Social media trends: What’s here to stay in 2024 and what’s coming in 2025

Introduction: Social Media Trends Now

Social media evolves constantly, pushing brands, influencers, and marketers to adapt quickly to stay ahead of the game. In 2024, trends that redefined how we interact, create, and market have solidified their place in digital strategy. Social media marketing plays a crucial role in adapting to these new trends, helping businesses expand their online presence and engage with their audience effectively. A comprehensive marketing strategy that integrates these trends is essential for leveraging emerging opportunities and enhancing overall effectiveness. But as we look ahead to 2025, new trends are emerging, promising fresh opportunities and shifts in how we engage with audiences.

From the rise of AI-generated content to short-form video dominance and hyper-personalized user experiences, understanding which trends are here to stay and what’s on the horizon can make or break a brand’s social media strategy. In this blog, we’ll dive into the top social media trends that that are thriving in 2024 and the ones that are shaping up to lead the way in 2025.

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Social media trends that are here to stay in 2024

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1. Short-form video remains king

The short-form video boom, driven by platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, has become the best way to captivate and engage audiences.  Quick, punchy videos keep users hooked while offering brands an opportunity to tell stories, showcase products, and drive conversions effectively.

• Why it works: Attention spans are shrinking, and short-form video caters to quick entertainment or information consumption.
• Staying power: Platforms are prioritizing video content in algorithms, rewarding creators and brands with higher reach.

Short-form video content was undeniably dominant in 2024 and shows no signs of slowing down in 2025. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts will continue to prioritize and push short, engaging formats. Brands and social media marketers are expected to refine their approach even further in 2025 by experimenting with trends, interactive challenges, and creative hooks to keep their content fresh, entertaining, and relevant to evolving audience preferences.

2. AI-powered content creation

AI tools like ChatGPT, MidJourney, and Canva AI have changed the content creation game. In 2024, brands and creators are leveraging AI for ideation, copywriting, image generation, and video editing to streamline content production processes and increase output.

• Why it works: AI allows marketers to save time, maintain creative quality, and produce content at scale.
• Staying power: The role of AI will only grow as tools become more accessible and sophisticated.

AI-powered tools were a game-changer in 2024, streamlining workflows beyond content creation. From scheduling posts and curating personalized recommendations to analyzing performance data, AI has made social media management more efficient than ever. Looking ahead to 2025, AI will continue to play a prominent role, with even more advanced tools helping brands scale operations, optimize strategies, and enhance creativity without sacrificing efficiency. AI is also enhancing social media marketing strategies by integrating trends and analytics to expand online presence and boost audience engagement.

3. Authenticity and relatability

While polished content had its time, audiences now crave authenticity and relatable posts from both brands and influencers. In 2024, creators are ditching overly curated feeds in favor of real-life content, honest reviews, and unfiltered experiences. Influencer marketing plays a crucial role in this shift, promoting authenticity and relatability by leveraging the trust and credibility of micro and nano-influencers.

• Why it works: Consumers trust real people over staged advertisements. Transparency fosters stronger connections and loyalty.
• Staying power: Platforms like TikTok and Instagram reward authentic content with higher engagement.

Authenticity also extends to brands’ values and transparency. Audiences want to see brands taking real stances on issues, being honest about their products, and acknowledging customer feedback. Expect raw, behind the scenes content, unedited “day in the life” videos, and interactive Q&As to continue thriving as brands and creators prioritize meaningful audience connections.

4. Social commerce continues to grow

Social commerce—shopping directly through social media platforms—has cemented itself as a major trend in 2024. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook have streamlined shopping features, allowing users to discover products, browse reviews, and purchase without leaving the app. Social media advertising plays a crucial role in driving social commerce by targeting highly personalized ad content to enhance consumer engagement.

• Why it works: It reduces friction in the buyer’s journey and capitalizes on impulse purchases.
• Staying power: With younger generations preferring seamless, mobile-first shopping, social commerce will remain essential for brands.

Livestream shopping events were a major driver of social commerce in 2024, blending entertainment with real-time product purchasing. Influencers and brands successfully used live showcases to engage audiences and boost sales directly through platforms. As we move into 2025, this trend is expected to remain strong, with even more interactive and immersive shopping experiences. Brands will continue to leverage influencers to seamlessly integrate product promotions, creating a more dynamic and engaging way to shop online.

5. Community-focused engagement may fade out

Building strong, loyal communities was a major focus in 2024. Platforms rolled out tools like Instagram Close Friends, Discord integration, and subscriber-only content, encouraging brands and creators to prioritize meaningful, niche audience engagement over follower count. Social media users played a crucial role in this community-focused engagement, influencing marketing trends and brand strategies through their interactions and feedback.

• Why it worked: These communities created loyal advocates who actively supported brands, driving deeper connections and word-of-mouth promotion.
• Why it might decline: Sustaining these communities requires significant time, effort, and resources, which may prove unsustainable for brands focused on scalability and faster results.

As we move into 2025, the shift toward more scalable strategies such as AI-driven personalization, interactive content, and viral campaigns may overshadow community building. Brands are likely to focus on reaching broader audiences with shareable, trend-driven content rather than dedicating resources to fostering smaller, tight-knit groups.

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Social media trends emerging for 2025

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1. AI-driven personalization

While AI has already made waves in 2024, the next big shift will focus on hyper-personalized user experiences. Social platforms are expected to leverage AI and machine learning to deliver even more tailored content, ads, and recommendations based on individual behaviors and preferences. User-generated content can further enhance AI-driven personalization by providing authentic and relatable experiences that resonate more deeply with users.

