What do you know about Instagram? How well do you use Facebook? Social media trends change rapidly, making it challenging to keep up with the best use of each platform.
You have a job to do, and tracking the changes in social media platforms isn’t one of them. In fact, it can feel downright impossible when you read all the latest and greatest information being shared online.
What can you do?
The good news is social media trends are changing and evolving, but it’s not as difficult to keep up with as you think. Trends get more attention and attract higher engagement levels than other content types. Catch a wave, and you can gain more exposure quickly. If you rely on social media for business, it’s important to track trends to:
- Increase brand visibility: It’s a way to draw attention to your brand and build your platform with engaged viewers.
- Boost engagement: Give them something to care about and your viewers are more likely to engage and share.
- Connect: An engaged audience is one you can build a relationship with. Trends allow you to bond over shared interests.
How To Spot Social Media Trends
Before you begin, it’s important to realize that every platform has its own purpose, and every social media site uses its own strategies. What works for X (formerly Twitter) might be different than TikTok. That said, mastering one can leave clues to how to manage others.
Make it a part of your process. Build a strategy around understanding what platforms are finding engaging. Then, work to incorporate it into your own plan.
Understand Hashtags
Social media hashtags describe and categorize social media posts into different topics. They help organize content across social media platforms and help users find information quickly and efficiently.
There are many types of hashtag categories:
- Niche—Defining industries or specialties (#socialmediamarketing)
- Community—Bringing together audiences through combined interests or hobbies (#foodietravel)
- Event—Specific hashtags used for events (#TEDx)
- Location—Using geographical references (#Portlandpizza)
- Celebration—Dedicated posts to holidays (#happythanksgiving or #nationalicecreamday)
If you don’t have a hashtag strategy, this is a good place to start. Search for trending hashtags to use in your own posts. Use niche and industry-specific hashtags for brand awareness. Craft your own based on your business. Yet, always respect the hashtag requirements of each platform.
You can also use the service Top Hashtags to help you find relevant hashtags within your industry or the latest hashtags that are trending on Instagram. It’s an easy and informative research tool to use.
Follow Influencers in Your Industry
Want to see the best trends in action? Find influencers with a large presence within your industry. This may change based on different social media platforms, so it’s important to do a comprehensive search on each.
When they post, this is your opportunity to join in. Make relevant content of your own to ride the trend. If it goes viral, you’ll have a better chance of growing your social media presence.
This isn’t an invitation to copy; instead, utilize what’s keeping people engaged. Join the conversation and provide your input. You can take it a step further and reach out through links or DMs to see if there are any collaboration opportunities.
Use Google Trends
Is it any wonder that the largest search engine also provides access to the latest trends? Google Trends allows you to explore what people are searching for. Type in your industry, keywords, or interests. You’ll quickly discover what people are talking about.
Browse through their resources to learn more. Sign up for their newsletter for up-to-date trends. If you’re stuck, this is a great place to explore and find new ideas for posting.
Stay Active on Your Preferred Sites
Facebook, TikTok, Instagram—chances are you’ve narrowed down your social media strategy to just a few. Getting good at social media marketing and engaging with your audience over time takes commitment and dedication to give your viewers what they want. So use that knowledge to better understand your preferred platforms.
YouTube is the world’s largest video-sharing site. It’s also a top search engine. That makes it a perfect place to search for trends. Head to the site’s Explore section to see what’s currently popular on the platform. Watch Shorts to see what catches your eye. Then, use it to influence what you’re posting, to upgrade and improve your platform.
Social Media Trends to Watch
Trends come and go. What works today may be outdated tomorrow. But that doesn’t mean you can’t stay ahead of the curve and build for the future. Experts agree social media will continue to move in certain directions.
Video Remains King
Over 30 million active users watch millions of YouTube videos daily. Hopefully, that convinces you that video isn’t going away.
We’re morphing and changing the way we use it. Share Reels on Instagram. Plug your video into any site you choose. Find a way to share your advice in a newsworthy and entertaining way. It’s what viewers want.
Customer Service
Brands continue to look for ways to personalize and customize their approach. You need to do so on- and offline. One of the easiest ways to do that is by automating your customer service, allowing people to go where they are comfortable. Every social media site, every landing page you create, should ultimately lead a viewer back into a connection with you.
Expand Your Definition of Search
Older generations may still think search is synonymous with Google, but it changes with younger viewers. TikTok and YouTube rank high with Gen Z for search as they seek new ways of gaining relevant information. Ensure your keywords are utilized in all content made and posted to your social platforms.
Let Social Media Trends Guide Your Business
You can’t ignore social media if you’re looking for online growth. Yet growth isn’t guaranteed simply by signing up and creating a platform. Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram may be the top three platforms, but your success is determined by how well you use each site once you get there.
You can do it yourself. Following social media trends will help you find the best ways to reach your audience with the content they want. Or you can ask for help. As a successful digital marketing company, we’ve helped businesses just like yours use social media to reach their target audiences and hit their goals.
