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behavioral

Social Media Usage Peak and Decline

Timeframe: 2022-2027 transition period with accelerating decline

What's Changing

Social media usage peaked in 2022 across many countries, with young people leading the decline in engagement and platform usage.

Driving Forces

Content saturation and 'brain rot' from AI-generated content

Desire for authentic human connection

Fatigue from constant digital stimulation

Recognition of negative mental health impacts

Winners

  • In-person event organizers
  • Physical product creators
  • Local community builders
  • Slow media and long-form content creators

Losers

  • Traditional social media marketers
  • Pure-play digital community platforms
  • Content creators dependent on algorithmic reach
  • Attention-economy businesses

How to Position Yourself

1

Emphasize 'anti-digital' and 'real world' experiences

2

Create scarcity through physical limitations

3

Market human connection as premium value

4

Position digital as inferior to physical experiences

Early Signals to Watch

Platform user engagement metrics decliningPremium pricing for in-person alternatives succeedingPhysical product sales outperforming digital versionsEvent ticket sales increasing despite higher prices

Example Implementation

“A digital marketing guru pivots from online courses to 'Analog Marketing Retreats' where participants learn through hands-on activities and human interaction, charging 3x more than previous digital offerings.”