What’s Really Trending in Digital Marketing Right Now (And What Might Just Be Hype)
We’ll be honest—every time someone says, “Have you seen the latest trend in digital marketing?” We get a tiny bit suspicious. Not because trends are bad, exactly, but because there are just… so many. Every week it’s something new.
One week it’s all about ChatGPT-generated ad copies, the next it’s zero-click content strategies or “LinkedIn carousels that feel like mini TED Talks.” You scroll through your feed, and it starts to blur together. Everyone’s promising growth, reach, engagement—whatever term is hot that quarter.
But let’s take a breath and actually look at a few real trends. And maybe question a couple of them while we’re at it.
AI is Everywhere. But Not Everyone Knows What to Do With It.
Yes, AI is trending. Still. It’s the kind of trend that’s moved beyond the “shiny new thing” phase into… something murkier.
Everyone’s playing with tools—content writers, designers, media buyers. But here’s the thing: trying out AI tools doesn’t automatically mean you’re doing better marketing. Sometimes it’s just… faster. Or cheaper. Or, if we’re honest, just different.
We remember trying to generate an Instagram caption using an AI tool once. It technically worked, but it sounded like a motivational poster from 2013. “Elevate your brand with visionary energy”? Come on. No one talks like that.
So yeah, AI is trending. But using it well? That’s still up for discussion.
Short-Form Video Isn’t Going Anywhere
Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts. They’re still dominating—and not just for dance videos and “what I eat in a day” content.
Even B2B brands are jumping in now, which is kind of wild. You’ve got law firms doing funny skits and SaaS founders talking into their phone cameras about tax code updates. Is it weird? Sometimes. Is it working? Also… sometimes.
We guess the takeaway is: the format can work, but only if it feels right for your brand. Not every product demo needs to be edited like a Marvel trailer.
Influencer Marketing Has a New Favorite Word: Micro
We’re moving from celebrity influencers to people with 5,000 followers who feel like a friend of a friend. And brands are loving it.
Why? Because micro-influencers have niche audiences, higher engagement, and—this part’s key—they’re more affordable. You don’t need to pay ₹5L for a post. Sometimes, just sending free products and building a relationship works better.
Although… It’s still a gamble. That creator you loved last week might suddenly rebrand as a cryptocurrency coach and vanish from skincare reviews forever.
Organic Reach is a Struggle. But Maybe That’s the Point?
Here’s something I’ve noticed lately: brands are quietly accepting that organic reach just isn’t what it used to be. You can post the most thoughtful carousel or reel, and it might still get buried under a sea of algorithmic noise.
But maybe that’s not a failure—maybe it’s just how the platforms are built now. Pay to play. Or play smarter.
Some brands are leaning into community instead. Discord servers, closed WhatsApp groups, even old-school email lists with really well-written newsletters. It’s slower, sure. But it feels more real.
Data Privacy: Still Important, Just Less… Sexy
With cookies fading and consent banners everywhere, data privacy should be a bigger deal than it is. But it’s not exactly the stuff of viral LinkedIn posts.
Still, behind the scenes, smart marketers are doubling down on first-party data, building better CRMs, and getting more intentional about how they track behavior.
It’s quiet work. But it matters.
Final Thought
Trends are tricky. They can pull you in, make you question your entire strategy, tempt you to change everything overnight.
But not every trend is your trend. Some are distractions. Others are breakthroughs. Most fall somewhere in between.
If there’s one thing that never goes out of style? Understanding your audience. Everything else—AI, video, influencers—it’s just the wrapping.