December 2023 Social Media Trends and New Features Monthly Report

? Welcome To The Last Social Media Trends Report Of 2023

Looking to stay ahead of the latest social media trends? Welcome to the Monthly Empowered Social Media Trends Report! We’re here to help you choose the trends that will be most impactful for your business. We actively analyze social media data and deliver a report at the end of each month, so you can stay ahead of the curve.

But first...

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And speaking of 2024...

Be sure to download our Free Holiday Calendar . This comprehensive 2024 calendar is your one-stop resource for national and international days and holidays. Be it National Donut Day or International Yoga Day, our holiday calendar for 2024 ensures you never miss a chance to engage your audience with timely posts. Download it here.

? Instagram

Instagram’s testing out a new "Hype" option to amplify interaction within Stories. This feature allows users to post a comment to a Story that other users can see in-stream, fostering a more dynamic engagement experience.

Instagram has announced some new updates for live-streaming, which will make it easier to go live using third-party tools via desktop PCs. If you’re a professional account, you can go live on Instagram using streaming software like OBS or Streamlabs through a stream key. Creators will now be able to obtain a stream key via the “Create” menu in the desktop version of the app.

Instagram now allows users to create their own "Add Yours" templates. This provides another method to boost engagement based on specified parameters. Users can add GIFs, text, or images to a Story as part of the template and then select "Add Yours Templates" from the sticker tray, and pin the chosen elements as part of the template.

Instagram introduced a new feature that allows users to prevent profile visitors from expanding their profile image, a potential measure to limit unwanted attention to profile pictures.

Instagram has enhanced its automated detection of spam and bot profiles, enabling more proactive filters to combat spam comments and requests. New elements include a "Potential Spam" listing, a bulk review process for suspect tags, and experimental hiding of views on Stories from likely spam accounts.

Instagram has updated its inbox Notes feature with video notes and new engagement options in a bid to promote more spontaneous interaction on the app. Users can now include a 2-second, looping video in Notes, which is visible to mutual followers or Close Friends for 24 hours. Additional response options to Notes have been introduced, including audio, photo, video, GIFs, and stickers.

? TikTok

TikTok will now enable users in more regions to buy tickets to shows in the app, via an expanded collaboration with Ticketmaster. This development strengthens TikTok's affiliations with the music industry, as the platform increasingly becomes a vital tool for artists striving to connect with a larger audience.

TikTok has observed a trend towards longer videos. The platform reveals that users spend half of their time within the app watching clips that are longer than a minute. This indicates a shift in viewing patterns that content creators and marketers should take into account when planning their TikTok strategies.

Looking to make TikTok a bigger focus of your marketing effort in 2024? TikTok recently partnered with creator intelligence platform CreatorIQ to conduct an analysis of the key factors that make for a successful TikTok ad, culminating in a 26-page report which covers a range of key notes and tips for your planning. You can download CreatorIQ’s full TikTok ads guide here .

? LinkedIn

LinkedIn Newsletters have tripled in readership this year, now boasting over 500 million total subscriptions in the app. Due to this significant growth, LinkedIn announced new updates to its newsletter tools to streamline the creation process. Notably, LinkedIn has added duplicate draft templates that allow newsletter creators to replicate previous newsletter formats, saving time and ensuring consistency in presentation.

As part of its tool improvements, LinkedIn is rolling out new analytics for newsletters. This includes additional performance metrics and audience demographics, offering deeper insights for creators to better tailor their content and understand their audience.

LinkedIn has introduced an improved preview mode for authors. This feature allows them to view the desktop version of their article before publishing, enabling them to fine-tune their content for optimal presentation.

LinkedIn now offers simplified author switching when posting, whether it's through personal accounts or company pages. This feature is available for content shared via newsletters or standalone articles, making it easier to manage content creation across different profiles.

? Threads

Threads has launched topic tags for all users worldwide, opening up new ways for users to discover relevant discussions within the app. These topic tags function similarly to hashtags and aim to facilitate more topical engagement and guide conversations around any subject of interest. However, unlike hashtags, you can only add one topic tag per thread.

Instagram has added a new dedicated domain for Threads, separate from Instagram itself. This allows for easier tracking of referral traffic from Threads posts. Users can now view specific referral traffic insights from Threads in their preferred analytics app. This update could be crucial in understanding the app's importance and devising an effective Threads strategy as more brands prioritize Threads.

Threads has introduced a new option that allows users to switch to light mode in the desktop version of the app.

