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Top 100 Social Media Trends for 2021

From Virtual Cocktail Clubs to Selfie-Ready Beer Bottles

— January 30, 2021 — Social Media
Amid the ongoing global pandemic, this list of 2021 social media trends showcases how technology platforms were leveraged to help individuals stay connected even while apart. Social media played a crucial role in informing consumers on important information including the ongoing protests, COVID-19, and the American election.

For example, these tools were heavily used to help users connect and mobilize amid the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in wake of the tragic killing of George Floyd. Moreover, social media platforms like Facebook, Snapchat, and Twitter debuted new tools to help voters through the process as well as dispelling misinformation on who won the American election.

Lastly, this year social media was leveraged to help teach users of the importance of wearing masks alongside up-to-date information surrounding the ongoing global pandemic.

For more social media innovations in the year ahead, check out Trend Hunter’s 2021 Trend Report.
6.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
99
Virtual Graduation Ceremonies
Virtual Graduation Ceremonies
Natural Light Will Be Hosting a Virtual Ceremony on Facebook Live
<
98
Mobile Virus-Related News Tabs
Mobile Virus-Related News Tabs
Facebook Added an Information Center to Its Platform for COVID-19
<
97
Dance-Based Social Media Contests
Dance-Based Social Media Contests
Epic Games Announces a TikTok Contest for Fortnite's Next Emote
<
96
Virtual Gaming Events
Virtual Gaming Events
Facebook is Transitioning GDC into a Digital Event Amid the Coronavirus
<
95
Home Renovation Challenges
Home Renovation Challenges
The Toronto Star Launches the #StarChallenge for DIY Enthusiasts
<
94
Customizable Social Avatars
Customizable Social Avatars
Facebook Avatars are Digital Lookalikes That Enhance Communication
<
93
Animal-Influencers Vegan Food Campaigns
Animal-Influencers Vegan Food Campaigns
Morningstar Farms Enlists Animal Influencers in New Ad
<
92
Celebrity Social Media Houses
Celebrity Social Media Houses
Fenty Beauty's TikTok House Opens to Rising Online Talent
<
91
Grocery-Branded Virtual Events
Grocery-Branded Virtual Events
Supermarket Chain Kroger Debuted Weekly Stay-At-Home Online Events
<
90
Scientific Beauty Podcasts
Scientific Beauty Podcasts
The Eco Well Offers Real Scientific Advise on the Latest Beauty Trend
<
89
Virtual Fashion Event Challenges
Virtual Fashion Event Challenges
Vogue and Billy Porter are Launching the #MetGalaChallenge
<
88
Branded Social Media Series
Branded Social Media Series
Lexus Launched a New Series Named 'Lexus Creates' with Coco Sato
<
87
TV-Based Video Chat Platforms
TV-Based Video Chat Platforms
Facebook's Portal TV Enables Users to Chat, Co-Watch & More
<
86
Short-Form Reality Shows
Short-Form Reality Shows
e.l.f. Cosmetics is Introducing the First-Ever TikTok Reality Show
<
85
Free Children Cooking Series
Free Children Cooking Series
Chad Sarno's Wicked Healthy Kids Series Shows How to Make Vegan Food
<
84
Social Media Chip Giveaways
Social Media Chip Giveaways
Lay's Launched a 'Flavor Tour' Promotion on the Brand's Social Media
<
83
Virtual Crowd Beer Promotions
Virtual Crowd Beer Promotions
Michelob Ultra Launched Virtual Crowd Promotion with the NBA
<
82
Interactive Virus Mapping
