Top 5 Social Media Trends to Try Out in 2021

Like fashion trends that come and go, so do social media trends.

Following one of the strangest years that most of us have experienced, we look at the social media trends that flourished in 2020 that may continue to dominate.

And, a handful of new trends that we believe will impact social media this year.

1. Unfiltered and Unpolished Stories

We've become accustomed to the ultra-polished and stylised images that have become ubiquitous with Instagram.

However, 2020 saw the rise of stories and their more natural and unfiltered approach. This has resulted in highly edited content being sidelined by the more unfiltered, off-the-cuff content that stories provide.

Stories also have the added benefit of being highly visible on feeds.

Figures report that up to 70% of social media users view stories daily.

2. Embrace Reels

Last year, reels became a firm staple on Instagram, and it looks like they're here to stay. Reels not only give you the opportunity for organic exposure, but their 'view product' feature makes it easy for users to shop and save items.

3. Social Media - Your New Shopping Destination

Prior to 2020, Instagram was already facilitating social commerce.

However, social commerce is likely to become bigger and better in 2021. Instagram has added shoppable features to posts, stories, IGTV and reels, making the e-commerce experience as seamless as possible.

Facebook launched Facebook Shop in September 2020 which they hope will rival Amazon Marketplace for vendors. September 2020 was also a busy month for TikTok when it announced that they would be integrating with merchandising platform TeeSpring.

It's clear to see that the major platforms are investing heavily in shoppable features that will make the buying experience much easier and efficient for its users.

4. Diversifying LinkedIn

Polls, stories & lives have proved a success for Instagram and Facebook, so it's no wonder that LinkedIn is broadening its horizons and have introduced these features to their platform. As we continue to work from home, it's easy to see how these features can be used to help network and engage with followers.

5. Instagram = SEO friendly

Organic posts have long been the victim of the algorithm, and users have had to adapt their posts to give them the best chance of being seen in the users feed.

However, Instagram has recently announced its intention to be the most search engine friendly platform. The Instagram search engine will now be prioritising search words without the use of hashtags.

Ensuring that your brand becomes as searchable as possible using consistent keywords could help your posts and brand become more visible.

These are just a few of the trends that we think will be embraced this year. Undoubtedly, as the world around us changes, social media will continue to adapt to its users' changes and needs. If you’re not sure how to make the most of the upcoming trends in 2021, we can help.

Book a complimentary consultation call with us, it’ll just take 15 mins of your time over the phone. Book now: https://www.socialfireworks.co.uk/book-a-call