The new year is knocking—are you ready for the social media trends 2026 will bring?
Maybe you’re already thinking:
- What features will I need to learn?
- Which updates will change my reach, yet again?
- What tools are worth my time and budget?
- And…how do I keep up without burning out?
If so, you’re not alone.
Social platforms roll out updates faster than most businesses can post about them. “Best practices” barely last a quarter and staying current feels like a full-time job. It’s no wonder digital marketing strategy tips and techniques are a moving target—predictable one day and passe the next.
Here’s the good news: you don’t have to master every update. Just the incremental upticks that move your business—and marketing department—forward.
Social Media Trends 2026: What’s In, What’s Out, & Where to Find the Happy Medium (There’s One… We Promise)!
Tip 1: Anticipate and Adapt (Within Reason)
Business owners, do updates seem like an uphill battle? Only focus on the social media platforms you use most. This counteracts decision fatigue and keeps your strategy steady (not heavy).
With that weight now lifted, check out what’s likely coming in 2026.
📹 Prediction 1: More Video Everywhere
Your camera phone is unquestionably necessary. Reels now make up 50% of all time spent on Instagram. And watch time on LinkedIn is up 36% year-over-year. Expect more video-first home screens across Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn—and beyond.
- What this means for you: Play with visual imagery. Short-form tutorials, founder insights, or mini-case studies trump static offerings, like still shots or graphics. We dive deeper into content strategy below (stay tuned).
🤖 Prediction 2: Algorithms Will Keep Evolving
AI is steering what audiences see…and when they see it. Expect smarter digital feeds that prioritize interest over chronological order.
But there’s a caveat: a Dutch court ruling may force Meta to adhere to a purely chronological Facebook feed. If that policy sticks, it could reshape worldwide engagement as we know it. Both timing and quality would rule again, so file this one under TBD.
- What this means for you: Keep testing post times, formats, and captions. Algorithms may shift, but audiences seek value regardless of segmentation.
🕶 Prediction 3: Quiet VR Integration
Flashy “metaverse” hype has receded into the background. But that doesn’t mean VR (Virtual Reality) is gone for good in 2026.
Meta’s taking a more subdued approach, blending VR elements into its UI (User Interface) across Facebook and Instagram. Expect new avatar features, interactive video, and early chances to showcase immersive ads and experiences.
- What this means for you: Keep an eye on VR tools, but don’t divert your whole ad budget just yet.
Tip 2: Focus on Content That Connects
Good content never goes out of style, but its packaging and delivery methods do change. Here are digital marketing strategy tips and tricks to consider in 2026.
- Authentic > Perfect
Audiences can spot a “brand voice” from a mile away and scroll right past it. They’re especially turned off by brands using AI as their entire mouthpiece. What stops the thumb? Being real and relatable and just plain human.
Think:
o A founder sharing a lesson learned after a big milestone.
o A team selfie celebrating the end to a long week.
o A quick behind-the-scenes clip revealing a new product display.
- UGC = Instant Credibility
Customers trust other customer recommendations over standard promotional ads. So, lean into accruing and sharing UGC (User-Generated Content) as much as you can.
o Repost what your customers create—their stories sell better than any stock photo or generic pitch.
o Reward feedback that fuels ideas—turn survey answers into helpful tidbits and proof of concept.
o Let followers help shape products—co-creation builds loyalty before the big launch.
o Turn testimonials into visuals—high praise accompanied by beautiful graphics lends integrity and distinction.
- Reels Rule the Feed
As previously noted, Reels now make up half of all time spent on Instagram. Translation: static posts are the appetizer, while short-form video is the main course.
So leave it all on the table, letting folks digest scroll-stopping and story-first content. Here are some examples:
o Post quick demos, behind-the-scenes setups, or “how we made this” video clips.
o Share transformations, redesigns, or projects in progress in condensed, 15-second intervals.
o Give “day in the life” snippets like founder mornings, office tours, or peeks at production/operations.
- AI Joins the Team (But Doesn’t Lead It)
AI can brainstorm, edit, and outline. But what it can’t do is feel. So don’t outsource all your experimentation to Large Language Models (LLMs).
