2026 Social Media Trends Small Businesses Should Leverage

By: Aries Payne

Social media is continuing to quickly evolve well into the new year, so you’ll want to adapt just as fast if you want your small business to stay competitive in 2026. Between shifting consumer expectations and how people discover content online, the platforms you use and how you use them matter more now than ever.

Here are four growing social media trends you can easily tap into to strengthen your business’s online presence and get in front of the right audience.

Engaging Video and Serialized Content

Video remains one of the most engaging forms of social media content, so it’s no surprise that businesses will likely continue posting short-form content across multiple platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

However, users will see a new video trend gain momentum in 2026: serialized content. Many businesses are shifting toward publishing video series that typically fall into one of two formats:

1. Giving viewers a quick, behind-the-scenes look at the people behind the brand to showcase day-to-day operations and workplace culture
2. Featuring people having unedited discussions about topics that matter to the brand and its audience, similar to a podcast

Regardless of the format, serialized videos allow brands to share consistent, personalized — and arguably most important — authentic content, encouraging viewers to follow along for future “episodes.”

Authenticity Becoming a Key Differentiator

Although some studies have shown that social media users gravitate slightly more toward AI-generated content, their attitudes toward it remained mixed. According to a 2024 survey conducted by Bynder, 52 percent of consumers said that they become less engaged if they suspect content is AI-generated, with 25 percent noting it makes a brand feel impersonal.

For small businesses, this presents an opportunity: Authenticity — shaped by your brand’s voice, perspective and lived experience — is something larger companies sometimes struggle to replicate at scale.

That said, AI can still be a valuable tool for generating ideas or speeding up content production. However, your final post should always have human input. Ensuring the content reflects your brand voice and adding personalized insights and real examples helps preserve authenticity and strengthen connections with your audience.

Building and Engaging with an Online Community

Social media users in 2026 will increasingly look for meaningful interaction, not just viral content. In a 2025 Sprout Social survey, most participants said they want brands to prioritize engaging with their audiences. Additionally, the 2025 Sprout Social Index revealed that 93 percent of consumers “believe it’s important for brands to be culturally relevant on social media.”

So how do you balance engagement with relevance in 2026? It starts with listening. Use social listening tools to identify what’s top of mind for your audience and which conversations are gaining traction. From there, anticipate their needs, spark dialogue and respond to comments and questions as quickly as possible, ideally within 24 hours. This consistent, timely interaction can help transform casual followers into an engaged community.

Optimizing for Social Search

The way people search for information is changing, and social media is playing a much bigger role in that shift. While Google remains the most popular search engine across mobile and desktop devices, social media search is on the rise, with about one in three consumers now starting their search journey on platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.

This shift away from traditional search engines means social media is no longer just for engagement — it’s becoming a key discovery tool. For small businesses, this means it’s crucial to align your SEO strategy with your social media efforts.

Stand Out This Year with SBDC Marketing Resources

This year, social media will be less about chasing viral trends and more about creating content that feels genuine. Posts rooted in authenticity, engagement and community will be the ones that resonate most.

Looking for practical ways to integrate these 2026 social media trends into your current marketing strategy? Request an appointment with a business advisor to connect with our Marketing Specialist today.