In the first 3 years of a new decade, we've seen social media go through a profound change in terms of networking, sharing, entertainment, advertising and education. Here's how we speculate social media to change in the year 2014

1. Openness and Spontaneity

In 2013, 71% of Internet users were accessing the web through mobile devices.

This shift was a subconscious reflection of a user's urge to be more personally engaged in their choice of social network.

• Users are more open about sharing the personal opinions and thoughts on social networks.
• With more personal sharing, they are also concerned over the security and context of what they share.
• The phrase "Out of Sight, Out of Mind" rings true with the way we are adopting transient data platforms such as Snapchat
• Users prefer only relevant content to last, discarding the need for a constant archival.

2. Building Relationships over Selling

The advertising has changed phenomenally on web. From a carefully crafted campaign with teasers, posters, red herrings to an international superstar just up and releasing her new album through Instagram without any prior indication. And the album sells over 350,000 copies on the first day!

So the Social media and marketing are now heading towards a much better symbiosis of expectations:  

• Marketers have realized that social networking is a tool for conversation with the audience, as opposed to a short ad.
• Elevator pitches are fading, marketers are advertising by engaging the audiences in information rather than salesmanship.
• Social Listening is on the rise. Marketers are interested in creating strategies only when they are capable of understanding the user's expectations.

3. Educational Asset

The Education industry is now one of the biggest industries in the world.

• Awareness is the most popular and prominent topic amongst educationists and experts.
• Students and Teachers are moving towards connecting online with each other.
• The web serves as a good platform to access reference and study material in the form of e-books, tutorials.
• Online educational sessions and inviting friends to join online courses is the new trend.
• Education is becoming a shared experience as opposed to solitary study.

4. Sharing and Publishing

Blogging has changed since the advent of web. From hurriedly cobbled pages filled with text, we have evolved. .

• Cleaner, lighter pages with just the content are on the rise.
• Audiences prefer platform where they are not bombarded with ads in banners and side columns.
• Content is given emphasis over getting the clicks. The quality is the strongest insurance.
• Publishers bank upon generating content and platforms which lets reader feel comfortable in reading and sharing the content to their respective networks.
• "Let the work speaks for itself." is the new maxim.

5. Dynamic and Engaging over Static and Businesslike.

Still images are loved over the web. But only for art. When it comes to communicating a message, we are getting selective. A picture may speak thousand words, but we are selective about which words.

• While static content still holds a significant interest, dynamic content is rapidly becoming the preferred form.
• Infographics, gifs, visually engaging content is the way to go.
• "Pictures speak a thousand words", but which words? Audience is asking.
• Context and Concisement of content is the new way to be relevant and in on the flow.

Vinfotech is a web development and design solutions firm. Our love for social network design and development is evident in the care we invest in our works. Take a look at our thoughts and our work and come talk to us if you are looking for a social network solution that encashes this ever changing industry.