Top 12 Social Media Trends Marketers Should Monitor in 2025: Latest Insights

Social Media Trends Shaping 2025: A Mid-Year Review

As we find ourselves halfway through the year 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the social media trends that are dominating the landscape. In our recent 2025 Social Media Trends Report, social media marketers highlighted that staying abreast of new trends is their top challenge in the current volatile economic and social climate. With uncertainties abound, navigating the safe bets from the risky ventures can be daunting. However, by pooling our insights, we can make sense of the evolving social media landscape.

Delving into responses from 1,751 marketers and consulting with industry experts, we’ve identified 12 key social media trends that marketers should keep a close eye on in 2025:

  1. Short-form Video Reigns Supreme: Short-form video content continues to reign supreme, with marketers leveraging its popularity for high ROI. Platforms like TikTok have paved the way for this trend, with other platforms like YouTube and Instagram adapting to capitalize on its success.

  2. Brand Values-Aligned Content: Showcasing brand values is a potent differentiator in a competitive market, although it comes with challenges such as potential backlash. Despite the risks, brands are increasingly incorporating social issues into their marketing strategies.

  3. Meta Investments and Platform Diversification: While Meta-owned platforms like Facebook and Instagram remain popular investment choices for marketers, there is a noticeable shift towards platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

  4. AI Integration for Flexibility: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing a crucial role in enhancing marketing workflows, campaign performance, and personalization. Marketers are exploring various AI applications to streamline processes and improve engagement.

  5. Influencer Marketing’s Impact: Influencer marketing continues to be a potent strategy for brands, with a significant ROI reported by those who have engaged with influencers. Both B2C and B2B brands are leveraging influencers across platforms to drive growth.

  6. Niche Micro-Influencers: Brands are increasingly collaborating with niche micro-influencers to build dedicated and engaged audiences. These smaller influencers offer authenticity and high engagement levels, making them valuable partners for brands.

  7. Rise of Live Streaming: Live streaming has emerged as a top-performing format, with TikTok Live gaining significant traction. Brands are leveraging live streams for various activities, including influencer collaborations and live shopping events.

  8. Focus on Business Outcomes: Marketers are under pressure to demonstrate the impact of their activities on revenue and engagement. Budgets have largely remained stable or increased, but the emphasis is on tying social media efforts to tangible business outcomes.

  9. Audience-Centric Content: Understanding the target audience is crucial for creating resonant content. Despite challenges in data availability, brands are focusing on crafting content that addresses audience pain points and challenges.

  10. Native Content Creation: Tailoring content for each platform is gaining prominence, with brands recognizing the importance of native content for optimal engagement. AI tools are aiding marketers in repackaging content for different platforms efficiently.

  11. Data-Driven Decision Making: Data is indispensable for evaluating campaign performance and informing marketing strategies. Marketers are increasingly relying on data to identify effective strategies, improve ROI, and reach their target audience more effectively.

  12. Rise of Content Creators: The role of content creators is evolving, with a surge in interest and job opportunities in this space. Brands are recognizing the value of in-house content creators for producing diverse content formats.

As the social media landscape continues to evolve rapidly, staying informed about emerging trends and consumer behaviors is crucial for marketers. By adapting strategies to align with these trends, marketers can navigate the ever-changing digital landscape effectively.