The Future of Social Media: 9 Trends & Predictions for 2023 and Beyond

Industry News Social Media Marketing

Mike Kresch 22 February 2023

Social media continues to be an ever-changing and powerful instrument for connecting people, brands, and businesses alike. With the advent of new technologies and platforms, it can be challenging to keep up with the latest trends in social media–especially when it comes to ensuring your brand is on top of the competition’s game. 

From the rise of BeReal to utilizing UGC (user generated content) and AI (artificial intelligence), this article will discuss some of the key trends and predictions for 2023 in social media so that you can stay one step ahead.

Let’s dive right in!

#1 AI will play an essential role in social media

Artificial Intelligence is becoming an increasingly integral part of the social media landscape. By using predictive algorithms, AI can help recommend the most relevant content to users, curate content for specific topics or audiences, and even provide automated moderation of user comments and posts. It can also assist in cutting through the clutter (via text, graphics and video) and produce quality content at warp speed.

• Brands can use AI to recognize user behavior trends to develop better strategies for engagement and monetization on different social media platforms. This technology provides an excellent opportunity for businesses looking to reach their target audiences more effectively.

#2 Social media clutter will challenge creators and brands

The sheer volume of social media handles continues to grow exponentially, posing a unique challenge for the platforms’ algorithms. As the number of posts and accounts increases, brands, influencers and creators are tasked with continually recalibrating and readjusting their content strategy to keep up. 

This is necessary to ensure that users continue to see content that is most relevant to them amidst the ever-increasing digital clutter. Fortunately, AI technology can help make this process easier by providing more sophisticated methods for curation and discovery of social media content.

• In short, brands and marketers should ensure they’re creating top-tier quality content for social media to please the algorithms and gain more traction moving forward. Brands can also expect a growing emphasis on quality control within the marketing realm.

#3 Is BeReal a fad or a mainstay? Authenticity becomes a crucial element in marketing

BeReal was a surprising yet refreshing addition to the social media sphere in 2022. According to Apptopia, the app captured 93.5 million downloads in 2022. That’s a heavy volume, but it still leaves room for growth.

This social app can potentially become a major player in our marketing strategies for 2023 – or it may fizzle out. Recent numbers suggest the latter is a possibility. Another challenge the app may pose for brands is its lack of monetization opportunities.

• The digital landscape of 2023 will most certainly be different from what it looks like today, but the core values of BeReal are likely to remain relevant. As more people look for ways to express their true selves, platforms, and apps prioritizing authenticity, transparency, and security could become increasingly popular. 

Furthermore, the app is well-positioned to take advantage of key trends such as voice technology and AR/VR integration, suggesting that BeReal may very well remain an important part of the social media ecosystem this year.

#4 Video will become the new king of content

In 2023, video will reign supreme in the social landscape. The rise of video on social media will also profoundly impact marketing and advertising. With the ability to capture and captivate audiences in ways that text simply can’t, videos have become invaluable tools for companies looking to build a strong online presence.

• Mastering how to produce lower-cost, high-quality video content will become integral to any successful social media marketing strategy. Its ability to engage viewers and foster meaningful connections with audiences offers an unparalleled level of reach and impact that no other medium can match. Furthermore, with new technologies like automated voice-over production, creating high-quality video content is now easier and faster than ever before.

• A successful video post will be evaluated by the quality of engagement that it yields. A highly successful post in 2023 may have a very limited reach – but if it hits the right people and generates targeted conversions, you’ll get yourself a winner.  

#5 Twitter’s policy changes may be the turning point for brands

In 2023, Twitter will continue to be a major player in the social media landscape. With its ability to spread news quickly and influence trends across the globe, Twitter will remain a key platform for businesses and individuals alike.

This is especially relevant as the United States heads closer to a presidential election year. The US election will bring upon a significant spike in post volume, engagement, and potentially becomes the stage for some political drama as the year progresses.

Additionally, with new features such as Twitter Moments and story-telling tools, users will have even greater opportunities to engage their audiences in dynamic conversations. With the rise of micro-moments, short-form videos, and live broadcasting capabilities, Twitter will offer an ever-evolving set of tools that enables businesses to create more targeted content for their followers.

