What Will Social Media Look Like In The Future?

30 Sep 2022 What Will Social Media Look Like In The Future?

Wondering where social media is headed in the next few years? Here are our guesses based on a gen-z research and new features from the most popular social media platforms.

Search on Social Media Instead of Engines

Nowadays, when I want to search for something – whether it’s a product, a recommendation, or a review, I go right to TikTok. And data shows Gen-Z is doing the same. According to a TechCrunch article, a Google exec recently suggested that apps like TikTok and Instagram are threatening two staple Google discovery apps: Google Maps and Google Search. Why is this happening? It is believed that it’s because young adults prefer visual-forward content when it comes to discovery.

If traditional search engines fail to keep up with consumer needs, TikTok and other social platforms may take the lead in product and content discovery as they prioritize visual content.

More Reliance on Influencers

When asked about the most important factors in their purchasing decisions, 30% of consumers responded with influencer recommendations, compared to 27% for friends and/or family recs. This is likely because, with influencers who specialize in an area, their opinion is more valuable than a family member. As a result, influencers – although strangers – can be deemed more valuable than loved ones. In the future, that trend will likely continue, as content creators are popping up every day.

Seamless Shopping Experience on Most Socials

Instagram was one of the first social platforms to offer a seamless shopping experience and integration. However, they likely won’t be the last. Let’s set the scene: In a couple of years, Gen Z will have fully joined the working class and will have tremendous spending power. Our consumer trends report found that most Gen-Zers prefer to discover new products on social media — specifically short-form videos. This means that to remain competitive, social platforms will have to offer integrated shopping experiences to keep consumers on the platform.

Higher VR/AR Adoption

With the metaverse, NFTs, and web3 trending this past year, virtual reality will likely play a larger role in how we socialize online. Snapchat led the social AR movement with its fun filters and later expanded into virtual try-on features to create an immersive shopping experience (another sign that shopping and social media will become synonymous).

Social media moves incredibly quickly, so we can’t say with certainty what the future will look like. But given recent data, we can say it’s likely headed in this direction. Read the full article