Social media trends are no longer just about what brands post, but about the value they bring. In 2026, earning attention will depend less on frequency and more on authenticity, relevance, and trust. As audiences grow more selective and “deinfluencing” reshapes online trust, your success will depend on earning their attention. Here are four ways to lead with value and thrive in the era of guarded attention.
EARNING ATTENTION
A lot of algorithms are rewarding content that sparks genuine interest and shows engagement (not just virality) so it’s time to shift your perspective and think of attention as a currency. What can you provide to receive attention in return? Review what you’ve been posting; is it education, entertainment, or is it a sales pitch? If you’re giving more than asking then you’re on the right track. A good way to track if something is doing well is to focus on watch time, engagement depth (shares, comments, DMs, click-thrus) and saves instead of surface-level likes.
GETTING NICHE
Facebook groups, Discord servers, and Subreddits aren’t anything new, but they are growing in popularity. When you have private and niche communities conversations tend to be more relevant and trust grows naturally. If you create a value-based space, make sure you’re giving it the attention it deserves or else you’ll lose members. Check out my 2025 Social Media Trends article to learn other ways you can get niche.
SOCIAL SEARCH
Younger generations are turning to TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram instead of Google and other search engines so it’s time to start optimizing your social media. Treat every post like it’s a discoverable resource, focus on clarity, tagging, and search intent. If you want an easy guide on how to make sure your social is being seen in searches, I have an article, 3 Steps To Get Your Social Posts Seen, that goes in depth.
LONG-FORM VIDEO
I know, I know, it’s like a yo-yo. One minute we’re all minimizing our videos and the next we’re stretching them out. It’s hard to keep up, but if you follow updates from social platforms you’ll see that they’ve all been increasing the length of video time that can be uploaded. How can you incorporate this into your strategy? Use short-form video (quick, high-value) for discovery/reach and long-form videos (thoughtful storytelling) for trust/retention.
Value will always capture attention. Make sure your content is providing reasons for viewers to trust and follow: build genuine communities, tell better stories, and serve your audience’s interests.
If you’re curious how these trends differ from 2023, 2024, and 2025, check out my blogs from the last three years: 2023 Social Media Trends, 2024 Social Media Trends, 2025 Social Media Trends.