From newly implemented mental wellness departments to branded avatars, this list of May 2018 social media trends outline the different ways in which social networks can enhance the consumers' lives and foster a sense of connectivity.
As previously mentioned, Instagram has announced the launch of its mental wellbeing department -- a section of the company that will devote its time to promoting a sense of community, while negating some of the feelings of isolation and bullying that some users report feeling. Meanwhile, Vice's 'Like What You Hate' campaign is broadening the minds of social media users by balancing social media feeds with content that challenges a user's personal beliefs.
Brands are leveraging Snapchat to promote products, as companies like Hollister created a Bitmoji clothing line, while BMW launched an AR experience through the platform.
Top 40 Social Media Trends in May
40
Social Media-Inspired Marketing Techniques
Three Creatives Collaborated on an adidas Ad Campaign
39
Experiential Beauty Activations
Rihanna and Sephora Tailored the Summer Body Launch to Millennials
38
Interactive Selfie Exhibitions
Bangkok's 'Museum of Me' Turns Gallery-Goers into Works of Art
37
Design-Focused App Accounts
An Official Instagram Design Account is Showcasing Creative Works
36
Interactive Crunchy Chocolate Pop-Ups
Guests of the M&M Pop-up Voted on the Brand's Next Flavor
35
Age-Inclusive Beauty Campaigns
The KKW Beauty Campaign Stars Kris Jenner and M.J. Shannon
34
Kaleidoscopic Social Media Branding
Ruslan Khasanov Creates Fluid and Colorful Images for MAC
33
Relaunched Inclusive Minimalist Apparel
American Apparel's Back To Basics Campaign Marks a Revival
32
Gen Z Beauty Brands
'My Mood' is a Youthful New Brand from the Founder of Nails Inc
31
Tech-Savvy Elderly Influencers
Baddie Winkle is a Social Media Influencer and Famous Model
30
Social Media-Friendly Coffee Houses
.Jpg Cafe Offers an Escape from the Bustling City
29
Entrepreneurial Social Networks
The 'Leapcrowd' Platform Helps Entrepreneurs Connect
28
Authentic Beauty Campaigns
CVS' Unretouched 'Beauty in Real Life' Sets New Beauty Standards
27
Deceiving Environmental Campaigns
The World Wildlife Fund launched #TooLaterGram
26
Anti-Junk Food Marketing Campaigns
Jamie Oliver's #AdEnough Campaign Opposed Ads Aimed at Kids
25
Feed-Balancing Social Campaigns
Vice is Asking People to 'Like What You Hate' on Facebook
24
Social Media Queueing Campaigns
Nike Created a Virtual #AirMaxLine for Sneakerheads on Instagram
23
Palm-Sized Photo Printers
Canon's IVY Mini Photo Printer Creates Small Prints and Stickers
22
Branded Avatar Outfits
Hollister Created a Spring Collection of Bitmoji Outfits for Snapchat Users
21
Environmentally Friendly Billboard Ads
This Kit Kat Billboard Ad Shut Off for Earth Hour
20
Promotional AR Pets
Three's 'Puggerfly' Mascot is the First-Ever Augmented Reality Snapchat Pet
19
Extensive Restaurant Loyalty Programs
TGI Friday's Offers Specific Rewards with a New Point System
18
Social Media Car Experiences
BMW's AR Experience is Available Through Snapchat
17
Color-In Mobile Posters
BBH LA Created Customizable Posters for Instagram for Teens to Share
16
Record-Breaking Livestreams
The elrubiusOMG Livestream Brought in 1.1 Million Viewers on YouTube
15
Video-Based Group Therapy Platforms
The Campfire Platform Helps Users Build a Caring Social Group
14
Healthcare Professional Social Apps
The Figure 1 App Helps Users Stay Up to Date on Current Cases
13
Crowdsourced Photography Apps
