Annual Social Media Report Unravels The Biggest Trends Of Brands On Instagram And TikTok

The Battenhall team is at it again. They’ve recently launched this year’s social media report and the 10th edition is looking bigger and brighter for brands scattered across Instagram and TikTok.

The report is a great way to witness how the world of social media continues to evolve as we speak and how trends keep on fluctuating with each passing day.

This year, great emphasis was placed on those social media apps that users adored and couldn’t stop themselves from posting on.

There were so many ways through which creators and brands on the app chose to reinvent themselves and cause a huge change that continues to linger today.

Looking at the posting frequency for apps like TikTok as well as the levels of engagement on the platform for various brands, it’s quite obvious to notice a clear transition from posts that are super polished to those that depict that real feeling with Gen Z in control.

If we had to pick one thing that unites all of these brands as one, it would be engagement. Content that is labeled as successful is one that’s entertaining. It could be videos, images, or written words too. And this particular study took nearly 7,500 types of content from social media into consideration.

For TikTok, it was the likes of Entertainment, Sports, and Fashion that had users in a whirlwind. They just couldn’t get over it with posts flooding the apps left and right. Next up, the world of Corporate, Gaming, and Food and Drink took center stage, with travel ranking nearby too. The tailenders including the likes of tech and transport just barely made it through the list for leading categories.

Moving on to which types of content reigned supreme on the Instagram app, the findings definitely varied across the board depending on the mode of content published like pictures, video, and carousel.

Since Instagram is now mostly pictures and videos, there was a nice blend to appreciate here. People adore their food and drink on the app and that’s why it took the lead with 56% of posts getting published. This was followed by transport at 53% and finance at 39%. Sports and fashion came in third with 29% of pictures while Tourism lagged behind at 23%. It was very interesting to see the likes of entertainment posts get only 17% of coverage through pictures on the app.

But when looking at videos, the statistics were completely different. The stats for tech that scored just 6% for picture posts on the app had the greatest posts for video content, coming in at a staggering 72%. This was closely followed by Tourism at 71% and B2B at 68%. Gaming and entertainment took the next few spots at 63% and 61% respectively.

Let’s not forget to mention how the tables have really turned on the app when looking at last year. Videos made up just 32% of content formats last year and now, it’s the most popular format for publishing in 2022, making up 56% of all posts.

So if we had to summarize the main findings from this social media report, we would have to say the use of videos has surged to an all-new high but still pictures aren’t disappearing just yet. They still make up 30% of posts on apps like Instagram.

Next, timing is crucial. TikTok content of more than 30 seconds gets more engagement and we must point out the significance of hashtags here too as they do amazing at getting reach.

Post captions that are short also assist with engagement as proven by TikTok and Instagram posts with less than 100 characters. Also, every app is different. Users log into TikTok for recommendations so you’ll see themes like B2B, tourism, finance, and entertainment doing better here than Instagram.

Last but not least, Carousels have a greater chance for success on Instagram. Users adore swiping and these end up getting the most likes across the board than others. You might want to take that into consideration with your future posts.

Remember, engagement in the world of social media is literally everything. And it's no huge surprise that TikTok beat out Instagram when stats were broken up in terms of engagement received versus the number of followers. Clearly, there is a massive surge in short-form video content and that's why more and more apps are making sure that content is promoted the most.

Read next: Social Media: The Good, the Bad, and the Productivity Killer
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Graphic Design Trends That Will Be Everywhere in 2023

For anyone ending the year seeking creative rejuvenation, look no further than the graphic design trends set to dominate visual branding over the next 12 months.

We tapped into the insights of the global community of professional freelance creators working on 99designs by Vista to gather their predictions around what we should expect to see in 2023.

Looking at these trends holistically, it’s clear how design has been impacted by the unmet expectations held for 2022. Designers and consumers had high hopes for a year filled with adventure and freedom, but for many these were overshadowed by unwelcome and challenging global events.

For some, design creates the opportunity to counteract negativity by exploring light-hearted styles threaded through with escapism. Others favor capturing today’s challenging global climate with a grittier realism. Suffice it to say that businesses looking to refresh their brand in a trend forward way in 2023 have an eclectic set of styles and options to choose from.

