Social media is constantly changing, and if you want to grow your business, it’s not enough to just keep posting—you need to know which social media marketing trends are actually worth your time.
The way people use social platforms is evolving, and some trends can significantly impact how your audience connects with your brand.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most important social media marketing trends you should be using right now.
These practical, SMM agency-recommended strategies will help you engage your audience and drive real results without wasting effort on what’s not working.
1. Engage Audiences Faster: The Rise of Short-Form Video
Video content, in general, has taken over social media, becoming the most consumed type of content online.
Whether it’s long-form content on YouTube or quick snippets on TikTok, audiences are gravitating toward video because it’s more engaging, memorable, and easier to digest than text or images.
In fact, 91% of businesses now use video as part of their marketing strategy, making it a staple for SMM trends in 2024.
Source: Video Marketing Statistics 2024
Short videos under 60 seconds have become the go-to for marketers because they’re effective at grabbing attention quickly, especially in today’s fast-paced, scroll-heavy environment.
These bite-sized pieces of content don’t just work because they’re short—they’re effective because they’re authentic.
Source: Video Marketing Statistics 2024
People are no longer impressed by overly produced ads or scripted performances. Instead, audiences want to see genuine, relatable moments.
Platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels drive this shift, rewarding brands prioritizing real, unscripted social media content.
The more authentic the video, the more likely it is to resonate with viewers and spread organically through shares, likes, and comments.
2. Building Trust Through Nano and Micro-Influencers
Another crucial trend shaping social media marketing is the rise of nano and micro-influencers.
Unlike traditional influencers with massive followings, these smaller influencers have between 1,000 and 100,000 highly engaged followers within niche communities.
This list shows influencer categories based on their follower count, from micro to celebrity influencers.
- Micro-influencers: 5,000 to 25,000 followers
- Small influencers: 25,000 to 100,000 followers
- Big influencers: 100,000 to 1 million followers
- Macro-influencers: 1 to 7 million followers
- Celebrity influencers: 7+ million followers
What makes them so powerful is their authenticity. Their smaller audience size allows them to foster closer, more personal connections with their followers, which translates into higher engagement rates.
For brands, this means they can partner with influencers who truly resonate with their target audience and deliver more meaningful, trust-based recommendations.
For example, a beauty brand might collaborate with a nano-influencer who specializes in skincare routines.
Even though this influencer might only have 10,000 followers, their audience is more likely to trust their opinions and act on product recommendations because the influencer’s content feels relatable and genuine.
Source: InfluencerMarketingHub
This kind of targeted influence can lead to better ROI compared to working with bigger influencers, who may have a broader but less engaged audience.
This personal connection results in higher engagement rates, making these partnerships cost-effective and ideal for brands looking to capitalize on niche SMM trends.
3. Boost Engagement with User-Generated Content
User-generated content (UGC) is a great way to build trust and increase social media engagement on social media. People trust recommendations from other users far more than polished brand ads.
In fact, 79% of people say UGC impacts their buying decisions. When your audience shares their own photos, reviews, or stories about your products, it creates a more genuine connection.
Brands like GoPro and Glossier excel at featuring UGC on their social media channels, showcasing real customers using their products.
This builds a sense of community and creates powerful social proof, a key factor in the latest social media marketing trends.
Source: GoPro Instagram
This also builds social proof—when people see others using and enjoying your products, they’re more likely to do the same.
To make UGC work for your brand, encourage customers to share their experiences, use branded hashtags, and highlight their posts on your pages.
Not only does this broaden your reach, but it also gives your brand a more authentic and relatable vibe.
4. Using AI Tools Revolutionizing Social Media Content
As social media evolves, AI-powered content creation is quickly becoming a cornerstone of successful social media marketing trends. Generative AI tools like ChatGPT, MidJourney, and others are helping marketers quickly produce high-quality content at scale, ranging from captions to blog posts and visuals.
AI’s value lies in its ability to speed up production while keeping content personalized and relevant to specific audiences. For instance, a brand can use AI to generate different versions of ad copy tailored to customer segments, ensuring a more targeted approach.
AI also plays a significant role in enhancing creativity. Marketers use these tools not only to automate tasks but to brainstorm fresh ideas, refine messaging, and analyze performance.
Meta, for example, rolled out AI features that expand images and generate ad variations with just a few clicks, boosting efficiency without sacrificing creativity.
However, while AI increases speed and personalization, human input remains crucial to ensure content aligns with brand values and maintains authenticity.
Using these tools allows brands to strike a balance between efficiency and creativity, keeping pace with rapid SMM trends while maintaining a human touch that builds trust.
5. Turning TikTok and Instagram into Search Tools for Your Brand
A major SMM trend is the increasing use of social platforms like TikTok and Instagram as search engines.
In fact, Instagram is the most popular platform for searching, with 67% of Gen Z and millennials using it to find what they need.
