When we first welcomed 2021, we experienced strict lockdowns worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic that restricted our physical interactions with people.
As naturally social beings, people found ways to communicate, engage, and interact through social apps. Alongside the extensive use of these apps were the innovations, news and controversies that did not just catch our attention but also affected our approach in using them.
One of which was Haugen’s confession that had kept us on the lookout for the turnouts of this scandal. Aside from that, 2021 was also the year for understanding emerging trends in digital space and significant business shifts.
But, what exactly are the five most talked-about social media news in 2021? We list them down for you.
Facebook’s rebranding to Meta
Perhaps the social media news of 2021 that became the talk of the town was Facebook’s rebranding to Meta, following Haugen’s controversial algorithm exposé.
This, however, had no connection to the said issue as the intent behind this major rebranding was to align the company’s plans — emphasizing the development of the Metaverse — according to Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg.
In the interview with The Verge, Zuckerberg emphasized that the course of bad news “had nothing to bear on this. Even though I think some people might want to make that connection, I think that’s sort of a ridiculous thing. If anything, I think that this is not the environment that you would want to introduce a new brand in.”
This rebranding push was also one of the most anticipated events in 2021.
Rise of TikTok
TikTok’s rise has been one of the notable successes of social apps of the decade.
Known for short-form videos that are snackable and easy to digest, it is clearly the victor in the dynamic and competitive digital space as it is still at the apex of the download rankings in social and entertainment apps, outranking Facebook and Instagram.
As of today, it has amassed more than two billion downloads worldwide since its launch in 2016.
Will TikTok stay on top this 2022? Well, maybe yes or maybe not. But, rightfully so, it has been one of the key drivers to determining internet culture since 2018 up to now.
Rise of live streaming
Aside from TikTok’s success, live streaming apps also gained significant traction in the Asian market in 2021, particularly in China.
In actual fact, it is the forerunner in social media in today’s trend. That said, social apps with no live streaming feature miss out on many user engagement opportunities.
One important aspect to note is socializing in the digital sphere, like in-stream interactions and Metaverse, is expected to thrive even in a post-pandemic environment, according to the latest social media trends.
To learn more about this, read our blog here.
Baby boomers are going digital
When you are active on different social media platforms, you have probably encountered the phrase “ok boomer.” Gen Z and Millenials created this not just to disregard or reject the presumed-to-be baby boomers’ misguided opinions but also to ridicule them.
Regardless, this phrase only rose to notoriety because many baby boomers are now using different social media platforms.
For many years, digital advertisers overlooked boomers as a target demographic for marketing campaigns since they were only a few of them in the digital space. But, over the years, baby boomers have now taken the world of social media and eCommerce by storm.
With the COVID-19 pandemic posing greater risk and keeping them at home, they are now spending more time on the internet than pre-coronavirus.
As a result, they are now a vital target market almost impossible to ignore by brands and businesses. With that, marketers have to expand their reach to attract and engage with them.
Keep in mind that the baby boomer demographic is as broad as Gen Z and Millenials. Therefore, condensing them into age is not beneficial to your business. But, of course, it goes without saying that you — a business owner or a marketer — have to go beyond their age and look into a more inclusive approach to penetrate the baby boomer market successfully.
AR and VR has transformed user-content interaction
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are the breakthrough innovations in the technology world in the recent decade.
But, what are VR and AR? What’s the difference between the two? Let’s define and differentiate them.
Augmented reality (AR)
Augmented reality is a virtual interactive experience of the ordinary, physical world, morphing it into a colorful and fun one by projecting visuals, such as filters, characters and pictures, through your phone’s camera. Those filters that can transform you into a bearded and bald guy or make you look older are all augmented reality.
Pinterest Lens, where you can virtually try products on, is one of the best examples of AR integrated into eCommerce.
Virtual Reality
If you have watched “Ready Player One,” directed by Steven Spielberg, you are perhaps familiar with virtual reality.
Virtual reality is when the user is transported into an entirely different dimension, a computer-generated simulation of an alternate world. For illustration, with its use, you can be whisked away into a magical fantasy, dystopian or post-apocalyptic world. While on the practical side, it can also take you on a virtual house tour or a real-life place tour.
More than anything else, both of these technologies are now integrated into the social apps you are currently using and have probably used them. To give you an idea, fun and colorful filters on Snapchat, TikTok and Instagram Stories are the most common examples of AR. At the same time, Meta’s Metaverse is the best example of VR.
Your one-stop-shop for all things social media management
Talking about social media, 75 Social is your one-stop-shop for all things social media management. We are committed to helping your business grow and succeed in the ever-competitive and dynamic digital space.
We specialize in creating, managing, and maintaining various social media platforms for you or your brand. Apart from that, we also strive to develop social media management strategies, techniques and methods that facilitate your brand or company’s growth, stability, and engagement.
To learn more about our offered services, visit our SHOP Page. For package recommendations and further questions, contact us at our social media accounts or email us at sales@75social.com.
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