Exploration of other worlds

Unsurprisingly, when life continues to feel like a rollercoaster ride, we are seeing creatives turn to ethereal elements to find peace, comfort and refuge. Infusing the trend of mysticism in branding through the use of zodiac symbols and astrological imagery like moons and stars is enabling designers to create a sense of serenity. Delicate lines and muted colors often complement this style, creating designs that are gentle and calm.

Similarly pleasant energy is found through a fresh approach to surrealism in 2023. Surrealism, which seeks to capture the magic of the unconscious and unconventional, has been popular for a long time, but in the year ahead expect to see it coupled with 80s airbrush techniques. Characterized by intense saturated colors, floating objects and a soft glow, this design trend feels dream-like and approachable all at the same time.

On the darker end of this otherworldly exploration is the trend of experimental escapism, strongly influenced by recent technological advancements. With the progression of artificial intelligence (AI), especially AI art, as well as the Metaverse, designers in 2023 are inspired to push their own boundaries of creativity, leading us into unknown worlds of mesmerizing and unimaginable landscapes.

Reviving counter- and sub-cultures

Designers, like much of the world, are fed up with a myriad of systemic global issues and in 2023 they are channeling past movements to communicate their opposition. In many ways, it’s no surprise that punk revival is a trend coming back into the mainstream spotlight. This anti-establishment style breaks the rules of traditional design, making use of chaotic collages, hand-lettering, newspaper typefaces and distorted imagery. While messy and jumbled, its energy is honest and forthright – and something that many can relate to.

Less rebellious but still here to make a statement is the trend of acid graphics. Defined by bright colors, warped typography and chrome textures, this aesthetic has ties to 90s goth subculture that steered away from conventional design. With digital tools offering design templates that are easy to use and follow all design norms, it makes sense that graphic designers are working to prove that branding, if done right, doesn’t need to follow any rules.

New textures adding depth to design

Designers are constantly exploring and experimenting with fresh shapes and textures to keep things interesting. In 2023, we anticipate more and more designs hitting the scene that digitally capture the effect of the risograph, a type of print technology invented in 1986 with a distinctive aesthetic. The style is about highly saturated colors, fluid abstract shapes and grainy textures that give depth to simple visuals.

Similarly dynamic, abstract gradients are predicted to play a significant role in the year ahead. While gradients are nothing new, they are taking new forms in abstract and oblong shapes: with frothy smooth curves, this style feels fluid and soothing. At a time when things often feel uncertain, it’s nice to have a trend that feels reliable and familiar.

A blurring of boundaries

Design has never been about staying in a single lane, and in 2023, this is truer than ever. Through 90s space psychedelia, designers are all about pairing the future and the past. Blending 90s retro styles like Memphis design and sci-fi elements like androids and spaceships with neon vibrant colors, this aesthetic suggests a sense of optimism for the future by putting a nostalgic spin on the high-tech world of tomorrow.

On top of a time warp, designers are also playing with the dichotomy between physical and digital spaces. This mixed dimension trend is all about adding doses of cheery color and cartoonish illustrations to real-life photography. Rather than taking away from the real life imagery, the blending of these styles actually emphasizes the power and impact that imagination and art can have in the world.

Finding delight in details

Nature’s influence always shines through via one graphic design trend and this year it’s in folk botanical. This style is about displaying natural patterns in a less polished way, with hand-made textures, doodles and unexpected color combinations. This approach works well in making digital work feel more natural and perfectly imperfect.

Alongside this nature-focused trend, we’ll see all sorts of stories being told through complex compositions. Consisting of multiple illustrations in one scene, this aesthetic is like walking into a room and creating a snapshot of everything happening at one moment in time. Despite having several elements, this style tends to feel quite minimal - engaging but not overwhelming.

In 2023, many designers are also turning to minimal line art to create vintage cartoon style illustrations that make a fun and light-hearted impression. Thanks to the simplicity of the line drawings, designers tend to complete the look with splashes of bright colors and playful bubble fonts.

There’s no denying that 2023 is going to be filled with an eclectic mix of graphic design styles, mirroring the issues and attitudes in the world around us. What we are really seeing is the evolution of whatever reality we want to be a part of. Whether that’s a trip to the 90s or to the depths of outer space, creatives are here to make it happen.

