Social Media Marketing Update 2026
“What marketers need to prepare for next”
This briefing explores the platform shifts, algorithm changes, and behavioural trends shaping social media marketing in 2026. It focuses on what is changing, why it matters, and how marketers should adapt their strategies now to stay effective and relevant.
Why 2026 Matters for Social Media
Social media is no longer primarily about broadcasting content.
Platforms are evolving into AI-powered discovery, search, and commerce environments.
Marketers must shift from volume-led posting to intent-led, value-driven engagement.
The Four Forces Shaping Social Media in 2026
According to the research, social media in 2026 is defined by:
AI embedded everywhere
Social platforms acting as search engines
Native commerce and in-platform conversion
A shift from mass reach to trusted communities
More webinars like this at Cambridge Marketing College http://marketingcollege.com
The Reluctant Entrepreneur, Mike Konrad, joins Neil Wilkins on the podcast to discuss the trials and tribulations of setting up and running a business.As you'll hear, it's a journey of ups and downs and the learning of many life lessons.Listen to The Reluctant Entrepreneur Podcast https://www.reluctantentrepreneurpodcast.comSubscribe to The Neil Wilkins Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/neil-wilkins-podcast/id1327913887
"Behind every great campaign is structure, clarity, and purpose."This session breaks down the key building blocks of an effective marketing campaign, from goal-setting to creative execution and measurement.You’ll see how ideas move from strategy to delivery, with practical steps and examples you can apply to your own projects.Learning OutcomesBy the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:Identify and define campaign objectives that align with business goals.Segment and understand target audiences.Develop clear, persuasive messaging.Select appropriate media and channels.Plan timings and budgets effectively.Measure campaign performance using meaningful KPIs.More content like this at Cambridge Marketing College http://marketingcollege.com
Christiane and Neil discuss finding rhythm in life, The Petite Practice™ STEP System, habit stacking and finding happiness, in this episode of the Neil Wilkins Podcast.
Connect with Dr Christiane Schroeter https://doctorchristiane.com
Subscribe to the Neil Wilkins Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/neil-wilkins-podcast/id1327913887
"How to make your content visible in a voice and AI-driven search world."This session explores the fast-evolving field of Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO); How AI assistants, conversational agents, and generative search platforms are reshaping discoverability. You’ll learn what AIO (Artificial Intelligence Optimisation) really means, how GEO builds upon SEO, and what you can do today to prepare for tomorrow’s search landscape.Session OverviewBy the end of this session, participants will:Understand how AI-powered search differs from traditional search.Learn the principles of GEO and AIO (AI Search Optimisation).Apply techniques to improve visibility in AI-generated results.Build a future-ready content optimisation plan for AI-driven discovery.For more webinars like this, visit Cambridge Marketing College http://marketingcollege.comFor more content like this, visit Neil Wilkins Online https://neilwilkins.online/category/metaverse-marketing/Subscribe to the Neil Wilkins Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/neil-wilkins-podcast/id1327913887
Anarchy for a Day, with Kyle Asperger
Kyle Asperger is the creator of AnarchyForADay.com, where he redefines anarchy as tactical differentiation: teaching leaders how to rethink rules, apply them to their organisations, and carve out their own blue oceans. With a decade of agency experience and a coaching style that’s blunt, spontaneous and unfiltered, Kyle cuts out the fluff and uncovers the truth.
Outside of his coaching practice, Kyle is building a name for himself as a film and television actor and voice artist.
