Social Media Trends and Predictions From Industry Experts for 2026

If you’ve felt social media shifting under your feet these past few years, you’re not imagining things. 2026 is shaping up to be a year of transformation—the kind that asks brands and creators to throw out the old playbook and get deeply personal, creative, and smart about what’s next.

So, without further ado, let me quickly present you with the latest social media trends that every marketer should put on their radar, based on experts’ takeaways and hands-on advice to help you thrive, stand out, and connect in all the right ways.

#1. Social SEO: make your content discoverable

You’ve probably noticed it yourself: social platforms are less and less about aimless scrolling. More and more, people treat them like search engines. Want quick tips, reviews, recipes, or creative ideas? Chances are, you’re searching TikTok or Instagram before Google. That shift is only going to get bigger. In fact, 2026 will be the year that social SEO really becomes a non-negotiable—think captions packed with intent, smart keywords, and even spoken content designed for discovery.

I’ve felt this shift starting in 2025, SEO in social media was already making waves, but 2026 is the year brands will fully lock it into their strategies. The platforms aren’t just for scrolling, they’re search engines. That means captions, titles, and even the words you speak on camera matter for discoverability. - Arina Lazar, Sr. Social Media Manager at ING

If you haven’t already, it’s time to get intentional about the language you use. That means thinking about the titles you choose, the hashtags you include, and even what’s written on the screen or said out loud in your videos.

Accessibility features—like alt text and subtitles—aren’t just about inclusivity, they’re also search gold.

We've started to see it, but social media is functionally becoming a utility hub, transforming into our primary search engine, in-app shopping mall, and customer service center all at once, forcing creators to design every piece of content to sell, inform, or serve, blurring the line between content and commerce completely.

Ultimately, the creators and brands that will see some success when it comes to their online content are those who pivot from seeking viral reach (which, is truly never a strategy) to cultivating deep loyalty within their niche and who embrace adaptability as a way of helping their strategy, versus working against it. - Brianne Cail, Integrated Content & Channels Strategist at Mylo Tango

Every piece of content, from funny memes to expert tutorials, should answer: “How can people actually FIND this?”

Search-driven social content will be non-negotiable - social platforms are now discovery engines. In 2026, creators and brands will need to intentionally optimize content for search using captions, on-screen text, spoken keywords, and accessibility features like alt text. The ability to create content that’s both engaging and searchable will be a major competitive advantage, especially on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn. - Georgia Gonzalez, Social Media Manager at Penn State

#2. Private communities: build high-trust spaces that last

As mass reach declines in value, the most impactful brands are shifting their resources toward cultivating micro-communities and insider spaces—be it on Discord, Substack, WhatsApp, or private LinkedIn groups. This trend is your opportunity to create real belonging. Don’t just chase the big audience; instead, focus on building micro-communities where your people feel seen and heard.

Community will outperform virality - by 2026, success on social media will be defined less by reach and more by relationship depth. Brands and creators will focus on building smaller, highly engaged communities where conversations happen in comments, DMs, and shares. Georgia Gonzalez, Social Media Manager at Penn State

Leading organizations recognize that loyalty, advocacy, and actionable feedback are born in focused, high-trust environments, not in the shouting match of public feeds.

People crave belonging, and niche spaces are booming: private groups, broadcast channels, WhatsApp Channels. And we’ll see more and more brands step into these spaces to build authentic connections. It’s not about chasing reach anymore, it’s about creating spaces where your audience feels seen and connected. - Arina Lazar, Sr. Social Media Manager at ING

It’s your role to align systems, moderation, and content development to support these channels!

Encourage cross-functional collaboration: customer support, product, and marketing should treat community spaces not as a sideline, but as a critical, insight-rich touchpoint.

Private groups, subscription communities, IRL meetups and closed messaging channels will grow as people look for smaller, more intentional spaces alongside their usual feeds. Less broadcasting, more engaging and connecting. - Rhianne Lee, Personal Brand Manager at Amplify

#3. AI as a creative partner: amplify, don’t replace

AI can feel intimidating or even impersonal—but it doesn’t have to be. In 2026, you’ll find that the real benefit of AI lies in the ways it helps you ideate faster, create smarter, and evaluate results without losing your brand’s authentic touch. Use it to automate the repetitive stuff, generate new concepts, or optimize your publishing—but never let it replace your unique voice.

AI will play a huge role, but not in the cold, automated way that scares people. It will work more like a creative partner that helps teams move faster, experiment more, and unlock ideas that used to take weeks. The brands that will stand out are the ones that use AI to enhance their personality, not replace it.  - Mihai Roventa, Digital Marketing Specialist

You get to decide where AI ends, and your human story begins. Tap into automation so you can spend more time on creative, strategic work—the kind only someone with your perspective and experience can offer. When you blend AI’s power with your brand’s personality, you’ll have a combination that’s hard to beat.