Written by Caitlin Collins, Head of Brand Marketing & Comms at 99designs by Vista

Read next: Customers Want More Advanced Imagery On Online Products As Many Online Shoppers Are Not Satisfied With the Images of Products on Websites
by Web Desk via Digital Information World

China Lays Out Strict Measures To Keep AI-Produced Deepfakes Under Control

Beijing has put forward an array of strict measures through its Cyberspace Administration that would help curb the growing trend of deep fakes.

The country has been battling with AI-generated matter for a while now and now that’s why officials have prohibited the creation of such endeavors related to humans without first taking permission from the CAC.

These rules and regulations would put an end to all things that would be deemed a threat to the country’s national interest and socialist values. This includes using deepfakes to try and trick or slander other people in day-to-day dealings.

So why is this subject so controversial is a question that is on so many people’s minds. Well, the answer is pretty straightforward. Deepfakes make use of AI technology to produce real video content featuring humans saying things and doing things that they didn’t actually end up doing.

This form of technology has the capability to mislead so many audiences which causes issues for individuals located in such video content. In the same way, we’ve seen deepfakes spark a massive outcry in nations other than China due to such concerns.

During the early part of 2022, we saw the European Union introduce a new set of rules and regulations to curb such matters involving deepfakes that would fight against the matters linked to fake news on various social media apps.

Such regulations may appear to be great but they are suggestive of an important factor. That’s linked to China expecting the matter to arise in the future too as it’s allowed for use across different apps related to chatbots that get designated with labels like digital creations.

These rules were sent out by the CAC and they go on to address the matter of deepfakes through online publishers. Such publishers could take into account matters like China’s other regulations linked to acceptable content seen online while using deepfakes in publications.

All of these new laws would be applying to the likes of deep synthesis service providers that utilize platforms related to the world of deep learning or VR to edit content published online. Such requirements entail the requirement for making accurate and revised models as well as algorithms. This makes sure all data collected is secure.

In the same way, such rules would make sure users are registered and entail the usage of real names to prevent certain individuals from using the technology for incorrect reasons. We should be seeing such laws go into effect as early as January 10 of next year.

Illustration by pikisuperstar / freepik

Read next: The countries most and least prepared for the cashless economies of the future
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

Twitter Makes Major Changes Including Color-Coded Ticks For Different Accounts As Its Controversial Subscription Kicks In

The relaunch of Twitter Blue has begun and that has arrived with a range of color-coded checkmarks for different entities.

It’s blue ticks for Business and gold for various company accounts as the firm claims it’s on a mission to rid the controversy that arose for multiple profiles in the recent past.

But many aren’t surprised that the hue Blue is used for the business tier. This would enable firms to purchase verification badges that employees can add to profiles to eliminate any further confusion. It's similar to reaffirming that corporate entity.

There is also news, thanks to social media expert Jane Manchun Wong about such blue business profiles attaining the square profile picture status as well.

Meanwhile, a lot of confusion arises on the exact pricing for this Blue Subscription status as that’s one dilemma that many hope to solve soon and as soon as we get an update, we’d be posting it.

What we do know is that users of iOS would have to pay $11 a month while those of Android may be paying $8.

On the other hand, billionaire Elon Musk says he is working on completely shunning the Twitter legacy verifications. And the change is expected to roll out in just a few months.

The Twitter CEO mentioned the news through a recent tweet that was put forward through his account. Similarly, he outlined how the previous mentions made in the past didn’t make much sense and it was just a moment that’s beyond comical.

The news comes as the app rolls out its controversial blue subscription again amid a very dicey first attempt. And after attaining that blue tick, users did get pop-ups that went on to state a very interesting fact.

The account notified the account holder that this was a legacy verified account. Similarly, it spoke about whether it could or couldn’t be notable. And that’s exactly where such news arises from.

It’s quite clear how the platform is still on a mission to figure out the real way to generate revenue through such streams and also is doing its absolute best to not repeat mistakes made in the past. And that’s by adding an entire range of means to help authenticate verification of users across the board.

Now, to complete the entire verification process, users would require phone numbers while purchasing their blue Twitter accounts. This was highlighted during the recent launch over the weekend.

The company adds that those profiles who are yet to add their phone numbers for verification would be needing to do so soon as prompts others to make similar changes when buying subscription plans.

