app.

Social advertising: a must for brands

As cookie declines, social advertising continues to grow. media ads Socialhelp boost the reach of marketing campaign posts.

A powerful tool for increasing their online visibility, brands are taking advantage of it to collect data and analyze their users' shopping experience. It's certain that in 2022, more than ever, social media will be a major driver ofadvertising investment !

On the road to social selling

Since the lockdown, social selling has spread across social media. Like Instagram, TikTok's new shopping feature now allows users to make purchases directly from the platform.

E-commerce (online sales) is no longer the only competitive advantage for brands. Social selling is becoming a powerful tool for improving sales prospecting and simplifying the customer journey. If you haven't yet incorporated social selling into your marketing activities, there's still time to do so!

Increasing consumption of online content

In a post-pandemic context, the consumption of online content (posts, blog posts, articles, videos, photos) has more than doubled in volume! A boon for brands that are increasingly integrating micro-content into their editorial strategy.

By offering short but impactful formats, the goal is to generate maximum engagement among internet users already overwhelmed by a sea of ​​information. Successfully crafting creative content that resonates with increasingly demanding followers when it comes to snackable contentis another challenge that will need to be met on social media in 2022 to remain competitive.

Increased engagement on social media, increased virality of content

lead generation Omnichannel will change how consumers engage on social media. These followers are no longer loyal to a single network, meaning content spreads more quickly across multiple platforms. However, this also leads to increased misinformation and the spread of fake news. So, be extra vigilant in 2022! Hoaxes can ruin your brand's online reputation.

To each their own social platform

Communities are essential, but not only on social media platforms. Many companies are now creating their own in-house social networks, integrating forums and features into their applications. The goal: to regain control of their followers. Setting up such networks isn't inherently problematic, but a question arises: will they succeed in managing their onlinereputation in these new spaces? This is another issue to watch in 2022.

New immersive experiences

As new social tools and platforms develop and virtual social possibilities expand (Facebook Metaverse), brands will optimize their product presentation by offering customers captivating new immersive experiences . In 2022, the use of virtual and augmented reality by brands is likely to transform these channels and facilitate marketing research into followers' purchasing behavior. This is a significant trend to watch closely.

The role of influencers with brands

will Influencer marketing finally reach maturity in 2022. With increased regulation and accountability, more brands are taking influencers seriously and including them in their marketing strategies. With larger and more engaged audiences, how will brands make the most of these influencer opportunities ? At So Bang, we have a few ideas on the matter…

More CSR on social media

In 2022, brands and businesses will need to listen to their followers even more closely and take action on the social issues that matter most to their communities. Going forward, organizations have a role to play in global ethical discussions. What impact will this have on brand content organizations'

The power of communities on social media

Consumers are increasingly demanding and no longer hesitate to challenge the power of brands if they deem it autocratic, even resorting to boycotts if they feel it's necessary. By uniting on social media, these consumers are creating truly social communities . In 2022, expect users (followers) to make their voices heard more, share their opinions, and participate in social change. From now on, the roles are reversed! It's the social community that influences brands' marketing strategies.

And that concludes our overview of social media trends in 2022.Among the key developments, those related to technological advancements in platforms and user behavior deserve close attention. In an increasingly connected world, brands will need to be even more creative to engage their target audiences. Luckily, at So Bang, our influencer marketing and social media management experts are constantly searching for the most engaging and innovative strategies. So, to help you navigate the increasingly complex landscape of social media, don't hesitate to contact our social media agency.