What 2022 May Hold for Social Platforms- Part 1
Social Media can sometimes be a mystery, but we can usually gather an idea of what is popular and what may be coming for our favorite social platforms.
We’ve gathered the most likely trends and changes that you could see during 2022 and sorted them by platform.
Facebook is the largest social network and is still very relevant, though it has lost some popularity with younger audiences. This platform is developing in new and creative ways:
eCommerce – Facebook also owns the Instagram platform, and they have already begun introducing Facebook and Instagram shops to create a level of comfort with users to shop directly on these platforms. This year, you can expect a focus on shoppable posts on Facebook and more streamlined payment methods. Additionally, live shopping became popular during the most distanced times of the pandemic and is likely to remain popular going forward. Facebook is likely to become more geared toward in-app shopping and moving away from ads.
AR/VR (Augmented and Virtual Reality) – Expect to see a big push towards Augmented and Virtual Reality on Facebook in 2022. These have already been introduced but are becoming more integrated going forward. New AR glasses integrated with Instagram will be coming with additional technology like wristband controls. New tools specifically geared towards social tools and tools for the workplace specifically are also likely to be available. Facebook will likely be building foundations for metaverse generally.
Algorithm Shifts – In response to the highly publicized “Facebook Files,” Facebook is likely to update and make changes to its algorithms. This may include a reduction in political posts to reduce conflict and an optional toggle for users to view alternative newsfeeds instead of the default.
Audio Social – Audio Social is another trend that became popular during the pandemic but is likely to remain popular far beyond. Facebook has been one of the more successful audio social platforms due to its tendency to be selective with the users of this tool.
Digital Identity – Facebook is also likely to focus on digital identity to bridge the gap between Facebook user-profiles and their VR presence. They have already stepped towards this with the use of avatars on the platform.
Pushing for Trust – Due to the trend away from ads, Facebook may push advertisers to run lengthier campaigns to ensure they continue. Eventually, page reach and other factors may push marketers away from Facebook as a source of new customers. These marketers are likely to skip ad spending on Facebook for alternative platforms.
Twitter is a well-known platform that is also growing, but the improvements implemented in recent years have not been doing well. Twitter is likely to push forward in several areas to update its platform, making it more competitive:
Building Payment Frameworks – In 2022, Twitter may focus on more revenue options for creators along with expanded revenue streams for the entire platform. Attracting creators is imperative to entice more users to the platform. Super follows and Ticketed Spaces are a couple of revenue-boosting ideas, although the most likely contender for popularity is Twitter Blue. Twitter Blue is a subscription for Twitter’s new tweet features, which could be very successful if consumers feel it provides significant value.
Shopping/eCommerce – Like Facebook (and most platforms), eCommerce will be a focus for Twitter in the coming year. eCommerce options such as in-stream buying from tweets will be developed, but success will depend upon creating a comfort level for users to spend within the app.
Crypto & NFTs (non-fungible tokens) – Unlike Facebook, Twitter seems to be more practical and comfortable branching out into new areas such as cryptocurrency and NFTs. They are likely to accept payments via crypto and provide new NFT tools within the platform in the coming year.
New Video Tools – Like other platforms, Twitter will add a new focus on video content this year. It is likely that an option to expand tweeted videos to full screen, which may be an option for creators to earn.
Instagram is still a popular platform with younger audiences, though there are some concerns about the negative impact of the platform on mental health. Like any popular platform, new features and changes are necessary to remain popular, and Instagram is no different. This app will (and has begun already) implement updates in 2022:
eCommerce – This is an obvious trend on all platforms recently, and Instagram is perhaps more focused on this option than any other platform. Instagram’s key focus is to make all posts on its platform shoppable via links. They are even working on object identification tools to make all items shown in every post shoppable in the app. More shopping options for product searched and discovery will also be a focus as well as live shopping. This will create additional monetization pathways for creators on the platform.
AR Linkage – Following in Facebook’s footsteps, Instagram may appeal to younger audiences in the same ways that Facebook is with AR links resulting in more AR functionality, wearables, and avatars.
Variable Focus – Newsfeed changes may result in options for users to choose a traditional newsfeed or a video feed with stories and reels. Additionally, there is likely to be a strong focus on reels and stories going forward, with image posts possibly being routed into stories and used primarily for shopping links.
Obviously, there is much to unpack with the multitude of available social platforms –
part 2 including Tiktok, LinkedIn, and Snapchat will be coming soon!
