Marketing

Prism Tips

Why Social Media Is the New Front Page of the Internet

May 10, 2025

Your website used to be the main gateway to your audience. Today, people discover news, products, ideas, and communities first on social feeds. From morning scrolls on TikTok to evening stories on Instagram, social platforms have become the starting point for virtually everything online. That shift is your opportunity. Treat social channels as your homepage and you’ll meet your audience where they already are.

The Shift to Social-First Discovery

  1. Algorithms Over Addresses
    No one types in URLs to find new voices. They rely on feeds curated by algorithms. If you’re not optimized for that environment, you’re invisible.

  2. Instant Engagement
    Reaction buttons and comment threads turn passive browsing into active dialogue. That built-in feedback loop helps you learn and iterate faster.

  3. Embedded Commerce and Calls to Action
    Whether it’s buying tickets, signing up for a newsletter, or joining a live event, social apps now let users act without leaving the platform. That reduces friction and drives more immediate results.

  4. Peer and Influencer Validation
    Recommendations from friends or trusted creators carry more weight than branded messages. When an influencer or community member endorses your idea, product, or cause, people listen.

Real-World Examples and Data Points

  • Duolingo’s TikTok Classroom
    Duolingo turned its playful owl mascot into a social media star. Its TikTok account pulls in millions of views per video by blending bite-size language tips with humor. That feed drives a noticeable uptick in daily sign-ups.

  • The New York Times on Instagram
    By sharing visual explainers and behind-the-scenes stories, The Times has grown its Instagram following into a direct traffic driver. Readers who discover an article snippet often tap through to read the full story.

  • GlobalWebIndex Insight
    More than half of Gen Z users say they learn about new brands, trends, and news on social feeds before they ever hit a search engine.

Tactical Steps to Make Social Your Front Page

  1. Audit Every Profile
    Check your profile image, bio, and linked URL. Make sure they clearly state who you are and what you offer. Use a link-in-bio tool to steer visitors to your top destinations.

  2. Build Clear Content Pillars
    Pick three themes, such as how-tos, customer stories, and industry insights, and rotate consistently. That structure helps your audience know what to expect and keeps your feed fresh.

  3. Leverage Platform Features
    Explore story stickers, live sessions, reels, or short-form video. Each format has unique reach and engagement dynamics. Test them all and focus on what resonates.

  4. Activate Community Advocates
    Identify micro-creators and loyal followers. Offer them early access, exclusive previews, or simple recognition to encourage authentic endorsements.

  5. Optimize for In-App Search
    Use clear keywords in your captions and profile. Relevant hashtags and concise descriptions help you surface when people search within the app.

  6. Turn Engagement into Action
    Include direct calls to action in your posts. Invite people to comment, click the link in your bio, or swipe up to learn more. Make next steps simple.

  7. Measure and Iterate
    Track profile visits, link clicks, engagement rates, and conversions. A/B test posting times, captions, and formats. Double down on what moves your key metrics.

Next Steps

If you’ve been waiting to “do more with video,” the window is open. Scale your UGC today with Prism. Get early access to Prism and deploy your AI-powered UGC team today.