Download Kyle's zero-fluff, action-first guide built for small business and nonprofit leaders https://anarchyforaday.com/free-pdf
Connect with Kyle https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyleasperger/
More content like this at Neil Wilkins Online https://neilwilkins.online/category/marketing-career/
Subscribe to the Neil Wilkins Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/neil-wilkins-podcast/id1327913887
The Impact of AI on Branding, with Imogen Ley-ClowesImogen and Neil Wilkins discuss how AI is impacting brands in terms of agency-side and client-side customer experience, automation and brand character.They discuss the nuances of brand character and how taking the time to reflect on strategic brand position is more valuable than simply engaging with the latest AI tools.Imogen is Founder and Creative Lead at Immo Studio, a London-based brand studio http://immostudio.co.ukConnect with Imogen https://www.linkedin.com/in/imogen-ley-clowes/More content like this at Neil Wilkins Online http://neilwilkins.onlineSubscribe to the Neil Wilkins Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/neil-wilkins-podcast/id1327913887
Neil Wilkins and Jeff Borschowa discuss strategy, tactics and the often rift between sales and marketing, in this deep dive into how AI may scale the issues in many businesses.But as they find out, there is hope and businesses willing to take conscious and mindful strategic steps, will open up new opportunities for growth and success in the new AI economy.Listen to Jeff Borschowa's Podcast https://pharosbusiness.com/resources/the-lighthouse-sessions-podcast/Connect with Jeff https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-borschowa/More content like this at Neil Wilkins Online https://neilwilkins.online/category/metaverse-marketing/Subscribe to the Neil Wilkins Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/neil-wilkins-podcast/id1327913887
"How to refine and improve your content with AI, data, and insight."
This session designed to show marketers exactly how to analyse performance, test variations, and tailor content to audience behaviour using AI tools.
Participants will leave with a clear method for improving blogs, newsletters, and social posts — step by step.
Learning Objectives
Understand how content optimisation works across different channels.
Use AI tools to test and improve existing content.
Analyse performance data to identify areas for refinement.
Apply a repeatable framework for ongoing optimisation.
More content like this at Cambridge Marketing College http://marketingcollege.com
Director of Global Sustainable Transformation Practice at Kantar, Emily Hill, joins Neil Wilkins to discuss circular economy and circular business from a marketing perspective.
Emily is a sustainability strategist with a decade of consulting experience across brand, insight and innovation challenges. Emily helps brands use their influence for good by uncovering the issues that matter, advising them on where to play and how to show up in order to drive sustainable business growth and positive social change.
Emily answers questions like: How can marketers can make a difference to accelerating the adoption of circular economy? Is circularity a commercial opportunity?
Connect with Emily Hill https://www.linkedin.com/in/ejsimons/
Marketing Playbook for a Circular Economy https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/marketing/overview
Measuring marketing success for circular business models | Ellen MacArthur Foundation https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/marketing/measuring-marketing-success-for-circular-business-models
Insights from the Kantar Sustainable Marketing 2030 study https://www.kantar.com/campaigns/sustainable-marketing-2030
More content like this at Neil Wilkins Online https://neilwilkins.online/category/marketing-sustainability/
Subscribe to the Neil Wilkins Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/neil-wilkins-podcast/id1327913887
Introduction to Customer Journey, with Neil Wilkins at Cambridge Marketing College"From Awareness to Retention — how to choreograph meaningful customer experiences that drive lifetime value."This session introduces the customer journey as a living process rather than a funnel — one that moves through mindsets, emotions, and actions. You’ll learn how to map customer behaviours, stimulate trust, and design interactions that grow lifetime value.Session OverviewBy the end of this session, you will be able to:Understand the three core journey phases — Awareness, Conversion, Retention.Recognise customer mindsets within each phase.Design actions that move customers forward.Connect these steps to enhanced Customer Lifetime Value (CLV).More content like this at Cambridge Marketing College http://marketingcollege.com
Inclusive Marketing Channels: Reaching Everyone
"How to design and select marketing channels that reflect the diversity of your customer base."
This webinar gives marketers a practical, evidence-based framework for planning and delivering inclusive marketing through the right mix of channels. It combines peer-reviewed research, real-world examples, and practical tools from accessibility, culture, and communications design.
Why Inclusive Marketing Channels Matter
Inclusive marketing expands both reach and relevance.
64% of consumers take action (purchase or advocacy) after seeing diverse or inclusive advertising (Kantar, 2023).
“When you design for difference, you reach everyone.” – Microsoft Inclusive Design Principle.
By the end of this session, you will be able to:
Audit channels for inclusivity and accessibility.
Select platforms that reflect audience diversity.
Apply tools and frameworks for accessible, culturally intelligent communication.
Build inclusivity into every stage of channel planning.
