Facebook recently launched personalized social media avatars for its Australian site. The new code will display the avatars on Messenger chats and News Feed comments.
The new function will likely be popular with consumers who are already accustomized to similar digitized self-representation from other social media sites like SnapChat. "There’s been a ton of work put into this from the product and design perspective to find out, with how many people on Facebook, how to make this as representative as possible," says Jimmy Raimo, the communication manager for Facebook Avatars. Facebook's avatars have 18 customizable traits including clothing, skin tone, size, gender, hair color, and hairstyle.
This playful and customizable feature is a way for users to more accurately represent themselves online and will soon be available internationally.
Personalized Social Media Avatars
Facebook is Launching its Own Avatars for Messenger App
Trend Themes
1. Personalized Avatars - The trend of personalized social media avatars on Facebook presents potential opportunities for fashion and retail industries to incorporate virtual clothing and accessories into their businesses.
2. Digitized Self-representation - With the popularity of digitized self-representation on social media platforms, the trend could disrupt the beauty and personal care industries as consumers have greater control over their virtual appearances.
3. Virtual Communication - The virtual communication trend could create disruptive innovation opportunities for the technology industry with the potential for the use of virtual reality in online meetings and events.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - The personalized avatars trend on Facebook presents opportunities for fashion retailers to sell virtual clothing and accessories.
2. Beauty and Personal Care - The digitized self-representation trend on social media platforms could disrupt the beauty industry as consumers have greater control over their virtual appearances.
3. Technology - The virtual communication trend presents disruptive innovation opportunities for the technology industry with the potential for the incorporation of virtual reality in online meetings and events.