Twitter also mentioned that those accounts that were not active in the past month or have ended up making some serious amendments like changes to profile images, usernames, and more in the past week would not be given the green signal to sign on to the app.

We see this as being the latest edition of requirements needed to sign up as the relaunch of Blue Subscriptions kicks in.

Last but not least, we’ve got some news on the follow-up mention by Musk regarding the introduction of longer tweets for the app.

The Twitter Chief did announce how keen he was to give users the chance to share posts of longer lengths. This could be texts or video formats, either of which is now going to be allowed.

Therefore, the app is introducing mock-ups on this front. It’s like Musk exploring his desire to add features to the app that are quite similar to YouTube.

So do keep a lookout for posts exceeding the 4000-character limit and we’ll be doing the same.

Here's what the options above might look like.

PS. Designs are early and basic. There's a lot more we want to do with longer form content on Twitter. This is one way we're thinking about a first step. Having said that, all feedback is welcome, so let us know what you think! pic.twitter.com/XOzR433w7R

— Andrea Conway (@ehikian) December 6, 2022

Read next: The richest YouTube content creator from every country in the world
by Dr. Hura Anwar via Digital Information World

The most dangerous pieces of software to search for and download

Malware attacks are on the rise. They’ve increased by more than 200% since we started working remotely.

There are plenty of ways to sneak malware onto our devices. But one of the common methods is hiding malware links within the URLs of the most searched for and downloaded pieces of software.

This worrying fact inspired the latest research from online privacy expert Surfshark. The VPN provider analyzed data from Sucuri Malware Detection Tool to create several tables highlighting the most dangerous software to search and download.

Here's a breakdown of all the results:

The most dangerous software

Avid is the most dangerous piece of software to search for; 64.04% of its search results may contain malicious malware.

Substance 3D Painter, a software for video game and film production, is the second most dangerous software to Google. Clicking on any URLs 'linking' to the Adobe application means you have a 57.32% chance of exposing your device to a cyberattack.

Most dangerous browser software

Many internet users are turning their back on Google in favor of alternative browsers and search engines that promote privacy.

Hackers know this. And they're exploiting this new trend by infecting alternative browser links with malware.

If you're looking for a new search engine, be extremely careful when clicking any links mentioning Vivaldi Browser. Vivaldi is everything that Google isn't. Vivaldi is privacy based, politically neutral, and thinks people's rights are more important than profits. But, according to the data from Surfshark, nearly 4 out of 10 (39.53%) of its links will leave you wishing you'd stayed with Google.

• Also read: How Much is Stolen Data Worth on the Dark Web?

Then again, Google isn't that much safer, as far as the potential for malware attacks goes. Surfshark researchers found that 29.87% of Google Chrome URLs have been compromised with malware.

Creative software riddled with malware

Creative software is not cheap. The best pieces of editing and animation software like Avid can cost around $500 per year.

That’s a lot of money if you're a freelancer living from invoice to invoice.

So it's no surprise that many freelancers try to cut costs by turning to Torrents to download the software they need to create work that wows clients.

This explains why so many creative software URLs are riddled with malware. 64.04% of Avid Software URLs contain malicious links - the highest of any software included in the study.

Creatives should also click with (extreme) caution when looking for free versions of V-Ray (53.76%) and vector graphics editor software CorelDRAW (49.47%.)

Dangerous crypto wallet to search for online

Crypto and Bitcoin have the potential to revolutionize the future of money and finance for the better.

But right now, this emerging (and largely unregulated) industry is still full of scammers, fraudsters, and outright criminals (yes, Samuel Bankman-Fried, we're talking about you.)

URLs linking to popular crypto wallets are a common delivery method for malware.

If you want to keep your crypto stack safe, take care when Googling anything to do with Lumi Wallet. Lumi Wallet is a secure and anonymous crypto wallet that lets you buy, sell, and exchange more than 1200 coins - proving you click on a safe link.

According to Surfshark, only around half of all Lumi Wallet URLs are 100% safe and secure. There's a good chance that the remaining half are trojan horses for malware attacks.

Small business software most likely to contain malware

Finding the right small business software is super important for entrepreneurs and freelancers. It makes everything so much easier. The best applications streamline invoice payments, workflows, and accounting processes, meaning small business owners can focus on doing what they do best.

