As we enter 2026, one thing is clear: The year 2025 was a breakthrough year for digital marketing, driven by the rapid evolution of AI. At seoplus+, we are energized by this momentum and excited about the opportunities ahead.
To kick off the year, we asked two of our industry leaders, Brock Murray, COO of seoplus+, and Kyle Turk, VP of Marketing at seoplus+ and Founder of Meerkat Marketing, to share their digital marketing predictions for the coming year.
The TL;DR
- Leadership Predictions: Winning brands in 2026 will rely on authentic, human-led content and adopt AI-first search strategies to stay discoverable and relevant.
- Video-Commerce: Video is now a direct way to buy. Marketers should focus on effective, affordable formats that drive real actions.
- Community and authenticity: Building a real community and empowering insider voices will differentiate brands in a market that values trust and communication.
Click, watch, buy: How video became a sales channel
Short, live, and interactive video are no longer just emerging trends. They are reshaping the way consumers interact and buy. Social media has changed. Video is no longer just for engagement; has become the main driver of transactions.
A recent IAB study found that 86 percent of advertisers are already using or planning to use artificial intelligence to produce video ads. By 2026, nearly 40 percent of all video ads are expected to be powered by AI.
At the same time, social commerce continues to grow. Live shopping, shoppable posts, and in-stream payments turn stagnant views into active conversions.
What this means for marketers: Video is now a direct way to buy. To stay competitive:
- It embraces interactive features, product overlays, live shopping formats, and affordable end cards.
- Make sure your video content integrates with your ecommerce platform.
- When measuring performance, prioritize actual actions, such as adding to cart and checkout, over high-level metrics such as views and likes.
At seoplus+, we offer paid advertising and video marketing services to help you turn views into conversions, both smart and smart.
Lead with community: Build trust with inner voices
In 2026, authenticity and community are now key to meaningful brand engagement, driven by real voices and a clear purpose.
Transparency, ethical messaging, and two-way interactions are no longer an option. As a result, forward-thinking brands are investing in:
- Managed areas such as forums, apps, and small communities
- Peer-to-peer strategies tap into existing customer networks
- Advocate for employees to amplify authentic, inner voices
At seoplus+, we welcome this change. Our team is always creating fun, authentic internal content that showcases the people doing the work. We believe that your team should be part of your story.
The takeaway: Build community, empower inner voices, and measure authenticity through engagement, retention, and referrals.
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In 2026, brands that will win on social media will rely on authentic, human-creator-centric content to stand out in an increasingly AI-generated environment. A unique brand personality, authentic voices, and lived experiences will be key differentiators, helping brands build trust and emotional connections where automation alone falls short. Personality will be more important than polish.
Kyle Turk, VP of Marketing at seoplus+ | Founder at Meerkat Marketing
Bottom line: How to win in 2026
In 2026, success in digital marketing will come down to three things: demonstrating authenticity, embracing the power of AI, and creating content that drives meaningful engagement and action. Whether it’s through shoppable video, community building, or AI-driven discovery, leading brands will be those that align with purpose and keep the human element at the center.
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The year 2026 will mark a shift to an ‘AI search-first’ strategy, as ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google’s AI Overviews dramatically change the way consumers find products. The winners will be the companies that optimize AI-generated responses while using these AI tools to deliver personalized content experiences at scale, making one-size-fits-all marketing a thing of the past.
Brock Murray, COO at seoplus+
Looking ahead
These are just a few trends that digital marketers should keep an eye on in 2026. Want to dig deeper or explore how these insights apply to your strategy? Contact the seoplus+ team. We are here to help.
What trends do you see in 2026? Share your predictions with us.
