2026 social media trends you’ll want to get ahead on

We’re just about to enter 2026, and for many, that is the perfect time to “reset”. Fresh goals, new strategies, new platform features, and more. Getting ahead on social media trends gives you a chance to get a head start. To start the new year with a bang, here are some trends that are likely to shape what people will see in feeds and react to, and what you should be testing early on in the year:

1. Short-Form Video Formats Stay Dominant

It’s no secret that short-form video has been dominating social media for the last few years, from Reels and TikTok to YouTube shorts, and this format is here to stay. The vertical format, snack-sized content is going to continue being the most engaging for users on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and even Snapchat. 

The new year is a great time to look at last year’s video stats and review what worked well and what kept your audience engaged. If you haven’t been posting video content, there’s no time like the present! Whether you’ve been posting video content or not, we suggest creating a content plan for Q1 to help you keep you on track to create engaging content that will add value to your content, keep it relevant and on-trend, and most importantly keep people coming back. 

A trend that users will be seeing more of in 2026 is video series; video content with a theme that keeps followers coming back for the next video. Some great examples of this are home DIY project series, cooking series, or educational series. Video series are a great way to build your audience and keep them engaged. Always make sure to add a CTA or a teaser!

2. Authentic, User-Generated & Micro-Influencer Content Over Polished Content

In the day and age of social media advertising and AI, users are leaning more towards authentic content as opposed to polished content and ads. But what does “authentic” mean? User-generated content, micro-influencer content, real-user stories, and behind-the-scenes content are what people will start to seek out, as they tend to yield more trust from consumers. Expect to see a lot more of this in organic content and ads in 2026. 

In the same vein of trust, users are beginning to lose trust in brands that use AI the “wrong” way. While AI is great, brands should be cautious in its use. Know your audience and only use AI in ways you know your audience will have a positive reaction. Using it to create visuals or audio can be tricky to navigate and can make consumers lose trust fast. 

Here’s what you can do in 2026: plan relevant user-generated content campaigns throughout the year, request customer stories or testimonials that you can share online (video format or written are both great!), work with micro-influencers that are relevant to your niche that can help promote your product or service, and create raw, behind-the-scenes content that will give users a better look into your brand and personality.  

3. Social SEO & Search-First Social Content Strategy

The use of social media has evolved, and there has been a large influx in the usage of social media as a type of search engine, making social search optimization a priority. In a recent article by Forbes, it was reported that 24% of social media users overall primarily use social media as their search engine. Further broken down, 48% of Gen Z users and 35% of millennial users primarily utilize social media as their search engine. 

Some content types are considered “search-ready” and will be important to include in your 2026 content strategy. Some of these content types include how-tos, FAQs, guides, and other evergreen content that answer common user questions. 

There are a few ways to ensure that your content is optimized for social media search: captions with keyword-rich but natural language, strategic hashtags, value-driven explanations, and the pin feature are all things to consider when posting. 

Keywords are a huge factor in social SEO and regular SEO, so be sure to do your research and include keywords wherever possible to ensure you’re popping up on social searches as well as higher search engine rankings! 

4. Private Communities Are Becoming An Added Value

In its popularity, social media platforms have become quite noisy, and users are seeing value in communities to help keep the content they’re most interested in top of mind. Many brands and creators are utilizing social media groups, channels, and closed chats to offer a more intimate way to engage with their loyal audience members. 

If you’re interested in exploring any of these trends in 2026 and don’t know where to start, we’re here to help! Reach out to us about our 2026 Q1 Kickstart Package or your general 2026 marketing goals. Happy content creating and Happy New Year!