🚀 Latest Social Media Trends 2025/2026

Stay ahead with the hottest trends on TikTok, Instagram & YouTube

📊 Social Media in Numbers

50% Adults use Instagram

37% Adults use TikTok

#1 YouTube popularity

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TikTok Trends

The Less I Know the Better

Tame Impala's 2015 hit has made a comeback with users sharing their "stupid lines" - frequent phrases they say. The meme-worthy lyric "Come on, Superman, say your stupid line" has generated over 1.1 million videos as creators showcase their personal catchphrases.

Wabi-Sabi Trend

This heartwarming trend celebrates imperfections. When the audio says "This one's perfect," creators show something ideal, then switch to "I like how mine is a little off-center, it's got Wabi-sabi" featuring something beautifully flawed that holds personal value.

Jon Hamm Dance Trend

A dancing scene from Apple TV+'s "Your Friends & Neighbors" has taken TikTok by storm. Users pair things that bring them inner peace with Jon Hamm's dancing club scene, creating calming and therapeutic content.

2024/2025 Recap Videos

Year-end recap content dominated with creative CapCut templates. The trend moved from maximalist flexing to celebrating "small wins" and relatable moments, featuring the popular "End of Beginning" by Djo as the soundtrack.

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Instagram Trends

Edits App Revolution

Instagram's dedicated Edits app launched with advanced features including custom captions, transitions, color correction, animations, and 250+ sound effects. This makes professional-quality Reels creation more accessible than ever.

Google Search Integration

Instagram content is now searchable on Google. Public posts and Reels appear in search results, making SEO optimization with captions, alt text, and keywords crucial for discoverability beyond the app.

Short-Form Video Dominance

Instagram Reels (15-90 seconds) continue to be the platform's priority format. Nearly one in three consumers now start their search journey on Instagram rather than Google, making video content essential for reach.

Enhanced Creator Monetization

Instagram is becoming increasingly lucrative for creators with expanded monetization features, making it a prime platform for influencer partnerships and micro-influencer collaborations that prioritize authenticity.

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YouTube Trends

Living Room + Creator Culture

YouTube dominates both streaming in living rooms and creator culture. Marketing leaders report that 68% say YouTube drives the most business impact, making it essential for brand strategies in 2026.

Long-Form Content Power

While Shorts compete with TikTok, YouTube's strength remains in longer content (3-10 minutes). This format allows for deeper storytelling and meaningful creator collaborations that build authentic audience connections.

Cross-Platform Collaborations

Brands are creating platform-specific content for YouTube while repurposing across Instagram and TikTok. GoPro exemplifies this with POV adventure content from creators like extreme athletes and unique influencers.

Search-First Platform

Younger generations increasingly use YouTube as their primary search engine, bypassing Google entirely. This makes YouTube SEO and discoverability strategies critical for brand visibility.