The social media landscape evolves constantly. The platforms, trends, and ideas that may have done very well for you a few months ago may not deliver similar results in the future. New trends and strategies may emerge that would require you to adapt quickly to maximize the return on your efforts or risk being left behind.

As the new year approaches, now is the perfect time for marketers to take a holistic view of the landscape, and put themselves in the best possible position to hit the ground running in 2023. The trends that will carry into the new year have already begun taking shape, and it’s now a matter of recognizing them and getting on board at the most opportune time.

It’s easier said than done, though, especially when almost every digital marketer on the planet is looking to do the same thing. The competition is going to be tougher than ever and with these few months being some of the most lucrative for marketers, it’s imperative to get a jumpstart for the coming year.

10 important social media trends for 2023

1. Twitter is cool again

Twitter never appealed to marketers as much as other networks like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc did. There simply wasn’t enough opportunity to amplify campaigns as there is on the aforementioned platforms. The micro-blogging network’s bot problem also didn’t win it any favors with marketers.

There’s been a drastic change in the hype around Twitter this year because Elon Musk took it private. His ownership of the platform, as divisive as it may be, has been like a shot of adrenaline for the flagging platform. Twitter is now seeing record high active user and engagement figures.

There’s also a general sense of excitement to see what Twitter 2.0 could end up being. This presents marketers with a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor of what might be one of the biggest overhauls of a major social network in decades. An effective Twitter strategy can certainly pay dividends in 2023.

2. Capitalize on ChatGPT’s AI hype

Artificial intelligence-based large language models have been around for a while but most weren’t packaged in a simple user interface that enabled average users to experience this cutting-edge technology for themselves.

ChatGPT has changed that, it has allowed everyone to get a glimpse of the power that AI holds. Naturally, this has created a lot of hype around ChatGPT, as people use the AI chatbot for everything from crafting poems and stories to writing code.

There are plenty of AI-powered services available for marketers that can be deployed in campaigns to elevate the experience for users. AI-based solutions, whether for customer outreach or support, will dominate the landscape in 2023. 

3. It's time to BeReal

For most people, social media is a curated feed of the best moments in life, whether that's a dream vacation, the perfect meal, a luxury bag, etc. Life is rarely so picture perfect and there's now a large demographic, particularly those under the age of 25, who would much rather see behind the facade that people put up on social media.

That's previously why a photo-sharing app called BeReal has become extremely popular in 2022 and will only continue to grow in 2023. It sends a notification to everyone at the same time and encourages them to share one unfiltered, completely real photo with friends. While BeReal doesn't offer any ad products for businesses at this point in time, it's pertinent to keep an eye on how it evolves in the coming year.

4. YouTube Shorts can supercharge your subscriber growth

The primary goal for every YouTube channel is to have as many subscribers as possible. Amassing a major following takes time, since the algorithm that ranks videos is unpredictable and often doesn't favor channels that have low engagement. YouTube Shorts presents a great opportunity to get those numbers up relatively quickly.

This feature is YouTube’s answer to TikTok and Instagram Reels. Given users’ love for short-form video, it sees incredible engagement. Utilize short-form videos on YouTube Shorts to get as many eyeballs on your content as possible. Views on shorts can lead to an increase in channel views and subscriptions, thereby helping grow your presence on the world’s leading video platform.

5. Social commerce is more powerful than ever

Early 2022 was the best time to get into social commerce, they're features designed to help people make purchases without leaving their favorite social media networks. The second best time to start your social commerce journey is now. It shows no signs of slowing down and will continue its strong momentum in 2023.

By some estimates, global social commerce sales are expected to top $6 billion by 2026. The US alone is projected to have 108 million social commerce customers by 2025. Focus on relevant features like Facebook Shops, for example, to set up storefronts that make it possible for users to make purchases without leaving the platform.

 6. TikTok is where you need to be

TikTok has become one of the most lucrative platforms for marketers in just a few years and it shows no signs of slowing down. It has managed to poach the younger demographics from other social networks. That's the secret behind its meteoric rise.

The platform is constantly being updated with new features and functionality, providing users with even more incentive to stick around, and helping grow its already 1 billion-strong user base further. Ad revenues generated by TikTok are already slated to match YouTube's ad revenue by 2024, thus giving marketers all the more reason to tap into the incredible audiences available on this platform.

7. User Generated Content will drive more sales

User Generated Content or UGC tends to perform very well online. Most consumers are swayed by UGC when they're considering making a purchase online. Marketers can tap into this by leaning into UGC for their products to increase sales.

Even if there's no in-house team at your disposal to create content that looks organic, aim to incentivize existing customers to create content like a short video or just a simple post to talk about their experience. There are also plenty of freelance content creators that help brands with UGC content for nominal fees.

8. Prepare to get a lot more personal on LinkedIn

The LinkedIn of 2022 feels a lot different than just a few years ago and this monumental shift is going to carry into the new year. You may have noticed that posts on LinkedIn are exceedingly becoming of a more personal nature, much as they would on Facebook, even though this is supposed to be a "professional" social network.

Perhaps it's a subtle change in the platform's algorithm that's favoring personal posts or perhaps people now want to show a more human side on a platform that has largely remained strictly business. LinkedIn is further supporting these initiatives by launching a Creator Fund and encouraging community-building. It's an interesting space to watch as this is bound to bring new opportunities for expanding reach.

9. Closed captions on videos are a must

The vast majority of people watch the videos that they come across when scrolling through Facebook or Twitter on silent, particularly if they're on the train or even having a relaxing cup of coffee at a cafe.

Since short form video now reigns supreme online, closed captions help catch users' attention that may otherwise be fleeting since they're not interested in listening to the audio. Captions are a great way to keep viewers engaged in the video. The added benefit is that they're more accessible, enabling people with hearing impairments to participate as well.

10. Expand customer service through social networks

People are increasingly relying on social media for customer support. If they run into an issue with a product or service they've purchased, they're likely to reach out to the company through one of its social media profiles. It's best to focus on expanding your customer support presence across social media in 2023.

Be where the customers are, address their queries promptly, and utilize the inherently public nature of customer support through social media to convince others of your excellence in this department.

Set yourself up for success in 2023

There will most certainly be new trends and strategies that emerge as we get into the new year, such as the fluid and dynamic nature of social media. However, by focusing your energies on the trends highlighted above, you put yourself in a much stronger position to make the most of what the new year can offer.