Do you feel like you can’t ever keep up with social media trends? We don’t blame you. This tech sector is an ever-changing niche, where developers constantly announce new innovations to major platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Changes can range from new filters to complete overhauls that drastically affect how we communicate.
But what’s going on right now?
We’re here to share the top social media stories, so you know what to expect from your favorite apps in 2022.
TikTok to Try its Hand at the Restaurant Business
Although it’s garnered 1 billion users worldwide and is considered the most popular and trendy social media app, TikTok is still a relative newcomer to the social media landscape. While the platform has mastered short-form video content in its brief lifespan, it has yet to branch out into other ventures. But 2022 is the year TikTok will build off its users’ favorite trends and deliver more offerings.
A staple of this platform’s content has been viral recipe videos, wherein creators film themselves putting together easy-to-follow meals made from simple ingredients. As a new initiative based on this content, TikTok plans to diversify its business model by opening a chain of restaurants. These eateries would be delivery-only entities rather than brick-and-mortar establishments, and the menu would be based upon trending video recipes on the platform.
Users can expect to start taking advantage of this service in March 2022, when over 300 locations around the world plan to open their doors to the public.
Facebook Messenger’s New Year’s Eve AR Update
As many social media users worldwide are likely planning to spend New Year’s Eve at home this year, Facebook Messenger is using the power of augmented reality to help make their virtual celebrations with friends a little more interesting.
This update will take place within the platform’s video conferencing feature. It superimposes an interactive image of a champagne glass and a chicken nugget onto the screen, which multiple users can take advantage of simultaneously. What better way to bring in the new year than with some food and drinks shared with friends?
Snapchat’s Year of AR in Retrospect
Facebook Messenger isn’t the only platform that incorporates augmented reality into its features. Snapchat has been doing this for a long time with its interactive lenses. These superimpose fun images over photos and videos to enhance the experience for users of this platform.
Recently, this platform released a “Lens of the Year” report, reflecting on all the different AR features they had promoted throughout the year and their respective levels of success. The report demonstrates the significance of AR technology on social media platforms and is an indicator that these fun interactive features aren’t going away any time soon.
Is a TikTok Repost Feature Coming Soon?
Some lucky TikTok users may have already gotten access to an exclusive re-posting feature that the platform is currently testing out. This allows users to post content from other creators onto their own pages, similar to a “retweet” on Twitter.
This feature should drive more engagement between creators and make the app a little more interesting for all users. Now, it will be easier for users to engage with content they might not normally find if not posted on their favorite creator’s page, and a popular video will trend faster.
If the testing phase goes well, the feature should eventually become available to all users.
Conclusion
There certainly are a lot of exciting updates and changes coming to the social media landscape in 2022. Users will certainly be looking forward to the new features and initiatives they can start taking advantage of very soon. Many people can’t wait to try out the TikTok restaurants in their hometown.
However, if there’s one thing we know about social media, it’s to expect changes. It’s possible that TikTok might not debut its restaurants on time in 2022. Keep a close eye on weekly social media news trends to be the first informed on any new developments.
