Video has become an integral part of social media content and now comfortably leads still imagery across multiple platforms.
From short-form content on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, to live streaming on Facebook and YouTube, video content has revolutionised the way we connect, share, and engage with others online. For brands, using video content is an almost certified method to drive strong engagement and increase brand awareness in doing so.
As we embrace the ever-evolving landscape of videos on social media, it is essential to explore what the future holds for video on these platforms. In this blog post, integrated social media marketing agency Prohibition will share five predictions for the future of video on social media and why they should be on your radar.
The Rise of Vertical Video
The era of vertical video is here to stay and is only set to become even more popular on social media. With the increasing use of smartphones and the dominance of mobile browsing, users are consuming visual content in a portrait orientation more than ever before. Platforms like Snapchat and TikTok have capitalised on this trend by offering consumers a seamless vertical video experience, allowing friends to communicate across the platform using only a vertical video format. Instagram ‘video’ is now almost completely reel content, video captured in a vertical format. With three significant social media channels focused on maximising the use of vertical video, content captured in a horizontal format (as seen mostly on Twitter) will continue to decline across the industry.
In the future, we can expect more social media platforms to prioritise vertical video formats and provide tools and features that enhance this viewing experience. This shift will allow creators and marketers to optimise their content for mobile users, resulting in higher engagement and better user experiences.
Augmented Reality (AR) Integration
Augmented Reality (AR) has gained significant traction in recent years, with applications ranging from gaming to shopping experiences. Social media platforms are now incorporating AR features to provide immersive and interactive video content.
Facebook has been leading the social media race towards integrating AR for its users. The ‘Spark’ platform is a powerful toolkit, created to allow users to create AR ‘friendly’ content and use it (where appropriate) in social advertising campaigns. We fully expect Meta to not only expand its AR capabilities, but other platforms to soon begin testing their AR capabilities.
This integration of AR into social media videos will not only enhance user engagement but also revolutionise how video marketing and the way brands showcase their products and services. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect more advanced AR features that blur the line between reality and digital content.
Personalised and Interactive Video Experiences
The future of social video will be all about personalisation and interactivity. Platforms will continue to use their algorithms and general user data to help deliver personalised video recommendations and content tailored to individual preferences. Users will have access to the ability to customise their video feeds and interact with the content in real-time. Furthermore, we can anticipate the emergence of interactive video formats, enabling users to make choices within the video narrative, creating a more immersive and engaging experience. Brands will try to build on this by creating content with built-in interactive elements, ensuring they can more readily reach and engage with their target audience.
This shift will not only foster deeper connections between creators and their audiences but also open up the world to create new avenues for interactive storytelling and brand experiences.
Live Streaming and Real-Time Engagement
Live streaming has already made a significant impact on social media platforms, allowing users to broadcast events, share moments, and interact with their audience in real-time. This trend will continue to grow in the future, with more platforms investing in live video capabilities.
Social media giants like Facebook, YouTube, and X (Twitter) have already recognised the power of live streaming and have introduced features to support this form of content and showcase it to a user’s wider audience. As technology advances, we say consumers and customers can expect more immersive and interactive live streaming experiences, such as 360-degree video streams and virtual reality (VR) integration. Brands and content creators will leverage these tools to create authentic and engaging connections with their audience.
Short-Form Video Evolution
Short-form videos, with their bite-sized and easily consumable nature, have become incredibly popular on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels. This allows them to keep up-to-date with news from their friends or favourite brands.
This trend will continue to grow and evolve, with platforms innovating and expanding on the concept. We can expect more features and editing tools that allow creators to produce high-quality short-form videos effortlessly. Additionally, collaborations between creators and brands will become more prevalent on social platforms, resulting in creative and engaging branded content. Short-form social media videos will dominate social and business online media, presenting a massive opportunity for businesses and content creators to capture their customer’s and audience’s attention effectively.
Conclusion
The future of video on social media is undeniably exciting, with numerous advancements and innovations on the horizon.
Vertical video, augmented reality, personalised and interactive experiences, live streaming, and the evolution of short-form videos are five significant predictions to keep an eye on, but there’s so much more to keep an eye on, especially with the unexpected launch of Threads. For the best chance of staying abreast with all things social media, head to the Prohibition website to read the latest news across the major social channels.
For more interesting blog content on all things social media marketing, check out these three posts:
