Social Media in 2025: What Actually Works and What’s a Waste of Time"
Social Media in 2025: What Actually Works and What’s a Waste of Time"
Social media evolves quickly, and what worked last year may be completely ineffective now. With constant algorithm changes and increasing competition, brands and public figures need to be strategic about where they focus their efforts.
This blog will break down what is actually working on social media in 2025 and what tactics should be left behind.
What’s Working in 2025
SEO-Optimised Social Media – Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are now search engines in their own right. Using keywords in captions, profiles, and video subtitles can boost discoverability.
Genuine Engagement Over Vanity Metrics – The number of likes matters far less than meaningful interactions. Platforms prioritise content that receives comments, saves, and shares over passive engagement.
Short-Form Video with Subtitles – The demand for quick, digestible content is still high. However, videos with subtitles and structured storytelling tend to perform better due to accessibility and retention.
Private Communities and DMs – Engagement is shifting from public comments to private conversations. Brands and creators who build communities through close friends lists, exclusive content, and direct messages see higher loyalty and conversion rates.
AI-Powered Content Strategies – AI is no longer just a tool for scheduling posts. It is being used for content generation, audience analysis, and hyper-personalised engagement strategies. Brands leveraging AI insights outperform those still relying on manual processes.
What’s a Waste of Time
Relying on Hashtags for Discovery – Hashtags still have some use, but social media platforms now favour keyword-based search instead. Optimising content for search intent is far more effective than spamming hashtags.
Posting Without a Strategy – Posting daily without considering audience insights or engagement trends is ineffective. Content that aligns with audience behaviour, platform trends, and analytics-driven insights will always perform better than volume-based posting.
Jumping on Every Trend – Not every viral trend is worth chasing. Brands that try to stay relevant by copying every trend often appear inauthentic. A focused, brand-aligned approach is more sustainable.
Over-Editing Content – Users respond better to content that feels natural. Overly polished, corporate-style videos and graphics are being replaced by raw, unfiltered content that feels more authentic.
Buying Followers or Engagement – Engagement baiting and follower-buying tactics are outdated and easily detected by platforms. They also damage credibility and reduce reach in the long run.
Social media in 2025 is about strategic, authentic, and intentional content. The focus should be on fostering real engagement, leveraging AI insights, and making content searchable rather than relying on outdated tactics.