Social media is a constantly evolving landscape, with new platforms, features, and user behaviours emerging all the time. As a small business owner in the UK, staying on top of these trends is essential to ensure that you’re making the most of your social media marketing efforts and reaching your target audience effectively. In this post, we’ll be diving into the top 10 emerging social media trends in the UK for 2024, so that you can stay ahead of the curve and make informed decisions about your social media strategy.
- Video content is King (or Queen): With the rise of TikTok and Instagram Reels, short-form video content is more popular than ever. By 2024, we can expect to see an even greater emphasis on video content across all social media platforms. Businesses that incorporate video into their marketing strategy are more likely to engage their audience and increase their visibility.
- Niche platforms gain traction: While Facebook and Instagram are still the most popular social media platforms in the UK, niche platforms such as LinkedIn, Pinterest, and TikTok are growing in popularity and should not be overlooked. In 2024, these platforms are likely to become even more widely used among specific demographic groups, offering businesses the opportunity to target their messaging more effectively.
- Customisable content takes centre stage: Social media platforms are increasingly offering users tools to create customised content, such as Instagram’s Reels and Stories features. By 2024, we can expect more platforms to offer similar tools, allowing businesses to create more personalised content that resonates with their audience.
- Social commerce on the rise: Social media platforms are increasingly offering e-commerce features, such as Instagram’s Shopping feature and Facebook Marketplace. In 2024, we can expect social commerce to become more prevalent, with more businesses using these features to sell their products directly through social media.
- Influencer marketing evolves: Influencer marketing has been a popular strategy for businesses on social media for several years, but the landscape is changing. In 2024, we can expect to see more micro-influencers – those with smaller followings but higher engagement rates – and more emphasis on building long-term relationships with influencers, rather than one-off sponsored posts.
- Increased focus on privacy: With data breaches and privacy scandals making headlines in recent years, social media users are becoming more conscious of their privacy and the security of their personal information. By 2024, we can expect to see social media platforms placing a greater emphasis on privacy and data protection, with businesses needing to reassure their audience that their data is safe.
- AR and VR take off: Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies are becoming more accessible and affordable, with social media platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram offering AR filters and lenses. By 2024, we can expect to see more businesses using AR and VR to create immersive experiences for their audiences.
- Voice search becomes the norm: With the rise of virtual assistants such as Siri and Alexa, voice search is becoming increasingly popular. By 2024, we can expect to see more people using voice search to find information and services on social media platforms, meaning that businesses will need to optimise their content for voice search in order to remain visible.
- Social media becomes more integrated with real life: Social media is becoming more integrated with real-life experiences, with features such as Instagram’s QR codes and Facebook’s Live Events allowing users to connect online and offline. In 2024, we can expect to see even more integration between social media and the real world, offering businesses new opportunities to connect with their audience both online and offline.
- User-generated content takes off: User-generated content (UGC) – content created by users rather than brands – has been growing in popularity in recent years. By 2024, we can expect to see UGC becoming even more prevalent, with businesses incorporating it into their social media marketing strategies to build trust and authenticity with their audience.
Social media is constantly evolving, with new trends and technologies emerging all the time. As a small business owner in the UK, staying on top of these trends is essential to ensure that your social media marketing strategy remains effective and relevant. By keeping an eye on emerging trends such as video content, niche platforms, customisable content, social commerce, influencer marketing, privacy, AR and VR, voice search, social media integration, and user-generated content, you can make informed decisions about how to best connect with your audience on social media in 2024 and beyond.