The ways brands and enterprises gain market audience via social networking sites has evolved around the world. Social media has undoubtedly developed in recent years, and it appears that new, fascinating social media trends and functionalities will continue to surface this year. Every company is seeking for new ways to reach a large section of the worldwide social media user base. As a social media marketing agency in Dubai, we’ve witnessed firsthand how businesses can succeed by leveraging current marketing trends. It’s among the most focused strategies to stay relevant in a competitive market. As one of the greatest digital marketing businesses, we solely base our decision-making strategy for each client on the most recent trends.
Here are the B2B and B2C trends your company should focus on in 2026 as you make your spring cleaning checklist.
Brands invest more in social commerce
When you transact goods or services directly from a social networking site, it is known as social commerce. All of the major social media platforms have made investments in social commercial activity, and this trend indicates that they will proceed to do so in the future.
According to research done on behalf of Sprout Social by The Harris Poll, 73 % of firms are already engaged in social commerce, with % expecting to do this within the next three years. Sprout introduced special apis with Shopify and Facebook Shops as a result of this trend. This, you’ll be able to tag things from your shop without leaving Sprout.
According to Insider Intelligence, social commerce will continue to increase in the next few years. It is estimated that there would be 97.2 million social commerce buyers in the United States by 2023, accounting for 38.2 percent of internet users.To stand out in this competitive landscape, partnering with a Branding Agency in Dubai can help businesses create a consistent brand identity across social platforms, enhance audience trust, and maximize conversions through effective social commerce strategies.
Summary of Key Trends & Strategic Implications
Trend | Key Driver | Strategic Implication for UAE Brands |
Generative AI Co-Pilot | Efficiency & Personalization | Invest in AI tools and training; use AI for multilingual content and 24/7 customer service. |
Silent & Accessible Video | Mobile-First Consumption | Mandate high-quality Arabic/English captions and design videos to be understood without sound. |
Social Search as Primary | Shift in User Behavior | Implement a social SEO strategy; create content that answers “how-to” and “where-to” queries. |
Immersive Experiences (AR/Live) | Technology Adoption | Develop AR filters for campaigns; host regular shoppable live streams for product launches. |
Niche Communities | Demand for Authenticity | Create branded, private groups to foster loyalty and gather direct customer feedback. |
Livestream shopping transforms e-commerce
Livestream buying on social media is an e-commerce technique that is gaining traction. The ongoing pandemic accelerated its expansion because traditional retail outlets were less accessible. Consumers prefer livestream shopping since it combines the personalised ambience of the person live-streaming with the convenience of purchasing from home.
According to a McKinsey analysis, clothes and fashion accounted for 35.6 percent of livestreams. All of the big networks have previously implemented or plan to include livestream shopping for viewers. Find out ways to incorporate shoppable content into your social media marketing strategy if you haven’t already.
Short-form videos are valued more
It’s no surprising fact that short-form video will be a social media trend in 2026, given the popularity of TikTok and Instagram’s own declaration of value for video. All of the main social media networks now support the video format of Stories in some way.
According to one study, 93% of firms polled gained a new customer as a result of a social media video and claims that over 50% of video viewers will remain towards the end if it’s under a minute long. Fortunately, companies can more quickly access short-form videos than longer ones. Customers are turning to Stories and TikTok videos due to their authenticity and cheap production values.
Social Media Posts as a Form of Currency
Is it possible to buy something with a social media post? Yes, it’s true, and the social media trend is only in its early stages. This was initially seen at MilkUP’s pop-up in Ontario, where buyers were given free limited-edition items from local companies in exchange for sharing on social media.
As a result, long queues and frequently sold-out merchandise become a thing in no time. Similarly, throughout the month of November, Bun Burgers allowed customers to pay for their burgers with “TikTok cash.” This video alone has received almost 6 million views. Bun Burgers gained brand visibility and free user-generated content while TikTokers received free hamburgers. These types of ads could take off as the world frees up again and brands arrange in-person events. So, keep an eye out.
Preparing Your UAE Brand for 2026: An Actionable Checklist
To prepare your social media strategy for what lies ahead, apply these ideas now:
- Assess Your AI Readiness: Over the next quarter, look for and test out at least one content creation or community management tool that uses AI.
- Practice a Caption-First Video Approach: Make sure each new video asset is fully accessible, includes clear and engaging text overlays in your intended languages, and incorporates captions.
- Make Your Content Optimized For Social Search: Learn what the ten questions that your target audience in the UAE is asking, and plan to produce a content series to answer their questions on Reels or TikTok.
- Explore AR: Plan to explore a platform such as Spark AR and create a simple branded filter for Instagram. Advertise your new filter!
- Create a Community, Not Just a Follower: Start a small, private group for your most loyal customers and intentionally engage with your group.
Conclusion
For businesses, the beginning of the year is crucial. It’s also a good moment to look back on the past year and evaluate strategy, as well as look ahead to future trends. We can’t predict the next TikTok viral challenge, but we can show you to think of the platform as a marketing tool. Social media businesses will invest in livestream shopping, audio formats, the creative economy, and other areas in 2026.
Now seems to be a good time to review your social media marketing strategy. To secure the win and achieve success, choose the best Digital Marketing Agency Dubai. With our great techniques, Zenerom can help you go ahead of your competitors in no time. To discover more about our branding Services in Dubai, contact us today.
