Social media has become an integral part of modern life, connecting billions of people across the globe. As of October 2024, the number of social media users worldwide has reached 5.22 billion. This unprecedented growth underscores the essential role social media platforms play for education institutions and organizations and healthcare companies – to nonprofits and animal health groups. As we dive further into 2025, we can anticipate significant changes and advancements in how these platforms evolve to maintain and expand their relevance and user bases. After reading an article in Social Media Today, we expanded on the trends mentioned, conducted additional research, then compiled the list below.
What Facebook Will Do to Keep the Most Active Users
Social media powerhouse Meta continues to maintain the highest number of active users, with 3.29 billion at the end of Q3, 2024, as reported by Social Media Today. To retain its leadership position, Meta is exploring several strategies:
- AI Versions of Users: Meta is working on creating AI-driven avatars that allow users to generate virtual versions of themselves. This feature will particularly benefit content creators, as it will offer them new ways to engage with their social media followers.
- New AR Experiences: Augmented Reality (AR) will play a significant role, especially in enhancing online shopping experiences. Users will be able to virtually “try on” products before making a purchase, making the shopping process more personalized and interactive.
- Enhanced Character Avatars: Meta is expanding the customization options for its avatars, allowing users to fine-tune their digital representation.
- (Even More) Focus on Video Content: Continuing the trend from previous years, Meta will put an even greater emphasis on video content marketing, aligning with their strategy to capitalize on the growing consumer preference for video over static posts.
- Automated Advantage+ Options: By incorporating AI, the social media giant aims to streamline ad creation and targeting, making it easier for businesses to effectively reach their desired audiences.
- Community-Driven Fact-Checking System: Meta has announced plans to end its third-party fact-checking program, replacing it with a community-driven system similar to Musk’s X.
How will Instagram and Threads Aim to Increase Users?
As Instagram and Threads are both under Meta’s social media umbrella, they are set to implement several new features to retain and attract users:
- Gen AI Filters: Instagram will introduce generative AI filters for photos, offering users more creative freedom and enhancing the visual appeal of their content.
- AR/VR Spatial Filters: Users can expect more interactive ads and immersive experiences through advanced Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality spatial filters.
- Threads’ Political Restrictions: Threads may ease political content restrictions, creating a more open platform for discussion and engagement, though the specifics remain uncertain.
Will X Finally Become an “Everything App” in 2025?
Musk’s vision for X, formerly known as Twitter, involves transforming it into an “everything app” by incorporating a variety of services. Although Musk has had this plan for some time, he plans on implementing the following features in the coming months:
- Payments Integration: Musk plans to add payment functionalities, allowing users to conduct financial transactions directly within the app.
- Enhanced Video Quality: X will emphasize higher-quality video content, particularly for paying users, to improve the overall user experience.
- AI Search Integration: X might integrate AI-driven search capabilities, potentially using its already established AI chatbot, “Grok” as its primary search engine, showcasing its advanced AI functionalities.
- Image Creation and Post Analysis: The platform will enhance its AI tools for image creation and post analysis, but it will be crucial to ensure these tools do not infringe on copyrighted content.
LinkedIn’s Efforts to Become More Authentic and Purposeful
LinkedIn, the professional networking platform, is shifting its focus to foster authenticity and meaningful “connections.”
- Reduction in Generative AI Tools: Although generative AI tools are evolving, LinkedIn plans to scale back on them, encouraging users to showcase their genuine skills and experiences.
- Career Path Development: LinkedIn will develop new AI-driven features to help people discover paths that align with their skills and aspirations.
- Focus on Live Events: LinkedIn will place a greater emphasis on live events, providing real-time networking opportunities and knowledge sharing.
Reaching Younger Audiences Through Snapchat
Snapchat continues to dominate among younger audiences, thanks to its pioneering augmented reality (AR) developments.
- Leading AR Platform: Snapchat remains at the forefront of AR innovation, continually enhancing its capabilities to keep users engaged.
- Snapchat+ Features: Following the success of Snapchat+, a paid subscription service that gives users access to exclusive features, the platform will introduce even more features, like story rewatch indicators, providing insight into how friends interact with each other’s content.
- Advancement to SnapMaps: New enhancements to SnapMaps, a feature on the app that allows users to share their location with friends, will create a more immersive and realistic user experience, fostering real-life connections.
- Sponsored Snaps: Snapchat will incorporate ads into users’ inboxes, although this move might face resistance from users who prefer an ad-free experience.
Stay Informed on Social Media Trends
In conclusion, as social media platforms strive to innovate and adapt, 2025 promises to be a year of accelerated transformation. From AI and AR advancements – to strategic collaborations and user-centric features, these platforms will redefine the digital landscape, offering more personalized and immersive experiences to their ever-growing user bases. Follow along on PR agency’s website for more helpful articles about thought leadership, media relations, crisis communications, content development and marketing, and, of course, social media marketing.