Photo by Rob Hampson on Unsplash
Trends shift as quickly as we scroll through our feeds. With 2025 just around the corner, we’re seeing some major changes in the social media world. For those in social media agencies, marketing, or any creative role, it’s essential to stay up to date.
So, without further ado, let’s jump right into the top social media trends in 2025 and beyond.
2025 Social Media Trends and Predictions Not to Miss
Here’s a quick breakdown of the hottest 2025 social media trends:
- Video Content Domination
- Ephemeral Content Continuance
- Integration of Shopping and Social Media
- Enhanced Hyper-Personalization
- LinkedIn Will Be a Prime Social Media Channel for B2B
- Rising Role of Micro and Nano Influencers
- Hybrid Content
- Social Media Automation
- Authenticity Will Take Center Stage
- User-Generated Content Will Increase
- TikTok Will Become the Go-To Search Engine
- Personal Branding Will Outperform Company Accounts
- Building an Active Online Community Will Be a Must
- Dare to Be Different and Have Fun
1.Video Content Domination
The first big social media trend in 2025 is video content. According to a study by Wyzowl, people on average watch 17 hours of online video content per week. This number is expected to increase in 2025 as video format continues its undeniable reign.
Marketers themselves acknowledge that video content boasts one of the highest ROIs among media formats, with 92% asserting it provides a substantial return on their investment.
From short reels on Instagram to in-depth YouTube tutorials, videos are the medium du jour for engaging and retaining audiences. Brands not harnessing video will be missing out on a substantial slice of the engagement pie.
2. Ephemeral Content Continuance
Snapchat started it, and Instagram Stories perfected it. Ephemeral content, those fleeting moments that disappear after 24 hours, will be still very much in vogue in 2025. Why? They’re authentic, real, and create a FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) that drives user engagement.
There’s a huge benefit to creating Instagram stories. Studies show that after viewing Stories on Instagram, 62% of users become more interested in a brand or a product.
3. Integration of Shopping and Social Media
Social commerce is the new frontier. Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest have seamlessly integrated shopping features, making it easier than ever for consumers to purchase products directly through social media.
With 83% of shoppers turning to Instagram for product discovery, the melding of social media and e-commerce is a trend that’s here to stay.
Need inspiration? Adidas, Glossier, and H&M are prime examples of brands capitalizing on social commerce. Through captivating product showcases on Instagram and Facebook, they provide a seamless shopping experience within the social platforms.
4. Enhanced Hyper-Personalization
Hyper-personalization in marketing is going to be big in 2025. With the advancement in AI and machine learning, users now expect content tailored specifically to their preferences. Hyper-personalization involves leveraging data analytics to deliver more relevant content, products, or emails to users.
Based on Deloitte data, 90% of customers find personalized advertising appealing, meaning they are more likely to make a purchase. And brands know it. Think about:
- Spotify’s personalized playlists;
- Netflix’s viewing recommendations;
- Amazon’s tailored shopping suggestions.
These brands have taken hyper-personalization to the next level, so expect more businesses to employ similar tactics in 2025.
5. LinkedIn Will Be the Prime Social Media Channel for B2B
Move over, Facebook! LinkedIn is quickly becoming the hotspot for B2B marketing. With its focus on professionals and industry-specific content, 65% of B2B marketers claim they will increase their LinkedIn usage next year.
Credit: LinkedIn
LinkedIn is great for in-person selling as you can showcase your products and how they solve actual problems.
Related Read: How to Become a LinkedIn Top Voice (Tips and Tools)
6. Rising Role of Micro and Nano Influencers
While celebrity endorsements are impactful, there’s a shift towards micro (10k-50k followers) and nano influencers (<10k followers). Their niche audiences, genuine engagement, and trust factor make them invaluable for brand partnerships.
In fact, a Linqia study revealed that 90% of marketers want to work with micro-influencers since they have better engagement than larger influencers. This trend is set to continue in 2025.
7. Hybrid Content
2025 will be witnessing new levels of automation, one of which is hybrid content. Hybrid content represents a fusion of artificial intelligence and human creativity in content creation.
Hybrid content offers advantages like quicker content production, tailored personalization, and consistent quality. A study by Botco.ai reveals that 73% of B2B and B2C marketing executives are already using generative AI to help create text, images, videos, or other content.
The blend of AI’s scalability with the authentic touch of human refinement makes hybrid content widely appealing for brands aiming to connect deeply and efficiently with their audiences.
Related Read: How to Leverage AI in Social Media Like a Pro in 2024
8. Social Media Automation
While the heart of social media lies in genuine interactions, the logistics can be optimized. After all, time is money, and automation is the key. From writing social media captions to scheduling posts, brands are looking for tools that can help them scale and automate content production.
