Online Media Works’ Post

What have the social media giants got in store for 2025 and what should small businesses do to harness it? The social media landscape is constantly evolving, and as we head into 2025, here’s what’s on the horizon for the biggest platforms: Facebook: Despite AI controversies, #Facebook will double down on generative #AI. Expect AI-generated prompts and images to flood feeds, sparking mixed reactions. We’ll also see more Augmented Reality (#AR) features in posts, including try-on experiences and furniture placement. #Video remains king, with #Meta pushing #Reels and possibly introducing direct feeds to capture #TikTok’s audience. Small businesses should: Use video and AR tools to engage audiences with product demos and immersive content. Instagram: #Instagram is leaning into AI-enhanced filters that subtly modify your own images, adding a personal twist to the AI trend. As AR wearables gain traction, IG will integrate more with Meta’s #RayBan glasses. Expect 3D and #VR-like experiences as IG joins Meta’s broader AR push. Small businesses should: Experiment with interactive filters to give followers a unique experience with your brand’s visuals. Threads: As Meta's real-time conversation platform, #Threads may relax restrictions on political content, responding to user feedback for a more engaged, real-time experience during news events. Meta aims for Threads to better rival platforms like #X by allowing timely, topical discussions. Small businesses should: Use Threads to join real-time conversations and boost visibility on trending topics relevant to your industry. Snapchat: #Snapchat continues to lead in #AR innovation but may scale back on its own AR glasses, refocusing on enterprise AR development. #SnapchatPlus has been a success with exclusive features, so expect Snap to lean further into this subscription model, offering more valuable tools for its dedicated users. Small businesses should: Explore Snapchat’s AR features to create memorable, immersive content that resonates with younger audiences. Each platform is bringing something new to the table, but for small businesses, the real opportunities lie in leveraging #AI, #AR, and #immersive experiences to connect with audiences in fresh, impactful ways in #2025.

I don’t think we realise how big a shift we’re about to see in the creator economy. Meta and TikTok have both launched AI Avatars. This means creators can now build and customise their own virtual personas. This will unlock entirely new ways for them to engage with their fans, as well as reaching new ones who speak different languages. The only question is, monetisation. Creators will expect a fair share of the revenue, otherwise they’ll simply build AI Avatars offsite. Meta and TikTok know this, and will be doing everything they can to lure and retain the best talent. Get ready for YouTube to drop something very similar, very soon. As for fans, the idea of talking to an AI Avatar might seem odd to some, but there's growing evidence that people are very open to this. On a practical level, imagine watching your favourite food creator make a dish, but when you try to copy it, you keep burning the ingredients. In the past, you’d be on your own to figure out your mistakes. But now, you’ll be able to talk to the creator and have an in-depth conversation about where you're going wrong. Before long, you’ll even be able to point your phone at your stove and get them to guide you through the process. Imagine having a food creator essentially standing next to you in your kitchen, helping you to master your passion. Now imagine the same thing for any every interest you’re passionate about. This is how social media is going to evolve. Brands need to start rethinking their strategies.

"At TikTok, we aim to empower creators and propel their creativity to a global audience with the power of generative AI," said Andy Yang, Head of Creative Product at TikTok. "Symphony Digital Avatars unlock a new avenue for creators to scale their opportunities with brands globally. We aim to fuel the creator economy by investing in creative solutions that spark joy, imagination and action." ----- The TikTok AI avatar is a feature that uses artificial intelligence to generate digital avatars for users. These avatars can be customized to resemble the user or be entirely unique creations. Here's a brief overview of how it works and what you can do with it: 1. **Creation Process**: Users typically upload a selfie or a series of photos, which the AI uses as a reference to create the avatar. The AI analyzes the features, expressions, and other details to generate a digital representation. 2. **Customization**: After the initial avatar is created, users can customize it further. This includes changing hairstyles, outfits, accessories, and more. The goal is to make the avatar as personalized as possible. 3. **Usage**: Once created, these avatars can be used in various ways on TikTok. Users can make videos featuring their avatars, use them as profile pictures, or integrate them into different filters and effects available on the platform. 4. **Engagement**: The AI avatars add a new layer of interaction and creativity for TikTok users. They can be used in challenges, collaborations, and other interactive content, enhancing user engagement and entertainment. 5. **Privacy Considerations**: While AI avatars are fun and engaging, users should be aware of privacy implications, particularly with facial data. TikTok, like many other platforms, has terms and policies regarding data use that users should review. This feature combines the fun of social media with the innovation of AI, allowing for a unique and personalized digital experience. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eVRPnfUW

