By Jay Dolan

2014 is almost here!

It’ll be the best year ever!

Get excited for more hyper-targeted ads, more creepy retargeting, and more Orwellian-style spying on your every online move.

But really, what will be the biggest changes we see in 2014?

I don’t know.

I’m a blogger and a social media advertiser, not a fortune teller.

These Aren’t Trends

I can say for certain these three things will not be social media trends for 2014:

• Mobile: Seventy-six percent of Twitter users and 73 percent of Facebook users access the social networks via a mobile device. If you still think mobile is an upcoming trend, you need to get your head out of your Palm Pilot.
• Social Media ROI: Between Google Analytics, social measurement software, CRM, and conversion pixels, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to measure the business value of your social media efforts. Stay away from another social media rockstar/jedi/ninja and look for a solid analytics professional.
• Killer Content: There is nothing new about wanting something good to read or fun to watch. Stop pretending that the internet and social media changed that.

If those won’t be trends, what will be?

Top Social Media Predictions for 2014

Well, here you go:

• Someone will “own social media.” At some point, some person or brand will do something that will generate a huge amount of earned media and entertain thousands. They will then be promptly forgotten.
• Social media will cost more. Between the increase of paid social media and more people running more channels, you’re going to have to either pay more or be smarter about your budget. Get your wallet and accountant ready.
• Facebook will change. Everyone will complain.
• Someone will claim Google+ is “hot.” Most normal people who don’t know they have a Google+ account won’t believe him or her.
• More cats. Whether on Facebook, Imgur, Instagram, or Vine, cats will continue to dominate social networks.

Wait, Those Aren’t New

If you’re reading Spin Sucks, you already know that. These things won’t change significantly until someone comes up with a better newsfeed.

What do you predict will happen in 2014?

Let me know in the comments.