From fresh content formats to live shopping experiences, here are just a few of the social media trends for small businesses in 2026.

Interactive Shopping Experiences

Live interactive shopping continues to shape the digital landscape, a trend that’s marching strong into the new year, as creators and businesses show success selling products in real-time through live video streams directly on apps and platforms.

The remarkable growth of TikTok Shop points to how enthralled consumers are with discovering and shopping live on social media. The platform grew its U.S. sales by 407 percent in 2024, and another 108 percent in 2025 to reach 15.82 billion, according to Emarketer.

“TikTok Shop has become a social commerce juggernaut,” says Emarketer in a December statement releasing the statistics.

Short Form Videos

Video content remains a mainstay marketing tool for businesses going into the year, earning it the No. 1 spot on Sprout Social’s list of top social media trends in 2026.

Video content is still king, says the article by Rebecca MacFarlane, and businesses should make marketing across networks a priority.

“We already know that short form video is one of the best ways to connect with your audience and reach new followers,” says the Sprout Social post.

Instagram Reels range from 15 to 90 seconds, TikTok videos are three seconds to 10 minutes long, and YouTube Shorts can be up to 3 minutes long. 

Long-form video still has its place across platforms, the article says, pointing to the increased interest in YouTube, often considered the home for true long form video content.

According to Sprout Social’s 2025 Impact of Social Media Report, YouTube is attracting the attention of marketing leaders, with 68 percent of those in the survey saying it drives the most business impact.

Further, YouTube’s influence in the social video space is expected to continue to grow in 2026.

“It’s capturing streaming eyeballs in the living room and still holding strong influence in creator culture,” explains Tameka Bazile, creator and associate director of B2B social and content at Business Insider, in the Sprout Social article. “That dual power is only going to grow.”

Multiplatform Engagement

The average consumer uses nearly 7 platforms a month, according to the 2026 Global Digital Overview by Meltwater, an online media, social and consumer intelligence company based in San Francisco. 

“Brands must shift from ‘which platforms should we focus on’ to ‘how do we weave touchpoints into one connected campaign,” says a post by Social Media Today.

If businesses want to be successful in multiplatform engagement in 2026, they need to create consistent content and adapt messaging to each platform’s culture, the article says.

“Brands that weave narratives seamlessly across touchpoints capture attention and loyalty; those treating platforms in isolation waste budget and dilute impact. Multi‑platform engagement is no longer optional,” the post adds.

Community Connections & Authenticity

Building connections with your customers through authentic content and engagement is another social media trend businesses should look for in 2026.

“Today’s customers expect to be engaged with, not just talked to,” explains a recent post by Entrepreneur. “They want to know your values, not just your products.”

To be successful, entrepreneurs will harness technology, embrace flexibility and stay authentic, writes John Boitnott. “The future favors those who lead with clarity, not just creativity,” he adds.

Consumers want to feel like a part of something bigger than themselves, and that desire will drive them toward brands that prioritize resonance over reach, says the Sprout Social article by MacFarland.

Instead of chasing virality, the post says, businesses should focus on building community by sharing content that features shared identities or interactive storytelling, the post says.

“In 2026, connection will be the currency that matters most on social,” MacFarland writes.

Also, check out The Top Small Business Trends in 2026 and 3 Marketing Trends for Small Business.