Social Media Changes in 2020
The digital world has seen many changes already in 2020. Many social media websites have seen innovation and development. While not every change has been positive or permanent it is important that we educate ourselves on what’s new in the digital world.
Google began the year by announcing their plan to change the way advertisements were shown in Search Engine Results. This did not receive a positive response from consumers who thought it made it more difficult to tell what links were advertisements.
Google latter admitted that the changes created problems and caused advertisements and organic links to look the same.
They are now retracting the changes and reverting back to the old format.
Facebook is being taken over by robots!
Many businesses have decided to adjust the way they communicate with customers when using Facebook Messenger. Instead of individually replying to each message they receive, businesses have begun using bots to do this.
Using bots reduces the amount of ‘cookie cutter’ replies to messages and also allows the client to receive an immediate reply. Bots can also provide assistance with small and simple queries.
Studies from Harvard University have shown that the brain releases large amounts of dopamine when we have a successful social interaction. This includes receiving quick and instant replies to messages. This allows the consumer to quickly build an emotional connection to your business by connecting their dopamine surge to your fast and efficient reply.
Snapchat
Snapchat is launching Bitmoji TV in an attempt to allow more variation for consumers.
While currently the short videos are scripted and will be edited for users, there is a chance that may change in the future. If Snapchat does modify the process and allow consumers to develop their own scripts it will allow advertisers to take advantage of the tool.
Social Media Marketers will be able to transform the videos into short advertisements. In future there may be opportunities to share them on other platforms.
Bitmojis can currently be shared to Instagram so this is a possibility in the near future.
Twitter is also changing. The platform is developing a process that will give the consumer more control over who can reply to their tweets.
Twitter hopes to improve the community dynamic on the platform while also giving users more control when using the site.
Users can choose to allow anyone on Twitter to reply, just those mentioned in the tweet and, no-one at all.
Tik Tok
Tik Tok focuses on fast-paced and short videos. As a result it keeps the attention span of Gen Z consumers.
Gen Z consumers enjoy the convenience of the application and prefer it over Youtube and Instagram. This can be attributed to its innovative ease of use. Where other applications take time to edit and upload content, Tik Tok is fast and efficient.
Changes are coming however with Tik Tok announcing the introduction of advertisements on the application.
While this is a new and exciting way to advertise we need to ensure we know how to advertise well. Tik Tok is not a place for interaction. Entertainment is king. Advertising will need to be short and engaging.
With change comes challenges. Each new innovation and modification requires us to change the way we think and develop how we interact with consumers.
If you are interested in taking advantage of these new changes but don’t know where to begin, you can start with looking at finding a digital marketing professional to help you. They will help you develop a good marketing plan while keeping in mind any new developments in the digital world.
