A Social Media Trend We’re Hoping For in 2024 – Authenticity
This is Part 3 of a four-part series on social media trends we’re hoping will take off in 2024. To read part 1, click here – for part 2, click here.
If you were to poll people on the street and ask for their opinion on social media, it’s likely that most of them would fall under two camps. There’s one group that thinks social media is a fantastic way for them to stay connected with their friends and loved ones. The second group would regard social as a necessary evil, filled with ads and curated content, that does as much harm as good. And we’d be willing to bet that second group would be much larger than the first!
It’s true that social media has favored curated personas over the years. However, recent trends have revealed that content creators are taking notice at the backlash. Authentic content has really begun to take off, and we think this is great news for anyone with even a remote interest in social media. So, we’re hoping that the trend towards authentic content will continue to take shape in 2024.
The Shift in User Preferences
The world, as a whole, is awash in polished imagery. For generations, marketers operated with this in mind – the idealized form has always been present in print and television ads. But audiences, and particularly social media audiences, have been experiencing a collective fatigue with curated content.
In its place, users are engaging with highly personal, sometimes raw and unfiltered content. Content with moments that resonate with authenticity fulfill a basic human need for genuine connections.
Social Media Platforms are Taking Notice
As demand for authentic content increases, social companies are taking notice and making adjustments in order to increase engagement numbers. The algorithms that power social feeds are skewing more towards genuine interactions and penalizing inauthentic or misleading posts.
In addition, social channels are encouraging users to create real-time, streaming content. These streams represent the purest form of authentic content – there’s no editing or filtering in this format. Streamers and their experiences are fully authentic, and this is amplified for their viewers.
The Biggest Challenge of Embracing Authenticity in Social Media
For brands looking to promote authenticity on their social platforms, there are a number of hurdles. There can be concerns about user privacy and the responsibility brands have to promote it over authenticity. There’s also the issue of authenticity signaling and how it can lead to a backlash.
However, there’s one challenge that is the hardest to overcome. It can be really tough for brands specifically to have the perceived quality of authenticity in an age where curation and polish are still so dominant. It involves breaking the image of perfection that we’ve been conditioned to accept for so long, and some brands struggle with this idea.
Tips for Promoting Authenticity in Your Social Media Channels in 2024
- Authenticity begins with genuine storytelling. Showcase your brand stories in written, static image, and video content.
- Build meaningful connections with your audience. Engage with them on social channels. Embrace meaningful dialogue and cultivate a community.
- Find ways to incorporate free-form streaming content into your branding strategy. Streaming is the purest expression of authenticity and will resonate with your audience.
What’s the Last 2024 Social Media Trend We’re Rooting For? Find Out Next Week at Pink Dog Digital!
Not sure where to start with your organization’s social media strategy in 2024? Pink Dog Digital can help you make sense of your options! At Pink Dog Digital, we create an online experience that turns users into followers and followers into customers. We can create a customized strategy to meet your needs.
Some of our services include:
- Digital advertising
- Social media management
- Content creation
- Search engine optimization
- Web design
Contact us at 410-696-3305 or email us at pinkdogdigital@gmail.com for any inquiries or to book a service. You can also fill out our online Contact Us form or visit our website to learn more about us.