AI can crank out content, but it can't create context. Strategy and human editorial oversight remain important. Call it the "human signature" that makes it unmistakably unique to that brand. AI can now recognize AI, and humans are getting better at it too. In 2026 and beyond, the standout brands will use AI for speed and scale, but recognize human expertise, and the metrics will reward them. - Carmen Collins, Director of Social Media at Generac

#4. Transparency: build trust by letting your audience in

And maybe the most refreshing trend will be the push for transparency. Users are asking for clarity about data, algorithms and the real humans behind brand accounts. The brands that communicate honestly and show who they really are will naturally attract more trust. This is exactly the direction I’m taking with my team and the clients we work with, helping them build smarter, more human social media strategies that actually connect with their audiences. Mihai Roventa, Digital Marketing Specialist

Transparency is now a business imperative.

Audiences—savvy, skeptical, and privacy-conscious—expect radical honesty about algorithms, data, and the people behind the brand.

In 2026, transparency won’t just be a buzzword—it’s becoming the default expectation. That means clear talk about what you stand for, how you work, and even your hiccups along the way.

If you want deeper trust—especially as future trends in social media marketing unfold—invite your followers behind the scenes. Show them how a campaign gets made, admit when you mess up, and demystify the tech or policies behind your platform. That kind of openness pays off in loyalty, advocacy, and an unshakeable brand bond.

#5. Storytelling & originality: share what only you can say

In 2026, the best-performing content will be the stuff that feels honest, creative, and unmistakably you. Audiences have seen it all—they want to connect with brands and voices that are original, intentional, and willing to show their work-in-progress.

Storytelling power drives influence. Thought leadership is shifting from polished speeches to raw, authentic videos and social-first strategies. Young content advisors will play a pivotal role in guiding leaders to reimagine their presence, coaching them to be relatable, savvy, and genuinely engaged. But this cannot be a mere PR exercise; it must reflect a real commitment to connect with audiences and demonstrate care through action. - Diya Banerjee, Head of Social Media At WHO

Let your value, humor, and quirks shine. Trust that the more authentic you get, the more likely your work will be remembered and shared. 

My advice? Think short-form series, raw founder diaries, or showcase reels that reveal your unique process. The audiences you want don’t crave more of the same—they’re looking for stories and voices that make them care.

I think in 2026, creative storytelling and original content will reign supreme. We've seen trends start to feel "overdone" by brands (who else saw Taylor and Travis' engagement photos become memes for every brand?) and I think that this year we'll see a larger lean-in to the creativity, originality and brand building that have always been the backbone of social with less inclination to just jump on trends right out of the gate. - Jenn Crim,, Marketing & Communications Specialist at South Bend International Airport

#6. Human-led content & livestreaming: connect authentically and in real time

If you’ve ever hesitated to go live or invite your team to step into the spotlight, 2026 is the time to push past perfectionism, because one of the top trends in social media marketing is the return of raw, real, human-centered content—especially in the form of livestreams, behind-the-scenes moments, and personality-driven posts. 

We’ll see more employee-led content, founder brands, expert opinions and personality-driven posts as audiences push back against AI-heavy content. - Rhianne Lee, Personal Brand Manager at Amplify

There’s just something irresistible about seeing actual people—founders, employees, community members—show up, answer questions, and laugh at themselves in real time.

Go live, go unscripted, let your team take over your Stories or host an AMA on LinkedIn. The newest trends show that audiences crave reality, not perfection.

Human-led content creation will take the spotlight. Q4 of 2025 showed that AI-created content was nothing more than AI slop. To get away from this, brands will need to focus on bringing humans (back) into the picture and creating raw, human-centered content that speaks to humans, not bots. and Livestreaming is the last frontier. AI can do almost anything, but it simply can't replace humans who show up live, with empathy and emotions, and expert knowledge, and answer questions in real time. So for those brands that want to show up human, embrace livestreaming in 2026. - Dorien Morin van Dam, Content Strategist at More In Media

#7. Retention metrics: focus on long-term engagement over vanity numbers

It’s easy to get caught up in the numbers: likes, views, viral spikes. I feel you. But you know that attention without retention doesn’t build brands. In 2026, your smartest move will be to go deeper, tracking not just who shows up—but who sticks around, saves, and comes back for more.

Watch your completion rates, your “saves,” and your meaningful repeated engagement. These metrics reveal what truly resonates, guiding you to create content that earns loyalty instead of quick hits. Use both analytics and audience feedback to get beneath the surface and start conversations that matter.

