Back in January, we released a blog evaluating the landscape of social media in 2016 and predicting what changes may come in 2017. Fast forward to April, and we have already seen major announcements and changes to some of the top platforms. Let’s take a look at what’s happened in the last four months.
VIDEO/LIVE CONTENT
Facebook recently joined the game with Stories, replicating the success of Snapchat and Instagram. Stories are essentially short user-generated content that can be viewed for a short time before it disappears. This feature hit the stage, just as Instagram stories surpassed Snapchat in daily story views. It’s evident how powerful user generated content is in advertising. We are finding new ways to reach our consumer in the most immersive ways possible. Video and Live content allows brands to connect to consumers in real time and in a way never possible before.
Facebook also made advancements in Facebook Live introducing 360-degree Live Video. 360-degree Live Video is the next best thing to actually being present, giving you the ability to easily engage your audience in your experience. Take for instance a music festival using 360-degree Live Video, where they are able to capture not only the artist, but the fans as well to truly capture the experience. The trend of live video and user generated content is accelerating in new directions and these will not be the only trends in video and live content this year.
AUGMENTED REALITY
One of the newest examples of advancements in social media is the recent launch of Snapchat’s World Lenses. World Lenses allow a Snapchat user to augment their surroundings and add 3D effects that change as they move! For now, brands and agencies do not have the ability to sponsor World Lenses, but by the end of the year, one can anticipate that it will be available.
Not to be outdone, Facebook recently announced future plans for Augmented Reality at its annual F8 conference. According to Mark Zuckerburg, “Augmented reality is going to help us mix the digital and physical in all new ways. And that’s going to make our physical reality better.” Facebook’s goal is to have technology that can quickly process what you see. Augmented Reality has made a lot of progress and it will be interesting to see the advances made by the end of the year.
Social Media is far from slowing down in 2017. Four months in, and we have been introduced to major updates and exciting features to come. At Sunrise, we strive to be constantly aware of and learn the newest trends to help further our brands in the social space. While many of the above updates encourage new behavior at the customer level, advertisers will soon have the ability to utilize and connect in ways they have never before.