In 2022, less celebrity endorsements will be used to promote products. Instead, marketers will tap influencers who are more relevant to their product. One example is James Charles, a popular British actor who has a background in makeup and has become a spokesperson for the beauty brand Cover Girl. Video will still be one of the leading strategies in 2022. According to the study, 74 percent of U.S. consumers watch online videos weekly. In addition, most social media channels support video sharing.
In 2021, connected speakers will be widely used. These speakers will have digital assistants powered by AI. Also, voice recognition algorithms will improve. The reason for this shift is that humans have always preferred to communicate using speech. Voice searches are evidence of this. As a result, the digital marketing industry must adapt to voice-based search. For now, there are some basic digital marketing trends that marketers need to keep in mind. However, as new technologies emerge, these trends will continue to evolve.
One of the most popular emerging trends in digital marketing is gamification. Gamification, or integrating game features into a website, increases customer loyalty and brand awareness. One example of this is McDonald’s Monopoly game. Interestingly, 80 percent of smartphone users play mobile games. By creating a website that integrates game features, a business can drive e-commerce sales. This is particularly beneficial in a recession.
Another important trend in digital marketing is virtual reality. Facebook’s Mark Zuckerburg recently introduced a virtual reality platform called Spaces. While this was an unfortunate PR move, VR technology is becoming more prevalent. Many brands are creating virtual experiences and taking their customers on a tour of their facilities. Brands are even creating 3D models that can be manipulated to create a desired experience. Even smaller businesses are getting in on the action, making virtual reality an increasingly effective tool for branding.
Virtual reality and AR are becoming more widely used, and brands should take note of this. According to eMarketer, the number of users for these technologies is expected to reach 110 million by 2023. A third trend is gender-neutral clothing. Companies must also embrace diversity in their marketing efforts. The latest trend is becoming more widespread, with a growing number of brands releasing products that are gender-neutral. The trend also applies to digital media.
Another major trend in digital marketing is the use of video in emails. Unlike text, video is highly personalized. It provides more detailed information about the product. Furthermore, emails with videos have an eight-times higher click-through rate than emails with plain text. As an additional bonus, video is one of the most effective forms of marketing, as it is affordable and offers the highest conversion rate. However, if you do not have the resources to create a professional video, it is better to hire someone who has some expertise in video marketing.
AI has also been used for analyzing user data. For example, machine learning helps digital marketers understand their customers and target the right audiences. With artificial intelligence, marketers can automate the ad delivery process to target their targeted audiences. This trend is expected to account for 72 percent of online marketing spending by 2021. In the meantime, many marketing trends are based on historical data. To predict the future of your industry, you can use data collected through Google Analytics to understand which digital marketing trends are likely to continue into the future.