Social Media Trends for 2026 with Special Guest Kati Noakes
The COCO Women Founders Online Business Mastermind brought together ambitious founders for a focused, insight-led session on the future of social media.
The session featured a live Q&A and a deep-dive on social media trends for 2026 with special guest Kati Noakes, social media strategist and founder of KN Comms.
The discussion centered on how social media is evolving in 2026 and what founders need to prioritise to stay visible, relevant and connected.
The Key Social Media Trends for 2026
Video Leads Every Platform
Video is now the dominant format across Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and TikTok. Short-form, vertical video continues to outperform all other content types, driven by user behaviour and platform algorithms. Bite-sized, under-60-second videos remain the most effective for reach, retention and engagement.
Social Media Is the New Search Engine
Social platforms are increasingly used instead of Google to find services, brands and recommendations. AI-powered search summaries now pull information from mentions, tags and conversations across social media, not just websites. Being talked about by trusted sources is now as important as SEO.
Authentic Content Over Perfection
Highly polished, AI-generated content is losing impact. Platforms are rewarding authentic, human-led storytelling that feels natural and relatable. Behind-the-scenes moments, informal videos and honest messaging are driving stronger trust and engagement.
Smaller Communities Matter More
There is a shift away from mass broadcasting and towards opt-in communities, private groups, DMs and broadcast channels. Deeper connections within smaller audiences are proving more effective than chasing follower numbers.
Relevance Over Volume
Algorithms are now prioritising watch time, saves, shares, retention and meaningful engagement — not how often you post. Follower count matters less than relevance and interaction.
Creator-Led and Micro-Influencer Commerce
Brands are focusing on micro-influencers with engaged communities. Trust and influence now outweigh reach, creating opportunities for founders to monetise relationships through collaborations and affiliate partnerships.
Platform-Specific Changes Highlighted
Instagram 2026 Trends
- Hashtags limited to five, making keyword relevance essential
- Reels can now be linked into series to increase watch time
- Reels length extended, but short-form remains most effective
- Instagram Edits app recommended for watermark-free, high-quality video creation
- DMs are increasingly central, with tools like scheduling, pinning and chatbots
LinkedIn 2026 Trends
- Video content is shared significantly more than static posts
- Relevance and dwell time are key ranking factors
- Profile visits and meaningful engagement influence reach
- Links in posts may reduce reach but can improve direct conversion when used strategically
Founder Q&A: Practical Insights from the Session
During the live Q&A, founders asked practical questions about platform changes, tools and performance. Below are the most important clarifications shared during the session.
Are live videos still worth doing?
Lives are valuable for nurturing existing audiences but are less effective for reaching new followers. Reels and short-form video remain the most powerful discovery tools.
How important are hashtags now?
Hashtags are still relevant but function more like search keywords. With fewer allowed, founders need to focus on audience intent, pain points and location.
Do static image posts still work?
Single-image posts perform poorly across most platforms. Carousels and video generate stronger engagement signals and are more likely to be shown by algorithms.
Should content be duplicated across social platforms?
Instagram and Facebook content can be duplicated to save time, while engagement strategies should differ. LinkedIn requires a more tailored tone and format.
How should success on social media really be measured?
Impressions and follower counts matter less than conversations, profile visits, messages and real business outcomes such as enquiries and sales.
What’s the Latest Update on Instagram Highlights?
Instagram Highlights remain an important navigation tool, allowing businesses to showcase services, testimonials, offers and key links. However, Instagram is testing a change where Highlights may move from the profile header into a separate tab, similar to the Reels tab. If rolled out fully, this could make Highlights slightly less visible, but they will still play a role in guiding audiences and supporting conversions.
Do mentions need to be tagged on Instagram?
Both tagged mentions and written references matter to increase post reach. AI tools now scan social content broadly, meaning visibility comes from being discussed across multiple trusted platforms.
Are AI Chatbots Paid For?
AI chatbots are not necessarily paid. A recommended tool discussed was ManyChat, which is a verified Instagram partner and offers a free version that is suitable for most small businesses. The free version requires manual setup per post, which can actually reduce errors such as outdated links. Using verified partners is important, as non-approved chatbots can result in account penalties.
How Does Instagram Edits Compare to CapCut?
Instagram Edits is increasingly recommended over CapCut for several reasons:
- It is fully integrated with Instagram, allowing easy access to saved audio, reels and drafts
- Videos can be downloaded without watermarks
- Content uses Instagram-licensed music
- It offers a high-quality in-app camera
- CapCut’s updated terms mean uploaded content may be reused, which raises concerns for some users
- While CapCut still offers more advanced features, Edits is improving rapidly and is seen as more future-proof for Instagram-focused content.
Should You Include External Links in Social Media Posts?
Including external links can reduce reach, as platforms prefer users to stay within the app. However, links can still be effective when conversion is the main goal. For visibility-focused posts, it is often better to place links in the comments or direct users to DMs. When sales or sign-ups are the priority, taking a small reach hit may be worthwhile by using a link.
Why Don’t Shared Posts Perform as well on LinkedIn?
Original content is prioritised by the LinkedIn algorithm. Shared posts are more effective for relationship-building rather than reach. To improve performance when re-sharing:
- Add meaningful commentary (around 100 words)
- Tag the original poster
- Use relevant hashtags
- Encourage the original creator to comment, which can significantly extend reach
Does Editing a Post After Publishing Reduce Reach?
Editing a post shortly after publishing can interfere with the platform’s initial ranking phase. Early engagement — especially within the first hour on Instagram and the first 90 minutes on LinkedIn — is critical. Minor edits made later are unlikely to have a major impact. For small typos, leaving the post live and addressing it in the comments is often the best approach.
Final Takeaway for Founders
The 2026 social media landscape rewards clarity, consistency and connection. Founders do not need perfection or large followings — they need relevant content, authentic storytelling and meaningful engagement with the right audience.
The COCO Women Founders Online Business Mastermind provided a practical, forward-looking roadmap to help women-led businesses stay visible and confident in a fast-changing digital world.
See our Events page for upcoming online masterminds and meet-up events happening in Amersham, Marlow, Beaconsfield & Thame.
About Kati Noakes
KN Communications
Kati Noakes is an experienced social media strategist and the founder of KN Comms, working with clients across the globe. She specialises in helping founders and small businesses confidently use social media to grow their visibility, engagement and impact.
Over the past year, Kati has focused extensively on integrating AI tools into social media strategy, supporting business owners to work smarter while staying authentic and human in their content. She is known for translating fast-changing platform updates into clear, practical advice that founders can apply immediately.
With social media evolving daily, Kati remains committed to staying at the forefront of emerging trends, ensuring the businesses she supports are always prepared for what’s next.