? YouTube

If you're looking to connect with teen users on social media, you'll want to take note of the latest report by Pew Research. The report, based on surveys conducted among 13 to 17-year-old social media users between September and October this year, points out that YouTube remains the most popular online platform among this demographic, followed by TikTok and Snapchat. Interestingly, Snapchat has overtaken Instagram in teen popularity since Pew’s last report in 2022, and Facebook has also experienced a slight resurgence.

YouTube has rolled out new features to make it easier for users to convert their long-form videos into Shorts using the YouTube mobile app. Users can now select from different split-screen video layouts, which offer the capability to focus on specific screen sections using pan and zoom features. This update simplifies the process of repurposing long-form content into bite-sized Shorts, facilitating more diverse content creation.

? Pinterest

Pinterest has released its yearly “Pinterest Predicts” trend report that showcases the top emerging trends derived from in-app search activity and Pinterest's proprietary analysis of future developments. The report is intended to guide Pin marketers in pinpointing pivotal areas of opportunity as they strategize for their forthcoming plans on the platform.

? BeReal

BeReal has introduced live photo functionality into its app, providing users with a short video for each update instead of merely a still image (if they want). This feature adds another layer of authenticity to the user experience by providing more dynamic content.

BeReal is launching "RealGroups", essentially group chats within the app. Note that users will only be able to create two BeReal groups, so you’ll need to choose your friends wisely for this aspect.

BeReal’s also adding tagging, allowing users to tag friends in their updates. As an added bonus, users have the ability to repost any content where they are tagged, enhancing content sharing and interaction within the app.

? So What’s Next For 2024?

• In 2024, marketers should be aware of a significant shift in social media discussions moving towards messaging platforms. This trend could have considerable implications for crafting effective marketing strategies. As more users transition their conversations to private messaging spaces, brands will need to rethink their approach to customer engagement and adapt their methods to align with this evolving communication trend. Understanding and leveraging the potential of messaging platforms could be a critical element in successful marketing strategies moving forward.

• Keep an eye on the increasing fragmentation of social media usage in 2024. As users share more in private groups, we're likely to see the advent of segmented social profiles. This development will allow users to participate in diverse conversations without disrupting followers who engage with them for varied reasons. It appears that social media is headed towards more tailored customization options, enabling users to post based on topical personas. This change will allow followers to select the facets they're interested in, offering a more personalized social experience. This could potentially reshape marketing strategies on these platforms.

• TikTok has issued its 2024 "What's Next" trend prediction report , offering crucial insights into the budding behaviors and interests of its user community that are set to influence marketing plans in the upcoming year. The report introduces a concept called "Creative Bravery", predicting stronger brand-consumer relationships. To achieve success, brands will need to consistently spark curiosity, challenge traditional narratives, and foster consumer trust. The report highlights three primary trends for 2024 known as Trend Signals: Curiosity Peaked, Storytelling Unhinged, and Bridging the Trust Gap.

• Instagram has unveiled its 2024 Trend Talk , anticipating the trends Gen Z will shape on the platform and in broader culture in the coming year. The report, based on a survey of Gen Z social media users across five countries, sheds light on topics of significance to them. The 2024 Trend Talk suggests that Gen Z will keep steering trends in fashion, beauty, dating, friendships, and more on a worldwide level. The survey findings provide a preview of Gen Z's interests and what to anticipate in 2024 based on this influential group.

• Metricool has released its 2023 Social Media Networks Study, providing insights into the trends to watch for in 2024. The study delved into the professional use of each social media platform, yielding impactful conclusions on (A) The progress each social media network has made individually and (B) The selection of the most effective network and strategies aligned with your brand's objectives. By comparing this year's data with that of the previous year, the report also gauges platform evolution. These insights can help marketers form data-driven strategies for their 2024 social media campaigns. Check it out here.

• As you plan your content strategy for 2024, consider prioritizing Reels video clips based on the latest video performance analysis from Emplifi. After reviewing thousands of posts on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, the study found that Reels outperformed all other formats. You can check out Emplifi’s full report here .

• A report by Insider Intelligence reveals that spend on influencer marketing is growing at a faster pace than traditional social ad spending, marking a shift in digital marketing plans for 2024. The report provides valuable insights for marketers planning their strategies for 2024, emphasizing the growing significance of influencer marketing in the advertising landscape. You can download the full Insider Intelligence report here .

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Thanks for reading our December trends report!

-The Empowered Team