Digital trends to look out for in 2024
In many ways, it’s a good time to be alive.
From instant communication to breathtaking automation, the digital age has brought us huge benefits.
But it’s not all rosy.
We’re faced with an information overload that our brains struggle to comprehend, an anxiety about data security, and there are far too many people exchanging hate on social media.
It can also be hard to keep up with the pace of change and the demands on our lives. When we’ve just familiarised ourselves with one piece of tech or social media platform, it updates or something new comes along.
So with all this in mind, what digital trends are on the horizon for 2024, and how can we respond well to them?
Recognise the reality
Firstly, it’s important to know what is happening around us and to face reality.
While AI has been around for many years, it is no longer on the fringes of the digital world; it is centre stage.
It’s fair to say that the rise of AI is akin to the move from the steam age to the age of electricity – it’s that significant.
And the stats speak for themselves:
85% of Brits are aware of AI language models such as Chat GPT, Google Bard and Bing Chat.
Around one in six UK organisations, totaling 432,000, have embraced at least one AI technology – according to government research.
In the 2023 budget, the UK government committed almost £1 billion of government funding towards AI research.
(Forbes)
AI has, understandably, polarised opinions. Statements such as ‘It’s going to take all our jobs!’ or ‘The machines will take over the world’, should be balanced with the many benefits that AI brings.
Forbes states that ‘Used properly, AI is like having a super-smart personal assistant on hand 24/7, making us more efficient, faster and more productive.’ Forbes
AI won’t slow down its rapid rise in 2024, so it would be wise to embrace it now and follow its progress.
Social media meltdowns
As well as AI, there are some other big developments in the digital landscape.
Let’s look at social media. It seems the only constant across social media platforms is change.
The future of X, formerly known as Twitter, continues to be uncertain.
Multiple changes to the platform since Elon Musk acquired it in October 2022 have left users wondering how long the platform has left before it implodes.
X has become a place for both finding out about breaking news and a toxic battleground for often-anonymous ‘keyboard warriors’ who poke and prod views they dislike.
Even leading tech experts are wondering what we will see happen in 2024, given the seemingly volatile state of the platform.
Threads, Meta’s answer to Twitter, hasn’t exploded in popularity and is ‘struggling to craft its own identity,’ NBC News. Will it be dumped in 2024? We think it's unlikely, and it’ll be given more time, but whether it’s worth users’ efforts and energy going forward is questionable.
And YouTube is moving more into the podcast arena. Who would have thought?! YouTube is part of the planned closure of Google Podcasts.
The new YouTube Music will effectively double as both a video platform and a conventional audio podcast player.
How this will go down in 2024 and beyond is difficult to predict.
More than half of internet users worldwide visit YouTube at least once a month. But will The YouTube audience find podcasts a good experience? It’s hard to tell.
Search engine opportunities
When it comes to Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), it’s important to remember that while AI is changing many of the ways in which we approach SEO, many of the fundamental principles are still just as important.
Wild SEO Agency stands by it: SEO basics are still basics, even with AI.
People aren’t going to stop searching for things on the internet - you still need to show up and be counted on the search engine results page. That’s the same whether it’s via Google, Bing, voice search, or even TikTok.
SEO is still going to be about providing the most relevant and best quality content for the user. You can’t ignore it and hope AI will magically supercharge your marketing efforts.
Be wise
In a changing digital environment, it’s important to not only look at what's ahead but also to keep doing the work and make sure you don’t get caught up in a fad or trend.
Lean on the wisdom of experts you trust and keep to your mission, whether that’s selling a product or service, or promoting a cause.
And if you’d like to speak with Wild SEO Agency about what’s up ahead or need expert input on anything SEO or digital comms related, we’d love to help.
Why not book a discovery call to find out how we can help your charity, business or church in the new year?