Between you and me: The effects of content ephemerality and the role of social value orientation in luxury brands’ social media communication

Abstract

Grounded on commodity theory, this study examines the effects of content ephemerality on the perceived feeling of exclusivity in luxury brands’ social media communication. This study also investigates the role of luxury brand followers’ social value orientation in the effectiveness of the ephemeral content strategy. Employing Instagram as a study context, we conducted two main experiments using a single factor (i.e., ephemeral versus archived content) between-subject design. The findings of this study demonstrate that ephemeral content generates a higher level of perceived exclusivity than archived content. However, this effect was significant only for those relatively low in social value orientation. Also, perceived exclusivity was found to mediate the moderated effects of presentation modes on attitude towards a luxury brand’s Instagram. A neglected area in the field of luxury brands’ social media communication is how to develop differentiated content strategies for distinct audiences. The findings of the two studies suggest that while luxury brands reach a wide range of consumers via brand online social networking, they should consider offering the feeling of exclusivity to enhance attitude towards social media content among those low in social value orientation. We recommend that luxury brands carefully utilize the ephemeral content strategy as a solution.