Tech that are changing the social media in 2023
The remarkable expansion of the social media sector, from the era when old-fashioned telegraphs were the cutting-edge communication medium to today, where Facebook is intensifying its focus on developing mind-reading devices, highlights the evolution of social networking. This evolution has firmly established it as a thriving and enduring sector.
One of the key drivers behind the extraordinary growth in both the user base and the continuous expansion of the social media industry is the technology underpinning these platforms.
The projected numbers are a clear consequence of technology's profound impact on social media. The continuous integration of communication and content creation tools, along with distribution-enhancing technologies such as native mobile apps (enabling access to users' cameras and GPS for geotagging), AI for image recognition, and more, has played a pivotal role in shaping the present state of the global social media landscape.
How did we get here? Evolution of social media app development
The inception of social media technology as we know it today can be traced back to 1997 with the emergence of SixDegrees.com, the pioneer of social networking platforms. This groundbreaking website allowed users to establish their profile pages, curate a network of connections, and exchange messages within their network. At its zenith, the platform garnered the usage of over one million individuals before being acquired for $125 million and eventually ceasing operations in 2001.
The demise of Six Degrees, akin to its prior achievements, marked the commencement of a series of social media networks. In the vicinity of the late 1990s and the early 2000s, a cluster of novel social media platforms, including Friendster, AmIHotorNot.com, and MySpace, emerged onto the digital scene. These platforms experienced a period of growth and popularity, changing social media app development forever, only to subsequently witness a gradual decline in their presence within the social media domain.
How Technology Impacted Social Media Development
The role of technology in the evolution of social media, while it finds its roots in the advent of smartphones and laptops, truly blossomed with the emergence of mobile applications. In the year 2019, according to a report by Lyfe Marketing, it was estimated that a staggering 91% of all social media users accessed their preferred social channels through mobile devices.
Several factors can be attributed to the proliferation of mobile applications for social media usage:
1. Convenience: Users find it incredibly convenient to access their social networks with just a few taps on their mobile devices, as opposed to the more cumbersome process of opening a laptop and navigating to a website.
2. Integration: Mobile apps seamlessly integrate with the built-in features of smartphones, such as cameras, GPS for location data, microphones for voice input, and more. This integration enhances the user experience and opens up new possibilities for content creation and sharing.
3. Ease of Content Creation: Mobile apps make it effortless to capture and share content on the go, whether it's a photo, video, or a quick text update.
By now, it should be evident that the demand for the development of social media applications is well-founded. However, the impact of technology on social media doesn't stop at mobile apps. There are a multitude of other technological elements at play, including Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), geotagging, QR codes, and more. These technologies have collectively contributed to shaping social media into what it is today.
The incorporation of technology not only enhances accessibility and real-time interaction in the social media landscape but also ensures a high level of security. It accomplishes this by introducing elements like automation, integration with other social media platforms, and even facilitating e-commerce transactions within the social media realm.
With an understanding of the symbiotic relationship between technology and social media, let us now delve into a comprehensive list of technologies that are empowering social media app developers to propel the sector into its next stage of evolution.
Top tech driving social media and its future
RFID
In simple terms, RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) can be likened to a small computer chip capable of storing information about a person or an object. Each chip possesses a unique serial number that corresponds to the data it holds. To illustrate the practical application of this technology, consider this scenario: You're attending a music concert, equipped with an RFID device that features integrated social capabilities. When you bring your RFID device close to another one, you can instantly express your appreciation for a band by 'liking' them on platforms like Instagram or Facebook. Furthermore, you can even download a selection of their music tracks directly onto your device.
AR and VR
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality have emerged as prominent and highly sought-after features within the realm of social media applications. These innovative technologies have ushered in a multitude of use cases, sparking experimentation and innovation among social media platforms. Among these applications, one particular feature has risen to widespread popularity, and that is the utilization of AR for face filters.
This trend, prominently popularized by Snapchat, has taken the social media landscape by storm. AR-driven face filters are now being harnessed by individuals and businesses alike to craft and deliver captivating and interactive content to their audience.
