There are hundreds of social media apps to choose from these days, but are most of them any good?
To help answer that question, we’ve compiled a list of top social media platforms you should be paying attention to in 2024.
But first, let’s take a quick look at the social media trends of 2024.
Social media trends of 2024
According to Sprout Social, the most popular social media trends of 2024 include edutainment, short-form video, and brand authenticity. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise, as social media platforms that make room for the above, i.e.TikTok and Instagram are continuing to see steady growth.
Short-form video’s rise in popularity creates the perfect conditions for companies to edutain by using fun facts, tutorials and explainer videos in their social media. Brands are also able to demystify common industry misconceptions and provide answers to questions that customers might be asking using fun and engaging methods.
Which brings us to the top social media platforms to watch in 2024.
1. Instagram
It may not come as a shock to you, but Instagram is said to be the number one social media platform expected to grow this year. This is all thanks to its most sophisticated and accurate algorithm. Offering brands the greatest potential to reach existing customers and grow their audience respectively.
Instagram also offers the best ROI (return on investment), particularly when it comes to selling products directly from the app, mostly due to its seamless in-app shopping experience.
2. TikTok
To date, short-form video continues to outperform any other media. So it’s no surprise that TikTok is number two on this list. TikTok is particularly great for reaching and unlocking a whole new audience, namely Gen Zs. This is mainly because they are the audience that spends the most time on the app.
3. Facebook
In a world filled with so much competition, Facebook surprisingly still holds its own, with data indicating that Facebook usage significantly increased in 2024, making it worth watching in 2024. This is especially true if your goal is to build brand loyalty and maintain an active community.
Emerging social media platforms
In the ever-changing landscape of social media, new platforms are always popping up, bringing fresh ideas and a new twist to what we’ve seen done in the past.
Below are some up-and-coming platforms to keep an eye on in 2024.
1. Threads
Launched by tech giant, Facebook (Meta) back in July 2023, Threads is the newest social media app on this list. Similar to Twitter, Thread’s arrival was due to dividing technical and cultural changes that occurred in Twitter’s organisation as a result of Elon Musk acquiring it back in 2022.
Designed to be linked with Instagram, Threads has quickly amassed popularity, reaching 100 million active users within just 10 days of its launch.
When downloading Threads users have the ability to transfer their Instagram information and followers, making the app easy to adopt. They also have the ability to embed Thread posts into their Instagram Stories, profiles and bios.
2. Lemon8
Lemon8 is a new social media app that was created by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance. It was first launched in Japan back in 2020 and has been available in the UK and the U.S. since February 2023.
The app is often described by users as a mashup between Instagram and Pinterest, mainly because of its photo-sharing capabilities and its ability to allow users to share and discover lifestyle-related content. Popular categories on Lemon8 include health and wellness, fashion and beauty.
3. Substack
Substack is an app that allows writers, journalists, and content creators to publish and monetise their content through subscription-based newsletters. It has built-in tools for managing subscriptions, collecting payments and engaging with readers.
The app skyrocketed in popularity due to the unique and unprecedented opportunity for independent writers to generate an income without having to rely on traditional media outlets and advertising.
4. BeReal
In stark contrast to other social media platforms, BeReal encourages its users to take spur-of-the-moment photos featuring their everyday lives and, well, BeReal.
The app sends a notification at a random time every day, urging the user to capture a snapshot of themselves and their surroundings in real-time.
It doesn’t provide any filters and doesn’t give users a lot of time to curate the shot. It also operates on a give-and-take basis, allowing users to only see other users’ content once they’ve uploaded a photo themselves.
5. Partiful
Partiful is a great app for planning events. It simplifies the process by giving users the ability to create party pages for events which allows them to invite guests with a sharable link.
The app also allows hosts to create questionnaires, send event reminders and collect money, if needed, via Venmo or Cash App.
When guests RSVP to the event using Partiful, they have the option of receiving event updates texted to their phone and the ability to see who else is attending. They can also share photos from the event on the event page and connect with other guests that they met at the party.
Conclusion
Consumer behaviour is in constant flux when it comes to social media. As a result, brands need to adapt to social media trends if they want to see success. Keeping an eye on what’s new and trending will make a big difference, especially when it comes to tailoring unique and interesting content for your target audience.
Businesses that have their finger on the pulse will be able to craft a stellar social media plan that drives awareness and showcases their brand in a creative light.
But it’s important to remember that not every trend works to achieve a brand’s business goals, so backing it up with data first is key before venturing into a new social media landscape.
Need help with crafting a great social media strategy for your brand? Get in touch with us to get started!
