What’s Working for Marketing Professionals? A Look at 4 of 2025’s Biggest Social Media Trends

The landscape of social media marketing is constantly shifting—and quickly. Gone are the days when brands could rely solely on polished but static branded messaging to keep audiences engaged.??

At Idea Hall, we take a holistic and strategic approach to social media, blending creativity with data-driven insights to help brands tell their stories, engage with their audiences, and achieve measurable results. By combining creative storytelling with data and audience insights, our social media strategies help brands connect with their audiences in meaningful ways, turning followers into advocates and sparking long-term growth.?

It’s also important to stay nimble and relevant once a strategic foundation is set. Let’s take a look at current social trends that brands should pay attention to.??

1. The Rise of Entertainment-First Content?

Today, it’s all about entertainment. According to Hootsuite’s Social Media Trends 2025 Survey, more than 60% of social content is designed to entertain, educate, or inform without direct promotion. For a quarter of organizations, entertainment-driven content makes up nearly all of their social strategy.?

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2. From “Going Viral” to Being Part of the Conversation?

Chasing virality is no longer the goal—being fluent in social media culture is. Just as a native speaker can spot someone new to a language, social users can tell when a brand is forcing its way into conversations without truly understanding them. Authenticity is everything.?

More than 25% of social marketers now regularly adapt their content to respond to cultural trends, memes, and social conversations. But this requires a deep level of social listening.?

Brands that are succeeding in 2025 are the ones that master the art of when to engage and how to do it in a way that authentically aligns with their voice. This includes not just posting their own content but actively engaging with other brands and influencers in meaningful ways.?

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3. Succeeding with Video on Platforms like Reels?

Want to succeed with video on Reels? Take it straight from the top with tips from Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri.??

Want to succeed with video on Reels? Take it straight from the top with tips from Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri.?To maximize reach, avoid using watermarked or logo-heavy videos. Keep your Reels under three minutes, incorporate music or dynamic audio, and post regularly using a consistent theme.?Don’t be afraid to experiment—test different styles and formats using the “Trial Reels” feature to see what resonates beyond your audience of followers – then upgrade content that performs best.?

The key? Keep creating, keep refining, and keep engaging!?

View Adam’s Tips & Tricks for Reels here.

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4. The Role of AI in Content Creation?

While AI won’t be fully replacing social media managers anytime soon, it’s rapidly becoming an essential tool in the content creation process. According to Hootsuite, 70% of social media marketers now use AI to develop content ideas (up from 56% in 2023), and 72% use it for revising and rewriting copy (up from 37% in 2023).?

AI is helping brands keep pace with the fast-moving nature of social trends by generating ideas, streamlining content creation, and improving efficiency. But human oversight remains critical. AI can suggest, refine, and optimize—but it can’t replace the cultural fluency and nuanced understanding of trends that real social strategists bring to the table.?

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Final Verdict: Are These Trends Working??

The biggest social media trends of 2025 reinforce what we at Idea Hall have long believed—marketing works best when it’s meaningful, entertaining, and culturally fluent. As brands shift from polished promotions to entertainment-first content, the challenge isn’t just keeping up with trends—it’s knowing when and how to engage authentically. Brands that embrace humor, take creative risks, and participate authentically in conversations are reaping the benefits in audience engagement and brand affinity.?

However, success in this space requires more than just jumping on the latest trend. It demands a deep understanding of social culture, a commitment to ongoing social listening, and a willingness to experiment.?

For brands looking to stay ahead in 2025, the key takeaway is clear: start entertaining. Reach out to explore how Idea Hall can help your marketing and communications teams stay ahead of the digital and social media game!?

Ready to take your social media game to the next level? Whether you’re looking to entertain, engage, or just stay relevant, we’ve got the strategy and creativity to help you connect with your audience in meaningful ways.?

Reach out to Idea Hall today and discover how we can help your team stay ahead of the curve—one post at a time!?