Touch is another sense is involved in digital content, but to a limited extent. For example, users touch the screen of their devices to click on links and buttons. However, digital content does not yet provide the same level of tactile feedback as the real world.
The digital world is constantly changing, especially regarding trends that affect content on websites and social media platforms. It’s hard to predict what the future holds, but what would it look like if there was a “Creation” chapter in Social Media?
Starting today, I will be writing a series of blog posts documenting content issues in Greek digital marketing in 2023.
Digital content is the material that stimulates the user’s senses. It can be visual (images and videos), auditory (sound), or text based. While digital content currently does not engage the senses of smell and taste, this may change in the future.
Touch is another sense is involved in digital content, but to a limited extent. For example, users touch the screen of their devices to click on links and buttons. However, digital content does not yet provide the same level of tactile feedback as the real world.
According to Newton’s third law, which states that “For every force, there is an equal and opposite reaction force,” we can understand why content plays a pivotal role in the digital world. When I provide information to the audience, their reaction becomes the determining factor in the success or failure of engagement. This reciprocal interaction is at the heart of engagement in the digital world.
A Set of Philosophical Inquiries?
Why philosophical, you might wonder? There isn’t a definitive answer, but rather a balancing act or strategic application. The content revolves around three predominant elements: imagery, video (encompassing sound), and text, not to mention their various combinations.
The choice of how to employ these elements ultimately hinges on your intended audience. It all boils down to who you’re addressing, who you wish to capture the attention of who you aim to resonate with emotionally, and the outcomes you aspire to achieve.Let’s start with our first question
#VisualOrText?
In the beginning was the Word? / Εnarche en logos
Visual content is becoming increasingly dominant on websites and social media platforms.
Some people have speculated that digital environments of images or video may become the norm.
This is not surprising, given the theory of evolution, which states that species adapt to their environment in order to survive. In other words, the stronger ones prevail.
If we apply this theory to the issue of #VisualOrText, the text could eventually become extinct. The “genre” prefers visuals, which is why they are increasingly used.
While this could happen in the future, it is unlikely to happen in the near future. Text is still an essential part of the digital world, and it is used for various purposes, such as providing information, telling stories, and expressing ideas.
In conclusion, visual content is becoming increasingly popular, but text is still essential to the digital world. It is unlikely that text will become extinct any time soon.
This is because reason holds a foundational role in the digital realm. The machinery of the digital world relies on it. Search engines like Google, SEO practices, and even the functioning of Google Ads are all predicated on using keywords, impacting the positioning of a “name” or “brand” within search rankings.
Furthermore, if a website primarily comprises visual content, its capacity for optimization in search engine rankings diminishes. Searching engines cannot navigate and index the content when most information is conveyed through graphics. Consequently, when individuals search for specific keywords, the website may not appear in the results even if those keywords are embedded within images. Hence, it becomes imperative to incorporate keyword-based text descriptions and alternative texts for all images, enabling search engines to crawl and index the content effectively.
In a nutshell, while visual elements may dominate in platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, BeReal, and more, the foundational components still heavily rely on text, and a substantial amount of it is required.
The text is more accessible to a wide range of audiences!
When we discuss “Accessibility,” the word surpasses the image. Individuals with visual impairments rely on distinct tools for website navigation. Some require font size adjustments to enhance their reading experience, a flexibility that text content readily offers but visuals do not.
For others, screen readers come to the forefront as invaluable aids. These text-to-speech screen readers function by translating on-screen content into audio. However, if a website primarily comprises graphics, screen readers encounter limitations in effectively “reading” its content.
Image
The earliest form of written communication employed by humans was in the form of pictures! It’s common knowledge that images and graphs effectively convey information. Statistical data indicates that approximately 65% of individuals are visual learners. This propensity stems from the brain’s natural inclination toward visual information.
Considering that a substantial 90% of the information processed by the brain is non-verbal, it becomes evident that comprehension is inherently easier when presented visually than extensive textual content. People can remember as much as 80% of what they see, whereas their retention rate for written text hovers around 20%. Therefore, incorporating graphics becomes paramount in content creation when aiming for memorability.
Image
The earliest form of written communication employed by humans was in the form of pictures! It’s common knowledge that images and graphs effectively convey information. Statistical data indicates that approximately 65% of individuals are visual learners. This propensity stems from the brain’s natural inclination toward visual information.
Considering that a substantial 90% of the information processed by the brain is non-verbal, it becomes evident that comprehension is inherently easier when presented visually than extensive textual content. People can remember as much as 80% of what they see, whereas their retention rate for written text hovers around 20%. Therefore, incorporating graphics becomes paramount in content creation when aiming for memorability.
Moreover, graphics can attract the right audience to a website, potentially increasing it by as much as 67%. Statistical data demonstrates that approximately 40% of internet users respond more positively to visual content than text-based material.
Furthermore, visuals align more seamlessly with the fast-paced lifestyles of individuals today. With the ever-expanding use of mobile devices, which offer ease of use and internet accessibility regardless of time and place, graphics prove invaluable in helping people quickly digest information when they may only have, for example, ten seconds to spare.
However, it’s essential to consider a drawback in this context: websites laden with high-resolution images may require more time to load in a user’s web browser. Research indicates that the longer a page takes to load, the more likely users will exit the site. So, in this respect, text is easier and “lighter” as content.
Younger people prefer visual information
Young people between 18 and 24 are particularly drawn to images and videos. They also respond better to this type of content and strongly prefer it. Older generations, on the other hand, prefer to receive their content through text-based sources, such as news articles, emails, and reports.
Visual content is more viral and engaging than text.
The average person only reads about 20% of the text on a web page or post, so if you want to capture their attention and make them share your content, you need to use visuals.
Visuals can be anything from images and videos to infographics and GIFs. They can help to break up your text, make your content more visually appealing, and convey your message more effectively.
Image or reason?
Visual content is more engaging and more accessible to remember than text-based content, but text can provide context and explanation.
Too many images can be distracting on websites, so using a combination of images and text to create clean and informative sections is essential.
Visual content attracts attention and keeps users engaged, while text provides additional information and makes a website more accessible and portable.
A good branding and marketing strategy will use both images and text in practical ways.
Conclusion:
Image or reason? It doesn’t have to be an either/or proposition. “A good branding and marketing strategy will make use of both types of content in effective ways.”:
If you’re still here, you’ve just navigated through
1224 words!
