Not to be confused with virtual reality, augmented reality incorporates a digital element to a live viewing experience with the help of the camera on a smartphone. It makes use of everyday equipment like an iPhone or Android device, which most consumers already own, making it much more accessible and usable for businesses. In fact, as mentioned in a previous post, AR is useful in training, learning, and development, as it provides supply chains access to instant, on-demand information with videos, interactive 3D models, digital guides, and other multimedia content  just by pointing a smartphone or tablet at an item, known as a marker or trigger or into your space with untethered placed interactive experiences.

Now when it comes to digital content, the future of AR is virtually limitless. Here are just some of the ways it can disrupt the industry.

AR Cloud

The cloud is something professionals are familiar with, as it allows for safe storage of data. Box explains how the cloud enables you to do away with storing data on a physical disk, so that you have access to the files anytime and anywhere. It also allows sharing data in real-time for easier collaboration and enhanced productivity. This real-time component is the same guiding principle that is associated with what is now known as the AR cloud, with friends sharing a “reality” simultaneously. At its infancy, AR was mostly a solitary experience, but Forbes notes how the technology could evolve in a way that allows you to pick your own digital reality and share it with other people and vice versa.

We have taken the “AR cloud” to the next level. By “bundling” experiences in the cloud, a user can download an entire “bundle” or package of AR experiences natively to their phone so they aren’t constantly reliant on a strong Internet connection. This also lets them interact and engage with many stable AR experiences instantly instead of one-off experiences that need a strong connection.

AR in Digital Marketing

Just like with AR cloud, AR in digital marketing, particularly social media, is still in its early stages, but the potential is limitless. Social media titans like Snapchat and Facebook are the pioneers in taking advantage of the technology to link digital and physical worlds, transforming the way in which brands engage with consumers on social networks. These big names are monetizing consumers’ fascination with the technology to create branded experiences and introduce creative and immersive storytelling that they would want to engage in. Outside of social media, brands can also utilize AR various marketing channels. HP suggests creating an AR treasure hunt of sorts as a fun way to direct customers to promotions and product deals. While there is still a long way to go with developing AR in digital marketing, brands are already swarming to try it out because of the immersive factor. After all, AR opens up a fun and memorable opportunity to embed a brand into consumers’ lives — driving sales and engagement, as well as raising brand awareness.

AR SEO & Branding

AR is steadily gaining traction in SEO with Google Search at the forefront. One of its first rodeos in AR is allowing consumers to look for a certain product and provide them with a 3D model of it to be interposed straight onto their immediate environment, something we feel is a strong use-case as more consumers are buying from home. However, this feature is also expected to be fully integrated into the Maps application, which could then do wonders for local businesses. Brick and mortar stores with online listings will benefit from having visible real-world branding that links their business to their location and have a more prominent and cohesive online presence.

As augmented reality becomes part of our everyday lives, marketers will find new and creative ways to leverage it to provide the best user and consumer experience. For more information, or to see an actual demonstration of our DIY augmented reality software platform, schedule your Google Meet with us today!

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