It is always fun to think about the future and what it might hold. Marketing professionals have been predicting trends for years; now we can look back at their predictions from a few decades ago and see how accurate they were. It’s not just marketers that are interested in the future of marketing, many business owners want to know what digital marketing trends will be important in 2022. Business owners after reading can start implementing them today or prepare for them in six years! So without further ado, here are our top 7 digital marketing trends that will shape 2022.
1. Chatbots
Chatbots are becoming increasingly prevalent in digital marketing. They’re a great way to engage with customers, answer common questions and provide customer service without actually having an employee on the other end of the conversation.
Chatbots are also a great way to provide valuable information without being invasive. For example, if you’re trying to sell wine online, your chatbot could answer questions about the different types of wines available. Also chatbot could explain why they may be suitable for specific occasions. If people want more detail on their question or want to purchase a bottle of wine, they can submit an inquiry through the form that will automatically route them there!
The trend with these bots is going towards making them seem as human-like as possible. This would make customers feel less intimidated by having conversations with AI. Chatbots have been proven to increase customer loyalty and make it easier for companies that rely heavily on web traffic.
2. Personalization
Personalization is a trend that has been growing for the past few years and will continue to grow in 2022. Brands give customers more control over how they interact with them as consumers; which includes tailoring ads towards their individual interests or automatically making some of your purchases (i.e., Amazon recommendations).
The number of personalization examples is not limited to advertising. We see it in online shopping, social media content, and customer service interactions as well. This trend will continue to grow for the next few years at least!
3. Interactive digital marketing
Interactive digital marketing is one of the most compelling trends we see coming up in 2022. Digital marketing has become more interactive, with Facebook Messenger leading the way for brands to interact directly with their customers.
Interactive Marketing Trends: brands are using this new form of digital advertising as a platform to go beyond just pushing ads out there; they’re actually providing value and engaging consumers on a personal level through these platforms.
A study by HubSpot revealed that interactive marketing is more than twice as effective in generating leads. Research from Adobe found that brands using chatbots (interactive marketing) have an 89% higher conversion rate. Also, cost per lead is 41% lower than those who don’t use this form of digital advertising. Brands that can provide helpful information, personalization, or instant services through Interactive Marketing can be successful at driving conversions, which has been proven time and again with Facebook Messenger campaigns such as Sephora’s “Chatbot Makeover,” where consumers could get personalized makeovers delivered right into the app on their phone.
4. Social media distribution
Social Media is a major distribution channel for content marketing, but the landscape continues to shift. New social media platforms are introducing new features, and existing networks have been changing their algorithms to deliver what they believe will be more engaging content.
The way marketers can reach consumers on these channels is constantly evolving. This means that digital strategists must understand current trends to stay ahead of the competition.
Here are the top social media trends that digital marketers need to know in 2022:
Social Media Algorithms. The way content is shared on platforms like Facebook and Instagram will continue to change as these channels create more engaging updates for their users. As a result, brands must be aware of how algorithms work so they can better allocate resources towards what’s working now (and might not work tomorrow).
Spam Filters. Spam filters have become stricter on many networks, with certain features such as hashtags being disabled or hidden from search results altogether. This means that it becomes harder for consumers to find relevant information about products and services, leading them to look elsewhere if they cannot see offers right away.
Social media influencers. The ways in which influencers are used on social media will also change and evolve. Brands may start to focus more on building lasting relationships with influencers rather than trying to use them for a campaign or marketing push that’s only available for a limited time.
5. Voice search
In digital marketing 2022, voice search continues to grow in popularity, with the number of voice searches growing by 20% each year. For example, Google’s Assistant is a popular digital assistant for accessing basic information. It also is performing tasks such as setting reminders or converting measurements. Keyword-based personal assistants like Siri and Alexa also allow users to use their voice to access digital information and interact with other devices.
As voice search grows, marketers must adapt their strategies accordingly to meet the needs of this new audience. Focus on developing concise and organized content around a single topic or goal rather than creating long-form text to be more engaging for users who prefer speaking over reading.
6. Augmented reality and virtual reality
The 2020s will see greater adoption of augmented reality and virtual reality. From game design to tourism, these technologies are becoming cheaper and more accessible for the general public. Marketing firms will be able to use these technologies in their campaigns and target audiences with more precision.
A recent study by the National Retail Federation showed that 92% of retailers use VR technology. On the other hand, only 29% employ AR tech. With such a huge disparity in adoption rates, it is no surprise that this industry could see exponential growth as both mediums become better understood for marketing purposes.
Artificial intelligence is also an important digital trend to keep in mind. AI will be used for personalization, as it is capable of matching the needs and desires of consumers better than any other marketing tactic.
7. Inclusivity
Inclusivity is a huge trend that will continue to grow in popularity over the next few years. Considering how many digital marketing trends are centered around making people feel welcome and included, it’s no surprise.
The importance of including multiple perspectives – especially those belonging to marginalized groups – in both content creation and consumption has been at the forefront of discussions about diversity in recent years. And with good reason. Companies that include more inclusive representations in their work have reported increased customer engagement. In addition, companies reported higher sales without cutting back on ad budgets.
Inclusivity doesn’t only apply when creating content; it also applies when consuming it by following social media accounts or blogs featuring diverse voices or staying up-to-date on relevant news.
In the digital marketing world in 2022, stay up-to-date with trends to keep your business relevant and profitable. We’ve seen these trends grow and change over the last few years, but we predict that they’ll continue to evolve in 2022. Will you be able to keep up with the latest changes?
