Content
10 Content Marketing Trends in 2026
November 20, 2025
11 mins
In this selection, we break down the key content marketing trends for 2026 that deserve a spot in your content marketing strategy and highlight the tactics that will make your content more visible to search engines and more engaging for users.
The most obvious trend is adapting content for LLMs. According to recent data from Statista Consumer Insights, approximately 20% of Americans use AI platforms to search for products while shopping.
We expect AI to evolve into a personal shopping assistant, with in-chat purchases or voice-based shopping becoming the norm. For now, businesses need to focus on creating content that LLMs will see as a credible source. This increases the chances of being quoted in AI-generated answers, strengthening brand visibility and attracting higher-quality customers.
Optimizing for AI search is a holistic approach that includes:
Another crucial factor for ranking in LLMs is freshness and relevance. These signals play a major role in how AI search systems prioritize information. To go deeper into how to optimize your content for different AI search engines, read our guide: How to Optimize Your Content for LLMs in 2025.
Right now, tools like Ahrefs and Serpstat already provide phrases that appear in AI Overview results — and you can use these insights to plan and create content.
Important: traditional SEO hasn’t gone anywhere. For your website to perform well in content marketing, keyword research, technical optimization, and a solid link-building strategy remain foundational. AI-focused optimization is an additional — and increasingly essential — layer that helps you stay ahead of the curve and boost your visibility among today’s users.
AI has made content creation drastically easier and cheaper. You can now produce large volumes of material with fewer resources, rank well, and drive traffic. But when everyone uses the same tools, standing out becomes harder.
Your unique point of view and experience matter far more — and AI still can’t replicate that. Instead of pushing out even more AI-generated pieces, focus on content rooted in personal expertise and a deep understanding of the subject. Run your own research, share both wins and failures, and offer insights no one else has.
At Promodo, for example, we regularly conduct market and category-specific studies. They not only provide valuable insights for businesses but also help solve complex marketing challenges.
If you optimize only your website and blog but ignore SEO inside social platforms, you’re missing out on 41% of Gen Z users who search for places, products, and services directly on Instagram, TikTok, and similar platforms. These insights come from Sprout Social (Q2 2025).
Only 32% of people aged 13–28 still rely on traditional search. The good news is that social networks now offer their own built-in optimization tools.
For TikTok, that’s Trend Discovery — the platform’s official tool where you can find trending keywords, hashtags, and even popular sounds.
For Instagram — tools like Inflact or Hashtagify help you uncover effective hashtags and keyword patterns. Meta Business Suite Insights also highlights which words in your posts drive higher engagement.
For YouTube — vidIQ and TubeBuddy show which search queries are trending and how competitive they are, helping you choose topics with real visibility potential.
This trend naturally follows from the previous one. Text alone is no longer enough — you need supporting elements that boost engagement and conversions. And it’s not just about visuals. High-performing content now includes checklists, templates, research summaries, videos, diagrams, and even online calculators.
At the same time, commercial pages benefit from interactive features as well — 3D demos, AR filters, and other tools that draw users in and help lift conversion rates.
Clear authorship and proven expertise are now essential across all topics — not just in sensitive or specialized niches. Google’s updated algorithms can identify who the real author is and whether they are an actual expert. Publishing under a made-up name simply doesn’t work anymore. Real people with real experience earn more trust and tend to rank higher. You can find more details in Google’s latest update overview.
It’s not enough for an author to exist on paper — their activity should be visible beyond your website. Social profiles, mentions in reputable sources, quotes that appear in Google, contributions to well-known platforms — all of this builds authority. We recommend growing an expert’s presence across different channels rather than relying on a single platform. This strengthens credibility, boosts visibility in search, and builds recognition with the audience.
User-generated content (UGC) builds trust and has a direct impact on sales. Reviews, photos, videos, and customer stories all help show real experiences with your product.
Employee-generated content (EGC) is just as powerful. When team members share their processes, expertise, behind-the-scenes moments, or the results of their work, it creates transparency, showcases your company’s values, and strengthens the emotional connection with your audience.
This approach helps build trust not only for large companies but also for small businesses — it’s an affordable, effective way to earn credibility.
A trend closely related to UGC is involving employees in content creation, or EGC (employee-generated content), which remains highly relevant. This type of content helps brands show their real internal culture, strengthen audience trust, and support their HR brand at the same time. When employees share their own experiences or moments from their work, it creates a bridge between the company and the outside world — and attracts new talent.
Using UGC and EGC gives you a way to show your brand through the eyes of customers and employees, create authentic communication, and strengthen trust in your company.
Short videos on TikTok and Instagram Reels have become one of the leading content trends. They let you communicate product value quickly — and generate 2.5x more engagement than long-form video.
73% of people prefer short videos when discovering new products, and 47% of marketers consider them more viral. The sweet spot for duration is 11–60 seconds.
Brands should engage where their audiences already gather — in communities on Reddit, Discord, and LinkedIn for business purposes. These aren’t platforms for direct advertising; they’re spaces for authentic, human interaction. Share updates and wins, offer helpful advice, answer questions, and join conversations.
Community engagement helps brands to:
Podcasts aren’t going anywhere. According to Backlinko, the number of podcast listeners worldwide reached 584.1 million in 2025.
Podcasts are perfect for breaking down complex topics, interviewing thought leaders, and sharing practical insights. Niche podcasts — on financial literacy, mental health, technology, and more — are also gaining momentum.
For example, a Tulsa medical center specializing in biohacking runs its own YouTube channel. They produce educational videos on topics like the human body, stress, nutrition, and sleep. This format not only expands their content library but also serves as a channel where users can learn more about the center’s services.
You don’t always need to create content from scratch. You can repurpose it for different formats and platforms. For example, the podcast can also be published in text format on the blog, because some people prefer reading a short version with the key takeaways. It’s also an extra source of traffic and builds trust in the site.
At the same time, content from your website or blog can be easily adapted for social media.
The future of content marketing is all about connecting with your audience through experience, expertise, and smart use of technology. Brands that keep up with AI-driven search, use interactive elements, and tap into UGC don’t just gain views and sales — they earn genuine trust.
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