Social media is a powerful tool, and with half the world on it for half the day, its impact cannot be overlooked. The May 2021 social media trends underscore how these platforms have shaped both business and consumer behavior trends.
Notably, brands appeal to younger consumers (who are typically not their target demographic) through up-in-coming influencers. For example, Simmons, the mattress manufacturer, marketer, and supplier, recently tapped into TikTok stars Charli and Dixie D'Amelio to create a custom-designed, special edition mattress. The campaign points out that "beds are the new offices for our generation," especially in light of the ongoing pandemic and shift to smaller, handheld technology.
To kick off the Gen Z-targeted mattress, the brand launched the #SimmonsDreamRoom contest, where participants have the chance to give their room a fresh new look with the help of the social media stars.
Top 45 Social Media Trends in May
From Augmented Reality Monuments to Promotional Science Videos:
Grace Mahas — May 29, 2021 — Social Media
44
Viral Flowy Fitness Shorts
The Iconic Keiki Kona Shorts are Now Available for Pre-Order
43
Sustainable Branded Graphic Tees
FUTUREVVORLD Challenges Streetwear Brands to Go Sustainable
42
Kid-Friendly Influencer Kits
The Studio_Creator 2 Video Maker Kit Has a Ring Light & Green Screen
41
Celebrity-Backed Floral Fragrances
The Jeff Leatham Collection's Perfume Bottles are also Vases
40
Gen Z Edition Mattresses
Simmons Created a Special Edition Mattress with Charli & Dixie D'Amelio
39
Influencer-Brand Collaboration Apps
'Hey Influencers' Matches Brands and Content Creators
38
Portable Window Swapping Projectors
The APEMAN HD Projector Displays Different Window Landscapes
37
Super-Chic Versatile Sunglasses
The Sophisticated Willows Sunglasses Boast Chain Arms
36
Social Media Animal Campaigns
TikTok is Celebrating #AnimalMonth With Canadian Creators
35
Hair-Supporting Shower Heads
Nosame Shower Head Filters Water to Protect Hair and Skin
34
Efficient Meal Prepping Kits
The Prep Deck Meal Prep Kit Helps You Easily Prep Meals in One Sapce
33
Celebratory Sushi Specials
Krispy Rice Offers the Limited-Edition Birthday Box for its Anniversary
32
Viral Vegan Blueberry Cookies
Justine Eats Recently Created a TikTok-Famous Cookie Recipe
31
Post-Pandemic Reunion Contests
Busch Beer is Giving Five Families $10,000 to Make Up for Lost Time
30
Waste-Reducing Clothing Repair Campaigns
Fixing Fashion Helps Consumers Repair their Wardrobes
29
Self-Service AI Chatbots
Verint IVA Chatbots Offer Businesses User-Friendly Automation
28
Social Media Community Features
Facebook Neighborhoods Helps Users Connect with Locals
27
Augmented Reality Monuments
LACMA and Snapchat Brought Five Monuments to Life Virtually
26
Youthful Mascara Challenges
Avon's #LiftLockPop TikTok Challenge Speaks to Gen Z
25
Social Media Pasta Recipes
Anna Rothfuss Recently Showcased Her 'Honeycomb Pasta' on TikTok
24
Gen Z Voter Campaigns
Snapchat's Speech to Street Encourages Young People to Vote
23
Plant-Based Dating App Collaborations
Tinder Debuts New Plant-Based Passion for Earth Day
22
Promotional Science Videos
Bombay Sapphire is Marketing Its Ready-to-Drink Cocktail with Bill Nye
21
Viral Berry Cereal Recipes
TikTok User Gained Notable Attention from his 'Nature's Cereal'
20
Spicy Snack Battles
Cheetos & Doritos Fans are Weighing in on the Flamin' Hot Faceoff
19
Profile-Less Virtual Speed-Dating
Facebook Launches 'Sparked' App That Hosts 4-Minute Video Dates
18
Virtual Concert NFT Upgrades
LA Rapper Murs Offers New Kind of Virtual Concert Experience
