Author: Danell Burton-Worrell
Augmented reality (AR) transforms how you work, learn, play, shop, and connect with the world. AR shopping options to let you ‘try on’ products via your phone camera were implemented on Instagram in 2019. AR experiences that let you envision products in your own home are only likely to continue to drive sales which Amazon uses. AR has been impacting social media for a while now, it seems more and more businesses are starting to use it. It seems like AR is taking over the most popular social networks Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat.
Augmented reality is often confused with virtual reality, but the two are quite different technologies. VR immerses you completely into a computer-generated simulation. AR takes the real world and projects virtual, computer-generated augmentations to it. For example, filters when you take a picture of yourself with virtual dog ears that are augmented reality. You can create your own personal AR filter as well.
Using AR as a marketing tool is tapping into the younger audience on social media. People love using AR face filters so why not promote your business with it. Businesses can use branded filters to promote their brands on social media. One example is how McDonald’s came up with the Spice Zapper filter, which allows users to zap nuggets as they fall. Using filters on Snapchat and Instagram could increase sales for a business. AR is interactive and highly effective for engagement. Using AR keeps your followers entertained and engaged with the content you’re providing. While also gaining attention from new followers.
Creatively implementing AR into your social media marketing strategy for 2021 could very well help your brand stand out. Using AR as a marketing tool will give your consumers a lasting impression of the brand. With filters in mind, people take pictures with these branded AR filters and share them with all their followers. AR filters are a great way to keep your brand relevant to the younger generation. This will only expand your business and help with sales in the long run.
