2024 has been a whirlwind year for social media, with platforms evolving at breakneck speed and user behavior shifting dramatically. From the rise of AI-powered tools to the increasing importance of short-form video, this year has seen an excessive amount of trends that are reshaping the digital landscape.

In this blog post, we'll delve into the social media trends that have dominated 2024. Whether you're a seasoned social media marketer or just starting out, understanding these trends is crucial to staying ahead of the curve and maximising your online presence.

Let's explore the top 4 social media trends in 2024
1. AI in 2024
AI is making a significant impact on social media in 2024, transforming how we interact, create content, and engage with brands. Here's a breakdown of key AI trends in social media this year.

AI is revolutionising the social media landscape in several ways. AI-powered tools are generating creative content, from witty captions and in-depth articles to stunning visuals, avatars, and realistic product images. AI is also being used to create short-form videos, animations, and even longer-form video content.

AI is also enhancing the user experience by identifying and removing harmful or inappropriate content, making social media more accessible to people with disabilities. Finally, AI is powering social commerce by suggesting products based on user preferences and browsing history and creating tailored shopping experiences for each user.

2. Playful Content: The New Brand Personality
In 2024, brands are increasingly adopting a more playful and relatable approach, utilising the power of meme culture to engage with their audience. By incorporating humor, irony, and pop culture references into their content, brands can cultivate a sense of community and loyalty. Memes resonate with a wide audience due to their ability to tap into universal experiences and emotions. Humorous and visually appealing content is more likely to capture attention and spark conversations.

Additionally, memes allow brands to showcase their personality and values in a fun and creative manner. To effectively incorporate meme culture into a brand strategy, it's essential to stay updated on the latest trends and memes. Understanding the target audience's sense of humor and preferences is crucial. Choosing platforms where meme culture thrives, such as TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter, is also important. However, authenticity is key; forcing memes that don't align with a brand's voice can be detrimental. By embracing playful content and meme culture, brands can differentiate themselves in the crowded digital landscape and forge lasting connections with their audience.

3. SEO for social media channels
While traditional SEO primarily focuses on search engines like Google, optimising your social media content for search can significantly enhance your visibility and drive organic traffic to your website. By conducting thorough keyword research, incorporating relevant keywords into your profile information, captions, and descriptions, and utilising a strategic hashtag approach, you can improve your content's discoverability. Creating high-quality, engaging, and shareable content is crucial, as it encourages user interaction and fosters a loyal community.

Leveraging user-generated content can further boost authenticity and engagement. Additionally, promoting sharing on other platforms and encouraging backlinks from reputable websites can significantly amplify your reach. Platform-specific SEO techniques, such as utilising relevant hashtags and keywords on Twitter, optimising profile bios and geotagging on Instagram, incorporating keywords into LinkedIn profiles and posts, and optimising TikTok profiles and captions, can further enhance your visibility on these platforms. A strong social media presence, when optimised for search, can be a powerful tool for brand awareness, lead generation, and customer engagement.

Fun fact: Did you know that 40% of Gen Z preferred using Tiktok over Google to do their research.

4. Behind the Scenes Content: A Peek into the Creator's World
One of the biggest trends of 2024 has been the rise of "behind-the-scenes" content. This type of content offers a glimpse into the creative process, the challenges faced, and the personal lives of content creators. Its popularity stems from its authenticity, as it showcases the genuine side of creators, making them more relatable and human.

Viewers are naturally curious about the inner workings of their favorite content, and behind-the-scenes content satisfies this curiosity. Additionally, this type of content encourages interaction and fosters a sense of community, leading to increased engagement. To incorporate this trend into your social media strategy, consider vlogging your creative process, sharing blooper reels, posting "day in the life" videos, hosting Q&A sessions, and collaborating with other creators. By sharing behind-the-scenes content, you can not only boost engagement but also strengthen your connection with your audience.

Future-Focused
The future of social media is bright, and it's clear that staying ahead of the curve is essential for businesses of all sizes. By embracing these trends and adapting your strategy accordingly, you can position your brand for success in the years to come. To learn more about how to leverage these trends, reach out to The Marketing Desk.