A Guide to Gen Z Through TikTok Trends, Emojis, & Language: Social Media Predictions for 2021

A Guide to Gen Z Through TikTok Trends, Emojis, & Language: Social Media Predictions for 2021

There are nearly 3 billion Gen Zs alive today, making them the largest generation on the planet. With their $150 billion spending power set to increase by 70% over the next five years, it's crucial to understand the unique characteristics and behaviors of this generation. Gen Zs value individual expression and authenticity, and they strive to stand out rather than fit in. They are genuine, forthright, and rely on the uniqueness of their souls to forge their own identities.

TikTok, a popular social media platform, has become a breeding ground for creativity and self-expression. Over half of Gen Zs believe that their generation is more creative than previous ones. TikTok removes the friction of coming up with content ideas, fostering a culture of creation. Unlike traditional social media platforms, TikTok encourages participation, with 55% of its users creating content. This shift towards a more participatory internet allows more people to transition from being consumers to creators.

Stan culture, where individuals intensely support and identify with a specific creator, has become a way for Gen Zs to find belonging and express themselves. Stanning a creator has become a form of self-expression, allowing individuals to showcase their unique tastes and interests. This culture of creative self-expression is deeply ingrained in Gen Zs and has a significant influence on their consumption patterns.

Gen Zs are pragmatic and self-directed, with a strong desire for autonomy and flexibility. A substantial number of them aspire to start their own companies or pursue non-traditional education paths. Entrepreneurship provides them with the agency they feel they have lost in a system they perceive as rigged. As Gen Zs come of age, work is becoming increasingly disaggregated, leading to a projected majority-freelance economy by 2026. The internet plays a crucial role in their pursuit of autonomy and flexibility, as they turn to digital realms for work and creative self-expression.

Looking ahead to 2021, social media is poised to undergo significant changes. Censorship will continue to be a topic of debate, with some platforms becoming more stringent while others adopt a more lenient approach. The rise of vertical networks and social networks for close-knit communities will make implicit social sharing more popular. This feature allows for more intimate conversations and fosters a sense of closeness among friends and family. Auto-sharing will become more common, with hundreds of millions of people adopting this practice daily.

In terms of social media trends, audio-based social networks are expected to surpass podcast companies in terms of growth and revenue. Additionally, traditional ad-models are likely to be replaced by paid social apps. These apps may charge users anywhere from $5 to $5,000 per month, reflecting the increasing value placed on social media platforms.

To navigate these trends and leverage the opportunities they present, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Embrace individual expression: Gen Zs value authenticity and uniqueness. Encourage your brand or business to embrace individual expression and avoid labeling your target audience. Provide opportunities for your audience to express themselves creatively and authentically, whether through user-generated content campaigns or interactive experiences.

2. Foster community and belonging: Capitalize on the desire for belonging by creating communities around your brand or product. Encourage fans to become advocates and develop a supportive network that shares their experiences and passions. Utilize social media features that facilitate implicit social sharing to foster a sense of closeness and community.

3. Adapt to changing monetization models: As social media evolves, traditional ad-models are giving way to paid social apps. Consider diversifying your revenue streams by exploring subscription-based models or offering premium features for a fee. Stay ahead of the curve by staying informed about emerging monetization trends in the social media landscape.

In conclusion, Gen Zs have unique characteristics and behaviors that businesses and brands need to understand to effectively engage with this generation. TikTok has become a powerful platform for creative self-expression, and stan culture has emerged as a way for individuals to find belonging and express themselves. Gen Zs are pragmatic and self-directed, with a desire for autonomy and flexibility, leading to a rise in entrepreneurship and a shift towards a freelance economy. As we look ahead to 2021, social media is set to undergo significant changes, with censorship, implicit social sharing, and audio-based social networks taking center stage. By embracing individual expression, fostering community, and adapting to changing monetization models, businesses can thrive in this evolving landscape and connect with Gen Zs on a deeper level.