Episode 84: 2026 Social Media Trends You Can’t Ignore

Written By Heidi Schmidt

Can you believe we’re less than a month away from 2026? We’ve talked a lot about marketing strategy going into the new year – but today, we’re talking about what to expect in the year ahead from social media marketing.

We’ve all felt a bit like we’re screaming into the void on social media and well, it’s not just you. You’re not imagining it. But what do we do about it? We’re breaking down the big shifts that are going to shape the social media landscape in 2026 so you as a small business owner can adapt with confidence.

From AI becoming a back office assistant to social platforms doubling as search engines – we’re sharing what matters, what to skip and how to turn this all into a plan you can follow. 

Episode Highlights:

  • How AI can truly save time

  • Social as a search engine and what to know so you can be found for the right terms

  • Short form video is growing up - less dancing more speaking and authenticity.

  • Communities and owned channels and how to use public feeds for discovery and brand awareness, and closed spaces like Discord, WhatsApp, and online communities for depth and connection

  • The challenge with online ads in 2026 - it’s all about the creative baby!

  • Mindset chat – keep it all simple and track what actually moves the needle! 

Resources & Mentions:

Subscribe, leave a review, and share Stop the Scroll with a friend or fellow business owner who needs a little more confidence and a lot less overwhelm in their marketing. Your reviews help us reach more creators like you!

______________________________________________________________________

Connect with me:

Heidi Schmidt https://www.heidijschmidt.com
Next

Episode 83: How to Plan Your End-of-Year Marketing (Without Burning Out)