Facebook 2018 Topics and Trend Report Predictions
17 Trends Facebook Thinks Will Go Mainstream in 2018
As we prepare to say goodbye (and good riddance) to 2017, it's hard not to get introspective about the year that was. Be it the heady highs of the Women's March to the lowest lows of widespread natural disasters, a lot happened this year that will inform just how it is that we tackle what's to come in 2018 — and thankfully, the good people over at Facebook have been keeping close watch on what the next 12 months might have to offer.
On Dec. 13, Facebook IQ — the insights and marketing division of the social media giant — released its annual Topics and Trends Report documenting all the things that the company feels will go mainstream in the year ahead. In other words, they've given us our first look at what to expect starting on Jan. 1 — and ahead, we've shared some of the most insightful trends that Facebook thinks will become a mainstay in our everyday lives. From female empowerment to the ever-quickening rise of AR, this is what Facebook's crystal ball has to say about 2018.
One-Size-Fits-All Products
Facebook says that "decision fatigue" is giving rise to an entirely new breed of products that are made by companies that focus on one product (and sometimes, only one model). Simplicity is the name of the game — and increased quality on that singular product means that people are more likely to buy in multiples and be brand-loyal.
Subscription Shopping
Customizing subscription boxes enables us to get more of what we like, more often. Personalization is key, and the more preferences we're able to enter, the more we're able to love what the end result may be. Oh, and it's probably worth noting that the "delight" in seeing a box of something you know you'll like but still be surprised by is a massive, massive bonus.
The Rise of Cryptocurrency
Bitcoin, blockchain — get used to using digital currency, because it's seriously on the rise. Once seen as a unit of exchange on the dark web, Facebook expects it to break through to the mainstream in 2018.
Female Empowerment
Brands have finally realized that empowering women helps to make those women more interested in buying products, so that's going to be a huge theme of 2018. Facebook itself saw a huge upswing in the number of trending topics centered on women, so it's probably safe to say that this is something that will be integral in every aspect of our lives very, very soon.
Unofficial Official Holidays
Sure, social media holidays have been around as long as social media itself, but they've hit a tipping point in terms of popularity. Nearly every day sees a different hashtag attached to a different aspect of everyday life, and expect for this to continue on at a rapid pace and be more integrated into the things we do at home and in the office.
Geek Culture
Science, history, and math went viral this year — and finally, it's time to embrace the culture of the geek. It's not just what we're saying and doing — it's also the content being created for us. Some of the most-watched viral videos of 2017 had their origins in academia . . . and it's only the beginning.
The Midcore Gamer
Forget the hardcore and flighty gamers; midcore is all about those addictive mobile games that are becoming increasingly more complex. Thanks to Apple's AR Kit and upgrades to tablet and phone displays, there's going to be more emphasis than ever on the individuals who don't flock to their consoles but to their handheld devices to play their favorite games.
The Social Media Watercooler
Who needs to talk about their favorite shows in the office when they can tweet and post about them as they're happening? Thanks to binge-watching and a huge increase in original programming from some of our favorite streaming providers, there's always something to be watch and speculate about online — and the timescale of how that happens will be tighter and tighter as time goes on.
Adventurous Eats
Forget pizza and Chinese — 2018 is set to have a focal point on international cuisine. According to Facebook, Bangladeshi and Indian food (among others) have been massively popular for the last two calendar years and will explode once we get to 2018.
Convenient Eats
Meal kits, Postmates, and DoorDash are only the beginning of what's set to be a killer trend next year: easy, convenient, right-at-your-door food. Expect more innovative apps to pop up over the next 12 months that fit the bill — and prepare to sit back and make your home life even more flavorful than ever.
Instagram-Driven Eating
This is one trend that shouldn't come as too much of a surprise, but — that being said — there's a larger focus than ever on getting the perfect presentation and ambiance for the places we choose to spend our hard-earned cash. From decor to delivery, there's going to be one hell of a pretty food world out there next year.
New-Age Pain Relief
The key words here are holistic, all-natural, and alternative therapy. Instead of taking pills or prescriptions, more people than ever are "finding alternative ways to feel better," and that's only expected to increase in 2018.
Calming Everything
Managing your stress — instead of releasing it in counterproductive or destructive ways — has been a huge focus for many since the 2016 election. So if you thought that it was just you who was trying to meditate or institute blackout hours in your apartment, think again, and get ready to be surrounded by like-minded individuals and products that cater to just that mindset of existence.
Millennial Workplace Attitudes
According to Facebook, we're going to start seeing a huge shift toward building workplaces around the attitudes, preferences, and personality of millennials. "Of the C-suite leaders surveyed, 70 percent say that the expectations of this younger generation will drive greater autonomy and collaboration," the report says, and we're inclined to believe that it's what's coming in the future.
Augmented Reality
If you haven't heard me gush about augmented reality before, let me just put it this way: forget VR. It's all about AR, and 2018 is the time when we're really going to see that take hold. So update your phone, get familiar with what it can do — and prepare to have the most fun you've ever had with a mobile device next year.
Bots and Artificial Intelligence
There was a time when it was completely outre to reference artificial intelligence, but that time, apparently, has ended. Instead, 2018 will see a rise in smart speakers, assistants, and bots. It's time to embrace the future — and we couldn't possibly be more ready for it.
Smart, Customizable Home Products
Take it from a smart home skeptic: 2017 was the year that I was convinced to go over to the dark side, and I can 100 percent assure you that I will never be going back. Controlling every aspect of your life with your voice or an easy-to-use device is the ultimate in simple luxury — and with the technology we've amassed over the last few years, that luxury is set to become increasingly more accessible.
