Social media is ever evolving, revolving and sometimes struggling.

Yet there also long term trends which you can’t ignore. What are they?

Some sites reflecting overall trends lose steam and die while others are born and/or accelerate.

Thus I compiled a number of trends that are most important IMHO.

Long term social media trends to be aware of

Here are social media trends you can’t ignore as they persist for years!

1. X/Twitter competitors are gaining steam.

Mastodon, Bluesky and Threads are winning over those who flee X/Twitter.

2. Messengers replace social media sites.

Who needs Facebook when they have Telegram or Snapchat?

Private Web3 messengers are already waiting to take over.

3. Image sharing grows.

Visual social sites like Pinterest and Instagram still grow steadily, even in 2025.

4. Website and blogs get less attention and traffic.

Why? Both search and social media apps keep users increasingly onsite (zero click).

5. Consolidation is obvious.

Mark Zuckerberg and his Meta owns three of the top 10 social media venues!

Most other social sites are also run or supported by billionaire owned corporations.

6. Web3 social media rise.

They also fall quickly but may prevail in the long run.

Zora is the next contender. It’s a mix of X/Twitter and Instagram.

7. You can’t ignore Reddit anymore.

It’s all over search and chatbots. Google loves it and pays for access!

8. Video is stagnating.

YouTube usage stagnates for years.

Declining TikTok is not a hype anymore amidst political turmoil.

9. LinkedIn is a real social network by now.

After years of growth the site is more than just the early job listings.

10. “Dark social” grows.

Much of the above mentioned messenger activity is invisible.

Private groups and privacy-focused tools also thrive.

11. Digital detox takes center stage.

Social media usage in general declines.

Especially the younger generations use it less as they build a real life off-screen instead.

Why me? What else?

Of course I’m biased.

Why am I even writing about social media trends here?

Who am I tell you about them?

As a social media manager for several years and power user since 2006 I have a very specific approach.

I’m not into short term hypes anymore. I’m cautious! Why?

Been burned too often!

Plus I left out music social media which are huge as well.

IMHO I don’t know enough about them! Do you?

Enlighten me please! What else is there to mention?

Tell me on your favorite social media outlet!

I’m onreact almost everywhere.

Yes, I want to see more than these social media trends. Want more added? Reach out!