After more than 7 years running multiple social media accounts, today I am asking myself, what is different about social media these days?
Here’s what I see:
1) There is a coolness to being offline and in person - mixing the two are now foundational to social. I’m advising more and more of my brands to turn their events into social media content and visa-versa turning their social media content… into events. I recently ran an influencer campaign for an IRL event and the campaign was one our top performing of the entire year, garnering 33 Million Views. A large amount of that came from the repeated bonus posts and stories our creators did because the event was so good, one content piece wouldn’t suffice. It is WILDLY advantageous for brands to host events and base their Influencer programs around in-person activations. The VIctoria’s Secret Fashion show created one of the biggest social media moments of the year with Kylie’s walk going mega-viral - it’s a perfect example of architecting IRL for social. And if you’re a creator? Get out of the house and go. Say yes to every invite, host your own creator mingles in your area. Creating FOMO is winning big time in 2026.
2) Creators are overall… BETTER. I look at people who grew their followings years ago versus the people who are growing today and the quality is just insanely better. To grow a following as a creator in today’s world you have to really bring it. You can no longer be a lazy creator and win… unless you post 7x a day and accidentally stumble into something controversial or very funny (and that’s not lazy.)
3) Static posts and carousels are back. I would have never believed it and in this same newsletter I wrote that static posts were dead just over a year ago. Now, they’ve made a resurgence. I think It’s because the type of content that Is a single post that does well has to be good. It’s also insanely shareable, and the ‘airwaves’ are less crowded than the video pipeline. Sometimes the audience is tired and just wants a highly shareable quote or funny meme to look at and call it a day.
4) Social commerce is here to stay, we will continue to see breakout brands and products who make a run for our money through TikTok Shop. Cool branding, a cool story, and highly demonstrable products will make their way off our screen and into our homes. It’s still so early on the arc of adoption, but I wonder how it will continue to shape audience behaviors and the experience we have with our screens in the long-term. I’m so here for brands and creators leveraging this platform to their benefit and innovating.
What do you feel have been the biggest trends or innovations In social this year?
I’m here in your corner to help you leverage social media to your benefit - whether for business, lifestyle, creative outlet, or community. I’d love to hear from you how at Silly Little Social I can support your journey.
Hit reply and let me know.
XO,
Lindsay
Social Trend of the Week
Give Me A Sign
You know that feeling when you’re stuck on a decision and secretly hoping the universe will just text you back? This trend is that.
Film a dreamy, aesthetic moment (think window light, a coffee, a quiet walk) with the trending audio and put “Give me a sign” on screen. Then cut to a clip that feels like the answer you’ve been waiting for.
Examples: Cleaners, Build A House, Cruise,
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