In the world of social media things move at lightning speed. New networks spring up over night and old favorites can vanish in the blink of an eye (RIP MySpace). It can almost be too hard to keep up with all the changes that occur in just one year.
Luckily, here at lotus823 we’re social obsessed and prepared to break down some of 2015’s biggest stories.
Check out our recap of some of the most exciting moments in social media last year.
Periscope Takes the World By Storm
In less than one year Periscope became one of the most popular smartphone apps, even earning Apple’s coveted 2015 iPhone App of the Year title. With over 10 million downloads Periscope allows users all over the world to broadcast live streaming video.
Shortly before the app’s debut in March, Twitter purchased it for $86 million. This acquisition allowed the app to integrate with Twitter, immediately enhancing its reach to epic proportions. Throughout the year users made Periscope the go-to app for live news, this was especially important during major events like November’s attacks in Paris.
Facebook Emerges as a Video Powerhouse
Facebook took aim at YouTube in 2015, as their video platform exploded. By June daily video views on Facebook had topped 4 billion, over four times more than in 2014. Video was nothing new for the network, so what changed in 2015? Some well-executed algorithm tweaks and the introduction of embeddable player, a direct shot at YouTube. Mobile users account for 75% off all video views on Facebook, making video ads a powerful tool for marketers.
Instagram Ads Go Global
When Instagram first launched their ad platform in 2013 it was limited to a select number of big brands. In 2015 Instagram advertising was opened up on a global scale, to businesses both big and small. New ad formats also hit the platform, including the wildly popular Marquee video ads. These updates empowered marketers to target customers in all new ways as well as encourage users to take actions such as buying a product, visiting a website, or downloading an app.
It’s obvious that video had a huge year on social media, regardless of platform. From live streaming to video advertising, the medium emerged as a powerful tool for social media marketers. Will this trend continue in 2016? We’ll just have to wait and see!