Don’t expect this to be another article about how voice search is taking over the world. We know you’ve seen enough of those digital marketing trends posts that repeat the same things every year. We wanted to do something different and look at what’s really happening in the digital world — to share with you our perspective on what we think the digital future really has in store for all of us.
Before we start, let’s make one thing clear: if something disappears after a year, it’s not a trend, it’s a craze. The digital space is full of things that flash and fade like your friends’ Instagram Stories, and we will not waste time on those. Just remember how Clubhouse came and went.
Instead, we’ve selected the digital marketing trends that are here to last and will shape the way we market our products for the long haul.
Are you curious to see what the future holds? Let’s dive in.
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML):
AI and ML are not new concepts, but they are becoming more integrated and advanced in digital marketing. AI and ML can help marketers analyze large amounts of data, optimize campaigns, personalize content, generate insights, and automate tasks. For example, AI and ML can help marketers create dynamic landing pages that adapt to different visitors based on their location, device, behavior, and preferences. AI and ML can also help marketers create engaging chatbots that can interact with customers and provide relevant information and solutions.
However, don’t forget to take note of this:
A key aspect of digital marketing is the ethical implications of AI and machine learning. As AI and ML become increasingly sophisticated and are used to make important decisions, businesses must ensure that they are transparent, fair, and ethical when using these technologies. It is important for businesses to ensure that their algorithms do not discriminate against certain groups or individuals, nor do they infringe on the privacy or security of their customers. Moreover, businesses need to ensure that AI and ML are used responsibly and sustainably, and consider the potential impact on the job market and workforce. By addressing these ethical concerns, businesses can build trust with their customers and stakeholders and establish themselves as leaders in responsible AI and ML practices.
Here is an example of how marketers and businesses can use these trends to their advantage
Use AI-powered chatbots to provide personalized recommendations, support, and promotions to customers. Use machine learning algorithms to analyze customer data and create hyper-targeted campaigns and content.
2. Voice Search and Conversational Marketing:
Here are the stats that you need to know first:
• 71 percent of consumers said they preferred to conduct queries by voice instead of typing.
•By 2023, there are estimated to be 4.2 billion voice assistants in use, which will rise to 8.4 billion the following year.
•The global voice assistant application market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 32.4%, from $2.8 billion in 2021 to $11.2 billion by 2026.
How do you feel about these numbers? Yes, voice search is becoming more popular and convenient as more people use smart speakers, voice assistants, and mobile devices to search for information online.
Conversational marketing and voice search are not just passing fads or craze in digital marketing. Instead, they are significant trends that shape the way businesses interact with their customers.
Voice search requires marketers to optimize their content for natural language queries, long-tail keywords, and semantic search. Conversational marketing is a strategy that uses voice or text-based chat to engage with customers in real-time and provide personalized experiences. Conversational marketing can help marketers build trust, loyalty, and rapport with customers, as well as increase conversions and retention.
In general, voice search and conversational marketing are trends that are here to stay, and businesses that embrace these trends will have a better chance of reaching and engaging consumers.
However, don’t forget to take note of this:
Local SEO has become increasingly important in voice search. With the rise of voice assistants, many customers use voice search to locate local businesses or services near them. By including location-specific keywords, updating Google My Business listings, and providing accurate and up-to-date information about their business, businesses can optimize their local SEO. By doing so, businesses can increase their visibility in local search results and attract more customers to their physical locations. Using conversational marketing, businesses can offer customers personalized recommendations, promotions, or support based on their individual preferences and needs.
Businesses can increase customer satisfaction and loyalty by offering 24/7 support to their customers through chatbots or voice assistants.
Here is an example of how marketers and businesses can use these trends to their advantage
Create voice-optimized content, such as podcast episodes or audio blogs, to attract and engage customers who use voice search. Use conversational marketing to create chatbots or voice assistants that provide 24/7 support and assistance to customers.
3. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR):
AR and VR are immersive technologies that can create realistic and interactive experiences for customers. AR and VR can help marketers showcase their products or services in a more engaging and memorable way, as well as provide customers with a sense of ownership and involvement. For example, AR and VR can help marketers create virtual tours, product demos, simulations, games, and social interactions that can enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty.
However, don’t forget to take note of this:
One key fact to keep in mind is that AR and VR technology adoption heavily depends on customers’ hardware and devices.
