Social media updates are constantly evolving, and if you want to stay ahead of the game, you’re in the right place. It’s crazy to think about how much has changed over the years. Remember when social media was just about posting pictures and getting a few likes? Now it’s a full-blown ecosystem where businesses thrive, creators build empires, and brands connect with their audiences like never before.
At ViralOmega, we’ve been deep in the world of digital marketing for years, analyzing trends, testing strategies, and helping brands grow. And let us tell you—2025 is shaping up to be a game-changer. Let’s dive into the current social media trends in 2025!
1. People Will Follow Accounts Less
This might not be the best news for businesses and creators, but growing followers will become more difficult. Calls to action and giving people a reason to follow you will be more important than ever.
Why Is This Happening?
Social media users no longer need to follow accounts to see content they like. Platforms like Instagram now work on an interest-based algorithm rather than a follower-based one. Previously, following someone was the only way to ensure you’d see their content. Now, the algorithm analyzes engagement signals like likes, comments, shares, watch time, and saves to determine what content to show you—no follow necessary.
Additionally, with the sheer volume of content available, passive consumption has increased. People scroll quickly instead of visiting profiles and deeply engaging like they used to.
Can You Still Grow on Instagram?
Absolutely! It just requires a more strategic approach. You need to be more direct in asking for follows and build stronger relationships through engagement, especially in DMs. Leveraging automation tools can also help.
2. A Major Shift in Popular Content
Since 2020, short-form content has dominated, thanks to TikTok. From dancing trends to fast-paced B-roll edits, creators felt pressured to produce content in a specific way. But here’s the thing—people are over it.
The content is tired. Creators are burnt out, uninspired, and craving something fresh. We predict that this shift will significantly impact how content is created and shared, especially with AI on the rise.
3. Carousels Will Become More Important
Short-form videos won’t disappear, but carousels will gain more traction. They offer a low-effort yet high-engagement alternative to video content.
Instagram’s algorithm is also favoring carousels more, even ranking them in the Reels tab if music is added. Plus, Instagram doubled the limit from 10 to 20 images per carousel, making it easier to share detailed, step-by-step content.
Why Are Carousels Winning?
- Easier to create – No need to be a video editing expert.
- Higher engagement – Carousels outperform Reels in many cases.
- Better storytelling – Vlog-style, step-by-step, or personal anecdotes work well.
If you’re not already using carousels, now is the time to start.
4. “Top Tips” Content Will Decline
For years, content like “3 Ways to Do X” or “5 Tips for Y” has flooded social media. But with ChatGPT and AI tools generating these tips instantly, this format has lost value.
What’s the Alternative?
Humanized, story-driven content. Instead of generic advice, people want real experiences and unique perspectives.
Here are some hooks for you to steal
- The Problem-Solution Hook
“Doing [X] can be scary, but I have the solution for you.”
Example: Wearing new styles can be scary, but I have the solution for you. - The Shocking Fact Hook
“Did you know that [X] can lead to [negative outcome]?”
Example: Did you know that leaving negative comments on social media can make you dumber? - The Curiosity Hook
“There are a lot of ways to do [X], but here are my favorites.”
Example: There are a lot of ways to display art, but here are some of my favorites. - The Worst Mistake Hook
“Maybe the worst thing you can do in [topic] is…”
Example: Maybe the worst thing you can do on social media is… - The Personal Transformation Hook
“I used to be the most [negative trait], but now…”
Example: I used to be the most unorganized, undisciplined, and lazy person ever.
See the difference? The second one is personal and engaging, making it stand out from AI-generated content. This shift will help separate real experts from generic content creators.
5. Serialized Content Will Rise
One of the best ways to get followers now is by creating content that keeps people coming back—just like a Netflix series.
We’ve already seen how massively successful TikTok storytelling series have become, such as the viral “Who the F Did I Marry?” series, which gained hundreds of millions of views.
Even if you don’t have a wild story to tell, breaking content into episodes can boost engagement and make people want to follow for the next part.
6. Exponential Growth for Threads
Threads has already seen major growth, and it’s only going to continue. Analytics arrived as predicted, and while ads haven’t launched yet, they are expected in early 2025. Free apps only stay free for so long, and monetization is inevitable.
7. Long-Form Content Will Dominate
While short-form videos had their moment, the pendulum is swinging back. YouTube remains the top streaming platform, and long-form videos still dominate despite the introduction of shorts. Even TikTok has moved toward longer content.
Why the Shift?
- Better monetization opportunities
- Users are tired of repetitive trends
- People want more depth and value
Similarly, text-based content is thriving. Platforms like LinkedIn and Substack are seeing more engagement as users crave substance over short, surface-level content.
8. LinkedIn’s Continued Growth
LinkedIn has been growing consistently and will remain a key platform for professionals and personal branding. As predicted last year, platform usage and content creation have increased, and that trend will continue.
For those serious about business, networking, or brand-building, LinkedIn will be the place to be in 2025.
Final Thoughts
The social media landscape is evolving fast. Follower growth will be harder, but with the right approach—leveraging automation, focusing on carousels, shifting away from AI-generated tips, and creating serialized content—you can stay ahead of the curve.
Instagram is favoring carousels, ranking them in Reels if music is added. The follower-based algorithm is shifting to interest-based content discovery.
Short-form content is declining, carousels are gaining traction, and engagement-based algorithms are reshaping content visibility. Serialized storytelling is also becoming more popular.
The decline of “top tips” posts, the rise of story-driven content, DM-based automation for engagement, and serialized storytelling for audience retention are shaping social media.
