The Future of Social Media [Research]: What Marketers Need to Know in 2025

Social media has changed considerably since the MySpace days, and it‘s part of a marketer’s job to stay on top of its advancements.

You're probably wondering what the future of social media could look like and how marketers are adapting.

To answer your question, here are my predictions based on the latest industry research and data from social media marketers.

Table of Contents

• What is the future of social media?
• Social Media Trends: 2025 and Beyond

What is the future of social media?

Through our multiple surveys, research, and additional data, here's what I predict for the future of social media:

• Consumers will shop directly on social media apps.
• Consumers will search for information on social media or via AI instead of traditional search engines.
• Consumers and brands will rely on social media for customer service
• Brands will rely on influencers, especially micro-influencers, rather than celebrities.
• Brands will create more short-form content to connect with their audiences.
• Brands will leverage AI tools to create personalized content for their audiences.
• Brands will place a greater emphasis on creating an active social media community.

Now, let's dive deeper into each of these trends.

Social Media Trends: 2025 and Beyond

Direct Shopping Experience on Most Socials

69% of marketers agree that more shopping will happen on social media than on brand websites or third-party marketplaces, according to our 2025 Social Media Trends Report.

39% of survey respondents told us that they already sell their products directly within a social media platform, like Instagram Shops, for example.

Instagram was one of the first social platforms to offer a seamless shopping experience and integration. Now, other platforms have jumped on the bandwagon, too, for good reason.

The move to social selling makes a lot of sense when you realize that Gen Z has joined the working class in recent years and now has tremendous...