Seven Upcoming Social Media Platforms for 2022

Introduction

When it comes to online marketing, most marketers routinely search for the latest in social media platforms to reach a wider audience. After searching "social media" in the various app marketplaces, the results reveal hundreds of apps, and that number is growing.

Will any of these new apps be a game-changer in 2022 marketing? Likely yes. Recall how virtually everything we did, including socializing, changed in 2020. Since then, many new social media platforms have appeared to compensate for the in-person communication we've been missing.

The most popular trends in social media to date are audio-focused social networking and live stream broadcasting. These trends correspond with the ascension of Discord and Twitch beyond their original gaming purpose for video chats.

Although a fairly recent concept, audio social media's future has a bright outlook. According to HubSpot Blog Research, 65% of marketers named streaming audio chat among the top three social media platforms having the most effect.

Keeping current on the new, upcoming social platforms will aid your decision on which channels merit joining and which do not. Should you join a social channel in its infancy, it can give you ample time to discover what advertising content works best there. It will also give you an edge over rivals with delayed account launches, as they strive to develop ideas for creative posts.

To assist you in keeping at the social media forefront, here are eight up-and-coming social media sites worth putting on your radar. All these have garnered a large user following, investor interest, or have been in the news.

1. TikTok

TikTok, launched in 2017, has over 1 billion active users per month and in 2022 is anticipated to hit 1.5 billion. This platform lets you make brief videos that run on a continuous loop,  with additional special effects, text, AR filters, and background music. As with comparable video platforms, TikTok's users are primarily under age 30.

After completing a video, you can add hashtags to make searching easier. One method of hashtag usage has been through the "Discover" tab. Through "Discover" you can sort through trending hashtags and engage in them. When posting your video in response to a challenge and including a corresponding hashtag with it, other challenge followers can easily see your video.

Besides popularity in the entertainment industry, TikTok is gaining attention of brands, with more brands coming to the platform and gaining millions of followers.

2. Twitch

Twitch, launched in 2011, has over 140 million active users per month. As a live streaming platform, with its primary traffic being video gamers, Twitch lets content developers connect in actual time with their audience.

Gamers can record themselves while playing well-known games, such as Minecraft and Fortnite, as their online peers watch and interact. In addition, creators can provide select content through paid subscriptions.

Besides game content, Twitch offers videos and live streaming on a wide range of topics, such as music and cuisine. There are also interactive live stream events, from festivals to e-sports.

With 70% of Twitch's viewers falling between the ages of 16 to 34, its demographics are clearly young. From a marketing point of view, Twitch is an optimal platform for marketers to connect personally with this target demographic. Brands can engage their audience in many ways, including Q&As and special behind-the-scenes material.

Content creators can earn an income on Twitch through subscriptions, donations, and ads. Businesses can choose from various ad placements, such as homepage carousel and live broadcast ads. In addition, brands can sponsor those streamers who have large followings.

In time, Twitch's demographics will further diversify and grow beyond gaming, making it simplier for businesses to find their place. Also, these advertisers are not restricted to just working with content creators. Companies can establish their own branded account and use features such as emote, a type of emoticons that can be used on the platform.

3. Discord

Discord, launched in 2015, has over 100 million active users per month. Discord began as a gaming platform but now has progressed into a comprehensive chat app for everyone. Discord runs on servers that are community groups that enable audio, video, and text chats. Each user can have a self-built server or connect to a server another member has created.

At present, Discord doesn't place ads on its platform, so brands must do their own organic advertising to establish brand trust and loyalty. Brands can build up a large following through time investment while providing regular engagement and sharing tips with users. In addition, they can use this connection to request audience feedback and opinions regarding the brand's goods and services.

4. Instagram Reels

Instagram Reels, launched in 2020, is part of Instagram which has over 1 billion active users per month. Instagram Reels is a direct competitor of TikTok, with comparable video production capabilities.

This platform can help your business in many ways, including ability to share product releases and how-to guides. It's a captivating way for brands to reach the Generation Z audience by showcasing your brand's identity.

5. Clubhouse

Clubhouse, launched in 202, has over 10 million active users per month. Clubhouse uses synchronous connectivity between the broadcaster and audience that is solely audio based, unlike mainstream sites such as Twitter or Facebook with an asynchronous platform. Though not exactly a podcast, it's a more intimate method for sharing information while your audience can respond back in actual time.

Although at this moment, the exact benefits marketers and brands can get with Clubhouse are yet to be learned, businesses are currently experimenting for answers. Content makers are racing to establish an audience for their business to ensure monetary benefits when there is future availability. This content can be in a casual discussion group, using a popular blog topic from your brand's blog, or being a contributor to a dialogue presented by an expert within your industry.

6. Twitter Spaces

Twitter Spaces, launched in 2020, is part of Twitter which has 187 million active users per month. This voice chat app, similar to Clubhouse, is open to anyone with a Twitter account with at least 600 followers. As Twitter's demographic is in the 35-49 age group, this would be similar for Twitter Spaces.

Positive aspects to Twitter Spaces include its interactivity, where you can submit real-time tweets and reactions during conversations. You can connect with other discussion members and private message them through their inboxes. Twitter Spaces also has ability for conversation captions and transcriptions, which is helpful for foreign language conversations or for those who are hearing impaired.

Twitter Spaces also has the opportunity for businesses to provide live customer Q&A sessions, host live dialogues, and provide interactive training.

7. Houseparty

Houseparty, launched in 2016, has over 20 million active users per month. This app is for group video messaging that can host up to eight users at once for video chats. To make your chats more engaging, you can use numerous effects, including video filters and stickers, during your live video session.

At this moment, Houseparty offers space for ads. However, in the future, there may be various other creative methods for advertisers to use this app. One example might be to have an influencer who holds a Q&A or gives how-to demonstrations.

Conclusion

With the constantly evolving digital landscape of consumer behaviors, brands that adapt can sprint ahead of rivals who remain content with current strategies. Experimenting with various new apps can give platform users the impression your brand is cool and on the cutting edge of social media. Although not every new app may become tomorrow's hottest trend, careful research and evaluation can help you find how the market is trending.

Once having targeted your resources, time, and effort for advertising on popular social media platforms, adding upcoming social media apps to your strategies will help you reach these new audiences.