AI in social media: 10 ways to use AI in social media strategy

Artificial intelligence (AI) has opened up countless opportunities in almost every industry today, and social media is no different. In the ever-changing ecosystem of social media platforms, it has become a massive challenge for brands to collect accurate data and promote creative campaigns that will attract the target audience.

Imagine a scenario where a coffee shop owner can figure out when customers crave their caffeine fix or a fashion brand can tailor its content to individual preferences with incredible accuracy. These scenarios are not just wishful thinking but a fusion of AI and social media possibilities that are tangible facts.

In this blog post, we’ll be exploring 10 practical ways to harness the power of AI in your social media efforts, along with real-world examples and actionable tips.

What is AI in social media?

AI is how machines, especially computer systems, mimic human mental processes.

AI, in social media, uses algorithms and advanced data analytics to analyze user behavior, preferences and interactions. This data is then used to make predictions, automate operations and optimize strategies for better intervention and results.

Imagine browsing your favorite social media platform, and suddenly, your feed is filled with content that perfectly matches your tastes and interests. You get immediate answers to your questions, and even the ads seem tailored to you. This way, AI is the driving force behind the new era of social media that can deliver exceptionally convenient experiences.

How is AI shaping the world of social media?

AI has ushered in a transformative wave across various aspects of social media. It has already made a significant impact on the realm of marketing. According to a report, AI has been playing a pivotal role in marketing efforts, with 90% of companies integrating AI to enhance their customer journeys and overall experiences.

What's more, another survey indicated that a substantial three-quarters of businesses have witnessed revenue growth by implementing AI-driven marketing strategies.

With that in mind, let’s dig deeper into how AI has been redefining the world of social media.

• Personalization: AI analyzes user behavior and preferences to deliver tailored content, ensuring users see posts that are relevant to their interests. For instance, Netflix's recommendation system suggests shows and movies based on your viewing history. 

• Chatbots: AI-powered chatbots provide instant responses to user queries, enhancing customer service efficiency. Sephora's chatbot, for instance, offers makeup tips and product recommendations to users via Facebook Messenger. 

• Content generation: AI algorithms can generate compelling and relevant social media content. OpenAI's GPT tool can craft engaging social media posts super-fast, freeing up time for marketers to focus on strategy. 

• Image and video analysis: AI can analyze visual content, automatically tagging objects and people. Facebook utilizes AI to identify and tag individuals in photos. 

Also Read: How to provide better customer care on social media

10 ways to use AI in social media 

Yes, AI has transformed how things work in social media and business, improving the situation for both marketers and salespeople. They can now optimize the way they do things and get better outcomes. 

On that note, let’s look at the many ways that you can use AI in social media to make your brand more successful. 

1. Sentiment analysis

AI-powered sentiment analysis tools can gauge public sentiment toward your brand, products or campaigns. Analyzing user comments and interactions lets you grasp how your audience understands your content.

Sprinklr's sentiment analysis and listening tool can accurately interpret social sentiments towards your brand, helping you adjust your strategies in response to changing opinions.

2. Predictive analytics for targeted marketing 

AI can predict trends and user behavior, helping with content planning and strategic decision-making. By analyzing historical social media data, AI algorithms can determine which products or features are likely to perform well. These social media insights can help you tailor content to your audience. 

Starbucks uses AI to suggest offers to customers near its stores, leveraging location and purchase data, to raise average spending. By segmenting consumers on machine learning and decision trees, personalized promotions are created based on individual behavior. The system uses data-driven insights to increase customer engagement.  

3. Automated content curation

AI assists in gathering and suggesting relevant content from across the web, which saves time and ensures a consistent flow of diverse social media posts. It can streamline your content curation process by suggesting articles, videos and posts that are aligned with your brand's values.

For example, Spotify employs AI to craft personalized playlists from users' listening patterns, thereby elevating customer satisfaction and boosting subscription sign-ups.

Deep Dive: Comprehensive Guide on Social Media Content Creation

4. Influencer identification  

AI-powered tools can identify potential influencers for your brand by analyzing engagement rates, follower counts and content quality. This ensures that your influencer communications are aligned with your target audience. Using AI, marketers can gauge whether an influencer’s followers match the brand’s target demographic. 

L’Oréal, a beauty brand, uses AI to find influencers for its campaigns. By analyzing engagement rates, follower counts and content, L’Oréal ensures authentic partnerships that resonate with its audience. 

Pro Tip: Drive more revenue from social and amplify your reach with a unified influencer marketing platform

5. Real-time trend monitoring  

AI enables the real-time monitoring of trends and conversations across social media platforms. This allows you to seize opportunities promptly.

