Social media is ever-changing, as is how consumers use it. Because of this, it’s important to consider social media trends when creating your social media plans for 2025.
What are the social media trends for 2025? As a social media agency in Burlington, working with growing B2B and service-based businesses, we manage many social media marketing plans and programs.
In this post, we’ll explore what we’re seeing as overarching social media trends, and platform-specific changes that will influence your social media marketing strategies.
5 Social Media Trends For 2025: An Overview
Here’s a list of the top social media trends for 2025 that we’re expecting to grow over the year.
1. Authenticity: Visuals, Storytelling and Brand Voice
Be real! In a world where AI content is showing up everywhere, brands and businesses that are creating authentic content are resonating the most with social media users.
From visuals to the content topics and the tone of voice, authenticity is standing out amidst the sea of AI-generated content.
Authentic content is also transparent and straightforward, building trust with the audience.
For example, a business that shows behind-the-scenes work, including bloopers, demonstrates the human touch that goes into the work. This is where user-generated content – specifically employee-generated content can play an important role in bringing that authenticity to life.
2. User Generated Content: Real Content
Tied in with the authenticity trend is the growth in user-generated content. Brands and businesses sharing content created by employees and customers alike are viewed as more engaging, genuine and trustworthy.
A 2022 survey found that 84% of people are more likely to trust a brand if they use UGC in their marketing campaigns.
Gone are the days of highly stylized Instagram profiles. Genuine photos and videos that showcase authenticity are popular. Be mindful of the quality of your “real” content. This is where AI can be used to touch up and enhance what is human-created.
TIP: B2B businesses can tap into employee-generated content. Attract business through your expertise and corporate values.
3. Balancing Visuals With Words
Is video dead when it comes to social media? Certainly not. However, we’re seeing an upswing in static visuals with words. Of the social media trends for 2025, this one is particularly focused on Instagram.
Whether it is an Instagram carousel with tips or telling a story, we’re seeing more of this than ever before. This is partially due to the late 2024 news that Instagram was moving from promoting reels to carousel posts.
Although short-form videos are still popular, change up your posts with a few well-crafted carousels or static posts with text. Use this opportunity for well-written authentic content that speaks to your target audience’s pain points and needs.
4. Segmented Social Media
This is one of the social media trends that we’ve been seeing solidify over the past year.
While Instagram reels have been dominating for the last few years, carousel posts are now in the spotlight. Seen as better for reach and engagement, they are increasingly taking over main timelines.
Meanwhile, Pinterest, which for a while was flirting with video content (Idea Pins) and making the platform into a social media platform, is now back to focusing on quality static content.
What we’re starting to see is a more defined segmentation for social media.
- TikTok is where users expect to enjoy entertaining video content
- Instagram is a blend of static and video, with static content generating more visibility recently. Informative, inspiring content works best here
- LinkedIn continues to be for businesses and networking
- Facebook continues to be a place for storytelling, especially with video content
- Threads are for conversations
- X is for the latest news
Choosing the right kind of content that your audience likes to consume and engage with is increasingly becoming important.
TIP: While Instagram may promote carousel content now, don’t ignore video content. A/B test to see what works with your audience. Your approach may include a blend of reels and static carousel content or simple posts. Diversify your social media content strategy for the best long-term results.
5. The Rise Of Social Media Platforms As Search Engines
Last on the list of social media trends is social media platforms as search engines.
We saw this social media trend growing in 2024, and we expect it to continue in 2025: social media platforms are using search engine optimization for indexing and categorizing content.
SEO is no longer just for Google and search engines.
Using keywords smartly within captions and the content itself is important. For example, if you want your content to start appearing on Instagram’s Explore page you’ll need to use popular keywords. They can be found using the search function. Start writing the main keyword and other longer keyword prompts show up.
All other main social media channels are using keywords to help users discover content.
Using AI Tools For Social Media Content
What about AI? Should you be using AI tools to generate social media content? While authenticity is one of the top social media trends, AI tools can help fine-tune your content. Use it smartly for things like voiceovers on videos, and to inspire your captions.
AI tools help improve your workflows, assisting in creating content faster. Balance AI with the human touch, and you’ve got a winning combination.
Other Notable Social Media Trends And News For 2025
There are a few more social media trends and tips to be aware of when developing your social media plans and content.
- Changes to Instagram’s grid layout. The standard used to be 1:1 square posts for your profile grid layout. Instagram is changing over to a 4:5 ratio grid layout. This gives it a more dramatic, cinematic look and gives you opportunities to do more visual storytelling.
- Don’t ignore Instagram Stories. This feature is excellent for conversions when you use link stickers. Stories can also be discoverable in searches when used with keywords and hashtags. Creating engaging, interesting content gets your Stories into search results.
- Use trending audio on Instagram posts and audio. Get more visibility by including audio. When somebody clicks on the audio to find other posts and stories using it, yours will also show in the search results.
- Use the hashtag sticker with your branded hashtag in Instagram stories. By clicking it, your followers get to discover more of your content, giving them a better understanding of your brand.
- strong>Facebook is introducing Community Notes. Meta’s recent announcement that Facebook is moving away from fact-checkers and introducing community notes similar to those on X means you must be sure you’re sharing correct information. The most engaging content is usually controversial, entertaining or containing how-to tips. If you want to avoid too many community notes, stick to sharing content that delights and educates.
- Authenticity and short-form video on LinkedIn: Connect with your audience on LinkedIn by being real. Short videos that bring to life your brand will resonate more than dry text-based posts. Consider employee-generated content to help you demonstrate your company’s work culture and capabilities.
Consider a diverse approach to social media marketing for your business – reach your audience in a variety of ways.
Pro Tip: Use social media ads to boost your reach. Social media ad spend is estimated to continue to grow in 2025.
Work With CM2 Media – The Top Social Media Agency In Burlington
Are you ready to implement some of these social media strategies and trends into your social media plans, but not sure where to start?
CM2 Media is here to help. Contact us today to discover how we can elevate your business on social media.
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Contact us today to learn more about social media trends and how we can help you achieve your business goals!