This App Offers Tips On Local Photography Sites, Transit & Weather
12
AR Movie Lenses
The Jumanji DVD Uses Snapchat Lenses to Immerse Viewers in a Jungle Enviroment
11
Happiness-Focused Social Media Departments
Instagram is Launching a 'Wellbeing Team' Department
10
Russian Bot Social Filters
This Snapchat April Fools Filter Mocked Recent Facebook News
9
Social Media-Savvy Escalators
In an Attempt to Humanize Technology, KONE's Escalator Has Twitter
8
Gamified AR Lenses
Snapchat 'Snappables' Can Be Altered by Touch, Motion and Expression
7
Hashtag-Based Ordering Services
The DUSSE100 Hashtag Helps Drinkers Reserve a D’ussé VSOP Bottle
6
Social Media Egg Hunts
Cadbury Set Up an Interactive Easter Egg Hunt on Facebook 360
5
Social Media-Inspired Capsules
ADER Error's 'A Mobile Space' Range is Its Latest Resort Collection
4
Updated Social Media Glasses
'Spectacles V2' Improve Upon Snapchat's First Recording Glasses
3
Social Podcast App Features
The Anchor Cohost Feature Connects Users for New Projects
2
Expansive Group Chats
The Snapchat Group Chat and Mention Feature Bring New Life to the App
1
Privacy-Ensuring Extensions
Mozilla's 'Facebook Container' Keeps Facebook Data Private
Related Ideas
Virtual Fashion Contests
Bratz and ZEPETO Launch a Four-Week Avatar Styling Challenge
Location-Based Social Media Features
Instagram Map Connects Friends Who are Nearby One Another
AI Mental Support Tools
MindPeace AI Offers Mental Wellbeing Support Through Adaptive Interaction
Positive Social Media Campaigns
The New Tumblr Campaign Champions Community Over Controversy
Gen-Z-Focused AR Campaigns
American Eagle Launched an AE Jeans Try-on Haul Lens
Creative Online Social Networks
BuzzFeed Introduces the New BF Island Social Network
Social Media-Inspired Retail Apps
Depop Outfits Lets Users Create Moodboards and Collages
AR-Powered Vending Machines
Snapchat and L’Oréal Made a Gamified Lens to Share Refillable Haircare
Beauty Hack-Inspired Campaigns
Vaseline Launched 'Vaseline World' Based on Social Media Content
AI-Driven Product Photoshoots
Unilever Shared Its Use of AI and Digital Twins at NVIDIA GTC 2025
Vibrant Mental Health Campaigns
CDC Has Launched the Playfully Illustrated Free Mind
Authentic Connection Campaigns
Heineken's Hijack Socialization Encourages Out-of-Home Gatherings
Supportive Mental Wellness Initiatives
Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation Highlights Its Commitment
In-App Mental Health Features
Snapchat Launches 'Here For You' Canada for Young Users
Influencer-Driven Consumer Insight Tools
Brilli™ is a New Tool That Disrupts Food Research
Real-Life Mood-Board Transformations
Pinterest Launches the 'Bring My Pinterest to Life' Series
Digital Twin Models
H&M is Working with Models & Agencies to Replicate Virtual Likenesses
Substance Use Narrative Shifts
The Missing Issue Offers a New Perspective on Celebrity Struggles
Social Media Analysis Tools
AI Share Of Voice Calculator Tracks Brand Visibility and Competitors
Algorithmic Reset Campaigns
Länsförsäkringar's Algorithm Cleansing Song Brings Positivity to Feeds
Interactive AR Avocado Scans
Chipotle Launches its 'AvoLotto Lens' on Snapchat
Workplace-Focused Mental Health Training
meQuilibrium Debuts Programs for World Mental Health Day
Emotional Support Apps
EmotiTalk Provides AI Tools For Stress Relief And Emotional Balance
Social AI Video Lenses
Snapchat Brings Photo-To-Video AI to Lens Studio
Creator Community-Focused Platforms
Gap Inc. Has Introduced a New Centralized Program
