Social Media Marketing Trends: How to Reach More Customers in 2026
Social media trends typically involve shifts in user behaviors—like preferences for video over static images—and platform functionality, like social media companies introducing on-platform shopping features. The most important social media trends at the moment are:
Why Social Media Trends Matter in 2026
Trends in social media aren’t just about being “up-to-date.” They influence consumer behavior, engagement rates, and brand perception. By staying ahead of trends, marketers can:
- Predict audience preferences and adapt campaigns proactively.
- Increase ROI by investing in high-impact content formats.
- Build brand authority by leveraging innovative channels and experiences.
- Engage communities in meaningful ways instead of relying on generic posts.
Tips to Leverage These Trends
- Stay updated with algorithm changes and new platform features.
- Experiment with emerging content formats, such as AR, short-form video, and interactive posts.
- Use analytics tools to monitor engagement, conversions, and audience preferences.
- Integrate AI tools for content creation, scheduling, and optimization.
- Focus on community engagement and authentic connections, not just follower counts.
Short-form videos are what consumers want.
Consumers primarily want brand social media accounts to focus on short-form videos, like those found on TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts, according to Sprout Social And tech companies are looking for ways to make video production easier for brands. Look for Meta’s Movie Gen to launch in 2025, which will use AI and simple text outputs to create custom videos
Even while short videos are the go-to, it’s worth noting that TikTok has been testing the boundaries of attention spans. In January 2024, TechCrunch reported that the app expanded its long-form upload limits to 30 minutes after previously testing 3-minute, 10-minute, and 15-minute limits [7].
Social media platforms are becoming viable search engines.
The social media landscape has expanded beyond newsfeeds. Now, more users are treating the platforms as search engines, seeking product recommendations, advice, and more. Prabhakar Raghavan, a Google senior vice president, said that the company estimates 40 percent of young people use TikTok or Instagram as search engines This user trend underscores the importance of understanding the search and discovery features on your social media channels and optimizing your content for them.
Personalization is increasingly important.
According to Sprout Social, 51 percent of consumers say the most memorable brands on social media respond to customers, 76 percent value how quickly a brand responds to their needs, and 70 percent expect a personalized response to customer service needs
To efficiently accommodate this high-touch service, social media teams are again turning to AI, using chatbots and automation tools that can respond to basic customer needs—and it seems to be working. HubSpot reports that 72 percent of marketers agree that these tools help them personalize the customer experience, and 58 percent of marketers plan to increase their investments in AI and automation in 2024
Voice & Audio Content Growth
Podcasts, voice posts, and audio snippets are becoming integral to social engagement:
- Audio content allows storytelling in a more intimate and accessible format.
- Platforms like Clubhouse, Spaces, and LinkedIn Live audio segments are growing steadily.
Integrate audio content to complement visuals and text for a multi-sensory brand experience.
Followers want more authentic connections.
When you’re thinking about how to communicate with your social media audiences, authenticity should be top of mind. To meet that need, brands are investing more in content that educates and informs their audiences without trying to sell or promote anything, according to Hootesuite’s Social Media Trends 2025 report And who shares those messages matters. In Sprout Social’s Content Benchmark Report, users said they largely wanted to see average people in social media posts: front-line employees (48 percent), social media teams (42 percent), and real customers (42 percent). Meanwhile, executive leadership lagged in popularity, with only 15 percent of respondents expressing that desire
As you think about how to maintain relevance on your brand’s social media accounts, it’s worth considering how you can show
Information and entertainment will be bigger priorities.
The type of content brands share on their social media channels share is evolving. Hootsuite claims that 60 percent of content will prioritize information and entertainment over traditional promotional messaging in 2025 This shift reflects growing consumer fatigue with direct marketing approaches and an increasing preference for authentic, value-driven content.
Consider adopting a more editorial mindset, focusing on creating content that educates, entertains, or solves problems for audiences rather than content that pushes sales messages. Think: educational how-to videos and behind-the-scenes clips. This “content-first” approach helps build stronger connections with audiences, establish brand authority, and foster long-term loyalty through meaningful engagement.
Niche Communities and Micro-Influencers
- Smaller, highly-engaged communities (Discord servers, Reddit groups, LinkedIn niche groups) are growing in influence.
- Micro and nano-influencers offer authentic connections and higher engagement per follower.
Collaborate with influencers who align closely with your brand values and audience interests.
Bold creative moves are the future.
There tends to be an established way of doing things for every brand. But in recent years, social media has been evolving into a compelling playground where bold creative moves—especially those that seem “off-brand”—yield impressive results.
According to Hootsuite’s Social Media Trends 2025 report, social media teams are increasingly experimenting with creativity across their channels, even if it looks different from how the company promotes itself elsewhere Now isn’t the time to play it safe. Instead, lean into creative posts that break the mold.