Social Media Trends We’re Watching This Year

Here’s what’s really happening in social right now, straight from the day-to-day of managing client accounts across industries. No fluff, just real trends we’re seeing and what we think is worth your attention.

‍

1. The Era of the “Staged Candid” and Selling the Vibe

What’s working? Candid videos—or at least the ones that feel candid. Think B-roll style clips, where the camera rolls without much fuss, capturing natural moments that might actually be carefully planned. It’s all about selling a feeling, especially for hospitality. When people see the content, they should think, “Yep, that’s exactly what it’s like there.”

Brands are getting bolder with creative stunts too, but is the era of over-the-top trend skits fading? Feels like it. Authentic, vibe-driven storytelling is edging in. Comedy? If well executed—still gold.

‍

2. Audience Behaviour: Blink and You Might Miss It

Trends move fast. Some are done before they even start. The key? If it doesn’t feel fresh, skip it. Bye bye.

Instagram is having a moment again. Its algorithm is finally pushing content based on keywords, making discovery feel more organic. Honestly, TikTok did Instagram a favour by forcing it to evolve.

Speaking of TikTok, it’s basically the new Google. Its search power is next-level.

‍

3. Content & Creative Trends

Raw, But Make It Intentional: Behind-the-scenes content is thriving, but polished, editorial vibes are creeping back in. The sweet spot? Blending both.

‍

The 8-Second Masterpiece: Short-form videos are huge. A simple 8-second clip with the right vibe—friends at a table, a glass of wine, good lighting—can be magic. Add trending audio? Perfect.

Carousels That Make You Swipe: Not just pretty pics. Story-driven video snippet carousels with a strong narrative are going viral. We saw it coming a year ago, and it's still going strong on both our client socials and Influencer collaborations.

Mic'd-Up Moments: This one is exploding, especially in Reels. Think mic'd-up team members or staff, capturing those spontaneous, behind-the-scenes conversations. It feels like a candid “BTW” moment, super relatable, entertaining, and often hilarious. Audiences love the unfiltered, authentic vibe—it’s like getting a sneak peek behind the curtain.

‍

4. Copy That Cuts Through

Forget long captions. Sometimes, one sharp sentence is all you need. Let the visuals do the talking. Keywords > hashtags now, but they serve the same purpose for reach.

Design-wise? Bold, clean, easy-to-read. Tiny, unreadable text? No thanks.

‍

5. Platforms: The Shifts We’re Seeing

TikTok: Still unbeatable with search and discovery.

Instagram: Catching up fast. The explore feed is finally interesting again.

Threads: One to watch. It’s where off-the-cuff, candid thoughts thrive—posts that wouldn’t hit on IG but work here.

‍

Corporate brands are leaning polished, but even they benefit from that relaxed vibe-driven content. Case in point: The Loft's local area collaborations.

‍

6. Influencers & Community Building

Micro-influencers are the real MVPs. We’re always scouting creators who consistently go viral. Their content feels real, not like an ad—and that’s exactly the point.

Building community? Entertain, tell stories, give back, sell (subtly), and repeat.

‍

7. Our Bold Prediction for the Next 12 Months

The super-trendy, gimmicky stuff? Fading. What’s next? Personality. People want to continue to see the real faces behind brands. Authenticity, vibe, and storytelling will win every time.

‍

At The Likes Of You, we don’t just follow trends—we spot them early, adapt fast, and sometimes set them. If you’re looking for a Melbourne-based social media and digital marketing agency that knows how to create engaging content, build authentic communities, and grow your brand organically, let’s chat. Whether it’s strategy, content creation, or social media management, we’re here to help your business stand out online.