What comes to your mind when you hear of the metaverse? Do you instantly think of the evolution of the internet, online gaming and shopping, e-commerce, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR)? There could be one more escaping your mind in this not-so-new concept; social media. Since the metaverse is increasingly becoming a part of our lives, you may be concerned about how it impacts social media. What does the future hold for their connection? Please read on to find out.
What is Metaverse?
How would you describe the metaverse? This is a virtual space that connects both virtual and physical reality. It is geared towards improved user experience, offering a 3D encounter of the present internet. Therefore, the users of the metaverse are not only stuck in sharing experiences and viewing content on 2D screens but can enjoy the same in 3D through their VR headsets.
Some of the activities in this digital platform include e-commerce, gaming, shopping, virtual real estate, and involvement in virtual social experiences among friends. Moreover, the metaverse allows for trading using non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Therefore, brands can sell their products to consumers who buy using NFTs. Notably, the buyer and consumer transactions in the metaverse are recorded in the Blockchain.
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Some of the technologies of the metaverse include Augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain technology, Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), cryptocurrency e.t.c. Interestingly, there are continually emerging metaverses taking advantage of the named trends and technologies. What does this imply? We will focus later on the opportunities and risks they portray.
Social Media and the Metaverse
There are a lot of money-making opportunities for social media companies in the metaverse. They can grow their user base among the digital generation. The good thing with this group is their willingness to spend on online activities, which the metaverse is geared towards improving. Therefore, the companies should strive to let the Generation Hashtag feel satisfied with their services such as online dating, video sharing, and any other ways of sharing social experiences. The good thing is that the metaverse makes this possible.
What about social media in general? Its involvement in the metaverse is filled with questions and speculations. However, what are some of the impacts to look forward to? For one, the focus will undoubtedly be more on immersive user experience. Besides, there will be many users connected, hence it will be more interactive. The metaverse has that “all-inclusivity” effect, giving users a chance to experience things together. Imagine catching up with friends in a virtual environment!
At the moment, you can already experience VR. It has sounds, sights, and senses that are almost as real as the actual ones. Therefore, you can expect social media in the metaverse to be far much more than simply texting, chatting, and video calling friends. The experience will be more interactive.
Nonetheless, businesses will be more involved in the metaverse. This is especially for social media marketing and branding. This doesn’t mean, however, that they are not taking opportunities to promote their goods and services at the moment. Social media platforms are already making good use of the opportunities they have to gain success in the metaverse. Similarly, there are brands already incorporating virtual versions of the products they offer online. Users in the digital world can now buy them with non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
So, it is not a new phenomenon for social media platforms and brands to use the metaverse. However, the future has more in store. The metaverse will offer a beneficial extension, bringing in an extra edge to how businesses and companies market and advertise. It won’t be surprising for brands in the metaverse to use avatars to influence people to buy their products.
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Importantly, the brands will undoubtedly need to be very creative to market in the metaverse. Thankfully, there are different functionalities they can take advantage of; from AR to VR, which can help them come up with a more interactive and immersive user experience. With these, they will give their customers an improved experience on the platform. What’s more, such functionalities will help customers identify specific brands.
Additionally, could there probably be newer players in the game, who will either maintain the rules or tweak them a bit? They may come up with a more creative and innovative metaverse social media.
Therefore, the future of social media in the metaverse seems to be more focused on immersive and interactive user experience. However, once the users can enjoy such, don’t you think the level of social media addiction will be higher? Definitely yes. Therefore, as investors, marketers, and consumers enjoy the metaverse’s opportunities, they have to be prepared for the challenges and risks as well.
How Safe is Social Media in the Metaverse?
The metaverse is full of possibilities for brands and businesses to explore. However, there is a potential drawback we have already seen. Other than the addiction, there are other concerns to watch out for. For instance, the current increasing number of security breaches in social media raises concerns about how safe the user is. Social media is already subjecting users to cyberbullying, phishing, harassment, and fake news among others. With this in mind, how high will it be on social media in the metaverse?
As earlier mentioned, this is a future that is interactive and immersive hence engrossing and highly addictive. Therefore, you can only expect the bad behaviours and security threats to hasten. The “new” social media will pose more danger to the user. What does this imply then?
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If you want to be a part of the future of social media in the metaverse, be informed of the dangers and how to avoid or combat them. Moreover, platforms should add extra safety features to help keep their users safe. This way, they can immediately place a barrier to the threats once they visit their sites.
Are You Ready?
There seems to be much evolution to expect in the future of metaverse and social media. The beauty of the metaverse is that it brings you together with those you love. Notably, the current social media experience you are having is going to be of higher intensity in the metaverse. It is a sort of upgrade to social media. Therefore, with new technologies and inventions, the benefits and the dangers will surely increase. So, are you ready for an immersive, interactive experience, 3D interaction, and all that’s in store on the other side?
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