Pandemic Social Media Update: How COVID-19 Has Changed the Social Media Game Forever

We are now online more than ever. Stay-at-home orders and lockdowns have changed daily life, including our entanglement with social media.

Images by SmartsInsights.com

According to Hootsuite, a social media management platform, in July 2020, 43% of adults aged 16 to 64 spent a longer time using social media, and 36% of adults spent more time on mobile apps in comparison to pre-COVID days.

So with screen time at an all-time high, what exactly are people doing on their phones?

There are two simple answers; Tik Tok and online shopping.

With more adults spending longer time on mobile apps, many are turning to new forms of entertainment from home. Tik Tok is a great source of enjoyment, relaxation and can be used as a form of escape during this time of our lives. While users can use the app as a form of entertainment, Hootsuite shows that prior to the pandemic, creating and uploading videos has increased 16%, and listening to more music streaming services has increased 37%. This data supports the rise of Tik Tok. Tik Tok videos which can be up to 60 seconds in length have diversity in content and share stories, educational information, and funny videos. The app also captures young audience’s attention because of the short nature of the videos.

Images by SmartsInsights.com

Another digital area that has been drastically affected is the online shopping experience. In fact, 31% of young adults aged 16-24 years old discovered products on social media ads. Many brands are collaborating to promote shopping experiences. For example, Poshmark and Snapchat teamed up to create an experience on the Snapchat app where users can shop curated products, and shopping events. In order to fully take advantage of sales during the pandemic, it is critical that brands innovate and use digital marketing as a primary form of marketing. Some suggestions to improve a buying experience is by having a prominent “buy” button on social media, and having lots of likes and good comments on your brand’s social media accounts.

Overall, there has been a major increase in online and digital activities since the start of the pandemic. Look out for new blog posts on how to take advantage of your social media accounts to maximize your brand image.

Material Sources

DigitalCommerce360

SmartInsights