When you measure what matters, you can build community and influence that lasts.

Metrics like saves, meaningful comments, and repeat engagement will matter more than one-off viral moments. - Georgia Gonzalez, Social Media Manager at Penn State

Attention is no longer the metric. Retention is the filter. In 2026, creators will not be paid for views alone. Yes, there are still brands doing this but from my perspective, that approach is already outdated. When I’m optimizing campaigns, I treat raw reach as table stakes and use attention span metrics as the real qualifier.

Completion rate, average watch time relative to video length, and end of video retention now matter far more than likes or comments. I want to be clear that there is nuance with this, since no single metric tells the full story.

The real value comes from using all available data to paint a narrative that explains what worked, what didn’t, and why. That’s how brands make smarter decisions around creator selection, platform choice, format, length, hooks, and even creative direction. Attention that doesn’t hold long enough to transfer meaning is no longer valuable, especially in an oversupplied creator market.- Jessica Mann, Influencer Marketing Manger and Campaign Strategist

#8. Behind-the-scenes & employee stories: reveal your real brand

Let your team take the spotlight! Some of the most promising rising trends in social media marketing revolve around behind-the-scenes content, candid documentation of real events, and empowering employees to share what life looks like from the inside. Audiences are hungry for authenticity—and nothing builds trust faster than seeing real, unscripted moments from the people who make your brand tick.

That could mean weekly “day-in-the-life” Stories, sneak peeks at creative process, or an employee-takeover video series. Especially in B2B, this is your chance to build relationships and credibility in a saturated digital world.

Remember: your people are your brand’s best storytellers.

In 2026 I think  B2B social will see a big uptick in more outdoor  activations and IRL events. that being said, I think with AI and programmatic content, human voice will be more relevant than ever and consistency for brands will be important on social for building trust. - Renee Shaw, Brand & Social at tl;dv

Renee also tells that her bets are:

• more web series/ short form content with narratives
• documenting offline experiences/ more "BTS" from brands and individuals 
• employee-generated content and programs will be huge

#9. Humor: use joy to stand out and spark real connections

Social media has felt heavy lately, hasn’t it? In 2026, get ready for a massive swing back toward humor, lighthearted content, and shared joy.  You don’t need to chase every meme; just know your audience and what makes their day brighter.

The latest social media trends recognize that humor doesn’t mean recycling memes—it’s about knowing your audience’s quirks, speaking their language, and creating moments of delight in their feed. Trust me.

If you’re not sure where to start, ask yourself: What would genuinely make my community laugh, reflect, or share with a friend? Not every joke will land, but the brands that create joy will become unforgettable. When you create moments of unexpected joy, you’re building something truly memorable.

Bring the fun. The world needs it.

It will be a funny year on social as humor becomes the beating heart of the internet. Things have been tense, heavy, and often rageful on the internet the past few years. But humor will reign supreme this year as the pendulum swings back the other way and people crave a more innocent and lighthearted experience. This trend will also create more personally relevant experiences for social media users.

Across all age groups surveyed in a recent study by WARC and TikTok, humor was the top trait that makes content feel personally relevant. But it’s important to note that humor doesn't just mean recycling the same memes as everyone else.

And it's more than just being funny for the sake of being funny. Rather it’s about meeting an audience's needs because they find the content funny, which is a byproduct of their cultural conditioning (i.e., look to their online and IRL sub-communities to identify their sense of humor). - Tom Miner, Managing Partner & Social Media Strategist at Gold Miner Media

#10. User-generated content: invite genuine participation and advocacy

Remember when UGC felt like a revolution? It’s coming back in a big way. The upcoming social media trends are all about authentic, grassroots content from actual fans—less polished, but way more trustworthy—outshining big-budget “influencer” campaigns that often fall flat. You’ll also see shifts in how brands compensate creators: moving toward results-based incentives instead of flat fees.

Invite your audience to participate. Celebrate their voices. And be thoughtful about how you evaluate those partnerships—look for engagement, not just vanity metrics. The future is participatory.

My advice? Let your community do the talking—they’ll often say it best.

UGC evolved into CGC (Creator Generated Content)—more polished and professional, and distinctly, paid. But authentic UGC is making a comeback. - Michael Mims, Social Media Manager at Faith Driven Entrepreneur

Final thoughts

This year is your chance to lead by being more real, more strategic, and more human than ever before. I personally think the newest trends on social media aren’t really about technology—they’re about you: how true you are to your voice, how brave you are in your storytelling, and how skillful you are in meeting your audience where they are.

Ask yourself: How can I make every interaction count? How can I show up not just as a brand, but as a person, partner, and guide? Because in 2026, that’s what will make you unforgettable.