TikTok comes in second at 62%, followed by Google at 61%. Since many people use more than one app to search, the percentages add up to more than 100%.
Source: Tintup.com
Instead of going to Google, they’re looking up products, services, and information directly on these apps. For brands, this means it’s important to make content easy to find on social media.
For example, TikTok’s search feature lets users find products by searching for keywords or hashtags like “best skincare routine.” Brands and influencers show up in these searches, leading to more engagement.
To take advantage of this trend, you need to include relevant keywords in your captions, descriptions, and hashtags to make your content discoverable.
By using relevant keywords and hashtags in captions and descriptions, you can ensure your brand appears in social searches and stays competitive in the latest social media marketing trends.
6. Creating Urgency and FOMO
Ephemeral content—like Instagram Stories and Snapchat posts—is getting more popular because of its short-lived nature, usually disappearing after 24 hours.
This temporary format has become a leading part of social media marketing trends for brands looking to boost engagement quickly and authentically.
For brands, it’s a great way to share behind-the-scenes moments, special offers, and limited-time promotions, making your followers feel like they’re getting something exclusive.
The numbers back this up: Instagram Stories alone have over 500 million daily active users, and brands using Stories often see more engagement than with regular posts.
The magic of ephemeral content is that it feels more real and less polished, which people love. Brands can show real-time updates, product launches, or even quick Q&As, giving followers an authentic, insider look.
To get the most out of ephemeral content, keep it consistent—post regularly and use fun features like polls, questions, and countdowns to boost engagement.
7. Make Social Media Your Go-To for Customer Support
More and more people are turning to social media for customer service, and they expect fast answers. In fact, 70% of consumers want brands to offer support through social platforms.
This means it’s not just about posting content anymore—responding quickly to customer questions or complaints on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook is crucial for keeping them happy.
To handle the demand, many brands use AI chatbots to answer simple questions 24/7 while leaving more complicated issues for human support.
This keeps customers satisfied and shows that your brand is reliable. Companies like Delta Airlines and Starbucks are great examples—they offer fast help through Twitter, making customers feel heard and valued.
Source: Starbucks X
To keep up, make sure your brand is ready to respond quickly on social media. Friendly, fast replies can turn a frustrated customer into a loyal one, building trust and boosting satisfaction.
8. Boosting Social Media ROI: Mastering the Platforms That Deliver
Trying to be on every social platform can feel overwhelming—and honestly, it’s not the best use of your time or money.
Smart brands are doing social media monitoring and focusing on the platforms that deliver the best social media KPIs and give the best ROI.
It’s all about being where your audience spends most of their time, not everywhere at once. That’s where Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook really shine.
TikTok is a great place for creating quick, viral content—even if you’re just starting out. Instagram offers a perfect mix of visual storytelling and easy shopping features, letting users buy your products right in the app.
Facebook is fantastic for reaching specific audiences, especially older ones, and driving real results with its powerful ads.
And then there’s YouTube, which is perfect for long-form content that can drive traffic and build strong customer loyalty.
By focusing your efforts on these platforms where your audience is most engaged, you’ll boost your ROI without spreading yourself too thin. It’s not about doing more—it’s about doing what works best. Stick with what matters, and you’ll see the results.
9. Shifting Toward Community Building Over Follower Count
In 2024, the focus on social media is moving away from simply gaining followers to building strong, engaged communities.
Brands are starting to realize that having thousands of followers doesn’t matter if those followers aren’t interacting with the content. What really counts is creating a loyal, active community that feels connected to your brand and wants to engage with it regularly.
Instead of chasing numbers, brands are focusing on fostering real connections.
This can be done by responding to comments, hosting live Q&As, sharing user-generated content, or even creating private groups where followers can interact with the brand on a more personal level.
Take Nike, for example—their online community isn’t just about pushing products; it’s about bringing together sports enthusiasts who share common goals and values. That’s what keeps people coming back.
Source: Nike Instagram
By prioritizing community building, brands can create more meaningful relationships with their audience. This boosts engagement and turns casual followers into long-term brand advocates who are more likely to support and recommend your business.
Stay Ahead with Smart Social Media Strategies
Social media is always evolving, and staying on top of trends is key to keeping your brand relevant.
Using short-form videos, working with influencers, and sharing user-generated content can boost your visibility and strengthen your connections with your audience.
However, applying these trends effectively takes time, skill, and constant adaptation.
That’s where partnering with an SMM Agency makes a big difference.
With expert knowledge and the right tools, an agency helps you create a strong social media marketing plan to maximize your social media efforts, letting you focus on running your business.
At [A] Growth Agency, we specialize in creating smart, tailored strategies that drive real results.
From building loyal communities to running effective social media campaigns, we’re here to help your brand grow. Ready to take your social media to the next level?
Get a FREE Marketing Plan and start growing your brand today!