• However, Twitter will also likely introduce additional policy changes to protect users’ privacy and security. In particular, new regulations may be imposed in response to emerging threats such as deepfake videos and other forms of deceptive content. Additionally, the platform may impose stricter limits on what types of content can be shared or posted and better control mechanisms for limiting exposure to malicious accounts.

• These changes would be intended to keep users safe while allowing brands to utilize Twitter’s ad services more confidently. Furthermore, more strict guidelines may also be implemented to foster an environment of trust between businesses and consumers, thereby ensuring that everyone is playing by the same rules.

Finally, by analyzing emerging trends and real-time conversations, Twitter will allow marketers to better understand their customers’ needs and provide them with more personalized experiences.

#6 TikTok will continue to dominate the internet in new ways

With over 1 billion monthly active users, TikTok is set to become even more prominent in 2023.

Marketers will be challenged to stay ahead of the curve by creating content that captures users’ attention and understanding their unique interests and needs. They must also remain mindful of shifting trends, such as the increasing popularity of short-form videos and interactive storytelling tools.

• The future of TikTok in America will have a massive impact on the app’s future success. A recent Washington Post article states that the average American on TikTok spends 80 minutes per day on the platform. 
• If it continues to expand into older demographics – more attention will be diverted to the app, which may cause significant implications for marketers. With Bi-partisan concern over security issues, this could also go the other way – dramatically. Marketers must keep a close eye on this and stay ahead of the curve moving foward.

• To really stand out in this ever-changing landscape, brands must leverage creative strategies to reach their target audiences on the platform. Moreover, with features like music integration and innovative tools like filters, businesses will create a more immersive experience for users and increase engagement with their content.

Finally, given TikTok’s emphasis on personalization and privacy, marketers must remain mindful of users’ data protection rights while developing campaigns to engage them effectively.

#7 Replacing ads with user-generated-content (UGC) will help brands drive more sales and engagement

UGC is expected to continue growing in popularity over the next few years. In 2023, social media platforms are already emphasizing their role in creating an engaging and interactive user experience.

Through promoting UGC, brands can gain insights into their customer base, allowing them to better understand their needs and interests. Additionally, user-generated content will provide an authentic and personalized experience that resonates with consumers, leading to higher levels of trust in brand products or services.

• UGC can also be used as a form of social proofing, meaning customers may feel more comfortable making a purchase if they see that other people are already using or enjoying the product. Finally, with features such as user ratings and reviews, brands can foster more meaningful connections with their audiences while also getting valuable feedback on improving their products or services.

#8 Nano influencers will become the ultimate marketing tool

Influencers have proven to be one of the most powerful marketing tools in recent years. Nano influencers, meaning creators with a smaller following that generally does not exceed 10-20,000 followers, are expected to become the hottest trend in the influencer marketing scene this year.

As nano influencers tend to be more relatable and closer to their audience, they often have higher engagement rates than larger influencers. 

• This makes them ideal for helping brands reach and connect more authentically with their target audience. Additionally, they can provide a more cost-effective solution for companies compared to working with more prominent influencers. 

As such, it’s likely that marketers will increasingly use nano influencers as part of their advertising and promotional strategies in 2023.

#9 Personalization will play a major part in marketing strategies

With personalization being a key focus in marketing today, it is no surprise that it will continue to be a significant factor in this year’s social media strategies. 

By personalizing the user’s feed content according to their interests and preferences, brands can ensure that they deliver the most relevant content at any given time, which could lead to higher engagement and conversions.

• Personalization will also allow brands to speak to their customers on a more personal level. With personalized messages and customer service, they can show that they understand their customers’ needs and deliver value on an individual basis. 
• This can lead to better customer satisfaction and trust between the brand and its customers while still providing relevant content that resonates with them at the right time.

Additionally, with more precise targeting capabilities through personalization, brands can reach more qualified leads and gain insights into user behavior that can inform future marketing strategies.

In conclusion, it is clear that the marketing landscape is quickly changing, and marketers need to stay ahead of the curve to be successful. With trends like user-generated content, nano influencers, and personalization becoming increasingly important, marketers and businesses must embrace these changes and use them to their advantage. By hiring a social media management agency to create a well-thought-out strategy that considers all of these elements, you will be well-positioned to succeed in 2023 and beyond.

Mike Kresch

Mike Kresch is Moburst’s VP Strategy, and author of the 2015 book Winning the MVB (Most Valuable Brand).

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