In 2025, businesses are getting serious about social media. And by serious, we mean strategic and intentional. Long gone are the days of posting just to post or trying to capitalize on every trend that happens across your feed.
With over 5 billion social media users worldwide, it’s important to be selective about the content you share. You will not reach everyone…nor should you want to! 2025 is all about building trust and credibility with the communities that matter to you and to your business.
Here are a few of the top social media platforms and content trends that will help your business succeed in 2025.
LinkedIn is IN.
LinkedIn has often been considered an afterthought in social media, especially when compared to major players like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. However, more recently, the platform has seen a 44% increase in engagement year over year.
Businesses—and employees—are flocking to this space, and in an all-new way. With improved content creation capabilities, scheduling tools, and analytics reporting, LinkedIn has elevated its in-app experience to encourage storytelling and post interactions.
Users now share their workplace adventures openly and without fear or shame. Employees and employers alike discuss everything from in-office conditions to salary gaps and maternity leave. Businesses have turned to LinkedIn to join these important conversations. They share team achievements and support causes that relate to their missions.
In 2025, you can anticipate a greater emphasis on LinkedIn as a digital marketing strategy. Businesses will utilize the platform’s new features and spend more time connecting with this involved community.
YouTube is still relevant.
YouTube is expected to reach nearly 3 billion users in 2025. It has more than solidified its position as a major social media platform. Right now, only Facebook exceeds YouTube in active monthly users.
To keep up with the rise of short-form content, YouTube globally introduced Shorts in 2021. However, we predict a return to long-form content in 2025. This shift will undoubtedly favor YouTube over platforms like Instagram or TikTok.
Even if there is not a resurgence of longer-form videos this year, YouTube will continue to grow. This seems increasingly more likely with TikTok's uncertain future in the US. After all, YouTube Shorts amass over 70 billion views per day.
Quality is greater than quantity.
By now, social media has been around long enough for users to develop a sort of “social media literacy.” Inauthentic or misleading branding is easier for users to spot and harder for them to find value in.
Businesses will now truly need to find their niche. To stand out, they must use long-term social media strategies focused on consistent and intentional storytelling. Luckily, this means we'll see fewer "trend-chasing" methods than we have in the past.
Gone are the days of heavy filters, mega influencers, and click-bait social posts. To succeed on social media in 2025, businesses must prioritize real content. This means purpose-driven messaging, the insights of field experts over celebrities, and the blending of entertainment and education.
Employees make a brand.
One of the strongest ways for businesses to earn trust and show authenticity is the use of employee-forward content.
To build and engage an online community, businesses should create content that is both sincere and educational. Achieve this by tapping employees to share their experiences, their passions, and their industry knowledge. Direct quotes, audio clips, and short-form videos are all great ways to feature the real people behind a brand.
And don’t forget to reward those employees! Studies show 79% of businesses that prioritize employee advocacy initiatives receive higher online ratings and visibility than those without.
Social search is on the rise.
According to Forbes, Instagram and TikTok have surpassed Google as the go-to search engine for ages 18-24. Ages 25-34 are not far behind. As a result, social media and SEO are becoming more interconnected, and the algorithms have taken note.
Early last year, Meta reduced their recommended number of hashtags per post from 12+ to only 3-5. Then, in December, they removed the ability to follow hashtags altogether. As Meta scales back their hashtag strategy, the importance of keywords, post locations, and link sharing increases.
In 2025, businesses will need to more closely align organic social media strategies with traditional SEO tactics. This will lead to a comprehensive digital marketing strategy with more focused content across platforms and channels.
Stand out on social media in 2025.
Your business is unique, and your social media presence should reflect that. In 2025, High10 will help businesses create strong social media strategies that connect with your audience, mission, and goals.
From choosing the right platforms to sharing intentional content and connecting with engaged communities, High10 will help your business stand out on social media in 2025. Learn more and stay up-to-date on the ever-changing world of digital marketing by visiting our blog.
