Social Media Trends for 2020
Social media is constantly changing, not just the algorithms but trends too. The way we use social media has also changed, more and more businesses use it now to promote a product or service and with 3.384 billion people using one or more platforms, why wouldn’t they?
With this constant change, it’s good to keep up to date with the latest social media trends to ensure you are engaging with your target audience. Here we have outlined ten 2020 social media trends.
- Back to basics
Part of the ‘back to basics’ approach to social media means you should step back and think about who your audience is and what are their interests and challenges? When you think about creating content for your channels think less is more and create posts that actually resonates with your key audience. Followers have become so aware of targeted advertising that they are now looking for connections on a personal level.
- Natural photos and a natural feed
It is pretty common nowadays that people will spend hours editing pictures, not just the standard ‘selfies’, so it’s a welcome change that people are opting for more natural, simple pictures. This is also applicable for content created for brands, with followers wanting less staged images.
- Long captions
While long captions have always been quite common on Facebook, they are becoming increasingly popular on Instagram. With more people favouring Instagram over Facebook, and even more taking to social media to keep up to-date with news, long captions inform followers and connects you to them.
- Hashtags
Hashtags have always been important, but they are good for connecting people. Think of them as communities. For example, one of our clients, Dodson & Horrell use #feedtowin and those that feed their horses D&H use the hashtag, creating a community who support the brand.
- The rise of text images
Text images are becoming more popular. While you have to be aware of how much writing you put on an image or included on an infographic due to the Facebook algorithms, the likes of quotes or even handwritten notes in a book are definitely going to be a 2020 trend. You might need to start practicing your calligraphy.
- Video content continues to flourish
Use videos to tell a story, they provide you with an opportunity to be fun and creative. Both long-form and short-form videos are among the most-shared content on social media. YouTube is second only to Facebook in terms of active users. Although Instagram might be regarded as the top hub for influencers, more and more brands are flocking to YouTube.
- IGTV – Instagram TV
Leading nicely on from video content, Instagram has breathed new life into its IGTV. It has abandoned its vertical video policy and has introduced landscape videos which could make it easier to repurpose video content from other platforms. They have also introduced the ability to create a series.
- The rise of TikTok
Granted, TikTok has been popular for a while now but its popularity is set to rise this year. Facebook is no longer the ‘one-stop-shop’ it used to be. Younger demographics are favouring platforms such as TikTok now. Organic reach on the platform has been astonishing. If TikTok is a platform which your target audience will engage with, then it may be the place for you.
- Social Stories
Stories have been one of the biggest social media trends of the past couple of years and 2020 looks to be no different and Instagram stories remain dominant. However, Facebook stories are on par in terms of engagement with approximately 500 million daily users. Interactive Stories and polls are #a brilliant way to interact with your audience.
- Influencers
The popularity of influencers as a way to advertise products is well-known and although influencers will remain popular in 2020, brands will be looking at influencer relationships a bit more closely. There has been a rise in brands connecting with influencers whose accounts only have a few thousand followers. The reason for this is because smaller audiences appear more meaningful and engaged compared to an influencer who is chasing likes. Simply work out whether your potential influencer has an audience which is meaningful to your brand.
