The results are in—2025 is set to redefine social media marketing. Platforms are evolving, audiences are shifting, and the competition is heating up. Grasping online socials isn’t optional—it’s essential for businesses (big and small) to thrive.
So, are you ready to “own” it… the 2025 digital space? Explore our recommendations for the top six social media trends shaping the future of marketing.
#1. AI-Enhanced Content and Analytics
The Social Media Trend: Searches for “AI-related marketing URLs” have skyrocketed to a whopping 1000% since 2023. And it’s no wonder. With AI, marketers can generate ideas, automate posts, and streamline analytics. Plus, the technology is evolving fast—promising light-speed automation in 2025.
How to Get Ahead:
- Become a Prompt Engineering Expert: How you “talk” to AI is key to getting great results. Be as specific as possible about your needs and desired output.
- Lean into AI Influencers: Follow AI-savvy creators who share strategies, updates, and best practices. They can help you stay ahead of social media trends and introduce you to the buzziest tools and shortcuts.
- Offload Repetitive Tasks: Automate routine social media marketing like scheduling, customer replies, and reporting. This frees up time to focus on strategy and creativity.
Brands Doing It Right:
- Coca-Cola recently partnered with OpenAI to create fresh, engaging posts that align with their brand voice. Its “Masterpiece” ad enlists AI to generate lifelike works of art tossing around the beverage maker’s famous bottle. Drink it in, folks—history is being reformulated for advertising’s sake.
- HubSpot also allows users to embrace AI for content recommendations and analytics. Their AI-powered platform analyzes customer behavior in real-time, helping materialize relevant social posts.
#2. Seamless E-Commerce
The Social Media Trend: Many social channels are evolving into hubs for e-commerce. The consumer benefit? Purchasing from social media marketing platforms they already know and spend time on.
How to Get Ahead:
- Adopt Social Shopping Tools: Instagram Shops, TikTok Shopping, and Facebook Shops make it convenient to initiate in-app purchases.
- Try Livestream Shopping: Host a livestream event around a product launch. Demonstrate the product, answer questions, and chat directly with viewers turning them into paying customers.
Brands Doing It Right:
- World Market includes shopping tags on Instagram product posts. They direct online browsers to a full-scale e-shopping page for all their decorative needs.
- Amazon hosts livestream shopping events that feature influencers demonstrating products in real-time. This creates an interactive experience that drives immediate purchases.
#3. Diverse Content Strategies
The Social Media Trend: Short-form video continues to dominate social media as attention spans shrink. However, long-form content like blogs, webinars, and podcasts remain essential for deeper engagement. B2B and B2C companies will balance both to reach wider audiences.
How to Get Ahead:
- Capitalize on Short-Form Video: Focus on quick, engaging clips under 30 seconds. Think behind-the-scenes moments, tutorials, or customer stories.
- Build Long-Form Depth: Use blogs, e-books, and webinars to explore topics more thoroughly for audiences seeking to scratch that cerebral itch.
Brands Doing It Right:
- Red Bull excels by blending thrilling short videos and long-form content like documentaries alongside extreme sports articles.
- LinkedIn engages users with everything—from concise posts to robust articles, webinars, and podcasts—catering to diverse content preferences. Looking to level up your LinkedIn? We’ve got you covered.
#4. Newsletters
The Social Media Trend: Newsletters are back. With 90% of Americans subscribing to at least one, they’re a direct, algorithm-free way for businesses to connect. Newsletters help foster loyalty and provide content tailored to specific audiences. One Part Social’s monthly dispatch, The Share, covers all-things social media marketing for B2B and B2C enterprises.
How to Get Ahead:
- Invest in Great Content: Offer curated, valuable content that strengthens your connection with readers and keeps them coming back.
- Leverage Platform Features: Use in-platform tools, like LinkedIn Newsletters, to reach subscribers where they’re already active.
- Build Specialized Communities: Cater to niche interests with newsletters that deepen relationships and knowledge.
Brands Doing It Right:
- Morning Brew has built a massive following with its daily business newsletter, offering digestible breaking news and insights.
- The New York Times pigeonholes targeted newsletters around journalistic beats—from politics to cooking—fostering diehard readership.
#5. Sustainability
The Social Media Trend: Consumers are prioritizing sustainability with over 70% demanding brands be upfront about their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. Transparency across social media marketing will be top-of-mind for collective welfare and safety of both people and the planet.
How to Get Ahead:
- Tell Your Sustainability Story: Share details about your materials, supply chain, and waste reduction efforts.
- Highlight Your Impact: Show measurable actions that reflect your environmental commitment—not just pledges and promises.
Brands Doing It Right:
- Allbirds highlights using sustainable materials, like merino wool and recycled products, to alleviate their carbon footprint and delight eco-conscious consumers.
- Patagonia also takes a climate-friendly stance, publishing in-depth reports on its emissions, raw materials, and manufacturing practices.
#6. User-Generated Content
The Social Media Trend: UGC remains a powerful way to build trust and authenticity. Consumers rely on end-user feedback to legitimize the fashion, beauty, and travel industries.
How to Get Ahead:
- Encourage Reviews and Firsthand Accounts: Make it easy for customers to share their experiences. Consider creating branded hashtags or running user-generated contests.
- Focus on Visual Appeal: Highlight authentic photos and videos from users to showcase products and inspire profitable conversions.
Brands Doing It Right:
- GoPro encourages users to share their adventures through competitions like the Million Dollar Challenge. Their video library captures a customer’s zest for life, whether “taking the plunge” or “surfing the high seas.”
How Can You Get a Jump on 2025 Social Media Marketing?
One Part Social’s #TrueBlue marketing team is ready to help crush your 2025 social media goals. Ready to get started? Contact us today!