Five Marketing Trends That Will Actually Matter in 2026

In-person connection matters again.

After years of Zoom meetings, webinars, and digital-only relationships, consumers are craving real-world interaction—and the numbers confirm it.

• 82% of event attendees now prefer in-person over virtual
• Nearly 80% of consumers say they trust brands more after attending a live event or experience

For brands and service-based businesses, this signals a major shift. Digital channels still matter, but trust is being built faster when companies show up in the real world.

This can take many forms:

• Hosting small, local meetups
• Participating in pop-up events
• Sponsoring community gatherings
• Partnering with micro-influencers who are deeply connected to their audiences

The takeaway is simple: events don’t need to be large—but they do need to be real.

And it’s poised to change how intent-based marketing works.

ChatGPT is expected to introduce advertising capabilities, allowing businesses to reach people while they are actively asking questions and seeking solutions.

Instead of scrolling through search results, users may see brand recommendations or sponsored placements directly within a conversation—right at the moment of intent.

This model resembles Google Ads, but with a key difference: it happens inside a dialogue, not a list of links.

Early research suggests this could become one of the most cost-effective and high-intent marketing channels to emerge in years, particularly for businesses that move early and understand how to position themselves as trusted answers.

In 2026, generic marketing simply doesn’t cut it.

• Over 70% of consumers expect personalized experiences
• 76% say they feel frustrated when marketing feels irrelevant

From email campaigns to paid ads to landing pages, messaging must feel tailored—not mass-produced.

The shift is being powered by AI, which now allows businesses to:

• Create multiple ad variations quickly
• Customize messaging for different audience segments
• Deliver relevant experiences without dramatically increasing workload

Personalization is no longer about extra effort. It’s about meeting expectations.

Short-form video remains one of the most powerful ways to capture attention across platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.

What’s changed is how that content performs.

Highly polished, overly produced videos are no longer the default winners. In a landscape filled with AI-generated perfection, human content stands out.

Brands seeing success are leaning into:

• Selfie-style videos
• Behind-the-scenes clips
• Real people sharing real insights—even when it’s imperfect

A phone, a clear message, and the willingness to hit record often outperform expensive production setups.

The era of putting the entire budget into Facebook and Google is fading.

In 2026, brands are spreading their investment across channels where attention is growing, including:

• Amazon and retail media
• TikTok and influencer partnerships
• Niche podcasts
• Connected TV and shoppable livestreams

This diversification isn’t about abandoning proven platforms—it’s about reducing risk and meeting audiences where they are paying attention now.

Early adopters in emerging channels are often rewarded with lower costs and less competition.