In 2012 Social Media will continue to grow and gain more and more influence. But what are the predictions and what broader social media trends with big implications are worth identifying in the year to come?
Facebook Grows, but Engagement is more important
With more than 800 million Facebook users, there are only so many more people to add. While the site will continue to grow in emerging markets that are getting online. Facebook is heading to sharing and engagement, arguing that sharing on Facebook grows exponentially and that users will double the amount they share each year.
New Social Metrics for Search Engines
Long predicted as a meaningfull metric for search engines The “death of the page view” won’t happen in 2012. But what will become more influential is the rise of new metrics that measure social engagement and price advertising accordingly.
YouTube Gains Popularity at home
YouTube is investing heavily in premium programming, as well as designing user experiences for the big screen. Combined with the prospect of an Apple TV no doubt that in 2012 your TV screen will be ‘hot’.
Social Networks Emerges
The next Facebook or Twitter is no longer the question. In 2012 there’s a meaningful second tier of social networks emerging. And Google+ will also continue to grow as it pulls more levers to try and make its biggest social bet pay off.
Celebs investing in Social Media Startups
Don’t get fooled by the current surge of investments in startups by celebrities as a signal of another bubble. Many of those celebrity investors are present online and have audiences of millions online that they can turn into users of the products and services they invest in.
Security Threats Go Mobile
With smartphone adoption continuing to rise and smartphone users continuing to adopt apps and social media on their devices, the same threats of the web are now arriving on mobile phones.
Social Media Fuels E-commerce
In 2012, more and more businesses will setup shops within the walls of Facebook and use Twitter to promote it. Social media will beome a way to drive sales and increase margins.
Read the complete story at http://mashable.com/2012/01/06/social-media-predictions-2012/