5 Social Media Predictions For 2013

social media predictions2012 was a show that revolved a great deal on Social Media! More and more individuals as well as businesses are joining in on the fun each year and all the signs lead to predictions of how 2013 will become an even greater year for social media.

Here are 5 predictions that you must look out for!

1. Facebook will continue to monetize its services

The social media site of humble beginnings has once again proven why it is the largest social network in the world. 2012 was the year that Facebook reached 1 billion members, something that is worth remembering indeed. The social network that has made Zuckerberg a billionaire will continue to do so. Facebook is surely going to continue monetizing their online social services for businesses and individuals as well who are in need of it. Although there were a few bumps here and there for the site, some of which had quite evident repercussions, do not expect this empire to crumble as other social sites have. Facebook will remain a well-built social media site that offers tools and services that have quality and have proven to be effective.

2. Content marketing will become a major strategy

2012 was truly a showcase of how powerful Content Marketing really is. People and Businesses alike have finally begun to understand and accept its importance and will begin to take it more serious. I anticipate that 2013 will be a year where content marketing will become an even more powerful marketing strategy. Businesses that have already experienced how effective it could be will double or even triple their efforts in implementing social marketing strategies. Expect to see a lot of companies from all industries around the globe taking up online armaments and charging full force in the social network.

3. Google+ will become more aggressive

Google+ never really caught on to majority of the populous, unlike Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. However, do not be so quick to consider Google‘s social site as dead, at least not yet! The search engine tycoon has secretly been doing feature upgrades and developments in their system. I expect 2013 to be the year that Google finally unleashes its reins and begin the quest for social domination! Google has already unveiled Communities, something in the likes of Facebook groups, but that is only the beginning. Soon pretty much everything you do on the web will in some way be linked to Google+, meaning you will be participating in this war that the search engine is waging, even if you don’t particularly choose to be in it. Basically, what Google is trying to do is to make you need their social tools.

4. More industries will start their online social presence

Necessity: The more traditional companies in many industries who have tried to keep things the way they are by staying out of almost any online presence has done so long enough. They have already started to realize that this is truly what the world is about and it is already time to lay down some of their traditional marketing strategies and adapt to what people/consumers have their eyes on. 2013 will open a lot of doors for many industries to set up their online social presence.

5. The power of images will increase

Everybody loved sharing pictures on social media sites in 2012, and in 2013 even more people will! Statistics indicate that pictures and images are shared over 5 times more than purely textual posts and content. Instagram, a social media site that lets its members post and share pictures instantly, can surely attest to how much fact this is and also how effective it can be as marketing strategy for businesses as well. You can expect social sites to become even more loaded with images this year!

One great trend to look out for this 2013 are is the development of bigger and better mobile social sites. Every year people are relying more and more on their smartphones and tablets to stay connected on their social networks and 2013 is definitely not an exception. So, if you use your gadgets for majority of your online activities, you can expect this year to be very beneficial for you!

There is a possible chance of new entry of creative social networks like MyLife.com (formerly Reunion.com). It is a social network service founded in 2002 by Jeffrey Tinsley after meeting his wife at their high school reunion.

15 thoughts on “5 Social Media Predictions For 2013”

  1. Our social media and marketing team definitely agree that both content and social media are critical to engagement. Marketing is no longer a one way conversation- and is more about developing the community, brand and value than it is simply advertising.

    I do think many brands (such as with Law) have a harder time developing a community based on social media, but we still think its important to SEO as well as like-ability

    Reply
  2. At the end of 2012, my most conservative client agreed to establish a Twitter account (after several years of showing them how their colleagues and their clients are quite active on the channel). I agree that even the strongest social media hold-outs are going to step into the arena – they have to.

    Re LinkedIn: Personally I think this channel is fantastic for B2B; however, the “endorsements” feature, I predict, will not be taken seriously for very long. The way the feature is set up now makes it too easy to accidentally click and “endorse” someone for a skill. I’ve done it, I’ve talked to other people who have clicked by mistake, AND I’ve been endorsed by people for skills they would have no firsthand (or second-hand, for that matter) knowledge of my ability. Having said that, I take the endorsements I see on a profile page with a grain of salt.

    Reply
  3. we think social ROI will come in part from finding and powering the superfans and advocates. ad $$ will be spent to build the fan/follower counts, then the hard work starts to find that 1-5% that really care about the brand are willing to talk – after all, the real promise of social media for brands is that other people will help tell the brand story. results from our customers show that on average, an engaged superfan will take 7.5 social actions on behalf of a brand over a 90 day period.

    Reply
  4. Well, it’s good to know some interesting predictions about Social media. I totally agree with you that Google+ will comes with emerging feature in the market. Because of Giant Search engine is really aware about it and on the other hand, Facebook features and users are enhancing day by day. The exclusive humors are really looking promising for the future. Thanks for sharing some of interesting info in this source.

    Reply
  5. the fact about facebook is true and the main example for that, is their decision to charge $1 for messaging people who are not our friends,

    Reply
  6. That is an interesting point about Google+. I haven’t completely discounted it yet, but, we’ll see what happens down the road!

    Reply
  7. Wonderful predictions. Yes, I strongly wish and expect for Google+ to come in the forefront this year. Google+ never been so popular like Facebook, Twitter etc. Thanks Celina , for sharing this fantastic predictions .

    Reply
  8. Good predictions,,,i think google will put more focus on G+ for ranking pages,,and hope facebook finds some good way to monetize their services…

    Reply
  9. Great article. I believed that Facebook always will be continue to monetize its services in future. Which is amazing.

    Reply
  10. Fantastic predictions! This prophecy can be boon only if the bloggers can know proper strategy to make use of it. I am impatient to see whose going to win the gold medal in 2013 – Facebook or G+. Both are at their best in serving their clients in social business. Celina, amazingly written post! Enjoyed reading it!

    Reply
  11. Great post indeed, with this emerging users of social networking websites a proper fan page management plays a great role.

    Reply
  12. Killer predictions. Social media and content sharing networks are going to make boom in 2013 and social networking will be first-most important marketing factor for startups, and cloud IaaS, PaaS will hold greater share in fueling new startups #

    Reply

Leave a Comment