17
Social Commerce Partnerships
The Shopify Pinterest Channel Brings More Attention to Businesses
16
Baked Feta Pasta Dessert Recipes
delish Debuts a Viral Strawberry Cheesecake Bake on TikTok
15
Identity-Based Inclusive Streaming Platforms
Peer2Peer Connects Marginalized Groups Online
14
Social Media Talent Contests
TikTok Gamers Got Talent is a New Content Series Starting May 9th
13
Emotional Connection Dating Apps
Couply Helps Couples Future-Proof Their Relationships
12
Social Media Vaccine Fact Boxes
Twitter is Adding a COVID-19 Vaccine Fact Box to Timelines
11
Anti-Abuse App Features
Instagram Introduced New Messaging Tools that Use AI to Filter Abusive DMs
10
Branded Mayo Ambassadors
Kraft Mayo is Looking to Fill a 'Mayodorsement' Contract worth $10,000
9
Social Media Crispy Smashed Potatoes
MeatLikeMike's Crispy Smashed Roasted Potatoes Are Viral
8
Female-Supporting Social Campaigns
the TogetHER Video Series Marks Women's History Month
7
Exclusive Football Chatrooms
The NFL and Clubhouse are Promoting the 2021 Draft with Discussions
6
Vaccination Awareness Campaigns
YouTube is Launching a Series of Vaccination PSAs around the Globe
5
Branded Pretzel Giveaways
Snyder's of Hanover is Giving Away 1,000 Pretzel Crave Kits
4
Expressive Virtual Reality Avatars
Oculus Updated its Avatar Editor with Loads of Custom Options
3
In-App Podcast Players
Facebook Creates New In-App Podcast Player with Subscription Options
2
Premium Podcast Subscription Services
Apple Announces a Monetized Overhaul to its Podcast App
1
Exportable Social Media Posts
Facebook Now Offers and Export Posts and Notes Option
Related Ideas
Horror-Themed Phone Campaigns
Samsung's Join the Flip Side Takes Cues from 90s Horror Movies
Avatar-Based Social Apps
Metadream Launches Bondee, a Next-Generation Social Media App in Asia
AI-Generated Fashion Campaigns
Casablanca Spring/Summer 2023 Conveys a Hopeful Future
Gen Z IRL Campaigns
Hinge's Phonebook Encourages Gen Z to Connect IRL for Global Day of Unplugging
Emerging Technology Publications
New Society Has Launched Its Inaugural Book About Technology
Dedicated Social Media Devices
The Conceptual Twitter 3D Gadget Features Mechanical Buttons
AI-Generated Topic Art
'The Art of Trending’ Creates AI Artwork From Topics Trending on Twitter
Virtual Beauty Brand Ambassadors
Nars Cosmetics Unveiled a Trio of Meta-humans—the Power Players
Creative Play Pop-Ups
The Sharpie Studio Offered Opportunities for Creativity at SXSW
Metaverse Marketing Partnerships
Dentsu Inc. is Working with Naver Z on Zepeto Client Marketing
Convention-Challenging AC Campaigns
Samsung's WindFree Ad Stars a Savvy Grandma-Fluencer
Anti-Filter Beauty Campaigns
Dove is Inviting Social Media Users to Fight Digital Distortion
Celeb-Inspired AI Chatbots
The Meta AI Personas are Based on Cultural Icons & Influencers
AI Social Media Managers
Friz is an All-in-One Tool for DTC Brands on Social
GenAI Virtual Shoppers
Cindy by Imaginuity Boots Online and In-Store Foot Traffic
Gen X Influencer Campaigns
L’Oréal Paris Taps 10 Influencers for Its Age Perfect Rosy Oil-Serum
Social Media News Updates
Meta's Threads Update Features a 'Trending Now' Feed for Relevant News
Touch-Reactive VR Experiences
Presence In Bed by Annabelle Schneider Blurs Phygital Worlds
Co-Browsing Shopping Platforms
buywith's Next Gen Co-Browsing Patent Helps Customers Shop Together
AI-Powered Beauty Filters
The TikTok Bold Glamour Beauty Filter Uses Machine-Learning
AR Shopping Malls
American Express' Door to Shop Small Highlights 10 Small Businesses
Connected Gamer Campaigns
