What is
Social AR?
Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that brings the virtual world and real world together. Its main purpose is to immerse the viewer into the experience it has created. There are different types of AR content such as face filters, world effects, portals and minigames. Here are the basics of these types in a nutshell.
When social media apps such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat use AR effects for marketing purposes in a highly engaging manner, it is considered to be Social AR. If you are a brand on, say, Instagram and want an excellent way to bring in new followers, while also tap into your current audience and get them to make a purchase, AR is what you absolutely need.
To create your own AR filter for your brand, contact RBKavin Studio. If you'd like to try to make one using an "AR builder", you can try Spark AR. It's an augmented reality platform which allows you to make filters and effects for Instagram Stories. It's a tool, which if you know how to use well, can work wonders for your AR filter creations.
Everybody is discussing about XR because it is a new, intriguing technology. So what does XR stand for, and when should you use it for marketting? In short, XR means mixed reality. It is a technology that uses any peripheral device to mix reality with virtual space. So you could say it is a combination of VR plus AR. Unlike VR, which creates and interacts with a completely digital world, the online and offline worlds are combined in XR technology.
Web-based AR technology (webAR) is a technology that allows users to utilise their cellphones to access Augmented content. WebAR, or web-based augmented reality, allows users to experience AR via their devices. It enables opportunities to engage with consumers by immersing them in exceptional activities regardless of location and without the need for any download.
Ever since explosion of AR on mobile devices, native app AR has been the only option, in the beginning. These began as a logical evolution as technologies such as Google Cardboards, Oculus Rift, and Gear VR became available. Microsoft HoloLens and its successors delivered a rich augmented reality experience.
Native Apps seem to offer wide of options, but they come with their own heavy pricing. However, cross-platform is a medium that should not be overlooked. The breakthrough of Pokémon Go is all it takes to understand the entire potential of cross-platform AR apps. But, due to problem debugging and other factors, developing material for both ecosystems simultaneously may take quite a long time. Cross-Platform WebAR apps, on the other hand, are a terrific budget-friendly option.
With so many AR enabled devices, one might be questioning why you should consider the transition from Native App AR to Web AR. To put it another way, AR sessions are intended to last around 2 to 3 minutes, yet they often take 5 to 6 minutes to download & install on your device.
Many don't understand how it works and how should they dive into this technology. Do you have to spend a bomb to get AR content viral? What kind of content can you create to boost your sales and gain more visibility? We will try to answer these questions below.
All of these benefits of using AR sound good, but is there any data regarding the impact of AR on marketing and brands? How does it increase buyer confidence? Let's take a look.
Here's a recap of what AR can do for promoting your brand organiccally, without spending money on advertisements. A good AR filter made by your brand can help people on Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and Facebook share it with their friends and family, thereby ensuring word of mouth publicity. Your filter could have questions that users need to answer via video or it could have an animation that's funny. If it's engaging, immersive and personalized, it will stay in the minds of people and they will come to purchase your product the next time they want to buy something from that product category.
If you head to the Instagram handle of @prada, you will see a tab for AR filters depicted by 3 stars. Under it, there will be multiple videos showcasing how they have used AR for the brand. They have a minigame, a filter that shows how their earring will look on you etc. While Prada does not need promotion as such, since it's such a well-known brand already - the fact that they have dabbled into AR says a lot about its growing impact.
Digital marketing involves search engine optimization, content marketing, affiliate marketing and many more elements. One such element is Social Media Marketing. The mission is to retain and engage with existing customers and also reach new ones through consistent and relevant posts. While photos and videos do the trick, businesses can take things up a notch with the help of Social AR. Here's an example of how ASOS used it almost perfectly.
After creating the AR experience that is going to benefit your consumers, you might get confused about the next big step - promotion. How do you broadcast the fact that you have a brand new AR effect waiting to be tried out?
In the next few years, the usage of AR is going to be more mainstream, as a whole new set of brands decides to use it for growth. Don't miss out on this tool and create versatile, unique and fun AR content for your business before time runs out!