Top Social Media Marketing Trends of the Past Year

That Have Been Used to Attract New Website Visitors

Social media marketing continues to evolve, and keeping on top of the latest trends is crucial for businesses aiming to attract new website visitors.

Over the past year, numerous positive trends have emerged, allowing businesses to engage with their target audience more effectively. In this article, we will delve into the leading social media marketing trends that have gained traction recently, exploring how organizations have utilized them to drive website traffic and achieve their marketing goals.

Top Social Media Marketing Trends of the Past Year a small business website design and social media marketing article from ORP.ca. Working with small businesses, rural communities and NGOs since 2003.

1. Influencer Marketing:

Influencer marketing has become a cornerstone of social media strategies for many brands. Collaborating with influencers, who possess a substantial online following in specific niches, can significantly expand a brand's reach and visibility. Businesses can effectively tap into new markets while attracting relevant website visitors by partnering with influencers whose audience aligns with their target demographic.

According to an Influencer Marketing Hub study, 93% of marketers have found influencer marketing effective. Furthermore, 67% of marketers increased their influencer marketing budgets in 2022 (source: Influencer Marketing Hub).

2. Video Content Dominance:

Video content continues dominating social media platforms, providing organizations with an excellent opportunity to captivate their audience. Short-form videos, such as TikTok and Instagram Reels, have gained immense popularity, allowing businesses to convey their brand message in a concise and engaging manner.

A survey conducted by Wyzowl reveals that 86% of organizations use video as a marketing tool, with 93% of marketers saying that video has helped boost user understanding of their products or services (source: Wyzowl).

3. User-Generated Content (UGC):

User-generated content has proven to be an effective way to build trust, engage the audience, and generate website traffic. Encouraging users to create and share content related to their brand fosters a sense of community and authenticity. UGC can appear as reviews, testimonials, social media posts, or contests, allowing organizations to leverage their customers' voices and experiences.

A report by Stackla indicates that 79% of people say UGC highly impacts their purchasing decisions. In comparison, 86% of millennials believe UGC is a good indicator of the quality of a brand (source: Stackla).

4. Ephemeral Content:

Ephemeral content (any type of content that is visible for a short amount of time, typically for 24 hours), including disappearing stories on platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook, has gained significant popularity recently. It offers a sense of urgency and exclusivity, prompting users to engage with the content promptly. Businesses have utilized ephemeral content to provide behind-the-scenes glimpses, share limited-time offers, and run flash sales, driving website traffic through time-sensitive promotions.

According to a report by Social Media Examiner, 68% of marketers plan to increase their use of Instagram Stories, while 53% plan to increase their use of Facebook Stories in the coming year (source: Social Media Examiner).

5. Personalization and AI:

Personalization has become increasingly important in social media marketing, allowing businesses to tailor their content and advertisements to individual users' preferences. Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a vital role in analyzing user data, enabling organizations to deliver highly targeted and relevant content to their audience.

A study by Evergage shows that 88% of marketers believe that their customers expect personalized experiences, and 63% of marketers reported experiencing positive results from personalization efforts (source: Evergage).

As social media continues to evolve, organizations need to adapt their marketing strategies to attract new website visitors successfully.

Influencer marketing, video content dominance, user-generated content, ephemeral content, and personalization with AI are among the top trends that have gained prominence over the past year.

By leveraging these trends, businesses can engage with their audience, increase brand visibility, and ultimately drive more traffic to their websites.