Social Media Round-Up: What’s trending in 2025?

Hi everyone, Ellie here! As the social media manager at Total Guide to, I spend a lot of time keeping up with the latest trends, testing new features, and figuring out what really works for our audience. So I thought I would share my tips and tricks with you!

From short-form video still reigning supreme to the rise of more interactive content, here’s what’s been shaping the digital world this month and how we’re using it at Total Guide to to keep our content fresh, engaging, and ahead of the curve.

Short-form video is still king

TikTok, Instagram Reels, and even YouTube Shorts continue to dominate, and it’s clear that quick, engaging content is what people want. This month, we’ve been experimenting with more fast-paced videos across our platforms—whether it’s behind-the-scenes snippets, local business highlights, or trend-driven content. If you’re not already prioritising video in your strategy, now’s the time!

LinkedIn gets more casual

Something I’ve loved seeing this month is the shift in LinkedIn content. It’s becoming less about polished, corporate updates and more about storytelling, humour, and personality. As a business, this opens up so many opportunities to connect with people on a more personal level. At Total Guide to, we’re leaning into this by sharing more relatable content, industry insights, and celebrating local businesses in a way that feels real and engaging.

Social commerce is smoother than ever

Shopping directly through social media is nothing new, but this month we’ve seen platforms make it even easier for people to buy in just a few clicks. Instagram and TikTok’s seamless shopping integrations are helping businesses drive direct sales without users even having to leave the app. If you run a local business, this is a trend worth tapping into - we’re already seeing how powerful it can be for our partners!

Niche content spaces are growing

It’s not all about the big social platforms anymore - specialised spaces like private Facebook groups, Discord communities, and even exclusive newsletters are gaining traction. People are looking for content that feels personal and tailored to their interests. This is something we’re keeping a close eye on at Total Guide to - creating more targeted content for our local audiences to ensure they get exactly what they need from us.

AI is shaping content strategy

AI tools are becoming a must-have for social media managers. From generating captions to analysing audience insights, they’re making content creation smarter and more efficient. I’ve been using AI to help fine-tune scheduling, test different post formats, and ensure our content is as engaging as possible. It’s a game-changer!

The rise of micro and nano-influencers

This month, I’ve noticed more brands shifting their focus to smaller influencers who have highly engaged audiences. These creators often have stronger relationships with their followers, which translates to higher trust and better engagement. We love working with local influencers at Total Guide to - their ability to connect with our community in an authentic way is invaluable.

Interactive content is taking over

Social media is becoming more immersive, and this month we’ve seen an increase in AR/VR filters, live streams, and gamified content. These features aren’t just fun - they keep people engaged for longer. If you’ve interacted with any of our polls, quizzes, or live Q&As lately, you’ll know we’re embracing this trend to make our content more interactive and engaging!

Community-driven moderation is on the rise

Another interesting shift we’re seeing is how platforms are giving more power to users to moderate content. Whether it’s TikTok’s comment filters, Twitter (X)’s Community Notes, or Reddit’s upvoting system, people are taking a more active role in shaping the online spaces they’re part of. It’s a sign that social media is becoming more about meaningful, community-driven conversations - something we always encourage within our Total Guide to network.

January has been a busy month in social media, and these trends are just the beginning. At Total Guide to, we’re always looking for new ways to engage with our audience, support local businesses, and create content that stands out.

What trends have you noticed this month?

Drop a comment - I’d love to hear your thoughts!