By Kacie Berger, Social Media Specialist
Few things move as fast as social media, and staying on top of the latest trends can be exhausting. That’s why we’ve spent some time scrolling through different social media apps and reading trend reports — so you don’t have to. Here are five trends we see taking over social feeds in 2026.
Multi-part video series have proven to be a big hit on social media, with some brands like Cava even developing “shows” just for social media. Episodic video content resonates because it gives viewers a sense of what to expect from your account. If they come across one of your videos for the first time and decide to head to your profile, they’ll be met with content that builds upon the video they just saw. This creates a sense of familiarity, and they’ll be more likely to stop and watch the next part of the series when it comes across their feed.
But what should brands talk about in a video series? Try a step-by-step look into a process that viewers may not be familiar with, a day-in-the-life of different employees, or a test run of your products. The good news is that once you establish what your series will focus on, the videos will follow a pattern and become easier to produce with time.
If you’re a frequent social media user, you’ve probably heard the term “AI slop” at some point in the past year. Artificial intelligence has made it easier than ever to churn out vast amounts of content, but not all of it is high-quality or interesting. This has left many users fatigued by the sheer volume of content they need to wade through each time they scroll through their social feeds.
Brands can stand out amidst all the noise by prioritizing content that is original, authentic to your voice, and provides some form of value for your audience — rather than posting just for the sake of posting. This doesn’t mean you can’t use AI, but you do need to be selective about how you use it and refine AI-generated content so that it fits in with your brand narrative.
The comment section has become the place to be on social media. Imagine you’re scrolling through your feed, and you come across a video with hundreds of comments. There’s a good chance that number sparks your curiosity and makes you want to see what all those people are saying, right? An active comment section causes users to linger on your post — and when more time is spent on your post, the algorithm will push it out to more people.
In addition to a thriving comment section on your own posts, hopping into the comments on others’ posts has become one of the best ways to be seen on social media. A well-placed comment on the right post can rack up hundreds of thousands of impressions.
However, be thoughtful about your comments. Savvy social media users have picked up on the trend of brands leaving generic comments on viral videos for the sake of visibility, and they’re getting sick of it. Avoid this pitfall by directing your interactions toward posts that are relevant to your niche. For example, a skincare brand commenting on a makeup tutorial makes sense. A software company, not so much. Chime in on the conversation, without making it all about yourself, by leaving a genuine compliment, insight, or witty (not snarky) remark.
Speaking of snarky, there’s always been a fine line between being playful and being off-putting on social media, and lately, more brands seem to be crossing it. What’s often referred to as “unhinged” social media — posts that rely on chaos, sarcasm, or shock value — can work for large, well-known brands with a broad audience, but it doesn’t translate to every brand. Some snark from Wendy’s can be entertaining, but what about when it’s coming from your health insurance carrier or your local fire department?
In 2026, we anticipate seeing more brands pivot away from chaotic posts that draw lots of eyeballs and instead shift toward a more authentic, identity-driven strategy that deepens connections with their core customers.
Rather than trying to appeal to everyone, more brands are laser-focusing on their target audience and creating stronger, deeper connections with them. This is reflected in some of the other trends we’ve noted, like serialized video content and the growing importance of comments. We also see it in the rise of social media platforms like Substack, or in new additions to existing platforms, like Instagram’s broadcast channels.
Instead of widening the funnel, brands are going deeper. Success is less about how many people see the content and more about how strongly it resonates with the right ones.
As social media continues to evolve, so must our strategies. Audiences are savvier, feeds are more crowded, and attention is harder to hold on to. Looking ahead, we’re seeing a clear shift in what resonates: less noise, more intention, and a stronger focus on building lasting connections.
Is your brand having trouble standing out on social media? Give us a call. Alpha Dog helps brands of all types and sizes connect with their audiences and would love to help you refresh your social media strategy.