The smallest disruption of service can be devastating to small business owners and freelancers. One unanswered email is all it takes to miss out on a new client.

If you need to be ultra-responsive 24/7, do everything possible to avoid malware and cyberattacks. So the next time you're researching new software to supercharge your business, be mindful of clicking on any links mentioning Hubstaff, Nimble, Box, Act, Paychex Flex, and Freshsales.

They're all excellent pieces of software. But at least 40% of all their URLs are potential vehicles for malware and other cyberattacks.

Malware risks on social media

Misinformation might be rife across social media. However, these firms have done a pretty good job of containing the spread of malware attacks.

As long as you download the official apps, it's unlikely that you'll catch malware while cruising the socials.

Still, be a little mindful when catching up on the very latest Twitter trends. Nearly half (48.3%) of Twitter search results contain potential malware.

Always follow the golden rule: if that links dodgy, then it probably is dodgy. Never click on anything that looks even slightly suspicious.

Read next: The best (and worst) pieces of business support software
by Irfan Ahmad via Digital Information World

77% of Executives Are Confident They Can Meet Goals Despite Recession

The economy is in a real state of disarray these days, and it doesn’t look like the pressure will be letting up anytime soon. The US Federal Reserve has been quite adamant at clamping down on inflation by raising interest rates, and that has led to 90% of corporate executives predicting an oncoming recession according to a survey released by PwC. In spite of the fact that this is the case, a majority of these executives still seem confident that they can meet all their targets.

77% of the executives who were surveyed in this report said that they feel like they can reach short term goals. 82% also said that the digital transformations are already underway which might make the recession easier to weather than might have been the case otherwise. 76% stated that they might be able to free up working capital after making some adjustments such as by adding automation into their assembly lines. That might allow them to free up capital without having to reduce employee headcounts.

Still, 81% of major C-Suite executives said that they plan to slim out their work forces using a variety of methods. That includes laying people off, enticing workers to opt for voluntary retirements or enacting hiring freezes so that exiting employees don’t get replaced. With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that remote work is still a hot topic among these C-Suite executives.

They want people to come back to working at the office, but they are concerned about the slow rate of returnees. Many still prefer to work from home for obvious reasons, but executives are hoping to change that by changing workplace culture. Offering on site training as well as other incentives could help bring people back to the office, although it might not be quite the same as it was before. Hybrid work has shown people a tantalizing alternate path, one that would be difficult for them to move away from. It will be interesting to see how top ranking execs manage their businesses during the recession.

Read next: Photo Editing Apps Are One of the Most Used Apps By Smartphone Users
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World

Here’s How You Can Become a Freelance SEO Professional

The internet has created an abundance of new job opportunities for people to explore, with SEO being among the best choices of all with all things having been considered and taken into account. SEO professionals can really rake in the big bucks, although it can be challenging to figure out how to get this journey started. With 44.5% of freelance SEO professionals bringing in over $75k a year, it’s not surprising to see that many others are trying to go down the same path.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that 45.6% of people working as freelance SEO professionals have under four years experiencing, as per SEJ's report. That indicates that the field is still quite new, which may make it easier for newcomers to break in than might have been the case otherwise. Only 6.7% of them bring in under $34,000 a year, which suggests that a majority of them are earning far more than that on an annual basis.

The first thing to know if you want to become a freelance SEO professional is where you can get your hands on some work. 9.5% of freelancers say that they got referred for work by someone in their network. 8.9% searched for the work themselves, 8.7% maintain it through personal networks, 7.7% used organic social reach and a similar number, 7.7%, received work from Upwork this past year.

• Also read: Where Should You Focus Your SEO Efforts In 2023? This New Report Has All The Insights You Need

Even if your freelance career doesn’t end up panning out, it can still be enormously useful. It can provide a wide range of skills that can come in handy when you are searching for new jobs, and full time SEO roles can also command a hefty salary. Your clients will also be a good source for job opportunities since they can exploit their network to find the right fit for you.

Countless people are joining the ranks of freelancers because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up sustaining their finances and allowing them to set their own hours. Joining a platform like Fiverr can help you get started.

Read next: What Are the Biggest SEO Challenges in 2023? This Survey Reveals the Answers
by Zia Muhammad via Digital Information World