11 Social Media Trends in 2024 [+ 7 Actionable Tips]

When a specific topic, format or behavior gains a great deal of attention and becomes popular on social media platforms, it turns into a social media trend.

A social media trend first sparks curiosity among the audience and then strikes an emotional chord with them. Once the trend resonates with more and more people, it starts to spread across social media platforms like wildfire, with tons of users doing their bit to keep the flame alive. These can include things like using relevant hashtags in posts, organizing social media contests and challenges, sharing memes and the like.

Since research states that three in four businesses use social media to connect with their audience, leveraging trends in their social media marketing efforts can go a long way in amplifying their online presence.

11 Social media trends in 2024

Here’s a list of social media trends that you need to incorporate into your social media strategy to ensure your brand stays relevant in a rapidly changing business landscape.

• Augmented reality content will become more popular

• Short-form video content will continue its domination

• Disappearing or ephemeral content is here to stay

• Sustainable and ethical branding will have more takers

• Livestream shopping will become more mainstream

• Brands will start to integrate voice-optimized content

• The Influence of micro-influencers will rise

• Expansion of social commerce

• Greater emphasis on mental health and well-being

• AI-powered content creation will become more common

• Consumers will demand more control over their data

Now let's get to know each of them better.

1. Augmented reality content will become more popular

In 2024, social media will be taken over by augmented reality (AR). Brands are eagerly embracing the technology to offer captivating and immersive experiences to their audiences.

With the advancement in AR filters and lenses, users can now virtually try on products, change their appearance and transform their surroundings.

So, get ready for an influx of advertisements that will seamlessly blend the digital and real worlds, captivating users and elevating brand interactions. There will also be a surge in AR-powered storytelling, enabling brands to engage with their followers through narratives that leave a lasting impression.

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Are you equipped to tap into this hot trend?

2. Short-form video content will continue its domination

Short-form videos will continue their reign in 2024, driven by avenues like TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts. These captivating and concise clips resonate with Gen Z and millennial users, offering a quick and entertaining way of consuming content.

The fact that this form of content is consumed by 66% of social media users daily makes it an absolute must in any brand’s social media arsenal. Engaging visuals and smart editing techniques within this dynamic format can help capture the interest and attention of users.

You can create trending content by producing visually captivating videos that concisely convey your message.

3. Disappearing or ephemeral content is here to stay

The rise of ephemeral content, as seen in the popular Stories feature of Instagram, will continue to dominate social media platforms.

Businesses will take advantage of the 24-hour lifespan of stories to create FOMO and a sense of urgency among their followers. You can expect more behind-the-scene glimpses, exclusive offers and time-limited promotions that encourage users to stay engaged.

Through creative storytelling in ephemeral content, you can establish a personal connection with your audience, fostering an authentic bond and loyal following.

Also Read: The Rise of Ephemeral Content & What It Means for Marketers

4. Sustainable and ethical branding will have more takers

It will be crucial for companies in 2024 to effectively communicate their support to ecologically sustainable practices and social responsibility.

Social media platforms will play an important role in highlighting these initiatives as consumers increasingly seek brands that are transparent and genuinely committed to their eco-friendly goals and mission. As more people become environmentally conscious, there will be a growing demand for sustainable and ethical products.

Brands that actively support meaningful causes and show genuine commitment to reducing their carbon footprint will certainly have an advantage over their competitors.

5. Livestream shopping will become more mainstream

Live video streaming is changing the way we shop. In 2024, we'll see a growing number of brands and influencers using videos to present their products, provide exclusive offers and directly interact with their followers.

This exciting experience that blends entertainment with the convenience of online shopping will enable customers to ask questions, watch demonstrations and make purchases effortlessly.

6. Brands will start to integrate voice-optimized content

Voice-activated devices are becoming more and more prevalent, they’re all set to transform the way users engage with social media platforms. Businesses, too, will focus on optimizing their content for voice-based queries.

We can anticipate a surge in long-tail keyword content that caters to voice searches as well. What’s more, social media platforms might introduce more features that are driven by voice commands. This will provide users with the opportunity to interact with content in new ways, revolutionizing brand-customer interactions.

7. The influence of micro-influencers will rise

In 2024, there will be a shift in the influencer landscape. While macro-influencers will still have a good online presence and following, micro-influencers are set to rise in prominence.

Micro-influencers do not have millions of followers, but they make up for it with higher engagement rates and a dedicated fan base. As a result, brands will increasingly recognize the value of collaborating with micro-influencers to target audiences and establish genuine connections.

In fact, studies have already shown that 50% of millennials trust product recommendations from social media micro-influencers as opposed to the 38% who place their faith in their favorite celebrities or macro-influencers.

This social media trend highlights the growing influence and impact of micro-influencers on consumer behavior and brand preferences, making them a force to reckon with in marketing and advertising circles.

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Read More: Influencer marketing strategies to improve engagement

8. Expansion of social commerce

We can expect social media platforms to become the go-to online shopping destinations in 2024. Exciting features, like Instagram Shopping, Facebook Marketplace and Pinterest Shopping, will gain greater popularity.

These advancements will allow brands to offer effortless shopping experiences within these platforms. They offer the convenience of a streamlined shopping journey, complete with personalized recommendations and simplified checkout processes.

By embracing social commerce, you can look forward to better conversion rates and happier customers.

