Eliza McElhaney

The Social Media Trends You Shouldn't Follow in 2025

Every year, new social media trends pop up, promising to be the thing that skyrockets engagement, grows your audience overnight, and makes your content go viral. And every year, business owners scramble to keep up, only to realize that some of these trends are more of a time-suck than a strategy.

Let’s cut through the noise. Here are the social media trends you can skip in 2025—and what to do instead.

1. Chasing Virality at All Costs

Yes, viral content can put you in front of a huge audience, but does it convert? Too many brands spend energy trying to create the next viral moment instead of building content that resonates with their actual customers. Instead of chasing trends that fizzle out in a week, focus on content that builds trust, connection, and long-term engagement.

2. Using AI for Everything

AI is helpful (hello, content ideas and automation!), but if you're relying on it to write all your posts, respond to every comment, and replace real human interaction, you’re doing it wrong. People crave authenticity, and AI can’t replicate your voice, humor, or brand personality. Use it as a tool, not a replacement.

3. Overproduced, Super Polished Videos

Highly produced, expensive videos? Out. Raw, real, and unfiltered content? In. Today’s audiences are over the perfectly curated aesthetic. They want behind-the-scenes, unscripted moments, and content that feels human. So if you’ve been holding back from posting because your video isn’t "perfect," post it anyway.

4. Following Every New Feature Without a Plan

Every platform loves to roll out new features (Instagram Threads, LinkedIn newsletters, YouTube Shorts—you name it). But just because it exists doesn’t mean you need to use it. Before jumping in, ask: "Does this align with my strategy?" If the answer is no, move along.

5. Posting Just to Stay Active

Posting daily just to check a box? Stop. The algorithm doesn’t reward quantity over quality anymore. Instead of pushing out forgettable content for the sake of consistency, focus on creating content that actually matters to your audience—even if that means posting less frequently.

What to Do Instead:

  • Build community over chasing numbers—engagement beats reach every time.

  • Use AI wisely—let it assist, but not replace, your brand’s voice.

  • Keep your content real—audiences connect with authenticity, not perfection.

  • Be strategic with platform features—use what makes sense, ignore the rest.

  • Focus on value, not volume—better content > more content.

In 2025, let’s work smarter, not harder. Skip the fluff, focus on what actually drives results, and build something that lasts.