Live Social Shopping Expansions
QVC® Announces New Brands That Will Join Its Roster in 2026
Mental Health Therapy Apps
Brain-Body Therapy
AI-Powered Social AR Apps
The Snap Lens Studio Lets Any User Create Their Own Effects
Cross-Industry Insight Networks
The Think Party Explores the Future of Socialization
Varsity Influencer Teams
UNC Turns Student-Athletes Into Social Media Monetization Experts
Customer-Starring Billboards
Bobbie's Campaign Spotlights Moms as "the OG Influencers"
Marketer-Targeted Albums
The Spotify Tunetorials Campaign Blurs Education and Entertainment
Bold Beauty Campaigns
IPSY Reframes Beauty as a Hobby with the 'I Play Beauty' Campaign
AI Video Insights
Sora Creators Curates Trending AI-Generated Videos from Twitter in Real-Time
Imaginative Fantasy-Inspired Campaigns
Canva Spotlights its Creative Tools Ahead of Halloween
Shoppable AR Villages
The Snapchat Winter Village Has Three Immersive Luxury Brand Boutiques
GenAI Social Media Lenses
The Imagine Lens Lets Snapchat Users Type to Bring Ideas to Life
Music Scene-Informed Luxury Campaigns
Burberry Taps Twiggy for Spring 2026 Advertising Campaign
Social Insight Tools
Currents AI Turns Social Media Data Into Actionable Business Insights
Health-Focused Body Positivity Apps
Stories with Substance Collaborates with the UnderBelly
Brand-Influencer Collaboration Tools
Squad Debuts a New Sponsor Button on Famous Birthdays
Comprehensive Fast Food Reports
Yum! Brands, Inc. Explores Food Trends Influencing the Industry
AI Influencer Platforms
Statusphere Raised $18 Million to Scale Micro-Influencer Marketing
Digital Wellness Platforms
Vibe Lives App Supports Mental Health With Frequencies And Community
Self-Expression Festival Activations
Barbie Brings Customizable Persona-Building to Coachella
Social Commerce Integrations
Ulta Beauty Launches a Creator-Driven TikTok Shop
Content Planner Tools
Social Media Content Planner Helps Users Plan And Post On Notion
Digital Well-Being Updates
Tiktok Adds Mindfulness Tools and User Controls Over Ai Content
Social Media Meditation Features
The TikTok Meditation Feature Helps Users Take a Break
Shoppable Reel Features
Meta Expands Reels with Product Tagging on Instagram and Facebook
Consumer Insight Engines
Buzzabout Delivers Real-Time Insights From Billions of Conversations
Anti-Algorithm Social Platforms
Buzzfeed’s Branch Office Creates Interactive AI-Powered Apps
Empowering Fashion Campaigns
Coach's Spring 2025 Campaign Celebrates Personal Time Management
Social Content Creators
SmilesFlow Lets You Create Unique, Interactive Content for Sharing
Mindful Skincare Programs
Tatcha and Open Launched a Guided Program on World Mental Health Day
Authentic Skincare Campaigns
We are Social France Spotlights Avène’s New Anti-Blemish Cream
Mental Health-Focused Athlete Services
The Professional Tennis Players Association Taps Psych Hub
AI-Powered Social Media Lenses
Snap Announced AI Video Lenses for Snapchat Platinum Subscribers
Comprehensive Wellness-Celebrating Initatives
Live Love Spa Marks National Wellness Month
Localized Retail Media Platforms
Snappy Shopper Launches Connect, a Retail Media Network
Musical Wellbeing Campaigns
ASICS Launches the ‘Move Your Body, Move Your Mind’ Campaign
Intention-Driven Social Feeds
West Co’s Tangle App Turns Daily Intentions Into Shared Plans
Wellness-First Social Networks
Communia Turns Social Media into Social Self-Care
Creativity-Celebrating Social Media Awards
The Instagram Rings Award Honors Exemplary Creators
