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Top 100 Social Media Trends in 2016

From Album-Promoting Snapchat Filters to Selfie Soda Bottles

— January 28, 2017 — Social Media
With an increasing number of social connection-related apps and app extensions being released, 2016 social media trends are some of the most popular of the year due to their ability to take over the daily lives of consumers at low or non-existent costs. Some of the more prominent patterns associated with social media this year include the domination of Snapchat in social and marketing worlds, as well as brands branching out to capitalize on selfie trends.

Snapchat is without question one of the most popular social media sites used by the Millennials and Gen Z demographics – with competitors like Instagram seeking to harness some of Snapchat's ideas into its own business model. The marketing capacity of the social media site is endless due to its creativity and far reach – as can be seen in marketing schemes like the one that promoted Frank Ocean's newest album. The album was marketed on Snapchat using filters, ensuring that the anticipated release became even more so through this promotion.

With selfies being a craze that doesn't appear to be dying, brands are taking advantage of this by creating competitions and products that cater to selfie lovers. Coca Cola jumped in on this trend with a Selfie Bottle for its Summer Love event – with the bottle taking selfies of the person who is sipping from it and automatically posting them to popular social media sites.

Trend Hunter's 2017 Trend Report features upcoming insights in industries related to social media, marketing and online promotion.
5.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
100
Incognito Alcoholism PSAs
Incognito Alcoholism PSAs
Louise Delage Was Formulated by BETC to Show How Prevalent Addiction is
<
99
Social Media WiFi Services
Social Media WiFi Services
The Facebook 'Express WiFi' Service will Launch in Rural India
<
98
Crowdsourced Content-Suggesting Platforms
Crowdsourced Content-Suggesting Platforms
Snapchat's 'Suggest' Matches Accounts to a User's Tastes
<
97
Troll-Filtering App Features
Troll-Filtering App Features
Instagram's 'Hide Inappropriate Comments' Blocks Negative Posts
<
96
Album-Anticipating Social Filters
Album-Anticipating Social Filters
Snapchat Joins Those Waiting for Frank Ocean's 'Boys Don't Cry'
<
95
Instant Messenger Doodles
Instant Messenger Doodles
'WhatsApp Doodles' Allows Users to Add to Their Images and Videos
<
94
Automotive Social Networks
Automotive Social Networks
DRIVETRIBE is a Social Network Created by the Hosts of 'The Grand Tour'
<
93
Festive Cookie-Coated Popcorn
Festive Cookie-Coated Popcorn
Doc Popcorn's New Cookies 'N' Cream Flavor is Made for the Holidays
<
92
Short Social Media Films
Short Social Media Films
'The Realest Real' from Kenzo Shows Natasha Lyonne as a Teen's Mom
<
91
Selfie-Focused Social Feeds
Selfie-Focused Social Feeds
Facebook's New Feed Features an Olympic-Themed Camera as its Focus
<
90
Vertical Video Content Networks
Vertical Video Content Networks
'Snappd' Enables Vertical Video Creators to Store Their Content
<
89
Rival Social Holiday Filters
Rival Social Holiday Filters
Facebook Live is Launching Its First Filters in Time for Halloween
<
88
Expanded Interactive Social Filters
Expanded Interactive Social Filters
This Snapchat Feature Allows Users to Apply Filters to Objects
<
87
Social News Platforms
Social News Platforms
'Now This' News is Delivered to Millennials Via Social Networks
<
86
