Social Media Trends in India: Live Commerce, Regional Platforms, and Community

India's social media scene isn't just buzzing; it's exploding. Forget static posts and passive scrolling – we're talking live commerce, regional platforms, and the power of community. If your brand isn't plugged into these trends, you're missing out on a massive opportunity.

Capturing the latest social media trend

1. Live Commerce: Shopping Gets Social

• The Phenomenon: Live shopping is taking off in India. Brands are leveraging live streams on social media platforms to showcase products, interact with customers in real-time, and drive sales.

• The Why: Live commerce combines the entertainment of social media with the convenience of online shopping. It creates a sense of urgency and allows for instant feedback and engagement.

• The Strategy: Integrate live shopping into your social media strategy. Partner with influencers, create engaging content, and offer exclusive deals during live streams.

• The Example: While specific market size projections for India's live commerce market are still emerging, the success of platforms like Flipkart Live, where Indians spent over 2 million hours video shopping, demonstrates the potential1.

  
  

2. Regional Platforms: Speaking Their Language

• The Rise: While global giants like Facebook and YouTube still dominate, regional social media platforms are gaining traction in India, especially in Tier 2 and 3 cities.

• The Opportunity: These platforms cater to specific linguistic and cultural communities, offering brands a unique way to connect with niche audiences. Approximately 42% of Bharat users prefer consuming content in regional languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, and Malayalam, compared to 35% in metro and Tier-1 cities2.

• The Platforms: ShareChat is a prime example, boasting over 160 million users and supporting 15 regional languages6.

• The Strategy: Consider expanding your social media presence to regional platforms. Create content in local languages and tailor your messaging to resonate with the specific audience on each platform.

• The Example: Brands targeting specific language-speaking populations are using ShareChat to connect with audiences in their local language15.

  
  

3. Community is King

• The Power: Building online communities around your brand is more important than ever. These communities can become powerful advocates and drive brand loyalty.

• The How: Create Facebook groups or use other community-building tools to foster interaction and engagement among your customers.

• The Benefits: Communities provide valuable feedback and help you understand your audience better.

• The Strategy: Focus on creating a sense of belonging and shared purpose within your online communities. Encourage interaction, provide valuable content, and actively participate in conversations.

  
  

4. Short-Form Video: Still Reigning Supreme

• The Dominance: Short-form video continues to be a dominant force on social media in India.

• The Strategy: Invest in creating high-quality short-form video content.

  
  

5. Influencer Marketing: Evolving Landscape

• The Nuance: Influencer marketing is still effective, but it's becoming more nuanced. Consumers are looking for authenticity and transparency.

• The Strategy: Partner with influencers who align with your brand values and whose audience matches your target demographic. Focus on building genuine relationships and creating collaborative campaigns.

  
  

Conclusion

India's social media landscape offers exciting possibilities for brands that adapt to emerging trends. By embracing live commerce, leveraging regional platforms like ShareChat, fostering community engagement, and focusing on authentic influencer partnerships, businesses can connect with diverse audiences and achieve significant growth in this dynamic market.