Social media is about to change forever. Not just for creators, but for every brand and business using content to grow. Viral Omega has been studying this closely, spotting social media trends and shifts long before they become obvious to most. There are new ways to win that weren’t even possible before.
It’s clear: a new playbook is being written. Let’s break down the eight biggest shifts happening in social media and how to take advantage of them right now.
1. From Art Exhibits to TV Networks
In the last era, brands treated social media trends like an art exhibit. There was a single hero account, polished posts, curated product imagery, and occasional stories or DMs. A social coordinator managed it quietly behind the scenes.
But the cutting-edge brands today? They’re moving towards a TV Network model.
How It Works:
- One front door account still exists, acting as a social landing page for search and DMs.
- Behind the scenes, an R&D account runs wild.
- Managed by a young, terminally online creator, this account runs zero-rule content tests.
- When a format pops three times, it’s spun out into its own account.
- These new vertical accounts specialize in one content style, run either by a creator or manager.
Why This Works Now:
The ‘For You’ algorithm surfaces good content regardless of followers, making it possible to test fresh ideas without risking the main account’s aesthetic.
Example:
A men’s care brand runs its aesthetic account, but launches a secret R&D handle testing formats like “Get Ready With Me” videos. When one works, it’s spun into a secondary handle, posting only that format.
2. The Rise of AI Influencers
Forget AI avatars that look obviously artificial. We predict social feeds will soon fill with human-like AI influencers, indistinguishable from real people.
Two Types Every Brand Should Build:
- Category Expert: A character who represents expertise in your industry. For example, for a finance brand, it could be say Brian the Tax Expert. This character is fully controlled by your brand, shares professional tips, insights, and positions your brand as a trustworthy authority.
- Audience Mirror: A character that reflects your ideal customer’s life and struggles. For example, Megan the Small Business owner, who talks about the challenges and dreams your target audience relates to. This makes your brand feel more personal and connected to real people.
Why It Matters:
AI influencers will influence culture like real creators, without the unpredictability of human partners.
3. Divergence
As AI-generated content ramps up, social media trends will shift. Feeds will start converging on the same winning formats. That’s when human creators will swing in the opposite direction with wild, unpredictable, experimental content.
Expect to See:
- Crazy colors and visuals
- Offbeat storytelling structures
- New, untapped creative formats
Opportunity:
Brands leaning into this divergence early will break through the monotony of AI-generated sameness.
4. The Creator In Residence Boom
Major brands are waking up to the fact that social isn’t a passive billboard. It’s their most valuable growth lever.
Recent Examples:
- Starbucks is hiring a Global Coffee Creator.
- John Deere’s Chief Tractor Officer role at $175K a year.
Opportunity:
Ambitious creators should build their personal channels and tag brands they love. Brands should replace overpriced agencies with in-house talent.
5. Long-Form Content
The future of organic marketing is about using short-form to pull fans into long-form content. Why? Because long-form lets audiences spend more content minutes with a brand. And minutes equal loyalty.
Emerging Long-Form Channels:
- Live Streaming
- Social Shopping
- YouTube Podcasts
First Mover Advantage:
Jump into these categories now for unclaimed market share.
6. New Devices Are Coming
Today’s content is mobile-first. But two new devices are on the horizon:
- AR Glasses: Creating an infinite screen around users but nobody knows the winning video format for AR yet.
- AI Screenless Pucks: Like a hockey puck with a mic and camera, consuming audio content only. No screen, no scrolling.
Opportunity:
Monitor these emerging devices and be first to experiment when they hit the mainstream.
7. Product Development Is Flipping
Old model:
Idea → Sample → Content → Feedback → Sell
New model:
Idea → AI-generated Mockups → AI Content → Data Feedback → Product Sample → Sell
Why It Works:
Brands don’t waste months prototyping products no one wants. AI mockups paired with AI content let them validate ideas fast and cheap.
Tool Example:
Virtue 3D generates hundreds of product variants and tests them with AI-generated visuals.
8. Immersive World Building
Forget static posts and pretty feeds. A future where brands and creators build actual immersive digital worlds for fans is about to come.
Example:
4DV’s 4D Gaussian splatting turns videos into interactive spaces users can step into; no VR headset is needed.
Opportunity:
Get ahead by experimenting early with immersive content experiences. Soon, this will be mainstream.
Bonus: 2 Tactical Plays You Can Run Right Now
Earned Media Hack: Launch for Coverage
Create low-cost, high-virality stunts to trigger a wave of free, organic media.
Example:
Dr. Squatch selling Sydney Sweeney’s bathwater-infused soap bars. The stunt’s real value? Millions in free media impressions.
Affiliate Bootcamp Innovation
Brands should run their own in-house affiliate training sessions (called bootcamps) where they actively teach their affiliate partners:
- How to create content that actually converts (brings sales)
- Which platforms and formats work best
- Tips, tools, and proven strategies for higher commissions
Why?
Because better-trained affiliates = better content = more sales for both the affiliate and the brand.
Final Thoughts
These social media trends are actively building strategies and playbooks around them. The TV network strategy works right now. AR glasses and AI pucks are in labs but closer than anyone thinks.
For business owners and creators alike, the future belongs to those who see it first.
The rise of AI influencers indistinguishable from real people, with businesses building category evangelists and buyer lookalike profiles to drive trust, culture influence, and conversions through separate owned accounts.
Yes. With AI influencers, multi-account TV network strategies, immersive AR content, screenless devices, and live interactive shopping, social media is evolving faster than ever, unlocking endless business opportunities.
Brands risk irrelevance if they ignore new strategies. Successful brands build AI influencers, test viral formats, run earned media stunts, and embrace immersive content to stay culturally relevant and trusted.