If you haven't tested out the new Meta Creator Chatbots feature... it's time to interact with it. Meta released their AI studio to all US creators last month. There is a bunch of stuff in there... mostly to help with creators generating content... but I think the most interesting feature was the audience facing Creator Chatbots. Basically, any creator can build a chatbot of themselves for fans to interact with. I tested it out with a few creators, and for an early version, it's really freaking impressive. Everyone in the influencer space should test this out. In the video I've got a screen-capture of my chat with Harry Jowsey... go to his IG profile if you can't find anyone else. Zuckerberg thinks it will be a very important way for fans to engage with someone. If this thing keeps getting better (and gets trained on more creator data), he'll be right. It's not a game-changer yet, but I think everyone needs to be ready for this as an important piece of creator engagement. And for creators... I think it drives two outcomes. 1) Better monetization 2) More engagement for top creators If anyone else has played with these... let me know your thoughts! #creatormarketing #influencermarketing #meta #AI #chatbots

Dropping in with a few of the latest social media / digital marketing updates from the biggest platforms out there 👇 👓 Meta has unveiled Orion, which is, according to Meta, the most advanced pair of AR glasses ever made. Orion is currently still in testing, with Meta employees and select developers getting their hands on a pair. 👀 Meta is adding new AI features to its Ray-Ban Meta glasses, such as remembering where you’ve parked, translating speech in real-time, answering questions you see, and much more. 📸 Meta has added new features to its AI products, making them “smarter and more useful.” It now has a voice, which can be based on AI interpretations of celebrities. Users can also share photos with Meta AI, and it can understand what it’s looking at and answer questions about it. 🧠 TikTok has partnered with the World Health Organisation to help educate its community on mental health initiatives and encourage users to share their feelings online. 🎧 TikTok Music is shutting down on November 28th. 🗂️ Instagram is working on Shared Albums. 🚫 X is changing the Block function. Your posts will still be visible to anyone you block, but they won’t be able to engage with you, which kind of defeats the point of being able to Block someone. 🖼️ Pinterest has announced two new features to its collages tool: Collage Remixing and Collage Sharing. Remixing lets users build on existing collages, and Sharing makes it easier to download and share collages. ☁️ Snapchat has partnered with Google Cloud to power generative AI experiences within My AI, its AI-powered chatbot. 🇪🇺 Snapchat has joined the EU’s AI Pact alongside other global companies to contribute to the ongoing effort to support the development of trustworthy AI. 📧 Klaviyo has announced users can now integrate their accounts with Canva. 🎵 YouTube has pulled certain songs from big-name artists from the platform due to licensing disputes with the Society of European Stage Authors and Composers (SESAC), which has not renewed its partnership with YouTube. 👤 Meta’s VR avatars are getting a new look, allowing users to create characters that truly look like a digital version of themselves more easily. 🔗 Meta has acquired the Threads.com URL. Previously, Threads was only accessible via Threads.net. 📝 Reddit has announced an expansion of its AI-powered post-translation option. 🤖 YouTube has expanded access to its generative AI chatbot. 🛍️ Facebook marketplace has added a new feature that allows you to promote listings directly from the “Quick Actions” menu. 📖 Instagram now supports right-to-left languages in post captions.

