No speech concerning social media is complete without “Facebook”. In fact, the platform is now synonymous with the conception of social media and also plays a part in a brand’s reputation management. In October 2021 the company renamed itself under the name “Meta” (although the name of the Facebook platform didn’t change). The name change caused an enormous hype as to what it means and what users can expect. Here is a brief reading on how Facebook or the Meta of today is speculated to change the digital future. 

 Renewed E-commerce Focus 

It wouldn’t be surprising to say that E-commerce has always played along smoothly on Facebook, with the marketplace providing a healthy alternative to platforms like Gumtree or eBay for easy, local purchases. However, Facebook’s focus on e-commerce during the past has been quite spotty. Hoping to combat this, its future focus is firmly based on improving commerce and helping businesses reach their target audiences more effectively. For an average company, this speculation may mean far more scalability to suit future demands, allowing one to focus on just one stream of income, instead of managing several e-commerce channels. 

More AR and VR Integration 

Facebook trends in shaping the digital future are also seen to align closely toward the integration of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). They have slowly made an entrance into the mainstream as key concepts in Facebook advertising for brands and businesses, allowing consumers an even better experience in a crowded digital marketplace. 

Facebook believes this kind of technology isn’t something far-off from the future and is something an average business should be already considered in the here and now. Especially as the digital future sheds new focus on a younger audience, it has become more of a priority for brands to embrace new technologies and related ways of selling. 

And for companies who haven’t explored the benefit of AR and VR yet, now is the best time, as adopting new technology early is ideal for getting ahead of the curve. Not to mention, as Facebook is transforming from a simple social media platform to a more complex commerce entry, understanding how your business should perform with the trend is vital for long-term success. 

Demographic Targeting For Younger Audience 

Facebook since its inception has been working with an ageing demographic, mainly because of the fierce competition for a younger audience. However, as other social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat are attracting the demographic that Facebook once dominated, it’s no surprise that Facebook’s target audience has now changed with attempts to recapture the vital young adult demographic. This change is clearly reflected in Facebook’s goal; to provide the best services for the 18-29 age bracket, rather than trying to focus on generic optimisation for all ages and audiences. 

What this essentially means to the digital future is that if Facebook manages to get into the good graces of the younger audience, businesses have far more potential customers to capture through this platform. It is also expected to revamp connectivity for businesses with the right audience for the right product and/or service much more effectively. 

As evident, Facebook is changing the digital future mainly by shifting the landscape of online commerce, social media management, and advertising. So if you as a business or brand are looking to gain new audiences or consider investing in e-commerce for the first time through Facebook, understanding where it is heading towards should be at the top of your priority list.