For instance, during the 2013 Super Bowl blackout, Oreo capitalized on the situation by posting a clever tweet that said, "You can still dunk in the dark." This real-time marketing success was possible because they monitored social media trends closely.  

6. Ad targeting and personalization  

AI algorithms analyze user data to optimize ad targeting. This ensures that your ads are shown to the right audience, increasing the chances of conversion.

As covered before, Netflix does a spectacular job of personalization as it tailors its content recommendations based on user viewing history. This customization keeps users engaged and helps Netflix retain subscribers.

Also Read: 10 social media lead generation tactics with examples

7. Image and video recognition  

AI, in social media, can help automatically recognize objects, scenes and faces within images and videos to a great degree. This technology can help you tag products, locations or people in your posts more easily.

Pinterest's “Lens” feature uses AI to analyze images taken by users, and it suggests visually similar pins. This encourages users to discover more content that matches their preferences.

Interesting read: 4 ways to get the most from visual-data insights

8. Social listening at scale

AI-powered social listening tools monitor brand mentions and conversations, providing valuable insights into customer opinions and market trends. Understanding what people say about your brand allows you to tailor your content and respond to feedback effectively.
 
Unilever, a consumer goods company, uses AI to listen to social media conversations about its products. This helps the company understand how customers perceive their brands and lets them strategize their marketing decisions.

Find out: How to respond to customers on social media: Examples of how to do it right

9. Chatbots for customer service

AI-driven chatbots offer round-the-clock customer support, answering frequently asked questions and resolving issues promptly. These chatbots can handle routine inquiries, freeing human resources for more complex tasks.

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines employs an AI chatbot named BlueBot on Facebook Messenger. BlueBot seamlessly assists passengers with booking, providing flight information and answering FAQs, which enhances the customer experience.

You can also have this system in place by using Sprinklr's AI-powered chatbots to provide instant customer support on social media platforms.

Also Read: Improve your customer service with AI-powered chatbots

10. Content generation

AI algorithms can create blog posts, captions and other content. While AI-generated content shouldn’t replace human creativity, it can complement your social media content calendar, especially for data-driven news and reports.

The Washington Post uses an AI-powered tool called Heliograf, which makes reporting on real-time news far easier and generates prompt updates. The tool supports journalists through regular reporting, allowing them to focus on complex issues.

All of these real brand examples illustrate how AI can take social media strategies to the next level. By delving into these inventive AI applications in marketing, your team can contribute to shaping your brand's perception, keeping your brand competitive and improving the efficiency of your marketing endeavors.

Tips for implementing AI in social media

Here are a few tips to consider when you're incorporating AI into your social media efforts.

Define your goals

Define clear goals for integrating AI into your social media strategy. Whether improving customer service or optimizing content, having well-defined goals will guide your AI implementation.

Deep Dive: How to set social media goals for your business

Choose the right tools

Analyze the AI tools that align with your goals and business needs. Take the time to find one that best suits your needs.

Data privacy and security

When using AI, ensure compliance with data privacy laws and prioritize the security of user data. Being transparent about data usage builds trust with your audience.

Also Read: Social Media Security: How to Stay Safe on Social Media?

Human oversight

While AI can automate many processes, human oversight is essential. Monitor and edit AI-enabled content to ensure it aligns with your brand’s voice and values. 

Continuous learning

AI algorithms improve over time. Constantly monitor performance and make necessary adjustments to increase their accuracy and productivity. 

Next Read: Future of social media: Exploring new trends and the evolving role of AI

Wrapping things up

The fusion of AI and social media has unlocked possibilities for businesses aiming to strengthen their online presence. From predictive analytics to personalized content delivery, AI empowers your brand to connect with your audience at a deeper level. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, embracing these innovations can provide you with a competitive edge in the dynamic world of social media marketing.

If you want to stop spending time on repetitive tasks and start concentrating on the important work, then you should give the AI tools mentioned in this article a shot. And speaking of AI tools, one that's making waves in the social media world is Sprinklr. 

If you’re interested in harnessing the true power of AI in your social media strategy, Sprinklr's suite of AI-powered services is a 360-degree solution. These tools can take your engagement, content creation and customer interactions to a whole new level. What’s more, the Sprinklr Social self-serve plan now comes with in-built listening and insight capabilities.

By exploring Sprinklr's AI offerings, you're not just embracing the future of social media but putting yourself ahead of the curve and setting the stage for remarkable success. 

Don't miss out on this opportunity to transform your social media presence with the guidance of cutting-edge AI technology. Take that step today and watch your social media strategy thrive like never before! Book a demo now.