In 2023, Ascend2 discovered that 50% of brands have adopted marketing automation tools for social media management, marking a 6% increase from the previous year. This growth is expected to persist, as automation not only reduces costs but also enables brands to concentrate on strategy and content creation. By adopting these tools, brands will benefit from consistent posting, real-time engagement tracking, and heightened overall efficiency.
9. Authenticity Will Take Center Stage
Users are tired of inauthentic brand messaging. They crave real, transparent interactions. Brands that are genuine in their communication and acknowledge their mistakes will foster more loyalty. A Stackla survey showed that 88% of consumers prioritize authenticity when choosing brands to support.
The modern consumer values transparency over curated perfection. In 2025, this means brands should showcase behind-the-scenes looks, candid moments, and even acknowledge imperfections or mistakes.
10. User Generated Content Will Increase
UGC (User Generated Content) is the future of content marketing. It’s genuine, builds community, and best of all, it’s free.
Moreover, as consumers become central storytellers, UGC fosters a dynamic brand-consumer relationship, transforming passive viewers into active participants and advocates.
Brands such as LEGO, Starbucks, and GoPro have masterfully leveraged UGC, turning customers into content creators through campaigns, contests, and community engagement, thereby amplifying brand loyalty.
11. TikTok Will Become the Go-To Search Engine
By 2025, TikTok will be one of the most popular search engines.
Surprise, surprise—or maybe not—but nearly 40% of young people now prefer TikTok over Google for their searches.
People are already using the app to find how-tos, product reviews, and recommendations for things like restaurants and travel. Instead of Googling, users are turning to TikTok for quick, visual answers.
This shift will push brands to create more informative, engaging video content that solves problems or answers common questions in bite-sized formats. TikTok’s short, easy-to-digest videos will play a key role in how people discover new things.
For social media managers and creatives, this means optimizing content for TikTok’s search algorithms, ensuring videos are easy to find, helpful, and engaging. As TikTok continues to grow as a search engine, it will be a powerful tool for both discovery and building brand visibility.
12. Personal Branding Will Outperform Company Accounts
Growing a company’s social media presence without showcasing real people will become increasingly difficult.
Audiences today crave authentic connections, and faceless corporate accounts often feel impersonal. That’s why, in 2025, we’re likely to see a surge in founders and employees sharing their personal stories to build deeper, more genuine relationships with their audience.
Rather than speaking as “we” as a company, individuals will say “I” to create a more personal connection.
Founders might share leadership lessons or the journey of building their company on LinkedIn, while employees post behind-the-scenes content on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, showing a day in their life at work. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit will also grow as hubs for direct, real-time conversations.
This shift won’t replace corporate accounts but will complement them, adding a human touch to the brand.
13. Building an Active Online Community Will Be a Must
In 2025, an active online community will be non-negotiable for social media success.
Consumers are demanding more direct engagement and authentic interactions from brands, and social media pros are taking note—86% of marketers already say that community building is crucial for a winning strategy.
Next year, social media managers should focus on building active communities on platforms like Facebook Groups, Discord, and Instagram, each offering unique tools for engagement.
For example, private groups on Facebook or branded Discord channels allow followers to interact both with your brand and each other in a more intimate setting. Encourage user-generated content by running platform-specific challenges or featuring followers in your posts to build deeper connections.
14. Dare to Be Different and Have Fun
Next year, brands that break the mold and embrace creativity will stand out. Take a cue from campaigns like Dove’s decision to reject TikTok’s ‘Bold Glamour’ filter, promoting natural beauty, or Coca-Cola’s playful twist on its logo to encourage recycling. These bold moves do two things—catch attention and showcase a brand’s personality and values.
So, in 2025, you should have more with your campaigns. Use humor, surprise your audience, and tap into what makes your brand unique. If you’re like everyone else, you’ll go unnoticed. Be brave!
Parting Thoughts
2025’s social media landscape will be dynamic, user-driven, and full of opportunities for those ready to adapt. For marketers, staying updated on these trends is key to staying competitive.
Start by focusing on the basics: be real, build community, and experiment with fun, engaging content. The more you invest in these areas, the more your followers will stick around and support your brand.
Once you have your trendy content ready, you’re almost ready to publish. However, before you do, it’s essential to have your content reviewed and approved. Gain is the tool that streamlines this process for you. It allows you to set up automated approval workflows, so when someone submits a project for approval, the next person in the chain is instantly notified that their input is needed.
What’s even better? Gain automatically sends reminders to clients for content reviews. With this feature, your team can concentrate on pivotal discussions and tasks without the burden of manually nudging stakeholders for their feedback.
Curious to see how it works? Try Gain free today.
