2020 has been an intense and unpredictable year so far. With so many things changing, it can be pretty hard to predict what the future holds.

Fortunately for us though, some things are a bit easier to track and predict. Our favorite is social media marketing.

As your top design and digital marketing firm, at Sunan Designs, we like to keep an eye on all the recent trends on the biggest social media platforms.

Today we will be looking at 4 trends that are shaping the future of marketing on Instagram.

With over 1 billion users and more than 60% of them visiting an online store at least once every single day, these are trends you cannot afford to miss out on!

1. Gearing up for even more e-commerce

2020 was the year Instagram officially joined the e-commerce industry with the introduction of Instagram Shop.

Along with the many different tools released over the years, including shoppable posts, stories stickers, shopping from creators, and Live Shopping; Instagram has made it easier and easier for brands to market and sell on the platform.

According to our predictions, we can expect an even stronger focus on e-commerce in 2021, with the app that was once used only for sharing cute photos rolling out more online shopping features such as advertising and engagement tools.

2. Influencer marketing will blow up like never before

Get this. Influencer marketing is predicted to become a $15 billion industry by 2022 according to Business Insider.

As the top platform for influencers, Instagram’s new focus on e-commerce means that not only are they here to stay, but offer almost unlimited potential for brands.

Unlike short-term promotions and one-offs that we are so used to seeing, however, 2021 will see more and more influencers partnering with brands for the long term.

This is because the COVID-19 pandemic has taken unforeseen tolls on the traditional advertising industry, and nearly 80% of influencers have seen an increase in their audience engagement since the start of lockdowns worldwide.

With brands investing more online than ever before, 2021 is set to be the year of the influencers.

3. Short-form video content will be even more popular

TikTok has taken the world by storm in 2020 with the random, crazy and mostly downright funny videos people share on the platform.

Not only did these videos provide the perfect escape from the harsh reality of the pandemic, but they also continue to be extremely popular with younger audiences.

Considering that these audiences tend to spend a lot more time on social media, it wasn’t long before Instagram took notice and introduced Instagram Reels. With 500 million users daily, short-form video content will be key in marketing strategies to come.

4. Virtual events

2020 saw almost all major brands worldwide host at least one live activation or virtual event.

With in-person events being restricted in some way in the foreseeable future, Instagram offers the perfect platform for bringing the community together.

At the end of the day, 2021 is just around the corner. Even though the future can be unpredictable, these 4 trends will help you market your brand successfully on Instagram.

Need help?

At Sunan Designs, we offer world-class social media and digital marketing services. Reach out today and let our experts handle your Instagram marketing like never before!