Earlier this week, Facebook released its second quarter earnings results for 2017, providing the latest insights into the direction the company is headed.
Here are three important details marketers should take note of from the numbers.
1. User Growth is Still Trending Upward
Facebook’s growth figures are amazing, but one statistic stands out from the rest. The platform now has over 2 billion monthly active users.
.png)
This is a crucially important metric in the social media world – and while user growth is likely to slow at some point, we’re not there yet.
For marketers, it’s also important to remember that the some of the fastest growing demographics on the platform are older age-groups. The 50+ age group is the fastest growing demographic on the platform in North America.
2. Original Programming is Coming
While we thought Facebook would release its first round of original shows last month, it seems as though they’re finally coming to completion now. First episodes are expected to be ready mid-August, with the company said to be asking partners to turn over their first episodes.
The initial round is likely to feature shorter programs, roughly 10 minutes in length. They’ll be competing with YouTube and Snapchat-style content as opposed to Netflix or HBO out of the gate. Stay tuned.
3. Shorter Video Ads Are In The Works
Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg has also confirmed that shorter, 6-second video advertisements are coming to Facebook.
With Facebook Video helping drive $9 billion in ad sales and mobile advertising, which now accounts for 87% of total ad revenue, the tide isn’t changing – it’s changed.
Mobile and video first ad solutions need to be top of mind for all marketers, with an emphasis on shorter video content coming in the future. If you need some inspiration, don’t skip any of the ads on Snapchat – this is likely to be the style of ads we’ll see on Facebook in the coming months.
This post originally appeared on Cave Social