This compelling use of AR in social media not only allows users to enhance their images and videos with fun and creative overlays but also provides businesses with a novel means of engaging with their target audience. The versatility and entertainment value of face filters make them a formidable tool for content creation and marketing. As a result, they have become a staple in the repertoire of features offered by various social media applications. The ever-increasing adoption of AR-driven face filters serves as a testament to the enduring appeal and significance of augmented reality technology in the realm of social networking.
AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the foremost and ubiquitous technological force driving the social media sector. AI plays a central role in every active social media platform, and its integration is now considered a default aspect in the cost of social media app development.
Prominent social media platforms, such as Facebook, rely on advanced machine learning powered by AI to perform tasks ranging from facial recognition, targeted advertising, to enhancing their search functionality. LinkedIn leverages AI for job recommendations, connection suggestions, and curating tailored content for users. Snapchat utilizes computer vision to track physical attributes and seamlessly overlay real-time filters.
These real-world examples underscore the indispensability of AI across various aspects of the social media industry, demonstrating how it has become an integral and indispensable component in different genres within the social media domain.
BlockChain
Decentralized social media is an emerging and dynamic genre within the social media sector, marked by innovative use cases at the intersection of social media and blockchain. Businesses on both sides of this convergence are actively exploring these possibilities, including:
1. Fair Compensation for Content Creators: Traditional social media platforms often suffer from unequal compensation for content creators due to ad-based models. Blockchain's smart contracts can rectify this issue by ensuring that creators receive fair and prompt compensation for the value of their content, free from unexpected deductions or delays.
2. Combating Internet Censorship: Utilizing blockchain's distributed ledger technology, individuals gain the ability to read and curate their content while being assured that no central entity can block access to it. This innovation offers a powerful means to counter internet censorship, providing unrestricted access to information and ideas.
IOT
The final entry on our list of trends in the ever-evolving world of social media and technology is the Internet of Things (IoT). This transformative technology has found extensive application in the domains of social media monitoring and marketing, especially by industry giants like N&W, Disney, Tencent, and numerous others.
Prominent organizations are keenly attuned to the potential of IoT in this context, and they are actively seeking out proficient social media app development companies with expertise in IoT. They aim to collaborate with these technology-savvy partners to craft innovative solutions for real-time data monitoring and the extraction of valuable insights from the social media landscape. These insights serve as a treasure trove of information, empowering businesses to make more informed and strategic decisions that can positively impact their operations and bottom line.
In essence, the convergence of IoT and social media has paved the way for a profound transformation in how organizations perceive and leverage data derived from their social media presence. As the demand for IoT expertise in the social media arena continues to grow, it underscores the critical role that technology trends play in shaping the future of business strategies and decision-making.
Conclusion
The landscape of social media is a constantly shifting terrain, marked by the perpetual influx of novel technologies that continuously shape and redefine the user experience. As this dynamic environment evolves, it becomes progressively intricate for developers who are tasked with creating these platforms, while simultaneously becoming more user-friendly for the individuals engaging with them.
Within this context, five cutting-edge technologies stand out as potential game-changers, poised to exert a substantial influence on the future of social media. These technologies not only reflect the ongoing evolution of the digital realm but also hold the power to reimagine the way we interact with and perceive social media in the coming years.
In this era of digital transformation, the convergence of these technologies is poised to redefine the very essence of social media. As it strives to keep pace with the rapid advancements in technology, social media is becoming a multifaceted ecosystem that offers users a more seamless and enriched experience, all while presenting developers with the ever-present challenge of adapting to these complex and evolving paradigms. These five transformative technologies have the potential to be the catalysts that shape the future of social media, ushering in a new era of interaction and connectivity in the digital age.
Most social media app development companies are well aware of these tech and you need to consult your app development partner about what type of technologies can make your app better. Identify a top-notch social media aptop-notch social media app development partnerp development partner before you start your journey.
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Written by
Zachary Devies
Zachary Devies
I am a Mobile App Developer; my passion lies in the realms of Native Android Development and Flutter. My journey in the tech world has been driven by an insatiable curiosity and an unwavering commitment to crafting innovative solutions. I thrive on the dynamic nature of technology, constantly seeking out new challenges and opportunities to enhance my skills.