Social Buzz - Mid-Year Vibe Check: Social Media News and Updates
Welcome to the mid-year edition of Social Buzz, your go-to source for everything trending in the digital realm. We’ve rounded up the hottest topics, the latest hacks and must-know updates from the first half of 2024.
From groundbreaking studies to social media platform shake-ups, we’ve got all the buzz you need to stay ahead of the curve.
Ready to dive in? Let’s get scrolling! 📲✨
E-commerce Reigns Supreme with SEA Gen Z
Gen Z in Southeast Asia is making waves in e-commerce.
Nearly 70% turn to online platforms for product research before purchasing. From checking reviews to comparing prices, these digital natives are all about thorough research.
Interestingly, while social media aids in product discovery, 73% finalise their purchases on e-commerce sites. This highlights the importance of an engaging online shopping experience.
📈 Key insights:
Research Heavy: Gen Z invests time in reading reviews, checking specs and comparing prices.
Social Commerce Influence: Over half (56%) shifted from social media to e-commerce to complete transitions.
Experience Matters: Gen Z in SEA values entertaining and interactive shopping experiences.
Hashtag’s take: Brands should create a seamless experience between social media and e-commerce platforms. Invest in engaging, informative content that guides Gen Z from discovery to purchase. Collaborate with influencers to make product research fun and informative, ensuring you capture this tech-savvy audience at every stage of their buying journey.
AI Pushes SG Companies to Reinvent
AI is forcing Singaporean businesses to rethink their strategies. A staggering 82% of companies believe AI necessitates a business model overhaul.
While generative AI presents growth opportunities, there’s a noticeable gap between business perceptions and customer experiences.
🤖 Highlights:
Revamp Required: 71% of companies find current growth tactics outdated due to AI.
Customer Experience Disconnect: Only 62% of consumers agree with businesses' positive self-assessment.
Generative AI: 79% acknowledge its significant impact on growth strategies.
Hashtag’s take: AI offers massive opportunities for innovation, but alignment with consumer expectations is key. Use AI to enhance personalisation and engagement, and regularly gather feedback to ensure AI initiatives meet customer needs and drive positive experiences. Transparency about AI use can also build trust and improve customer relations.
Consumers Can Detect AI-Generated Content
A revealing study found that half of consumers can spot AI-generated content, yet 56% prefer it over human-made content.
However, this varies by age group, with younger consumers (16-24) favouring human-made content.
🧠 Key Findings:
Consumer Perception: 82% don't mind AI content if it feels human, but 26% perceive it as impersonal.
Trust in AI: 70% of Singaporeans trust AI-generated content, showcasing a complex yet promising landscape for AI integration.
Hashtag’s take: Blend AI efficiency with human creativity to keep content engaging and authentic. Tailor your approach based on demographic preferences, ensuring younger audiences who might prefer human-made content still feel connected. Maintaining a human touch in AI-generated content can enhance relatability and trust.
Singaporean employers using TikTok for recruitment is an innovative trend that reflects the platform's growing influence.
For job seekers, especially younger audiences like Gen Z, you can discover career opportunities in a more relatable and engaging format.
Understanding this trend can help users leverage TikTok in their job search, presenting themselves in creative and appealing ways to potential employers.
Who knew job hunting could be this entertaining?🎥📈
SG Embraces AI Marketing
According to AI market projections, 72% of Singaporean marketers have worked with AI, with the market expected to grow significantly by 2030.
🤖 Three categories of AI users: AI Explorers, AI Adopters, and AI Leaders.
AI Explorers: Use AI mainly for productivity tasks like keyword research and content ideas.
AI Adopters: Focus on internal and creative AI uses, such as UI design and content planning.
AI Leaders: Use AI for advanced creative and productivity purposes, like media A/B testing and product mock-ups.
Hashtag’s take: Identify your AI adoption stage and develop a strategy that maximises its benefits. Invest in AI tools that enhance productivity and creativity. Strive to advance from AI Explorer to AI Leader for comprehensive business advantages.
Verified IG Brand Accounts Boost Engagement
A study shows that verified Instagram accounts enjoy higher engagement rates, particularly those with 1,000 to 10,000 followers, boasting a median engagement rate of 0.67%.
However, engagement slightly dips for accounts with over 50,000 followers.
📲 Takeaway:
Verification Value: Enhances credibility and boosts engagement for brands struggling with organic reach.
Hashtag’s take: Aim for verification to boost your brand's credibility and engagement on Instagram. This badge not only enhances trust but also increases visibility and interaction. Coupling verification with a robust content strategy can maximise your engagement rates and strengthen your brand's presence on the platform.
Instagram Notes Get Noteworthy
Instagram's in-stream Notes feature got a major update. Users can now tag friends with @ mentions, and Notes Prompts are here to spark more meaningful conversations.
With teens being 10 times more likely to create a Note, this feature is set to keep the youth engaged.
📝 What’s New:
@ Mentions: Tag friends directly in Notes.
Notes Prompts: Simple questions to ignite conversations.
More Engagement: Look out for music, looping videos, and more in Notes, Reels, and feed posts.
Hashtag’s take: Leverage Instagram’s Notes feature to drive deeper engagement and foster a sense of community. Use @ mentions and Notes Prompts to initiate conversations and encourage interaction. Tailor your content to resonate with younger audiences, enhancing their social experience and connection with your brand.
X Likes Go Private
The platform formerly known as Twitter, X, has made user likes private. Now, you can only see your likes, which aims to foster a judgement-free environment.
🔒 Changes:
Privacy Boost: Encourages more open engagement without fear of judgment.
Impact on Metrics: Marketers will need to focus more on retweets and comments as primary engagement indicators.
Hashtag’s take: Marketers should adapt by focusing on retweets and comments as key engagement metrics. Create content encouraging public interaction and discussions, leveraging these visible metrics to drive engagement and reach.
TikTok’s Developing AI Chatbot Genie
The latest buzz is about TikTok's new AI chatbot, Genie. This upcoming feature will allow users to ask questions and get answers directly within the app.
While its full capabilities are still under wraps, Genie is expected to offer advanced AI assistance, including content creation suggestions.
💡 Anticipated Features:
Content Ideas: Potential for generating content or music.
User Engagement: This aims to enhance the TikTok experience with informative and engaging responses.
Hashtag’s take: Keep an eye on Genie's rollout to understand its potential for enhancing your TikTok strategies. Experiment with Genie's content creation ideas and engagement tactics to stand out in the crowd. Mastering this tool could unlock significant reach and interaction opportunities.
