The Future of Social Media [Research]: What Marketers Need to Know

Social media has changed considerably since the MySpace days, and it‘s part of a marketer’s job to stay on top of its advancements.

You're probably wondering what the social future of social media could look like and how marketers will need to adapt.

To answer your question, here are my guesses based on the latest research, data, and current advancements in social media.

Table of Contents

• What is the future of social media?
• Search on Social Media Instead of Engines
• More Reliance on Influencers Over Celebrities
• Seamless Shopping Experience on Most Socials
• Short-Form Video Will Become More Important Than Ever
• AI Will Become a Helpful Tool for Boosting Social Media Strategies
• Greater Focus on Building an Active Social Media Community

What is the future of social media?

Through our multiple surveys, research, and additional data, here's what I predict for the future of social media:

• Consumers will search for information on social media or via AI instead of traditional search engines.
• Brands will rely on influencers, especially micro-influencers, rather than celebrities.
• Consumers will enjoy a seamless shopping experience on social media.
• Brands will create more short-form content to connect with their audiences.
• Brands will leverage AI tools to create personalized content for their audiences.
• Brands will place a greater emphasis on creating an active social media community.

Now, let's dive deeper into each of these trends.

Search on Social Media Instead of Engines

A few weeks ago, I posted to Facebook asking for the best local photographer for new headshots. Using my friends’ suggestions, I found a great photographer who blew me away with the quality of her work.

I’m not the only one who uses social media for recommendations and reviews. It's becoming more common for consumers to search for products, recommendations, or reviews on social media rather than search engines.

According to our 2024...