Content Creation Tools
AI Social Media Post Generator Creates Platform-Ready Content Fast
Social Shopping Integrations
The MONAT Tiktok Shop Strengthens the Direct Sales Business Model
Streaming Moments Surge
Spotify’s Wrapped 2025 Engages Users with Personalized Year-in-Review
Mood Insight Tools
Emotion Helps Users Quickly Identify Factors Behind Shifts In Mood And Energy
Social Media Aggregators
Feed Page Centralizes And Shares All Your Social Media Updates
Celebrity Wellness Brand Expansions
Bob Marley's Estate Expanded into Natural Health Markets
Emotional Tracker Apps
Feel Like Lets Users Track Emotions Visually With Colors, Shapes, And Emoji
AI-Created Video Feeds
Meta Introduces Vibes as a Social Platform Driven by AI-Generated Posts
Social Content Platforms
WiseContent Helps You Generate, Optimize, and Share Social Posts
AI-Assisted Messaging
WhatsApp Introduces AI Writing Help and Photo Editing Features
Emotional Wellness Trackers
MoodLlama Tracks Moods And Reveals Patterns To Support Well-Being
Unified Social Management
Social Champ Simplifies Multi-Platform Posting & Analytics For Agencies
Social Media Hubs
Unified Socials Centralizes Management Across Multiple Platforms
Mom-Focused Mindfulness Initiatives
Little Bellies and Headspace Support the Wellbeing of Moms
Introvert-Friendly Social Platforms
The 'Introvrs' Social App Connects Like-Minded Users
On-Demand Content Creation Apps
Social Agent Connects Users to Certified Content Creators
Emerging Market Insights
Rising Trends Helps Discover Hidden Markets And Business Opportunities
Custom AI Social Feeds
Bluesky’s Attie Lets Users Build Feeds with AI
Social Video Beauty Brands
Time Inc. Unveils 'The Pretty' Social Video-Based Beauty Brand
Social Media Automation Tools
Olly 2.0 Boosts Engagement Across 15+ Social Platforms With AI
Social-First Beauty Retailers
Sally Beauty Joins TikTok Shop
Social Media Personality Analysis
My Insta Personality Generats Insights Into Instagram Profiles
Digital Journaling Platforms
Moments Helps Users Reflect, Track, and Journal for Personal Growth
Expanded Wellness Retail Assortments
Target Added 30% More Wellness Products to Its Shelves
Social Media-Inspired Streaming Apps
The Netflix App Feed Will Introduce a TikTok-Like Style
Multimodal Social AIs
Meta’s Muse Spark Enables Image and Social Awareness
Parental Social Media Alerts
This Instagram Alert Will Let Parents Know of Troubling Teen Searches
Women's Wellness Campaigns
NOW Foods Launches Be You, NOW Campaign to Empower Women's Wellness
Wellness Tracking Templates
Mental Health & Habits Tracker Helps You Monitor Wellness in Notion
Emotional Wellness Platforms
Jammy.chat Combines Music & Support For Personalized Mental Wellbeing
Experiential Grocery Campaigns
No Name launches a multi-city grocery goss campaign
Nostalgic Beauty Campaigns
Dove's #UnseenBeauty Initiative Challenges Y2K Beauty Standards
Peer Support Wellness Apps
Kuky Gains Momentum as a Peer Support App in the Mental Wellness Space
Brand Identity Analyzers
Identscope Analyzes Social Media Profiles To Reveal Brand Identity
Total Wellness Platforms
CARE Integrates Biological, Psychological, Social, and Spiritual Health
Brand Asset Creators
Assets Generator Lets Users Create Social Media Images And Marketing Assets
Mental Health Platforms
Moodia App Connects Patients And Doctors Through Digital Care Tools
Social Media Creator Initiatives
Snapchat Launches its Gen Z-Focused Creator Connect Service