Ephemeral Social Stories
Ephemeral Social Stories
Instagram Stories Let Users Create an Ephemeral Snapchat-Like Story
<
85
Anti-Trolling Volunteer Networks
Anti-Trolling Volunteer Networks
HeartMob Documents and Reports Abuse on Social Media
<
84
Social Media Political Endorsements
Social Media Political Endorsements
'Facebook Endorsements' Lets Users Officially Show Support
<
83
Organic Online Marketing Services
Organic Online Marketing Services
The 'InstaHeads' Marketing App Grows Instagram Accounts
<
82
Social Media News Ratings
Social Media News Ratings
Facebook's Rating System Aims to Combat the Misleading News Being Shared
<
81
Photo-Zooming Social Updates
Photo-Zooming Social Updates
Instragram is Now Allowing Its Users to Zoom in on Photos
<
80
TweenMessaging Apps
TweenMessaging Apps
The Disney Mix App is Targeted Towards Tweens and Their Families
<
79
Live Social Media Extensions
Live Social Media Extensions
Instagram Launched Live Videos and Disappearing Photos
<
78
Social Media Canvas Prints
Social Media Canvas Prints
'CanvasPop' Turns Smartphone Pictures into Handmade Canvases
<
77
Social Media-Enhancing Chatbots
Social Media-Enhancing Chatbots
The Yala Bot Uses Machine Learning to Optimize Social Media Posts
<
76
Face-Recognizing Social Platforms
Face-Recognizing Social Platforms
Facebook has Acquired 'FacioMetrics' for Its Intraface System
<
75
Socially Marketed Celebrity Fragrances
Socially Marketed Celebrity Fragrances
Sarah Jessica Parker Promoted Her New Product on Instagram
<
74
Instant Messaging Copycats
Instant Messaging Copycats
The Snow App is Asia's Eerily Similar Version of Snapchat
<
73
Social Media Smartphone Tripods
Social Media Smartphone Tripods
The 'CamKix' Mini Smartphone Tripod Works with Snapchat
<
72
Customer Service Bots
Customer Service Bots
Customers Can Now Get Instant Customer Service from Twitter Bots
<
71
Social Storytelling Apps
Social Storytelling Apps
The Yodel App Makes Snapchat-Style Stories a Group Effort
<
70
Holiday Social Upgrades
Holiday Social Upgrades
A Number of New Snapchat Geofilters and Bitmojis Were Made for Halloween
<
69
Minute-Long Comedy Shows
Minute-Long Comedy Shows
Chipotle is Introducing a Snapchat Show Called 'School of Guac'
<
68
Lightweight Messaging Apps
Lightweight Messaging Apps
The Facebook Messenger Lite App is Ideal For Older Phones
<
67
Inclusive Retail Campaigns
Inclusive Retail Campaigns
This Violeta by MANGO Initiative Sparks a Dialogue About Fashion
<
66
Social Media Custom Stickers
Social Media Custom Stickers
Snapchat Purchases Bitstrips for Personalized Comic Creations
<
65
Gamified Messaging Apps
Gamified Messaging Apps
Telegram Puts Fun Minigames Directly into Its Chat Interface
<
64
Olympic Social Filters
Olympic Social Filters
Snapchat Debuts New Olympic-Themed Stickers and Filters for the Rio Games
<
63
Direct Message Ads
Direct Message Ads
Facebook Messenger Ads will Allow Brands to Contact Users with Bots
<
62
Presidential Social Media Filters
Presidential Social Media Filters
These Snapchat Filters are Intended for Millennial Voters
<
61
Political Geofilter Ads
Political Geofilter Ads
The Bernie Sanders Snapchat Geofilter Was a Paid Ad on NYC Primary Day
<
60
Crowdsourced Fashion Campaigns
Crowdsourced Fashion Campaigns
Instagram Users Can Now Vote for Upcoming TOMMYxGIGI Designs
<
59
Online Positivity Campaigns
Online Positivity Campaigns
'Fueling Possibilities' Gives Free Gas for Positive Social Media
<
58
Laughable App-Filtered Duets
Laughable App-Filtered Duets
Ariana Grande and Jimmy Fallon Had Fun with Comedic Snapchat Filters
