Emerging Trends for 2026

The New Year is nearly here, and with it, new trends in the creator economy. From AI innovation to influencer marketing hacks, we’ll walk you through the emerging trends for 2026 and prepare you for a successful and productive New Year. 

Emerging Social Media Trends for 2026

The Digital Global Overview Report reported that more than 6 billion people worldwide used the internet in 2025. Of those people, 5.66 billion (or 68.7% of the global population!) engaged with social media as a part of their internet usage. Similar trends are expected to continue into 2026. Social media remains the most effective way to interact with large audiences, both locally and internationally. Here’s what you and your brand should know about emerging social media trends in 2026. 

More AI-Generated Content

As AI becomes increasingly prevalent in creative processes across industries and platforms, we anticipate that more AI-generated content will appear on social media in 2026. It will be more than bunnies jumping on a trampoline, too. Of the six billion people reported to have used the internet in 2025, one billion of them interacted with AI at least once per month. That is a staggering share of the global population, suggesting that AI use, particularly in AI-generated content, will be one of the most powerful emerging trends in 2026. 

Increased Online Commerce

AI isn’t only going to change content creation in 2026. Bernard Marr of Forbes predicts AI-driven personal shoppers will increase in 2026 as online shoppers continue to rely on AI chats to suggest products and search for top deals. E-commerce and online brands will need to adapt to the rise of AI shoppers and AI-driven searches to connect shoppers with their products effectively. Commerce platforms integrated into social media, such as the TikTok Shop, will also play a significant role in online commerce. 

Continued Dominance of the Short Video

TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts all capitalized on the growing prominence of the short video format on social media in 2025. In 2026, we anticipate this trend will continue, with the highest levels of reach, engagement, and conversion expected from short video content. 

The dominance of short videos as a content form may be related to the prevalence of smartphones in internet usage. In 2025, 96% of internet users accessed the internet through a phone. Mobile-friendly content, such as short videos, will be crucial for maintaining an online presence in 2026. 

More Content, Less Time

A 2025 report from Smart Insights revealed that the average time spent on social media per day is around 2 hours per person—a figure that has remained relatively steady year over year. The amount of content and content creators online, however, has skyrocketed. Social media users face more competition than ever for their attention, both across platforms and within individual social media sites. Content creation in 2026 will need to strike a careful balance between cutting through the noise and oversaturating an already crowded online space. 

Emerging Influencer Marketing Trends for 2026

As social media continues to evolve, so does influencer marketing. Goldman Sachs predicts that the creator economy could approach half a trillion dollars by 2027. With massive growth in the online space, influencer marketing is more crucial than ever for brands seeking to reach large audiences. Here are some emerging trends for 2026 to expect in the influencer marketing ecosystem: 

Long-term Brand Partnerships

The nature of influencer partnerships is changing as we enter 2026. Sprout Social found that 64% of consumers are more willing to buy a product if a trusted influencer has endorsed it. Because of this, brands are shifting away from purely transactional deals, in which a brand pays for a set number of posts or promotions, to brand partnerships that strengthen the influencer’s and the brand’s online identities over extended periods. These types of brand partnerships boost online brand awareness for brands and can foster deeper community engagement than traditional influencer marketing strategies. 

Partnerships between influencers and brands in their niches remain a powerful and lucrative way to monetize creator content and promote brand products. We expect influencer marketing that prioritizes community building and establishes trust in the brand’s voice to be one of the key emerging trends for 2026. 

Curious about brand partnerships as an influencer? Check out How to Land a Brand Deal. 

Diverse Creator Monetization Options

NeoReach’s Creator Earnings Report found that less than 50% of creators make a livable wage from their influencer careers. In 2026, influencers will have to get creative to maintain their careers in content creation. Monetization platforms like FanSubs and Patreon can help creators earn a sustainable income, with each offering benefits tailored to different types of creators. 

AI Tools and Burnout

AI is changing influencer marketing as much as social media. In a survey of more than 500 marketers, Emplifi found that 82% of marketers incorporated AI tools into their work in 2025. Despite saving time and energy with AI tools, 76% of marketers reported feeling burned out at work. An emerging trend for 2026 in influencer marketing will be brands and marketers seeking to strike a balance between high output and innovative campaigns, while also managing creative and professional burnout. 

How to Prepare for 2026

The influence of social media is expected to continue growing in 2026. Influencer marketing remains a powerful tool for building brand trust and capturing online audiences. With all that in mind, what can you do to prepare for the emerging trends for 2026? 

• Check out the top influencer marketing agencies in your region to get expert help and top-quality social media marketing campaigns for your brand. 
• Study the current trends in the creator economy to 
• Review your social media analytics to identify areas for growth in your online presence and optimize conversions. 
• Nail your holiday marketing campaigns and carry your online momentum into the New Year. 

With the proper preparation and social media marketing strategy, 2026 could be the biggest year yet for influencer marketing. Stay on top of the emerging trends for 2026, and may this year be your best year yet!