Interactive Virus Mapping
Facebook Created an Interactive COVID-19 Map Based on Mass Survey Data
<
81
Virtual Prom Celebrations
Virtual Prom Celebrations
The Teen Vogue Virtual Prom is Launching with a Promposal Challenge
<
80
Social Home Video Challenges
Social Home Video Challenges
GoPro Launched a Social Media Challenge to Encourage Staying Inside
<
79
Localized Social Media Advertisements
Localized Social Media Advertisements
AB InBev is Working with Tiger Pistol a Social Ad Platform
<
78
Gen Z-Created Beauty Brands
Gen Z-Created Beauty Brands
TikTok Star Addison Rae is Launching a Clean Brand Called ITEM Beauty
<
77
Social Storefront Platforms
Social Storefront Platforms
sellit by PLANOLY Helps Small Businesses Sell Via Social Media
<
76
In-App Live Concerts
In-App Live Concerts
The Weeknd is Hosting a First-of-Its-King Live Concert on TikTok
<
75
Motivational Streamed Fitness Classes
Motivational Streamed Fitness Classes
Fitness Expert Andrea Marcellus Launched Online Classes
<
74
DIY Virtual Candle Classes
DIY Virtual Candle Classes
Fever and Stone Candle Bar Show How to Make Candles At-Home
<
73
Virtual Campus Events
Virtual Campus Events
Pot Noodle is Virtually Connecting with Students via The Digital Welcome
<
72
Cartoon-Themed Cooking Series
Cartoon-Themed Cooking Series
Cooking With Pixar is a YouTube Series That Offers Recipe Tutorials
<
71
Virtual Keynote Presentations
Virtual Keynote Presentations
The Snap Partner Summit 2020 Introduced New Tools in a Dynamic Way
<
70
Interactive Wellness Challenges
Interactive Wellness Challenges
Saladworks Created a 30-Day Challenge for National Salad Month
<
69
Collaborative Creator-Led Menus
Collaborative Creator-Led Menus
TikTok Treats on Postmates Shares Viral Food and Beverages
<
68
Interactive Hashtag-Branded Campaigns
Interactive Hashtag-Branded Campaigns
Bomb Pop Targets Tweens in New 'Not One Thing' Campaign
<
67
Virtual Motherhood Communities
Virtual Motherhood Communities
Motherhood Maternity is Virtually Bringing Moms-to-Be Together
<
66
Social Knowledge Networking Apps
Social Knowledge Networking Apps
The 'Wylo' App Helps Users Connect on Common Topic Interests
<
65
Canadian Social Media Platform Ads
Canadian Social Media Platform Ads
TikTok Launches its First-Ever Campaign in Canada
<
64
Real-Time Video-Sharing Apps
Real-Time Video-Sharing Apps
Kast Uses Screen Capture, Voice, Text, and Video Chat Technology
<
63
Artistic Skincare Videos
Artistic Skincare Videos
Laneige Teamed Up with Sagmeister & Walsh, to Express Luminous Beauty
<
62
Heat Wave Beer Promotions
Heat Wave Beer Promotions
Budweiser is Reducing Beer Prices Based on Increases in Weather
<
61
Magical Beauty Challenges
Magical Beauty Challenges
This TikTok Beauty Challenge Spotlights the Poreless Putty Primer
<
60
Bespoke Surf-Inspired Apparel
Bespoke Surf-Inspired Apparel
The Volcom x Coco Ho Collection Boasts Beach-Ready Pieces
<
59
AR Apparel Logos
AR Apparel Logos
Snapchat Users Can Scan Ralph Lauren's Polo Pony from Apparel, Surfaces & More
<
58
Influencer Coffee Brand Re-Launches
Influencer Coffee Brand Re-Launches
Tik Tok Star-Made 'Chamberlain Coffee' is Back with a New Look
<
57
Interactive Football Experiences
Interactive Football Experiences
The Bud Light Showtime Cam Allows Fans to Celebrate with Players
<
56
Virtual Pride Events
Virtual Pride Events
Bubly is Launching a Virtual Pride Parade on Both TikTok and Instagram
<
55
Influencer-Approved Outdoor Apparel