AR and VR experiences must be accessible to a wider audience, businesses must ensure their content is compatible with a range of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and VR headsets. Additionally, businesses may need to consider the costs associated with creating and implementing AR and VR content. In addition, they may need to consider the potential learning curve for customers not familiar with these technologies. Despite these challenges, AR and VR are still considered promising technologies in digital marketing. Businesses that can successfully leverage these technologies can gain a competitive advantage in their industry.
Here is an example of how marketers and businesses can use these trends to their advantage
Create immersive product demos, virtual tours, or social interactions using AR and VR to give customers an engaging and memorable experience. Use AR and VR to showcase products or services in an interactive, informative, and entertaining way.
However, there is one thing we need to mention:
The growth of voice search has slowed down in recent years, but it is still a significant trend in digital marketing. Smart speakers, virtual assistants, and other voice-enabled devices are becoming increasingly popular, and people are using them more and more to search for information, shop, and control their devices. The ability to optimize content for voice searches can help marketers gain a competitive advantage and improve customer engagement and visibility.
Marketers will likely face some challenges and barriers to entry when using AR and VR in marketing, including the cost of development and the need for specialized skills, but these technologies have significant potential benefits as well. Customers can enjoy immersive and memorable experiences with AR and VR, enhance product demos and visualizations, and interact and collaborate socially. Marketers will increasingly incorporate AR and VR into their campaigns and strategies as technology improves and becomes more accessible.
4. The influencer marketing industry will continue to grow because of its high ROI
Influencer marketing is a popular and effective strategy for more than a quarter of marketers today. It can also be combined with short-form video to maximize the returns from both of these top trends. More marketers will join the influencer marketing bandwagon in 2023, as it is the second most planned new investment among them. Moreover, influencer marketing is the second most likely trend to see increased spending in 2023, and almost 90% of current users will either maintain or boost their budgets for it next year.
However, don’t forget to take note of this:
According to guidelines issued by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), influencers and brands should make their followers aware of sponsored partnerships. Marketers must comply with FTC guidelines for influencing campaigns to avoid legal problems and maintain credibility with their audiences. Disclosing sponsored partnerships is important to keep the audience informed and to make sure that the influencer and the brand remain honest and trustworthy. Additionally, it is also important to be aware of local regulations and laws regarding influencer marketing.
5. Video Marketing and Live Streaming:
Using video content as a marketing strategy can help marketers increase traffic, engagement, conversions, and retention by attracting, educating, entertaining, and persuading customers. It is a form of video marketing that broadcasts live video content to an online audience. With live streaming, marketers can create an urgency, exclusivity, interactivity, and community among customers. A live stream can be used for events, webinars, Q&A sessions, product launches, tutorials, and interviews, among other things.
However, don’t forget to take note of this:
One significant fact to consider is the increasing popularity of short-form video content, particularly on social media platforms. Short-form videos, such as TikTok and Instagram Reels, have become a popular way for businesses to create engaging and shareable content that reaches a wider audience. By leveraging short-form videos, businesses can quickly grab their target audience’s attention and showcase their products or services in a creative and memorable way. Additionally, businesses can use video marketing to tell their brand story and connect with their customers on a more personal level. By incorporating storytelling elements into their videos, businesses can create an emotional connection with their audience, which can lead to increased brand loyalty and advocacy.
Here is an example of how marketers and businesses can use these trends to their advantage
Use short-form videos to create engaging and shareable content that grabs the attention of your target audience. Live streaming creates a sense of urgency, exclusivity, and community with customers, such as hosting Q&A sessions or product launches.
CoCo Social Media Analytics
Analyze trends with CoCo on socail media
are you ready for the digital marketing future?
The marketing landscape is rapidly changing, and companies need to keep up with trends.
Technology is advancing and the online world is becoming more competitive. Staying ahead of the curve is essential for success. It’s no surprise that so many marketers feel the pressure…or maybe it’s just caffeine.
To remain competitive, businesses need new technologies and strategies. This means they have to stay on top of trends and constantly update their methods to stay ahead of their competitors. It can be a daunting task and the pressure can be immense.
As Pope John Paul II once said: “The future starts today, not tomorrow.” We must make the most of each day and be mindful of our actions. Every decision we make has consequences and will shape the future. We must be intentional with our actions and create the future we want to see
Leave a Reply