<
57
Social Media Coding Apps
Social Media Coding Apps
'Vidcode' Teaches Girls to Code by Incorporating Social Media Tropes
<
56
Branded Social Media Quizzes
Branded Social Media Quizzes
This Hyundai Instagram Campaign Follows a Crowdsourced Approach
<
55
Corrective Social Media Glasses
Corrective Social Media Glasses
Rochester Optical Makes Snapchat Spectacles Prescription Glasses
<
54
Robotic Vending Machines
Robotic Vending Machines
Snapchat's 'Snapbot' Sells the Company's 'Spectacles' Eyewear
<
53
Instant Messaging Games
Instant Messaging Games
Facebook Messenger Will Launch 'Instant Games' to Let Friends Compete
<
52
Social Olympic Snapshots
Social Olympic Snapshots
In Partnership with NBC, Snapchat Will Be Showing Rio Olympic Highlights
<
51
Disney Social Campaigns
Disney Social Campaigns
The LA County Museum of Art Blended Generational Interests with Snapchat
<
50
Food-Based Makeup Tutorials
Food-Based Makeup Tutorials
Instagram's 'Makeup_Maven' Created a Video Using Food as Makeup
<
49
Thriller Series Barbie Dolls
Thriller Series Barbie Dolls
'Queen Barb' is an Homage to the Character from 'Stranger Things'
<
48
Social Snapshot Conferences
Social Snapshot Conferences
'SnapHappen' is Launching as a Business-Focused Event
<
47
Utility Vehicle Snapchat Campaigns
Utility Vehicle Snapchat Campaigns
The Jeep Snapchat Campaign Encourages User-Generated Content
<
46
Snakeskin Rose-Tinted Sunglasses
Snakeskin Rose-Tinted Sunglasses
Vintage Frames Collaborated with YesJulz of Snapchat for a Design
<
45
Crowd-Sourced Models
Crowd-Sourced Models
Kevin Amato Works Continuously to Diversify the Modeling Industry
<
44
Social Exercise Apps
Social Exercise Apps
The 'Strava' Run App Offers Access to Clubs to Connect Solo Athletes
<
43
Self-Service Influencer Marketplaces
Self-Service Influencer Marketplaces
'FameBit' is a Platform to Connect Influencers and Brands
<
42
Snapshot Adoption Campaigns
Snapshot Adoption Campaigns
Tomba Latas' Adoption Project Uses Snapchat to Introduce Rescues
<
41
Geotagged Storytelling Apps
Geotagged Storytelling Apps
The Krumb App Lets You Leave Mobile Messages When Visiting a Place
<
40
Social Media Pet Contests
Social Media Pet Contests
'Solid Gold Pet' is Looking for the Happiest Pet on Earth on Instagram
<
39
Viral Style Clips
Viral Style Clips
Advertisements and Pop Culture are Embracing the 'Damn, Daniel' Meme
<
38
Face-Swapping Ads
Face-Swapping Ads
Netflix Uses the Popular Snapchat Filter to Advertise Its Series
<
37
Social Screenshot Coupons
Social Screenshot Coupons
Hering's Black Friday Promotion Used Snapchat to Offer Special Deals
<
36
Personal Social Media Helpers
Personal Social Media Helpers
TaskRabbit's Offering 'Instagram Husbands' for New York Fashion Week
<
35
Easter Brunch Flavor Events
Easter Brunch Flavor Events
This McCormick Easter Preview Was Hosted by Blogger Gaby Dalkin
<
34
VIP Ticket Geofilters
VIP Ticket Geofilters
Toyota Used a Snapchat Filter to Offer an Exclusive Lollapalooza Concert
<
33
Social Media-Connected Sneakers
Social Media-Connected Sneakers
The 'SoSole' Footwear Design Encourages IRL Interaction
<
32
Snapchat Rewards Program Filters
Snapchat Rewards Program Filters
Hospitality Group Starwood Has Launched a Series of Geofilters
<
31
Donut-Shaped Sushi
Donut-Shaped Sushi
This Vegan Chef Creates Intricate and Colorful Sushi Donuts
<
30
Face Swap Advertisements
Face Swap Advertisements
These National Geographic Face Swap Photos Encourage Learning
<
29
Body Positive Movement Hashtags
Body Positive Movement Hashtags