Influencer-Approved Outdoor Apparel
Avec Les Filles Partnered with Erica Hoida to Launch a Range
<
54
Gen Z Social Platform Expansions
Gen Z Social Platform Expansions
IRL App is Expanding Its Social Calendar to Colleges
<
53
Kid-Created Toy Ads
Kid-Created Toy Ads
The LEGO City Police Ad Brings Wild Imaginations to Life
<
52
Social Media Shopping Initiatives
Social Media Shopping Initiatives
Facebook Shops Helps Businesses Sell Through Virtual Storefronts
<
51
QSR Social Media Giveaways
QSR Social Media Giveaways
Dunkin' Launched a Social Media Competition with a Branded RV
<
50
Virtual Festival Events
Virtual Festival Events
The Klarnival Helps to Make Up for This Summer's Cancelled Festivals
<
49
Virtual Co-Viewing Rooms
Virtual Co-Viewing Rooms
Watch2Gether Helps People Chat, Shop & Enjoy Audio & Video Content
<
48
Matchmaking Content Creator Platforms
Matchmaking Content Creator Platforms
Bilibili Launched Sparkle to Connect Brands and Creatives
<
47
360 AR Mountain Experiences
360 AR Mountain Experiences
The National Geographic Everest AR Experience Lets You Virtually Visit
<
46
Virtual Pub Quizzes
Virtual Pub Quizzes
Camden Town Brewery is Uniting People by Hosting Events on Social Media
<
45
Social Media Menu Campaigns
Social Media Menu Campaigns
Wendy's Launched a Multi-Platform Breakfast Campaign with Coupons
<
44
AR Social Distancing Lenses
AR Social Distancing Lenses
Snapchat Created New COVID-19 Lenses in Collaboration with the WHO
<
43
Branded Skin Positivity Campaigns
Branded Skin Positivity Campaigns
Dermalogica Partners with New Brand Ambassador Dixie D’Amelio
<
42
Luxury Social Media Campaigns
Luxury Social Media Campaigns
Gucci is One of the First to Use Snapchat's Shoppable AR Option
<
41
Boundary-Pushing Party Activations
Boundary-Pushing Party Activations
A Chat with Diederik Vos, Global Brand Director for Desperados
<
40
Face-to-Face Social Media Networks
Face-to-Face Social Media Networks
The HouseParty App Boasts Calls, Texts, Games, & Screen-Sharing
<
39
Indoor Creativity Workshops
Indoor Creativity Workshops
Dolce & Gabbana's #DGFattoInCasa Fosters Creativity at Home
<
38
Exclusive Fast Food Figurines
Exclusive Fast Food Figurines
McDonald’s is Giving Away Five Exclusive Travis Scott Action Figures
<
37
Tequila-Themed AR Lenses
Tequila-Themed AR Lenses
1800 Tequila Created AR Lenses for Snapchat Featuring Artwork
<
36
Emoji Hybrid Stickers
Emoji Hybrid Stickers
Google's Emoji Kitchen Combines Emojis for Customized Digital Stickers
<
35
Social Media Cocktail Competitions
Social Media Cocktail Competitions
The Cocktail Service Created The Drinkstagram Awards
<
34
Virtual Cocktail Clubs
Virtual Cocktail Clubs
Boë Gin Debuted a Quarentine-Friendly Cocktail Club for Anyone Over 18
<
33
Drink-Matching Social Filters
Drink-Matching Social Filters
Starbucks Created 'Which Drink?' Based on Face Filters on Instagram
<
32
Make-Your-Own Burger Ads
Make-Your-Own Burger Ads
In France, Burger King is Sharing How to Make a Whopper at Home
<
31
Gen Z Collectible Campaigns
Gen Z Collectible Campaigns
ZURU & Fanbytes are Creating a Mini Bytehouse on TikTok
<
30
Virtual Protest Events
Virtual Protest Events
Anti-Racist Campaigners Launched a Digital Black Lives Matter Protest
<
29
Millennial-Friendly Holiday Wine Kits
Millennial-Friendly Holiday Wine Kits
Celebrate the Holidays with BABE Wine’s Gift Bundles
<
28
Pro-Mask Social Media Campaigns
Pro-Mask Social Media Campaigns
