by Brittany McSorley
Another year of Cape Cod social media marketing has come and gone and as always, we’ve kept our eyes on the ever-changing digital landscape. This past year saw a lot of changes in the social media world; here are a few of the biggest takeaways for 2025 and beyond.
Think TikTok alternatives: According to beehiiv, the uncertainty surrounding the future of TikTok in the U.S. is giving other short-form video platforms the opportunity to gain users. YouTube Shorts is one possible destination, if and when short-form video “move[s] to the places where people didn’t think ‘it was worth it.’” If you’re exploring short-form marketing and want to expand past Reels, YouTube Shorts might be the right next step.
Keep an eye on AI: Over the past year, “Several instances of AI-generated content being mistaken for genuine human-created content have led to confusion and distrust,” according to Social U LLC on LinkedIn. At the same time, the increased presence of AI has made internet users better at identifying artificially generated content. Audiences still crave an authentic human touch, so if your business is exploring AI tools, do so carefully.
Mind the algorithms: Also according to Social U LLC, “In 2024, several algorithm changes have had a significant impact on organic reach and engagement.” Successful social media marketers in 2025 will be able to adapt to these shifting trends and create content that keeps up. After all, your marketing material can only work for you if it shows up on your audience’s feeds. When in doubt, the golden rule of algorithms is that they favor posts they believe will have high levels of engagement (likes, shares, and comments). Algorithms also track the kind of content users spend more time viewing and prioritize that content; these days, that’s likely to mean videos get higher priority than static posts. Finally, algorithms will show your content to your followers who interact with your profile frequently, so remember to post consistently to stay near the top of their feeds.
Don’t be afraid to go live: Live streaming has been on the rise for several years now, and 2024 was no different. If you haven’t incorporated live video into your marketing strategy — whether through TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube — 2025 is the year to explore this new method for making connections.
Set up shop: Swat.io reports, “Social commerce has also reached the next level in 2024. More and more social media platforms are integrating in-app shopping functions.” If your business could get a healthy boost through in-app commerce, this is the year to give it a try.
Stay searchable: Though Google is still king, people are using social media increasingly as search engines. Swat.io also notes that “young users in particular are increasingly abandoning traditional search engines and browsing social media for recommendations, instructions, and trends.” Make sure your SEO approach in 2025 accounts for this shift. This means doing your best to predict how an Instagram or TikTok user might search those apps to find a business like yours, then incorporating those keywords into your content. If you specialize in kitchen remodeling, for example, including keywords like “2025 kitchen trends” or “kitchen remodel inspo” can extend your reach.
X-cuse yourself: As we noted in our recent BlueSky blog, many social media users are finding alternatives to X/Twitter, a trend that will likely continue throughout 2025. If your business is seeing dwindling Twitter engagement, consider trying out Threads or BlueSky to make a marketing impact.
Actually excuse yourself: Though social media fluency is critical for successful marketing, it’s also important to know when you could use a break, even a short one, from the online landscape. Throughout 2025, we recommend even the most vigilant marketers look for moments to step away from the screen and breathe! Happy new year.
