AR in social media is gaining immense popularity as augmented reality takes over the most popular social media networks. Over the past few years, AR is impacting social media channels like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat.
Now the big question for marketers and brands is understanding how AR will continue to impact social media in 2023 and beyond. Understanding the impact will help businesses find new ways to boost their sales and be at the forefront of the competition.
In this AR in the social media guide, we will shed light on whether augmented reality is the future of social media and ways brands can integrate AR into their business.
What Is Augmented Reality For Brands?
Before understanding the role of augmented reality in social media, it’s important to understand a little about advanced technology.
Often AR is confused with VR, but the two are different from each other. While VR implies creating a whole new world from scratch, AR superimposes products in the virtual world. As a result, AR enhances the user experience by helping them view products and services in the real-world environment.
Be it an exciting photo filter or an AR game like Pokemon Go, the potential for the tech is absolutely amazing. AR is disrupting many industries, like fashion, education, healthcare, manufacturing, etc. When it comes to social media, it’s pretty evident that augmented reality will continue to impact the online world, and brands need to integrate tech in 2023.
Role Of Augmented Reality In Social Media Platforms
After the release of Pokemon Go, AR has become closely intertwined with social media. According to the All The Research report, the global AR in the social media ecosystem was valued at US$ 42.7 million in 2018 and will cross US$ 411.4 million by 2023.
Different social platforms, like Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat, are leveraging the power of augmented reality to enhance the user experience. Let us discuss the strong impact of AR on Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat.
Snapchat
An active user of Snapchat interacts 30 times a day with an AR product. This means that users love trying new products using augmented reality. Snapchat users try AR filters, play games with other users or friends, or turn them into 3D Bitmoji. That makes AR tools important for brands, as they can utilize AR to promote their websites, share a video, or help people understand their products.
One of the fun ways to add creativity to your business and stand out from the crowd is by using Instagram AR filters. Many brands are adding augmented reality effects for Instagram stories as a marketing tool. For instance, fashion brands can offer AR face filters to help users try products in the real world.
Facebook Messenger
Businesses are running AR ad campaigns and games using Facebook. Users prefer playing games like Don’t Smile and Asteroids Attack in the Facebook messenger app. In addition, the social media platform has even integrated 3D filters to help users experience the product using augmented reality.
All in all, there are multiple benefits and opportunities for brands if they use the technology. Do you want to integrate a feature-rich app into your fashion business to grow sales? Let SelfStylo AR experts help you! SelfStylo is a virtual try-on tool that helps users try products and share their AR experiences on social media platforms like Instagram, assisting brands in improving sales.
Is AR (Augmented Reality) The Future Of Social Media Marketing?
Augmented reality apps have become an essential part of social media marketing. Hence, it is evident that AR will continue to be a huge part of our everyday lives, including but not limited to social media. That said, it’s the best time when brands and marketers have several ways to promote their services in a fun and exciting way.
Improved Brand Awareness
Brands offering excellent and shareable AR experiences to their customers can directly improve brand awareness. You can focus on creating games, interactive AR experiences, or lenses for your customers. When users come across such content, they will want to share the results with their audience. As a result, word-of-mouth and user-generated content will help brands target a broader range of audience.
AR Virtual Stores
Social media allows customers to view the product, while AR in social media makes the experience more engaging. Instead of physically visiting the stores to try products, consumers can visit the virtual stores, try out products, and buy them directly. Thus, brands can take a step to remove the guesswork from online purchases and improve sales.
AR And Live Events
Augmented reality is taking the online shopping experience to a whole new level. Aside from shopping with AR, customers can attend events from the comfort of their homes. AR games enable users to play games with other users in a real-world environment using their smartphones.
AR Videos
Creating augmented reality videos can help you connect with your customers in different ways. For instance, you can describe how to use your products or show people what will be the user experience if they buy your service.
It won’t be wrong to say that AR is undoubtedly the future of social media, and if used in the right way, it can help brands double their revenue and build a loyal customer chain.
Free Tips To Grow Your Brand On Social Media
If your business does not have a strong social media presence, it wouldn’t be easy to survive in the competitive market. But what if we say an AR app can help you grow your online presence? Yes, that’s true!
AR apps, like SelfStylo, come with a social media integration feature. Users can share their new makeover looks directly on platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, etc. Thus, it helps brands improve their brand image using user-generated content.
Here are a few simple ways for brands to grow their social media presence with AR.
- Create AR filters for new product launches to help shoppers try them virtually. The more users can try the products, the higher chances are of purchase.
- Focus on making online shopping fun and interactive for shoppers. Personalized recommendations are one of the best tactics to ensure customers keep on returning for more.
- Create combos and launch exclusive deals to upsell products. In addition, integrate the AR app with a social media integration feature to help them share their makeover look online.
Aside from social media integration, SelfStylo offers many other features like custom pricing models for brands, a customer analytics dashboard, an intuitive interface, etc. You can schedule a free demo to explore the features in detail.
Embrace AR In Social Media To Prepare For The Future
AR is heavily linked to social media, as social platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat are leveraging the technology. Many brands, like Gucci, Lego, L’Oreal, etc., have integrated AR apps to improve customer experience.
Soon we will see AR ads replacing regular ads in online marketing and more brands using AR apps to boost sales. Within a few years from now, it will be crucial for brands to match current and future trends on social media.
If you are perplexed about how to get started with AR in social media, feel free to get in touch with SelfStylo experts.