Heineken's Just Another Night Out Shatters Anti-Social Stereotypes
Suggestive Spread Campaigns
The Marmite First Timers Campaign Targets Gen Z
Digital Fast-Food Restaurants
YUM! Brands is Expanding its Technologies for Digital Sales
Gen Z Dating Campaigns
Tinder's 'It Starts with a Swipe' Shows Celebrates How Gen Z Connects
Digital Holiday Dresses
Bershka x DressX Digital Going Out Collection Targets Gen Z Customers
Decentralized Social Media Platforms
Meta Launched Threads, a Decentralized Alternative to Twitter
Gen Z-Centered Health Apps
RTRO Lauches with ChatGPT with a Focus on Mental Health
Gen Z Sustainability Campaigns
PUMA Recruits Gen Z Leaders to Showcase How They Live Sustainably
Gen Z-Focused Coachella Campaigns
Pinterest Partners With Coachella to Connect With Gen Z
Advanced Adaptive Retail Experiences
Walmart Unveiled New Retail Technologies at CES 2024
Gen Alpha Social Media Apps
'SendIt' is Designed for Youth to Socialize through Games and Chatting
AI-Powered Marketing Tools
This E-Commerce Tool Uses Customer Data to Project Reward Impacts
Phygital Fashion Brands
PUNK Challenges Conventions with Digital Assets & Physical Tracksuits
Community Commerce Pop-Ups
TikTok Shop UK Opened a Pop-Up on London's Oxford Street
Digital Wellness Inniaitives
Pinterest Focuses on the Digital Well-being of Gen Z
Travel-Focused Marketing Guides
TikTok Debuts a Playbook for Travel Marketers to Foster Engagement
AI Advertisement Additions
Meta Introduces a New Suite of AI-Powered Advertising Tools
Realistic Chat-Based Avatars
Whatsapp Partners with Tems for the 'Say More With Avatars' Campaign
Micro-Influencer Marketing Services
SCREENSHOT Micro Boost Refines the Brand-Creator Experience
Text-Based Social Medias
'Artifact' is an Upcoming Article-Focused Social Media Service
Phygital Fashion Retail Experiences
Macy's mstylelab Digital Shopping Platform is Immersive
Shoppable Hybrid Apps
Lemon8 is a New Social Media App Combining Aspects of Instagram & Pinterest
Influencer-Focused AI Updates
CreatorIQ Utilizes AI To Help Marketers Track Creator Conversations
Social Commerce Platforms
21 Buttons is a Social Fashion Shopping Network
Unfiltered Beauty Campaigns
#NoFilterJustMilani Champions Beauty Online and in Real Life
QSR Gen Z Campaigns
Chipotle Targets Gen Z with Wellness Snapchat Lens and Menu Items
Integrated Influencer Marketing Platforms
SocialTalk Helps Users Discover, Track, and Connect
Empowering Fashion Films
Victoria's Secret World Tour Reimagines the Iconic Show as a Feature Film
Experiential Shopping Platforms
sune Shares a Fun and Engaging Way for Gen Z to Shop
Digital Avatar Cosmetics
e.l.f. Cosmetics & Snapchat Debuted the First Bitmoji Beauty Drop
Luxury Avatar Outfits
Valentino Created Digital Fashion Looks for Meta Avatars
Rewarding Gen-Z Learning Apps
Kadama Aims to Make Learning More Accessible and Fun Online
Social Media Political-Content Limitations
Meta is Reducing Political Content Recommendations
Shoppable Luxury Fashion Films
Tom Ford Allows Consumers to Seamlessly Shop Its Spring 2024 RTW
Professional Short-Form Video Feeds
LinkedIn is Testing a TikTok-Like System on its Platform
Social Marketplace Updates
Instagram Launches a Marketplace to Better Connect Brands and Creators
Youth-Focused Social Campaigns
Claire’s Introduces a New Gen Z-Alpha Platform Called 'The Collab'
Social Media-Inspired eCommerce Features
Amazon Inspire Features Content and Lets Users Shop Looks
AR Furniture Testing Features
Pinterest Lets Users View Virtual Furniture in their Homes
Swipable Curated Ad Inspiration
Swipify Lets Users Swipe Through the Latest Ad Campaigns
