The world has changed drastically over the past decade, and one of the most significant changes has been the rise of social media. From Facebook to Instagram, Twitter to TikTok, social media has become an integral part of our lives. But how has the use of social media changed over time?To understand the impact of social media, it's important to look at how it has evolved. In the early days, social networks were used mainly for connecting with friends and family.
However, as technology has advanced, so too have the capabilities of social networks. Nowadays, they are used for much more than just connecting with people; they are also used for advertising, marketing, and even political campaigns. One of the key changes in social media over the past decade is the introduction of visuals. Along with images, the other key to differentiating yourself is to create and tell a compelling brand story.
Storytelling and images go hand in hand, whether through a branded video, photos, graphics or illustrations, to captivate your audience. Consumers are hungry for a way to connect emotionally with your brand or business; visually create the path for them to do so. The design of social networks has also changed significantly over time. While the form of the design hasn't changed much, the organization and the type of content it contains have changed dramatically. Some of the Feed's most basic additions include a news selector that highlights the most popular hashtags, a sleeker design, and a higher priority for photo and video posts. Research has also shown that 80 percent of social media posts are advertisements about a person's experiences.
This is because there are certain psychological elements that increase engagement on social media platforms. These elements include things like validation from others, fear of missing out (FOMO), and a sense of belonging. Most of the social media platforms that survived the last decade have significantly changed in what they offer to users. For example, Facebook is still (by far) the biggest and most successful platform, with 2.38 billion monthly active users.
However, it has added features such as news selectors and sleeker designs to keep up with other platforms. The increase in the use of social media over the past decade has also been accompanied by an increase in time spent online. This can be both beneficial and detrimental; while it can help us stay connected with friends and family, it can also lead to addiction and mental health issues. As a marketer, watching the evolution of these platforms can also give you an idea of how the overall social media industry and Internet trends have matured and how they might continue to evolve in the future. Rapid changes, such as those caused by social networks, always raise fears about possible negative effects. On the other hand, online interaction tends to be more effective among new consumers when it is well targeted; in that sense, there is a parallel between good marketing and guerrilla campaigns on social networks. To sum up, social media has had a huge impact on our lives over the past decade. From connecting with friends and family to advertising products and services, it has become an integral part of our lives.
Despite all its benefits, however, it is important to remember that too much time spent online can lead to addiction and mental health issues.