What to expect:

• Ads that feel even more curated specifically for individual users.
• Content feeds adjusted in real time to reflect users’ interests.
• Personalized messaging bots for deeper audience engagement.

For brands, personalization means creating campaigns that feel less like broad advertising and more like tailored conversations. By understanding behaviors and preferences, brands can build stronger connections and drive higher conversion rates.

2. Long-form video makes a comeback

While short-form video continues to dominate, a significant social media trend is the rise of long-form video on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, where creators are encouraged to produce longer, more in-depth content. By 2025, we’re likely to see the rise of long-form videos, such as vlogs, educational series, and mini-documentaries.

• Why the shift?: Audiences increasingly crave substance and depth from their favorite creators. Long-form content allows for better storytelling, tutorials, and brand education.
• What brands can do: Focus on creating value-packed videos that go beyond surface-level content, building authority and trust.

Educational videos, product reviews, and customer success stories will be particularly effective as audiences look for rich, informative content.

3. Virtual influencers on the rise

Virtual influencers are computer generated characters with carefully crafted personalities and lifestyles that are gaining traction. By 2025, expect to see an uptick in brands partnering with virtual influencers for campaigns.

• Why it works: Virtual influencers allow brands to have full control over messaging, visuals, and behavior.
• What to watch for: More lifelike virtual influencers, blending creativity and AI to engage audiences while sparking conversations about digital identity.

As this trend grows, brands will need to ensure campaigns still feel relatable and not overly artificial. Virtual influencers can bring a futuristic edge to marketing, but the human connection will remain vital. They can effectively engage the target audience by focusing on genuine content and relatable figures.

4. Interactive content goes mainstream

Interactive content like polls, quizzes, and AR filters is set to expand even further in 2025. Platforms are enhancing features that encourage participation and immersion, allowing brands to engage audiences in creative ways.

• What to expect:
  • Augmented reality (AR) experiences for product try-ons.
  • Interactive reels and stories with real-time feedback.
  • Gamified content, including challenges and interactive ads.

Interactive content not only boosts engagement but also allows brands to gain audience insights, making campaigns more effective.

5. Focus on sustainability and purpose-driven marketing

By 2025, consumers will be even more conscious of social and environmental causes. Brands will need to align with purpose driven messaging to create content that resonates with audiences who care about the planet, ethics, and societal impact. Social media campaigns can be aligned with sustainability and purpose-driven marketing by leveraging trends and strategies that enhance brand engagement and marketing effectiveness across platforms.

What it looks like:

• Influencers collaborating with brands that support sustainability.
• Transparent campaigns showcasing eco-friendly practices.
• Brands partnering with creators who highlight meaningful causes.

Audiences will increasingly reward brands that show genuine commitment to values like sustainability, diversity, and ethics. Purpose driven storytelling will become central to long-term success.

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Conclusion: looking ahead to 2025

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As we move into 2025, social media will continue to evolve, blending current trends like short-form video and authenticity with new technologies like AI-driven personalization, virtual influencers, and interactive experiences. Understanding social media trends and their impact on future strategies is crucial for brands and creators to stay ahead of these shifts, ensuring they are open to innovation.

The trends thriving in 2024: authenticity, community-building, and social commerce are here to stay, but new opportunities will push creative boundaries even further. By experimenting, staying adaptable, and listening to your audience, you can ensure your social media strategy remains relevant, impactful, and future-proof as we enter an exciting new era of digital marketing.

Influencer marketing platforms like Influur can play a pivotal role in helping brands navigate the evolving social media landscape. By connecting brands with the right influencers, Influur ensures that marketing campaigns are authentic, engaging, and aligned with current trends. Whether it's harnessing the power of short-form video, leveraging AI for content creation, or focusing on purpose-driven marketing, Influur provides the tools and insights needed to optimize your social media strategy.

Ready to take your brand's social media presence to the next level? Schedule a demo with Influur today and discover how we can help you stay ahead of the curve in 2025.

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FAQs on Social Media Trends

What are the biggest trends in social media right now?

The biggest trends include the dominance of short-form video content, AI-powered content creation, and the growth of social commerce. These trends are reshaping how brands engage with their audiences on social media platforms.

How is AI influencing social media marketing?

AI is enhancing social media marketing by streamlining content creation, personalizing user experiences, and optimizing strategies. Tools like ChatGPT and Canva AI help marketers produce content efficiently and analyze social media data for better decision-making.

Why is authenticity important in social media content?

Authenticity fosters trust and relatability, which are crucial for building strong audience connections. Brands and influencers are focusing on real-life, unfiltered content to engage users genuinely and boost loyalty.

What role does social commerce play in digital marketing?

Social commerce simplifies the shopping experience by allowing users to purchase directly through social media platforms. This trend is essential for targeting mobile-first consumers and driving impulse buys.

How will social media evolve in 2025?

In 2025, expect further advancements in AI-driven personalization, the rise of long-form video content, and the integration of virtual influencers. Interactive content and purpose-driven marketing will also gain prominence as brands strive to connect with socially conscious audiences.

How can brands stay ahead of social media trends?

Brands can stay ahead by experimenting with new trends, being adaptable, and listening to their audience. Leveraging influencer marketing platforms like Influur can help brands align social strategies with current trends and optimize their social media strategy effectively.

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