Twitter is Projecting Pro-Mask Tweets in Unexpected Places
<
27
Latina Influencer-Branded Cosmetics
Latina Influencer-Branded Cosmetics
Araceli Beauty Offers Wallet-Friendly Beauty Products
<
26
Selfie-Ready Beer Bottles
Selfie-Ready Beer Bottles
SelfieBud by Budweiser Was Created with Social Media in Mind
<
25
VR-Based Co-Watching Platforms
VR-Based Co-Watching Platforms
Bigscreen TV & Bigscreen Cinema Brings People Together in VR
<
24
Recreated Restaurant Experiences
Recreated Restaurant Experiences
Brato Brewhouse is Attempting to Recreate the Dine-in Experience
<
23
Digital Hangout Platforms
Digital Hangout Platforms
Kosmi's Platform is an All-in-One Digital Socializing Experience
<
22
DIY Home Murals
DIY Home Murals
Liz Kamarul Inspires Followers to Undertake DIY Painting Jobs During Quarantine
<
21
Short-Form Viral Video Partnerships
Short-Form Viral Video Partnerships
Iflix is Teaming Up with TikTok to Stream Short-Form Videos
<
20
Interactive True Crime Podcasts
Interactive True Crime Podcasts
Solve Uses Snapchat and Instagram to Supercharge Its Stories
<
19
Culture-Themed Card Games
Culture-Themed Card Games
CultureTags Tests Players' Knowledge of Culture
<
18
App-Based Support Groups
App-Based Support Groups
The Lyf App is the World's Largest Virtual Support Group
<
17
Fashion-Forward Custom Gaming Experiences
Fashion-Forward Custom Gaming Experiences
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Engages Streetwear Fans
<
16
Self-Isolation-Themed Campaigns
Self-Isolation-Themed Campaigns
Nike Engages in Self-Isolation Advocacy with Its New Campaign
<
15
Gamified Bus Stop Billboards
Gamified Bus Stop Billboards
Malibu's A Bit of Sunshine Ads Integrate an AR Snapchat Game
<
14
Breakable Chocolate Hearts
Breakable Chocolate Hearts
The Ironic Heartbreaker Chocolate Heart is Designed to Be Smashed
<
13
Potato Chip Rebrands
Potato Chip Rebrands
Pringles is Refreshing Its Branding for the First Time in 20 Years
<
12
Influencer Mask Campaigns
Influencer Mask Campaigns
Hanes Launched the #Maskaround Campaign Urging People to Wear Masks
<
11
Neon Green Virtual Sofas
Neon Green Virtual Sofas
Crosby Studios Launched a Nike-Branded Augmented Reality Sofa
<
10
Gen Z Back-to-School Campaigns
Gen Z Back-to-School Campaigns
The American Eagle Back to School Campaign Was Created on Zoom
<
9
Realistic Hair-Coloring Campaigns
Realistic Hair-Coloring Campaigns
L’Oréal Paris' New Video Was Shot in Eva Longoria’s Bathroom
<
8
Avatar Video Chat Apps
Avatar Video Chat Apps
The Itsme App Helps Users Make New Snapchat Friends with a Digital Avatar
<
7
Empowering Pandemic Emojis
Empowering Pandemic Emojis
&Walsh Offers Comic Relief with a Set of Custom Designed Emojis
<
6
AR-Enabled Magazine Covers
AR-Enabled Magazine Covers
National Geographic Created Its First Augmented Reality Cover
<
5
Shoppable Luxury Videos
Shoppable Luxury Videos
Instagram Taps Celine Dion for Its First In-App Shopping Campaign
<
4
Influencer-Specific House Designs
Influencer-Specific House Designs
Web Stars Channel Conceived This House for Influencers
<
3
Social Media-Friendly Bar Interiors
Social Media-Friendly Bar Interiors
Roman Plyus Works on an Instagrammable Bar in Hungary
<
2
Virtual Cosmetics Shops
Virtual Cosmetics Shops
NYX Created a Virtual Reality Shopping Experience for Snapchat & Triller
<
1
Luxury Camping Apparel
Luxury Camping Apparel
The North Face X Gucci Just Announced a New Collection with Limited Details
<