Interactive AR Experiences
The Sendit App Engaged Gen Alpha on Valentine's Day
Gen Z Sports Apps
Stadium Live is Aiming to Entice Gen Z Consumers with Immersive Experiences
Musical Makeup Metaverses
Maybelline's Makeup Your Mix Campaign Immerses Roblox Users
Immersive Digital Experiences
Kraft and Nexus Studios Join on the Immersive Mayoverse
Influencer Snack Bar Campaigns
Nature Valley Launches a Social-Oriented Digital Marketing Campaign
TikTok-Inspired Music Features
Spotify Showcased a Redesigned Homepage for its Mobile App
AR Secondhand Shops
American Eagle Outfitters' RE/AE Shop Spotlights Sustainable Goods
Conversational Campaign Creators
Creating Google Ads Campaigns is Simpler with AI Chat Features
Gen Z Budgeting Platforms
Buddy and Klarna Teamed Up to Support Gen Z Financial Health
Engaging Youth-Focused Platforms
V&A Introduces the Mused Website for Gen Z Digital Natives
Influencer Search Apps
Mavn Connects Influencers with Their Favorite Brands for Paid Opportunities
Miniature Collectible Campaigns
The World’s Smallest Lines are the Focus of Influencer Marketing
Social Media Music Festivals
TikTok 'In the Mix' is a First-of-Its-Kind Music Festival
Loneliness-Combating Social Campaigns
Hinge Launches the New One More Hour Campaign and Fund
Gen Z Basketball Campaigns
Rivalry Unites with Basketball Forever for a Gen Z-Focused NBA Campaign
Social Shopping Features
YouTube Introduces a New 'Shopping Collections' Feature for Creators
Social Media Forecasting Tools
WGSN TikTok Analytics Harness Data, Insights and More
Digestible Shopping Feeds
Amazon Debuts the Inspire Platform to Drive Sales and Consumer Marketing
Accessible Mixed-Reality Media
Chapter 2 Welcomes New Society to Revolutionize the Media Frontier
Viral Home Improvement Jingles
The Home Depot Teamed up With Music Influencer Joe Porter
Short-Form Foodie Feeds
Uber Eats is Testing Out a New Vertical Feed Like TikTok and Instagram
Flame-Grilled Billboards
This Fiery Billboard Promotes the Flame Grilled Whopper-Flavored Doritos
Virtual Game Tourism Campaigns
Cape Town Launches a Virtual Game for a New Tourism Campaign
AI Social Media Tools
Axoon Will Post Personalized Content to Your Socials
Social Media AI Chatbots
Instagram Plans to Incorporate its Own AI Chatbots in the App
Positivity-Focused Social Medias
SLAY is a Social Media App with Gamified Positive Experiences
Gen Z Advertising Tools
YouTube Launches a New Music Tool to Connect Advertisers with Gen Z
Celebrity Social Feeds
BeReal Introduces the Celeb-Exclusive 'RealPeople' Feed on its App
Gen Z-Focused Hotel Campaigns
Hyatt Recruits College Athlete Jalin Hyatt to Attract Gen Z
Influencer Partnership Platforms
impact.com Launches a New Platform for Influencer Management
Parental Social App Controls
Meta Debuts a Series of New Features Across its Social Media Apps
Authentic Ambassador Campaigns
BeReal is Looking for "The Realest Person on Earth"
Inspiring Creator-Focused Decks
TikTok Launches a New Creative Content Inspiration Deck
AI Social Media Generators
Snowball FATG Can Help Create Viral Social Moments in Seconds
Social Media-Integrated AI Lenses
Snapchat Launches the New AR Lenses with ChatGPT
Promotional Influencer Videos
Activision Recruits Multiple Creators to Appeal to Gen Z Consumers
AR Voter Campaigns
Snapchat & the Dutch Ministry Engaged and Inspired Gen Z Voters
Youth Culture Telecom Campaigns
Deutsche Telekom's Summer Campaign Connects with Gen Z
Review-Based Marketing Campaigns
These Amazon Campaigns Bring Real Reviews To Life
MENA-Focused Influencer Platforms
