8 Social Media Trends to look out for in 2023

Entering the new year, it is imperative to focus on the ever-evolving canvas of social media and its multifaceted ever-changing trends. It becomes crucial for booming businesses to stay abreast of these trends to effectively communicate with the audience, and ally with them more strategically.

In 2023, we are expecting social media spending to top as marketers prepare to profit from the return of investments confidently. Also, predictions are made on a greater shift toward authenticity, originality, and transparency.

Here are some of the top social media trends going viral:

1. Brand authenticity

Be the clown fish in the sea of plenty.

No stranger to the customer mindset that catches unauthentic content from a mile, brands are rolling up their sleeves to produce content that is original, real, and has an element of emotional touch. Authenticity is the determining factor of the rise of social media platforms. The overly-edited pictures and the copycat content material has driven customer cynicism to form skepticism into trusting brands resulting in over 86 percent transparency expectation from brands by the consumers.

Thanks to ‘BeReal’, authenticity has been booming since last year and is going to take center stage. With relatable content ushering from creators, consumers are getting comfortable in their skin (say nay to filters). From using popular original audio in videos to the maverick style of storytelling, we see a flamboyant surge in customer engagement. This way, brands build a deeper connection with the audience resulting in an upgraded brand reputation and whopping sales figures.

2. Micro content for the win

A copious number of brands are shifting toward the creation of short-form videos to boost their popularity. Storytelling has now taken a dynamic turn- unconventionality and non-linearity are the new norms. Several brands are bringing edutainment to the fore with a fun and witty style of narrating the news.

Hootsuite affirms that Tiktok will thrive as a social media network surpassing others as its marketing format has the highest ROI. Apart from that, Youtube Shorts will take off as it is a go-to platform for most creators. The bite-sized and vertical videos have taken momentum as Instagram reels have marked the appeal for both creators and consumers.

3. Better ROI with micro-influencers

Research shows that in 2022 the content produced by influencers was viewed 13.2 times more than the average media and brand content. Influencer marketing is the leading strategy for brands to develop relations with a diverse range of audiences. However, it can be costly.

Where the commercials of macro influencers are high priced, micro-influencers save the day as they are economical to partner with. Big influencers may have a high following but they lack personal closeness with their audience. Micro-influencers, on the contrary, have a greater engagement on their page as they maintain kinship with their followers. Collaborating with smaller influencers proves to have a greater impact on ROIs as the marketing field becomes more focused.

4. The use of color psychology

One of the most notable trends for 2023 is the use of color as a means of expression and branding. The implementation of color psychology has become increasingly popular, with businesses and individuals alike recognizing the impact that color can have on audience engagement and perception.

The color theme for 2023 is a blend of warm and cool tones, with hues of oranges and blues predicted to dominate the visual landscape. While WGCN and Coloro color team have selected Digital Lavender, Luscious Red, Sundial, Tranquil Blue, and Verdigris to be the colors of the year, Viva Magenta has officially become the 2023 Pantone Color of the Year.

The use of color in social media is not just limited to visual elements such as images and videos, but also extends to typography and graphic design. The use of bold and contrasting colors can add emphasis and interest to the text, making it more eye-catching and engaging. The use of color in graphic design can also be used to guide the viewer's eye, creating a sense of hierarchy and organization. The use of color can be a powerful tool to create a strong visual identity and connection with the audience.

5. The metaverse integration

The metaverse refers to a virtual world that is immersive and interactive. It is considered the next evolution of the internet and is expected to revolutionize the way we interact with each other and consume content. This new contemporary trend allows users to be able to create their avatars, interact with other users, and even create their virtual worlds. This opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for social interaction and content creation.

The metaverse has created potential opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs. For example, virtual stores and events could be created in the metaverse, allowing companies to reach new audiences and customers. Additionally, it could also be used as a platform for education and forms of learning. Many brands such as Nike, Starbucks, Ferrari, Bloomingdales, and more have already started experimenting with this virtual trend.

With advancements in technology, the metaverse will become more accessible, and we can expect to see more businesses joining this virtual world and elevating the future of social media.

6. Advancing Augmented Reality(AR) and Virtual Reality(VR)

Real-life photos are a ten but have you used digital filters to spice things up? Augmented reality enhances visual content and is in vogue amongst Gen Z. More importantly, this new burgeoning trend is catching the eyes of businesses as we can expect to see a proliferation in the use of AR in social media campaigns. Instagram and Facebook have profited from AR as their social shopping experiences have been refined.

Slowly but steadily, the virtual reality trend is gaining traction with technological advancement. However, with its high price user adoption is low but it will spread to the mainstream market after a certain period. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter are already in full support of VR as they are offering a wide range of virtual experiences such as watching concerts and virtual tours to the users. Soon, you can make your shopping experience fun and immersive by viewing products in 3D mode. From buying a dress to doing an apartment tour from your couch! Pretty cool.

7. SEO in the spotlight

Since more than half of Gen Z is always on their phone watching reels and following trends, Instagram and Tiktok have become the more sought-after search platforms. The reason behind searching on these channels more than Google is that users are looking for more personally curated information and probing experience. Considering the ever-changing user behavior, creators create a personalized approach that attracts consumers to take action. Optimizing posts with keywords is the best measure for your content to get discovered and increase your chances of appearing in more local searches to stand on top of the list.

8. The use of podcasts and the rise of social audio

Platforms such as Buzzsprout and Podbean are emerging as podcasts are becoming increasingly popular as a means of storytelling. In 2023 we can expect to see more businesses and individuals using podcasts as a way to create engaging and informative content.

Platforms like Clubhouse and Twitter Spaces are bringing a new dimension to social media by allowing users to share audio content. Expect to see more social audio platforms and features in the coming year.