Social Media Growth Tools
PulseUp.top Simplifies Social Media Management & Business Opportunities
Focused Social Platforms
LastWeekend Prioritizes Sharing Moments With People Who Matter Most
Personalized Quote Apps
Thoughtbullet Delivers Daily Quotes Tailored To Your Preferences
Real-Time Sharing Apps
MomentsHub Lets You Discover And Share Nearby Experiences Instantly
Peer Support Chats
FindAlikeMe Connects You with People Facing Similar Challenges
Generational Wellness Campaigns
Sports Research Evolved Its Marketing into a Cultural Movement
Expressive App Icons
The Instagram Teen Icons Deliver Vibrant Customization for Younger Users
Social Media Sticker Tools
Instagram Comment Sticker Generator Creates Engaging Reply Stickers
Teen Content Filters
Instagram Expands Age-Rated Experiences with Stricter Parental Controls
AI Social Connectors
Blurbs Provides AI-Moderated Group Chats To Foster Genuine Connections
Conversation Tracking Keywords
Bluesky Keywords Helps You Track Mentions And Insights In Real Time
Digital Wellness Tools
GratitudeBuddy Boosts Mental Wellbeing Through Daily Gratitude Journaling
Mood Tracking Platforms
TemperedMe Helps Users Track Emotions and Daily Activities Easily
Audience Insight Hubs
Bluesky Analytics Helps Track Engagement and Schedule Posts Across Platforms
Paired-Down Social Media Platforms
Month Friend Boasts a New Experience in the Hyper-Digital World
Creator Collaboration Platforms
Talen Together Connects Creators With Brands For Sponsorships
Mood Insight Trackers
Moodsy Tracks Emotions, Habits, And Playlists For Daily Wellbeing
Editable Comment Features
Instagram Adds 15-Minute Comment Editing Option
Digital Mental Cares
Wellness AI Delivers Personalized AI Therapy And Custom Meditations
B2B Social Intelligence
Octolens Tracks Brand Mentions and Keywords With B2B-Focused AI
Purpose-Led Emerging Brands Initiatives
7-Eleven Taps 27 Brands for Its 2026 Brands with Heart™
Mental Wellness Journaling
Sunrise Offers Guided Journaling And Supportive Mental Health Feedback
Private Sharing Apps
Waffle Helps Friends Share Daily Moments And Stay Connected Authentically
Digital Wellness Hubs
Calm Heaven Provides Tools For Journaling, Meditation, And Community Support
Engagement Timing Insights
DontPostYet Uses Live Analytics To Optimize Social Media Posting Times
Tech-Enhanced Marketing Tools
Sprout Social Has Introduced Upgrades to Its Customer Care Platform
Mental Health Support
Burble Offers Daily Wellness Content To Support Emotional Well-being
AI-Powered Animation Tools
Facebook Adds AI-Powered Animation And Restyle Tools
Thinking Emoji Guides
Thinking Emoji Explains How To Use The Emoji Across Social Media
Simplified Social Platforms
Happy Feed Is A Minimalist Twitter Experience With Fewer Distractions
Personalized News Feeds
Moodscroll Curates News Based on Your Mood and Preferences
Conversation Catalyst Tools
With Offers Meaningful Prompts to Deepen Relationships and Reflection
Group Challenge Apps
Challenge Friends Lets Users Complete 30-Day Self-Improvement Challenges
Life Event Portfolios
Build and Share Life’s Key Moments With Milestones’ Curated Event Portfolio
Social Workplace Branding Tools
Soshial Helps You Build and Grow a Personal Brand on LinkedIn
Shared Emotional Support
MentalJourney Connects Through Real Stories to Build Emotional Support
AI-Powered Scam Alerts
Meta Launches Scam Protection Features Across Its Social Platforms
Social Sharing Tools
Social Plus Expands Your Reach With Shared Posts Across Platforms