New year, new algorithm updates, tactics and trends to stay on top of. Here are a few things every social media marketer should know heading into 2026.
1. 2026 Instagram updates
Instagram reach is always a hot topic in social media circles, and 2026 is no different. Instagram algorithm shifts now prioritize watch time, like rate and send rate over other engagements, meaning your content strategy and KPIs should likely shift this year.
Instagram also launched Instagram for TV at the end of 2025, presumably to compete with YouTube for larger-screen viewing. The app is available on Fire TVs and users sign in to their Instagram accounts to watch Reels grouped into channels based on their interests.
This could mean that longer-form content has a better opportunity to thrive on IG. In the past, Instagram said it would not recommend Reels more than three minutes in length to new audiences, but with more passive viewership on TVs, that may change in 2026.
2. All social media should now be SEO optimized
SEO 🤝 social media. While hashtags are out, keywords on social media are very much in. Last year, Meta launched an update that allows search engines to crawl public photos and videos on Instagram and Facebook — meaning that posts on Meta platforms will now join posts from TikTok, YouTube and Reddit in Google search results.
Social Media marketers have long known that keywords are invaluable on platforms like YouTube and Pinterest, but optimizing captions and supers on platforms like Instagram and Facebook will give savvy brands a leg up in 2026.
3. Meta ads unveil new AI tools + partnership ads
New updates to Meta ads will impact brands widely in 2026. The Advantage+ tool allows Meta to automatically generate creative variations of ads — exciting for lean teams, but risky for brand safety. Always review anything AI-generated for compliance and context.
Meanwhile, the Meta Creative Similarity Score will begin to identify ads that are too similar in creative and treat them as one single ad in terms of performance. That means that small color tweaks and design changes will no longer fly as fully separate ads. Creative teams, rejoice. Variety and true differentiation will be winners in 2026.
And finally, Meta’s recent expansion to Partnership Ads further underscores the importance of the creator economy in social media marketing. It’s now easier than ever to partner with influencers and amplify their messages in your brand’s paid campaigns. Hallelujah.
4. YouTube Shorts now feature carousels
While Instagram for TV is behaves more like YouTube, YouTube is busy testing static carousel posts on Shorts, much like Instagram and TikTok already allow. With and Shorts attracting 200 billion daily views, if your brand isn’t prioritizing YouTube in your 2026 strategy, you’re falling behind.
A low-lift entry point is repurposing your content, both vertical video and now carousels, from Instagram or Tiktok onto YouTube Shorts to see what resonates. Keep in mind, supers, titles, captions and keywords matter across every platform in 2026. For the best discoverability, be intentional with your copy, considering search intent.
5. 2026 LinkedIn algorithm updates
LinkedIn’s algorithm will also see shifts in the new year, prioritizing deep expertise over AI-generated and surface-level insights. That means polarizing hot takes for the sake of engagement alone will no longer cut it for sustainable reach and growth.
Instead, brands — or, even better, founders and c-suite creators functioning as thought leaders for their brands — will need to develop useful content that drives meaningful action from other users.
As you plan your 2026 social media strategy, keep in mind that algorithms, best practices and trends are always changing. If you need help staying on top of the latest, let’s connect. Our team of social media experts live and breathe these platforms every day, so you don’t have to.
