The world is moving quickly. In fact, it can be too quick to keep up with all the ongoing trends. Before you know it, the way we use the internet or the way we buy products will have totally changed. Viral sensations come and go in the space of a couple of days, and online trends mean that a sensation can sweep the world at a record pace.
In this guide, we’re going through some of the online trends that we’re seeing take place in 2022.
A growing gambling market
The gambling market has been in a state of “boom” for a long time, and this doesn’t look likely to change. The days of having to go to a betting shop or casino have changed, and so have the laws.
Provinces in Canada have changed the rules on gambling and begun regulating the market. The best online casinos for Canadians are way more accessible than ever before, especially in locations such as Ontario. Canada is definitely a place where gambling is growing. There are also more states in the US where gambling legislation is changing and becoming more flexible.
The gambling market is growing in terms of geographic locations, but also in popularity as more people enjoy social gambling and gaming.
Buying things straight from social media
You may have noticed that social networks such as Facebook and Instagram are including more ways to buy things. In fact, it was 2020 when Instagram introduced a buy tab. At the same time, they introduced their very successful reels function.
It’s taken a bit of time for this to catch on, but more people are now completing purchases without ever leaving social media. For a long time, we’ve used social media to discover new products, but now we can make the purchases without leaving the platforms.
The rise and rise of TikTok
Social media trends come along pretty quickly. It’s not that long ago that we all had Myspace accounts, but kids today wouldn’t even know what Myspace is! 2022 is set to be a record year for the TikTok app, which is installed on over 3 billion devices. TikTok stats show that 2022 could be another huge year for the app.
It feels as if TikTok has gone from something the younger generations would use to being accepted by all generations, and this means more adults and more spending power. A lot of marketing efforts are being aimed at TikTok, and people are steering clear of longer forms of video content.
More AI influence
This is a trend that has been projected for a long time, and AI is continuing to play a big part in the way we use the internet now and the way that data is collected and used.
AI trends vary greatly, and they can have an impact on every industry. For instance, if you talk to a chatbot on a website these days, there is every chance it is using AI to collect data and even provide information based on previous conversations it has had. Developing AI is still in its relative infancy, but companies are beginning to find a huge amount of value in implementing the strategies in areas such as marketing and customer service.
Social listening playing a part in marketing
Social listening may be the trend you’ve never even heard of, but it could be having a really big impact on your life and the way you spend your money.
Marketing agencies and company marketing departments want to gain more of an understanding of what others are saying about them, and social listening is a way for companies to analyse what is being said about them online.
For instance, software that “listens” to what people are saying on social media such as Instagram and Twitter may be able to gather data on whether the reaction to a campaign is positive or negative, and related words that people are using when talking about a product or service.
If you’re the average consumer then you might not have heard of social listening, but you can be sure it is utilised by some of the biggest companies in the world and their marketing campaigns.
Summary
Online trends can seem like they appear in the blink of an eye. In the world of social media, ecommerce, and marketing in particular, things change incredibly quickly. This list scratches the surface of some of the most prominent trends of the year so far.