Instead, use generative AI to:
o Materialize new ideas when inspiration stalls.
o Speed up editing without losing your voice or tone.
o Repurpose content across captions, blogs, or emails.
o Produce loose frameworks to spend more time in creation-mode, not planning-mode.
Want more digital marketing strategy tips and know-how? Here is our extended guide to all-things-AI. ⬅️Seriously, bookmark this reader-friendly resource… no tech background needed!
Tip 3: Repurpose With Short-Form Video in Mind
Short-form video and emerging media formats don’t need a revolving door of new content to make headway. Repurpose what works (or what’s already gone viral) to keep your strategy fresh.
- Start with proven hits. Turn your highest-performing posts into Reels, YouTube Shorts, or LinkedIn clips.
- Cut it smarter. Trim the fluff altogether. Keep the hook, repackage the highlights, and lead with your best line.
- Add a twist. Layer text overlays, trending sounds, or quick reaction shots to keep it fun and interesting.
- Match the medium. Reformat video dimensions: vertical for Reels, horizontal for YouTube, and square for LinkedIn.
- Test, then tweak. Observe audience reactions, refine the formula, and evolve your next remix based on behaviors and conversions.
Tip 4: Spend Smarter With Paid Ads
Innovative marketers and businesses know how to pair great creative with even better targeting. Plus new AI tools are changing the ad game entirely.
For instance, your Meta AI queries now inform relevant, specific promotions. By building a “data profile of you” based on chats and prompts, data usage parameters are becoming vastly open-ended. And did we mention… accurate?
Expect ads to be woven into AI chat results, personalized for one’s interests, dilemmas, and sheer entertainment.
On LinkedIn, creators can now monetize through in-stream ads. The platform plans to share more trending data to help businesses target hot topics in real time. Translation: creators get paid and brands get smarter.
But let’s be clear: no amount of ad dollars can save bad, exaggerated marketing. Putting a big budget behind weak content is like tossing cash into a bonfire.
Instead:
- Test organically first. If your post doesn’t perform without spending, it won’t convert with it.
- Invest in your winners. Boost only what’s proven to engage or convert.
- Lead with merit. Every ad should stand alone in how it adds value and worth to your brand. It’s not meant to be excessive, overly invasive, or a conduit for gimmick-driven click bait.
- Measure what matters. Track conversions, not vanity metrics. Shares and saves often signal stronger intent than impressions.
Tip 5: Ditch Burn Out and Get Fired Up Instead
After all these updates, trends, and algorithm curveballs, it’s easy to feel like you’re juggling too much. Here are a few final ways to stay flexible—sans fatigue.
Stay in the Loop. You don’t need to capitalize on every trend, but you should know what’s shaping your niche. Pay attention to emerging conversations and be ready to collaborate when the timing feels right. Sometimes engagement starts with a comment, not a campaign.
Build What You Own. Algorithms come and go, but “owned” audiences last. Grow your email lists, communities, and subscriber hubs. Create spaces where your audience connects with you. Think of social media platforms as the icebreaker leading new followers to much deeper pathways.
Keep Your Balance. You’ll never beat every algorithm and you don’t need to. Focus on your creative rhythm instead. Try one new trend or format a month, then review what worked. Post consistently enough to learn, but not to burn out.
Remember: social media leverages visibility, yet it’s not the sole proprietor of your brand. It’s just One Part in fact 😉. Build trust across your industry strategically and you’ll weather whatever 2026 brings.
Social Media Trends 2026… It’s an Opportune Time to Stretch Your Imagination and Profits. We’re Moving Virtually, Technologically, and Swiftly, So Don’t Get Left Behind.
At One Part Social, we help businesses cut through the noise, stay adaptable, and focus on what matters.
Book a free 30-minute strategy call with me (Melissa here 👋) in January. Together, we’ll map out how to make your next 12 months smarter, sharper, and a whole lot simpler. It’s our gift to you, so make the most of it.
Cheers to new trends and new friends🎉. We can’t wait to work with you.