Virtual and Augmented Reality in Social Media – Use Cases and Benefits

The rise of social media has made a big impact on the way we communicate and interact with one another. As AR is starting to make its way into social media, we can’t help but wonder how this will affect us all. AR has such a big impact that it can blur the line between the digital and the real world, thus providing the user with a more immersive experience. In this article, we will take a look at some of the ways social media platforms are already using AR and the benefits this is bringing to the users. 

1. Snapchat 

Snapchat has been a leading social augmented reality platform because of its ability to create a wide variety of AR masks and other features to enhance social engagement. In 2018 they even created a game called Snapples AR that allows users to compete with their friends for the most creative selfie with AR masks and other images. The reason this game was so successful is that it allows people to feel closer to one another, even if they are located on different continents, and get a feeling of co-presence. A lot of times, people don’t have something important to talk about or show off, yet they are looking to make life more shareable and interesting. Snapchat does a great job of accompli0shing these goals with the help of AR content, and this is also a great example of the capabilities of augmented reality solutions. 

2. Facebook 

Just like Snapchat, Facebook is looking to connect people together, but it has also become a very effective marketing and sales platform as well. From this standpoint, they are also looking to connect potential buyers with the right businesses, and some creative sellers are taking advantage of such an opportunity. For example, one seller launched an ad campaign for handbags where the user can actually see the life-size dimensions of the handbag with AR. 

Another interesting way Facebook is using AR is inside its Messenger chat app. Not only does it have various AR games such as Asteroids Attack, Beach Bump, and many others, but it is also adding AR features to video calls made through Messenger. For example, if a group of friends is celebrating a birthday, they can create AR party fanfare. There are also many other AR effects that are possible as well.

While we are on the subject of Facebook and their use of AR technology, we would be remiss if we did not mention how they are using virtual reality in social media. We should start with the fact that Facebook owns a VR company called Oculus, which it bought back in 2014 for $2.3 billion. People can use Oculus headsets to access Facebook 360, which is a place where you can enjoy photos and videos in VR. Therefore, Facebook is also becoming a VR social network thanks to all of its developments and investments in VR.  

3. Instagram

The stories feature offered by Instagram has become a great way of adding creativity and standing out from the crowd. In fact, this made a French artist named Ines Longeval famous for her female forms of geometric paintings through AR face filters. Also, Instagram’s parent company, Facebook, has signed an agreement with the New York Times to bring the news to the viewers in AR. Instead of reading about an event and looking at 2D pictures, the users can get more immersed in the content and become more engaged. 

4. Pinterest 

Another great example of social AR is what Pinterest is doing to help people try on various makeup. There’s a toggle that lets users switch between lipstick and eyeshadow to try on multiple products at once. AR makeup try-on is becoming very popular because of the conveniences that it offers. People can try on various items to see how the products will look on them from the comfort of their own homes. This also allows retailers to overcome buyer hesitations since they will see exactly how they can use each item. No wonder companies like Cosmia, Sephora, L’Oreal, and many others have AR for such purposes. 

5. YouTube

In the previous section, we mentioned how AR makeup try-on is becoming very popular. Well, YouTube is competing with other AR socials for this lucrative market share. When a person watches a video about particular makeup products, a button will appear with the text “Try it on” which will launch a camera in a split-screen view. This allows you to keep watching the video vehicle trying on the makeup. What separates YouTube virtual try-on from the other platforms is that the colors are evenly aligned with your lips and not bleeding out the edges. The result is a very natural look.

YouTube is also making a lot of advances in virtual reality as well. They have made virtual reality more accessible since users can enjoy VR content on virtually any device. The YouTube VR app is compatible with some of the leading headsets manufacturers. In fact, Oculus Go, Oculus Quest, and Lenovo Mirage Solo do not even require you to purchase a phone or PC that can stream VR content. This allows people to experience their favorite channels in VR, thus immersing the user in the content. 

AR, Virtual Reality, and Digital Media are Enhancing User Experiences 

While AR and VR are adding a whole new dimension to social media, a lot of companies do not have the necessary expertise in-house to create the needed content. Still, they need to take advantage of AR and VR to keep up with the competition. Sourcing such skills and expertise in your local market can be costly and time-consuming, which is why some of the largest brands in the world are trusting Skywell Software to make some of the most daring and creative visions a reality. If you are looking for a VR services provider, contact us today to learn more about how we can help you.