Mitgo Group Debuts the Takefluence Platform for Content Creators
Pro-Community Social Media Apps
Take Creates Real Life Interactions Through a Social Network
Social Video Algorithm Transparency
TikTok Explains the Reason Behind Users' For You Pages
Automated Social Media Posting
PosterGPT Uses AI to Post the Latest News Stories to Your Feed
Social Sun Care Challenges
Cosrx's #LayerYourSPF Campaign Reached Milestone Views on TikTok
Social E-Commerce Platforms
TikTok is Launching a New E-Commerce Platform for Consumers
Social Media Star Brands
Toddy Smith Introduces His GothicMochas Clothing Brand
AI-Powered Creative Services
WePost Saga Helps Businesses Enhance Their Online Social Presence
SaaS Influencer Marketing Tools
Beeing Social Launches 'Buzz Bee Buzz' for Influencer Marketing
Creator Content Hubs
TikTok Launches a New World Hub to Help Brands Connect with Audiences
Outdoor Activity Challenges
L.L.Bean is Inviting People Outside for Mental Health Awareness Month
Secondary Social Media Features
Instagram is Rolling out the Flipside Feature On User Profiles
Influencer Marketing Agencies
NYMA Embraces Influencer Marketing as a Part of its Core Offerings
Uplifting Virtual Influencer Collabs
The Lennnie x Dove Collab Promotes Body Positivity
Happiness-Prioritizing QSR Campaigns
Dave & Buster's Launches the 'Adult Unlearn' Summer Campaign
Short-Form Fashion Competitions
#TikTokFashion Challenges Users to Create and Share Their Design
Professional Community Platforms
LinkedIn is Targeting Gen Z Professionals with its New Campaign
Short-Form Gaming Video Apps
'FreshCut' is TikTok for Video Games and Gaming News
Social Telegrammed Messaging Features
Instagram's Broadcast Channels Will Soon Launch Globally
Social Posting Platform Features
Threads Launches the New Send on Instagram Feature
Ad-Focused Reaction Tools
Wunderman Thompson Launches 'Reveal' for Gauging Audience Responses
Media-Based Music Expansions
DistroKid Users Now Have Access to TikTok Music for Promotion
Music-Focused Social Media
Musicboard is a Place for Music Lovers to Unite
Virtual Self-Expression Summits
göt2b's Virtual Metaverse Experience Uplifts Millennials & Gen Z
AI-Generated Image Backgrounds
Snapchat Launches the AI-Powered 'Dreams' Feature
Mental Health Branding Initiatives
L.L.Bean Digitally Detoxed for Mental Health Awareness Month
Healthcare Marketing Deals
Haleon Taps Collectively to Enhance its Influencer Marketing Strategies
Social Media-Building Tools
ReplyMore Helps Small Accounts Build Their Followings Through Replies
Social Media Expansive Features
Twitter Blue Adds New Perk Features Through Uploads
Monetized Educational Series
TikTok Series is a New Way for Creators to Share Premium Content
Influencer-Focused Ad Platforms
Pearpop Helps Brands Find Creators to Sponsor in an Easier Way
Filter Monetization Initiatives
TikTok Launches the 'Effect Creator Rewards' Program for Effects
Year-Long Professional Content Calendars
Content Squeezy Provides Social media Ideas
Social Media-Connected Links
Instagram Expands its Amount of Links on User Profiles
AI-Generated Social Ad Copy
the M1-Project Helps Business Owners Convert Using Social Media
Versatile Marketing Toolkits
Looper Insights Releases a Digital Marketing Insights Tool
Bite-Sized Gen Z News
Mata.Today Offers Quick Insights for Gen Z to Easily Digest
Social-Platform Live Sport Features
Threads is Rolling Out Live Sports Scores with the NBA
Broadcast-Like Social Channels
Meta is Launching New Broadcast Channels to Instagram and More
Presidential Note Campaigns
Joe Biden Launches a New Boomer-Focused Campaign Using the Notes App