👦 Would 'AI' YOU be better than You, You? 🤖 Meta has just launched their latest creator tool (in beta) that allows some users to use an AI version of themselves to interact with their audience. Why? Meta says its to answer fact-based questions as well as more creative ones; but I would imagine they would still be rather simple in nature. So what? Well, we have all seen AI bots before. Whether thats when they 'pop up' as soon as you land on a website or appear when you click 'lets chat'. I think we can all agree they are not the best use of our time. So how will these be different? Meta says that creators can train the bots to understand the creators style, tone and responses. meaning, when users are interacting, they will at least get the same general stylised answered they have come to expect from the creator. In addition, it should also free up time for the creator to do what they do best - create the content we love. This will evolve as time goes on, so watch this space. Will give it a go if you can? Will AI robot you be the better version? Lets discuss ⬇️⬇️⬇️ #meta #AI #socialmedia #connection #instagram #marketing #product https://lnkd.in/gRMKky9Z

With AI and augmented reality, Snapchat is stepping up its game, showing a 5% revenue boost in Q3 and growing daily active users. It’s more than just filters—Snapchat is evolving into a space for brands to create truly immersive, next-gen experiences. Imagine AI-powered recommendations, AR shopping, and personalized connections that go beyond the screen. This is your chance to reach audiences in fresh, exciting ways. Ready to make your brand’s social strategy stand out? 🌟💌 #Snapchat #SocialMedia #SocialMediaStrategy #AI #AugmentedReality

Will this be another Meta flop? Are creators really moving towards 'authentic and real,' like all the trend reports & forecasts are telling us or is that just a mirage? Is there demand for this? Thoughts? “It’s been in development for a while, and today, Meta’s launching the first stage of its “AI Studio” platform, which will enable creators on Instagram to build AI versions of themselves that can interact with fans via DM.” https://lnkd.in/gpttakxH

🌟 Social Media Platforms Development. Latest Trends. In today's fast-paced digital world, social media platforms are essential tools for communication, entertainment, and business. The development of these platforms is continuously evolving to meet the demands of users and the market. Here are some of the most significant trends in software development for social media platforms: 1. 🤖 Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning AI and ML are transforming social media by offering personalized experiences, enhancing content recommendations, and automating customer service. These technologies enable platforms to analyze user behavior and preferences, delivering content that is more relevant and engaging. 2. 🌐 Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) AR and VR are creating immersive social media experiences. From filters and effects in apps like Snapchat and Instagram to virtual meetups and events, these technologies are providing new ways for users to interact with content and each other. 3. 🔒 Enhanced Privacy and Security With the increasing concerns over data privacy, social media platforms are prioritizing security measures. This includes end-to-end encryption, more robust privacy settings, and transparent data usage policies to protect user information. 4. 📹 Live Streaming and Real-Time Content Live streaming has become a vital feature on many social media platforms, allowing real-time engagement with audiences. This trend is expected to grow, with more interactive features and better integration with other media. 5. 🛍️ Integration of E-commerce Social media platforms are increasingly incorporating e-commerce features, making it easier for users to shop directly from their feeds. This includes shoppable posts, in-app purchase options, and seamless payment gateways. 6. 👥 Micro-Communities and Niche Networks As users seek more personalized and relevant interactions, there is a shift towards creating and engaging in micro-communities and niche networks. These smaller, focused groups offer a sense of belonging and cater to specific interests. 🦈 Do you have a social media platform idea in mind? Let's connect and discuss how we can turn your vision into reality! Shark Software and your innovative ideas can create the next big thing in social media 🦈 #SocialMedia #TechTrends #AI #VR #Ecommerce #Privacy #Innovation

As we approach 2025, the social media landscape is set to undergo significant transformations. According to Social Media Today’s recent article, key trends include: • Increased AI Integration: Platforms like Facebook are investing heavily in generative AI, aiming to enhance user engagement through AI-generated content and experiences. • Augmented Reality (AR) Advancements: Meta plans to introduce new AR experiences, setting the stage for its upcoming AR glasses and integrating these features into its apps. • Virtual Reality (VR) Integration: The metaverse remains a long-term goal, with Meta seeking ways to highlight VR experiences and integrate them with non-VR platforms. • Emphasis on Video Content: Short-form video continues to dominate, with platforms like Facebook focusing on video posts to drive engagement. • AI-Driven Advertising: Meta’s automated Advantage+ options are delivering better results than manually targeted ads, indicating a shift towards AI-optimised advertising strategies. At Studio W Media, we are committed to staying ahead of these trends to provide innovative and effective social media strategies for our clients. By embracing AI advancements, AR and VR integrations, and the power of video content, we ensure your brand remains at the forefront of the digital landscape. Source: Social Media Today