More webinars like this at Cambridge Marketing College http://marketingcollege.com/events
Wes Towers runs Uplift 360, a digital agency for builders and trades. His focus is simple: smarter websites, practical SEO, and growth you can measure. He earned his playbook on real jobs, not in theory, and now helps others skip the painful lessons.
In this conversation, Neil and Wes discuss how to communicate the value of marketing, to managers, business owners and colleagues outside of the discipline. Often Wes find that simplicity is the key and reveals some secrets and debunks some myths in this interesting episode of the Neil Wilkins Podcast.
Connect with Wes Towers https://uplift360.com.au/ for growth tips and blogs.
Subscribe to the Neil Wilkins Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/neil-wilkins-podcast/id1327913887
More marketing content like this at Neil Wilkins Online http://neilwilkins.online
Sahil Patel is the CEO of Spiralyze and in this Neil Wilkins Podcast episode, shares the secrets from optimising over 34,000 landing pages for SaaS leaders like CrowdStrike, ActiveCampaign, and Deel by leveraging a prediction engine that harnesses the collective wisdom and data from over 130,000 A/B tests.Neil and Sahil discuss wow companies can escape the vicious cycle of pouring money into driving paid traffic to their landing pages, only to be met with disappointing conversion rates, particularly by adopting a more pragmatic approach and focusing on core principles for optimisation.Sahil also cracks the most common myths and misconceptions he’s seen in the world of A/B testing, and shares his key tactics for running successful A/B tests.Connect with Sahil Patel https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahilanamipatel/Subscribe to the Neil Wilkins Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/neil-wilkins-podcast/id1327913887More marketing content like this at Neil Wilkins Online http://neilwilkins.online
What Does Purpose Mean in Marketing?
Purposeful messages: Solve a real customer problem; Reflect brand values and tone; Inspire action or connection.
For more webinars like this, visit Cambridge Marketing College http://marketingcollege.com/events
Subscribe to the Neil Wilkins Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/neil-wilkins-podcast/id1327913887
Automation Meets Strategy
"How to make marketing automation serve your bigger picture, not the other way around."
This webinar helps marketers use automation to enhance, not replace, strategy. It shows how to align automation with objectives, streamline workflows, and free time for the creative and analytical work that truly drives performance.
More content like this at Cambridge Marketing College http://marketingcollege.com/events
Responsible Messaging in Social Media
How to build trust, stay ethical, and create lasting impact through your content
Ethical strategies for engagement, trust, and long-term brand integrity
Webinar Objectives
Understand the principles of responsible messaging in social media
Apply global best practices for ethical content creation
Use trusted models to guide inclusive and transparent communication
Identify and avoid common social media missteps
Build content plans that align with your brand’s values
More webinars like this at Cambridge Marketing College http://marketingcollege.com/events
"Stop Fighting Bidding Wars: You're wasting precious budget on traffic that never converts because generic messaging fails to connect, landing pages don't deliver on ad promises, and manual optimisation can't keep pace with the market." says David from groas.ai
In this deep dive into paid and earned media with LLMs changing the entire playing field, David and Neil discuss what marketers and advertisers can do to protect themselves from the fast changing algorithms.
Visit groas http://groas.ai
Visit Neil Wilkins Online http://neilwilkins.online
Subscribe to the Neil Wilkins Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/neil-wilkins-podcast/id1327913887
"Harness AI tools to ideate, test, and refine your creative marketing strategies."This session provides marketers with hands-on, tactical steps for applying AI tools across campaign ideation, content development, social media, email, and wider communications.More webinars like this at http://marketingcollege.com/events
Sebastian Chedal, is the Founder and CEO of Fountain City. He has over 25 years of experience in digital marketing, systems design, and AI, and helps businesses scale through human-centered automation and intentional strategy.
Sebastian brings a mindful approach to AI, focusing on how technology can enhance creativity, improve operations, and support long-term business goals.
Connect with Sebastian Chedal https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastianchedal/ https://www.youtube.com/@SebastianChedal https://testfox.ai/ https://fountaincity.tech/
More episodes like this at Neil Wilkins Online https://neilwilkins.online/category/metaverse-marketing/
Subscribe to the Neil Wilkins Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/neil-wilkins-podcast/id1327913887