# Visualized Social Sites like Pinterest and Instagram introduce visual-only social media. By [Armida Ascano](https://www.trendhunter.com/Armida), Chief Insights Officer | Published Jun 16, 2013, updated Jan 6, 2014 | Category: [Social Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/social-media-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/photocommunication ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.0/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Visualized Social trend? **Visualized Social:** Though Twitter's text-based communication proves the preferred form of social media for many, visual-focused sites like Instagram introduce the concept of photocommunication. Faster and more instantly gratifying than words, photos are the next step in streamlining media. This prompts companies in all industries to place more focus on visual branding. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: May 10, 2012 to Jun 16, 2013 - Published: Jun 16, 2013 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence) - Megatrends: [Instant Entrepreneurship](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/instant-entrepreneurship), [Prosumerism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/prosumerism), [Authenticity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/authenticity) ## Audience - Gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Themes within the Visualized Social trend ### Visual-Only Social Media Social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are introducing the concept of photocommunication, prompting companies in all industries to place more focus on visual branding. ### Privacy-Protecting Apps Apps like Snapchat allow users to send images with a built-in timer, affording users confidence that the images will be destroyed after a set amount of time, providing a convenient and private way to share scandalous or sensitive images. ### Customizable Social Media Products Nike's Photo ID Project allows customers to customize their sneakers using favorite images from their Instagram, catering to the young, web-savvy market and offering innovative ways for brands to engage with their customers. ## What the Visualized Social trend means for industry ### For Social Media Both visual-only social media and privacy-protecting apps are changing the way users share images, causing brands to shift focus to visual branding and providing opportunities for companies to innovate in developing platforms with tailored features. ### For Fashion Customizable social media products like Nike's Photo ID Project open doors for fashion-focused brands to personalize products, providing consumers with more control over their personal style, and in turn, offering opportunities for retailers to cater to a more niche market. ### For Pet Care Snapcat's app catering to a feline market speaks to the growing trend of pet owners obsessively documenting their pets with social media, providing a clear opportunity for pet care brands to capitalize by offering additional pet-friendly photo tools and apps to promote their products. ## Trend signals for Visualized Social Trend score 4.0 out of 10, from popularity 68%, activity 45%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 68% - Activity: 45% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Visualized Social trend 5 featured examples from May 10, 2012 to Jun 16, 2013. - [Cat Selfie-Enabling Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snapcat): The Snapcat App Lets Kitties Take Selfies by Pawing at the Screen (Category: Tech) Implication: The pet technology industry is expanding with products like Snapcat that enable pets to take their own photos. - [Customizable Social Media Kicks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nike-photo-id): The Nike Photo ID Project Allows You to Customize Using Instagram (Category: Art & Design) Implication: The customizable sneakers trend is disrupting the fashion industry by providing consumers with the ability to express their individuality and style through innovative product desi… - [Social Media Fragrance Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oscar-de-la-renta-something-blue): The Oscar De La Renta Something Blue Tool Promotes Its Perfume (Category: Luxury) Implication: The beauty industry can leverage social media fragrance campaigns to disrupt traditional marketing strategies and engage with customers in a more targeted and personalized way. - [Soft Drink Photo Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cocacola-happy-places): Coca-Cola Happy Places Lets You Share Joyful Filmed Moments With Friends (Category: Marketing) Implication: Soft drink companies like Coca-Cola can innovate by integrating social media and technology to create unique user experiences as seen in Happy Places. - [Privacy Protecting Smartphone Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snapchat): Snapchat Allows Users to Safely Send Scandalous Captures (Category: Naughty) Implication: Social media platforms could leverage privacy-protecting features to compete for users who prioritize data security over wider audiences. ## Recent trend clusters - [Sugar Moderation](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sugar-moderation) (Lifestyle) - [Luxury Electrification](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/luxury-electrification) (Autos) - [Effortless Rounds](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/golf-training-devices) (Lifestyle) - [Flavor Rotation](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/rotating-bakery-menu) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Social Media - [Performance-Based Creator Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creator-ad-platforms) - [Nostalgic Dating App Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hily-dating) - [Weekly People's Choice Cookie Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/choice-menu) All articles: [Social Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialmedia)