# Social Media Metaphors Analogies and visualizations clarify the nature of social media. By [Armida Ascano](https://www.trendhunter.com/Armida), Chief Insights Officer | Published Feb 28, 2011 | Category: [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/pop-culture-and-internet-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/social-media-metaphors ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.0/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Social Media Metaphors trend? **Social Media Metaphors:** For the less web-wise, a visual translation of the crowded social media world is helpful in understanding the impact of social media. Artists and social media specialists are creating social media metaphors—creative analogies, visualizations and comparisons between the Internet and almost anything—that are engaging, insightful and provide clarity to less social media-savvy consumers and brands. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Jun 23, 2010 to Feb 11, 2011 - Published: Feb 28, 2011 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Co-creation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/co-creation), [Prosumerism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/prosumerism), [Many to Many](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/many-to-many) ## Audience - Gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Social Media Metaphors trend ### Social Media Visualization Artists and social media specialists are creating social media metaphors—creative analogies, visualizations and comparisons between the internet and almost anything—that are engaging, insightful and provide clarity to less social media-savvy consumers and brands. ### Social Media Infographics Infographics that celebrate 100 million new Twitter accounts and illustrate the 7 types of iPhone users have become a popular trend to help explain social media to the non-web-savvy population. ### Digital Identity Personification Personifying digital identities has become a disruptive innovation opportunity with websites such as Flowtown creating internet profiles as if in the pages of a high school yearbook, and Stick With Me Baby Mac stickers being created by a group of designers to personalize a MacBook in a sea of Apple products. ## What the Social Media Metaphors trend means for industry ### For Marketing & Advertising Opportunities lie in finding creative ways to visually represent complex social media concepts, as well as personifying digital identities for personalized and unique marketing strategies. ### For Technology With social media and smartphone usage predominating online and mobile experiences, innovations in consumer-friendly tech should consider how to help users navigate and understand the digital landscape easily. ### For Art & Design The growth of social media has enabled disruptive innovation in artistic expression, with artists using platforms to share thought-provoking pieces on the effects of social connectivity and identity. ## Trend signals for Social Media Metaphors Trend score 5.0 out of 10, from popularity 69%, activity 73%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 69% - Activity: 73% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Social Media Metaphors trend 6 featured examples from Jun 23, 2010 to Feb 11, 2011. - [iPhone User Infographics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/launch-of-verizon-iphones): The '7 Types of iPhone Users' Celebrates the launch of Verizon iPhones (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Developing target marketing strategies and innovative product design for iPhone users can drive growth in the technology and telecommunications industry. - [Juxtaposed Social Media Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/filippo-minelli): Filippo Minelli Creates Contradictory Scenarios (Category: Social Good) Implication: Artists can leverage social media to create thought-provoking works that comment on modern society. - [Personified Website Stereotypes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/social-media-class-of-2011): The Social Media Class of 2011 is the Web's Pop Culture Prequel (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Developing creative ways to showcase brand identity and personality to increase audience engagement. - [Personified Decals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stick-with-me-baby-mac-stickers): The 'Stick With Me Baby' Mac Stickers are Full of Attitude (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Tech accessory companies can expand their product offerings with unique and personalized decals for laptops and devices. - [Social Media Maps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/randall-munroe-online-communities): The Randall Munroe 'Online Communities' Maps Give Direction to n00bs (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Social media companies can use online community maps to gauge their visibility, engagement levels and strategize ways to improve user experience on their platforms. - [Celeb Twitter Trees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/twitter-infographic): The Twitter Infographic Celebrates 100 Million More New Accounts (Category: Tech) Implication: Entertainment companies can leverage social media influencers, including celebrities on Twitter, to stay ahead of marketing trends and reach wider audiences. ## Recent trend clusters - 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