A Plus-Size Blogger Got Women to Embrace their Shape on Twitter
<
28
Photogenic Office Spaces
Photogenic Office Spaces
The New Instagram Office Was Inspired by the App's Content
<
27
Instantaneous Model Makeup Tutorials
Instantaneous Model Makeup Tutorials
Taylor Hill Easily Promotes Products on Her Instagram Story
<
26
Artist-Inspired Emojis
Artist-Inspired Emojis
Cantor Fine Art Has Turned Some of the Most Famous Artists Into Emojis
<
25
Collaborative Athleisure Brands
Collaborative Athleisure Brands
This Brand's Clothing Was Designed by Emerging Bloggers
<
24
Branded Plus-Size Instagrams
Branded Plus-Size Instagrams
The Forever 21 Plus Instagram Account Showcases More Bloggers
<
23
Filter-Centered Celebrity Editorials
Filter-Centered Celebrity Editorials
Willow Smith Was the Focus of GARAGE Magazine App's Issue
<
22
Chromatic Social Media Sunglasses
Chromatic Social Media Sunglasses
The Snapchat Spectacles Enable POV Phone-Free Recording
<
21
Instagram Star Editorials
Instagram Star Editorials
NASASEASONS' Fall/Winter Line is Modeled by Eileen Kelly & Naleye Junior
<
20
Body Positive Social Efforts
Body Positive Social Efforts
Nike Women is Promoting Relatable Instagram Models in Recent Posts
<
19
Reinterpreted Logo Art
Reinterpreted Logo Art
These Artists Created Their Own Interpretations of the New Instagram Logo
<
18
Fashion Icon Emojis
Fashion Icon Emojis
Iris Apfel's Emojis Represent the Fashion Icon's Unique Style
<
17
Social Livestreaming Platforms
Social Livestreaming Platforms
Ingkee is a Chinese Livestreaming App with 50 Million Users
<
16
Narrative Experiential Tv Campaigns
Narrative Experiential Tv Campaigns
This Mr Robot Campaign Sent Fans Hunting for Hidden Cash Drops
<
15
Social Tattoo Photography
Social Tattoo Photography
John Yuyi Created and Photographed Temporary Twitter Tattoos as Artwork
<
14
Social Media Museum Renditions
Social Media Museum Renditions
These Museum Instagrams Show Off Paris' Art Collections Creatively
<
13
Gold Star Snapchat Lenses
Gold Star Snapchat Lenses
This Starbucks Snapchat Lens Marks the Launch of a New Loyalty System
<
12
Social Media-Requested Photos
Social Media-Requested Photos
James Fridman Takes Social Media Photo Editing Requests Literally
<
11
Revealing Social Media Campaigns
Revealing Social Media Campaigns
'Wren Kitchens' Shows That Instagram Perfection Isn't Reality
<
10
Anti-Body Shaming Letters
Anti-Body Shaming Letters
Plus-Size Model Ashley Graham Speaks Out in an Essay for 'Lenny Letter'
<
9
Charitable Children's Tattoos
Charitable Children's Tattoos
This Artist is Inking Sick Children with Temporary Airbrush Tattoos
<
8
Snapchat Sex Ed Shows
Snapchat Sex Ed Shows
MTV's First Snapchat Show is a Sex Ed Series Called 'Pants Off'
<
7
Social Media Photography Booths
Social Media Photography Booths
The Lightcase '#Flatlay' Makes a Popular Perspective a Cinch
<
6
Dedicated Social Media Cameras
Dedicated Social Media Cameras
The 'Instasnap' Camera Makes Instagram Posting Phone-Free
<
5
Political Parody Portraits
Political Parody Portraits
These Strange Donald Trump Artworks Represent How Some See Him
<
4
Meme-Inspired Clothing
Meme-Inspired Clothing
This Clothing Collection Was Inspired by the 'Arthur Fist' Meme
<
3
Selfie-Taking Soda Bottles
Selfie-Taking Soda Bottles
This Coca-Cola Bottle Captures the Special Moment of Sipping Coke
<
2
Pop Culture Baby Costumes
Pop Culture Baby Costumes
This LA Mom Comically Dresses Her Son to Look Like Pop Culture Figures
<
1
Social Media-Inspired Covers
Social Media-Inspired Covers
The First Playboy Non-Nude Issue Stars Sarah McDaniel
<