Pro Tip: Sprinklr’s unified conversational commerce platform enables full conversational journeys across the 30+ messaging, live chat, social and app channels your customers prefer — helping you create premium commerce experiences at every touchpoint on their journey.

9. Greater emphasis on mental health and well-being

As the awareness about health and digital well-being continues to grow, social media platforms are expected to introduce features aimed at promoting a more positive and supportive online environment.

More than 39% of users are addicted to social media. To combat this, you can anticipate an increase in tools that enable them to manage screen time, keep track of their social media usage and establish healthy boundaries.

To top it off, more brands will likely incorporate well-being initiatives into their social media marketing strategies. This could involve creating and promoting uplifting content, forming partnerships with health organizations or launching educational campaigns focused on mental health.

By doing so, your brand will not only gain trust but also foster loyalty among users.

10. AI-powered content creation will become more common

In 2024, AI-powered content creation is already making waves and dramatically changing the face of digital marketing. As we step into the future, AI will definitely be used to generate text, images and videos at scale, allowing brands to ramp up content production.

Natural language processing (NLP) algorithms will enable coherent and contextually relevant written content, while AI-driven image creation will produce stunning visuals. Brands can create captivating video ads with personalized storytelling elements using AI automation. This technology will ensure a steady flow of engaging content across multiple platforms, meeting ever-rising audience demands.

There's no doubt that human input will remain essential for adding a unique touch to AI-generated content. But embracing AI-powered content creation will optimize strategies and enhance customer experiences on a whole other level in the current digital landscape.

Pro Tip: With Sprinklr AI+, you can generate content across channels, ensure faster replies with response simplification and modification, and simplify content reviews with AI-powered grammar and tone checks.

11. Consumers will demand more control over their data

In 2024, people are becoming more aware of the value of their data. As a result, they will want more control over how it is used going forward. To meet this demand, brands will have to prioritize transparency in how they collect and use data.

Brands will have to respect users’ privacy preferences and provide more specific options to them if they choose not to be tracked or have their information shared. This includes allowing users to manage cookie settings, opt out of targeted ads and have more control over the access to their information.

You'll have to take a customer-centric approach toward managing data if you want to establish lasting relationships and loyalty in the privacy-conscious landscape of today.

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

7 Actionable tips to use social media trends

Social media trends not only captivate audiences but also serve as powerful tools for crafting a distinct and influential brand identity. Here are some of their actionable tips to make best use of 2024 social media trends:

• Stay relevant

• Maximize engagement

• Outshine Competitors

• Build authentic connections

• Identity and leverage opportunities

• Adapt to platform changes

• Enhance brand image

Stay relevant

Being aware of the latest trends ensures your content aligns with what captures the attention of your target audience, thus keeping your online presence fresh and appealing.

Stay updated by actively participating in industry forums, subscribing to trend newsletters and monitoring social media analytics to understand what's resonating with your audience

Maximize engagement

By making the most of popular trends, you can increase user engagement and interactions. This approach widens your reach and has a more significant impact on your followers.

Consider running interactive polls, challenges or contests related to trending topics to encourage active participation and create a sense of community around your brand.

Outshine competitors

Keeping up with trends allows you to stay ahead of the competition, giving you an added edge and positioning your brand as an innovative and dynamic presence in the digital sphere.

Regularly analyze your competitors' social media strategies and identify unique ways to incorporate trends into your own content to differentiate yourself.

Pro Tip: Sprinklr’s competitive insights & benchmarking tools allow you to benchmark your social performance in real-time against competitors or other best-in-class brands. How? Sprinklr AI automatically gathers and analyzes content to deliver deep insights that go beyond engagement metrics and a number of posts.

Build authentic connections

Embracing current trends fosters authenticity as users appreciate brands and individuals who connect with them on a personal level. Share behind-the-scenes content, user-generated content or stories that reflect your brand's values and personality, creating a more genuine connection with your audience.

Identity and leverage opportunities

Being updated on trends helps you identify potential marketing opportunities, partnerships and collaborations that can elevate your brand or content to new heights. Actively participate in industry events, webinars or online communities to stay informed about emerging opportunities and potential collaborations within your niche.

Adapt to platform changes

Social media platforms often introduce new features and algorithms. Being aware of trends allows you to adapt quickly and make the most of platform updates to optimize your online strategy. Regularly explore new features on platforms like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, and adapt your content strategy to leverage these changes for better visibility and engagement.

Enhance brand image

Incorporating relevant trends showcases your adaptability and willingness to evolve, reinforcing a positive brand image that resonates with your audience. Communicate your brand's values through trend-inspired content, demonstrating a commitment to staying current and meeting the evolving preferences of your audience.

Final Thoughts

Some of the above-mentioned social media trends have already made their mark in 2024. From AR to short-form videos, these captivating trends have tremendous potential to transform how we connect and engage on social media platforms.

By staying updated on the latest trends and closely observing the changing social media landscape, you can enhance your brand’s presence and leave a mark that lasts for years to come.

At Sprinklr, we know how incredibly important it is to keep a close eye on social media trends. We offer a unified social media management platform that will assist you in monitoring, managing and optimizing your social media projects while helping you bring out the best from your customer interactions.

For more information, check out the Sprinklr Social platform.

Additional Resources:

• AI in Social Media: 10 Ways to use It

• Future of social media in 2024 and beyond

• 11 Best Social media management tools in 2024

• Social Listening: The only thing your brand needs