Social media has become an essential part of modern life, with networks including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram accounting for over 10% of all internet traffic. While some may see this as a fad or worry about the effects that social media use can have on young people, the fact remains that social media will continue to be an integral part of many people’s lives—and that its value will increase as well. Here are five major ways in which social media will change in the next five years
1) Censorship on Facebook
Facebook has a reputation for not moderating content posted by its users, but that may be changing. While users can still post anything they want (including hate speech or nudity), companies now have more freedom to delete material that might damage their brand. However, because of Facebook’s size and influence on our society, any changes in moderation policy will surely raise some eyebrows. What’s more, it could also affect how businesses are represented across Reel Craze media. It remains to be seen whether censorship will increase on Facebook; what is certain is that as long as social media exist, they’ll evolve and corporations will make sure they don’t get left behind.
2) Instagram Ads
In terms of big changes, none may be bigger than Instagram’s embrace of advertising. Just last week, Facebook officially announced that it would begin letting advertisers post ads on Instagram. This is a pretty big move for both companies. Not only is it going to mean more ways for advertisers to reach potential customers on these platforms (and there’s no reason to think that’ll stop any time soon), but it also shows how intertwined social media has become with our culture at large. It’s no longer just a space where we can share photos of our meals; now we can pay to reach people who want to see those pictures.
3) Automated posts on Twitter
When something goes viral, it’s usually not because of a clever tweet. Most viral messages are just that: simple and easily replicable, so automation is about to explode on Twitter. In five years, all social media will be different some of it unrecognizable but it’s hard to predict which platforms will stick around and which ones won’t. Automated posts on Instagram: There will always be another great picture or video just around the corner; if you wait too long to post, someone else might get there first (and they probably will). Short videos posted on Vine: Twitter isn’t where you’ll share your 10-second masterpiece; chances are those moving images are best share via Vine.
4) Facebook Bots
You probably think of Facebook as an incredibly human-centric platform, but bots will change that. Bots are not nearly as sophisticated or functional at the moment they can’t hold complex conversations like humans, for example, but they will be soon enough. Don’t count on it happening overnight, but within five years you’ll see a major shift from human engagement to bot engagement. And in turn, Reelcraze media as a whole is likely to become more powerful and influential than ever before.
5) Data Protection Laws
In today’s social-media-heavy world, data protection laws are extremely important. The recently enacted General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) aims to create a unified standard of data security practices across Europe and it may set an example for other regions to follow. It takes effect on May 25, 2018, and businesses could face up to 4% of their annual revenue or €20 million, whichever is greater, if they do not comply with these policies. Facebook users should note that despite GDPR create specifically for European citizens, it applies globally due to its extra-territorial scope clause. Businesses need to understand these regulations and adjust how they handle data moving forward.
