Seven 2026 social media updates for your strategy refresh
September is the perfect time for a social media strategy refresh. Why? Because it feels just as much like a new year as January does!
So now the weather has changed and the world of work starts to feel normal again after the holidays and school break… why not use that refreshed focus to take an objective look at your social strategy?
A lot has happened on social this year. Here's the round-up, and what it means for your strategy.
1. Instagram now lets people customise their own algorithm
People can tell Instagram what they want to see more or less of. So that means that discovery is less about who follows you and more about whether your content shows up for the right searches.
What this means for you?
Double-down on your SEO efforts; keywords are increasingly important for discovery and non-follower reach.
Personalised content suggestions means people have more control over what they see in their feeds.
2. Social media is now the single biggest source of news
People are heading to social for news ahead of TV, news websites, radio and print, according to Reuters' 2026 Digital News Report. Every other channel is declining. Social is the only one still growing.
What this means for you?
People are looking for reliable, credible information that they can trust. And, depending on your audiences, thought-leadership, news and sector updates aren't just limited to LinkedIn now.
Social and video networks are unsurprisingly overtaking TV as the most-used weekly news source.
3. You can now connect Instagram, TikTok and X to Google Search Console.
Which means you can finally see what people are actually googling to find your content - and double down on it. Another nail in the coffin for hashtags-as-strategy, another point for strategic keywords.
What this means for you?
This underscores the importance of SEO when creating social media content.
A few more pieces to add to the jigsaw puzzle…
4. Digital fatigue is real, and it's showing
Over half of people say maintaining an online presence "feels like work," and people are posting less and being more selective about what they share.
What this means for you?
Community is more important than ever. Social media can't be a place for broadcasting information; it has to provide real value to your audience. If it doesn't, people will scroll past it, and increasingly, they'll mute you altogether.
51% of respondents agree maintaining an online presence feels like work and 55% of people are posting less than they did 5 years ago. Does this resonate?
5. LinkedIn has finally launched collaborative posts
Years after Instagram, they’ve finally done it! Enough said.
What this means for you?
You can now co-author content with your team, trustees, volunteers or partners, which is a brilliant way to build credibility and borrow reach from people who already have an audience.
Not sure why collaborative posts on LinkedIn have taken so long but we’re here for it.
6. Threads has hit 500 million monthly active users
It's not the new, unproven platform anymore and it's been adding features focused on building topical communities, making it easier to connect with people who share your interests.
What this means for you?
Worth a proper look if you've been dismissing up to this point. Perhaps you can reach those niche but highly engaged audiences here.
Could Threads be a place to start engaging with your audience?
7. LinkedIn users have reported over 1 million posts as "AI slop."
And low-substance, low-effort posts are now seeing 40% fewer views as a result. LinkedIn is doubling down on being the place for real expertise and human experience.
What this means for you?
Focus on the quality of content, not the quantity. LinkedIn is a platform for authentic, human experiences and expertise, rather than a constant stream of repetitive information.
Thank you LinkedIn - for taking step to improve the quality of content!
So, that’s what’s been going on. But what now?
With any strategy refresh, it's worth taking a step back and asking yourself 3 questions:
What are our objectives for social?
Are we on the right channels?
How's our content actually performing?
For a more in depth guide at approaching a strategy refresh, Lucy talks through how to apply the answers you have in our latest webinar recording which you can access here.
Want to update your strategy but short on time?
We’ve got the perfect tool to help you get ahead quickly and efficiently - spend about 10 minutes completing The Social for Good Impact Wheel. This is our social media health check that scores you across eight areas (strategy, content, community, networks, accessibility, paid social, resources, measurement) and gives you a personalised report.
Working at a non-profit?
The Social for Good Accelerator programme is specifically designed for charities. It’s a training programme and community with ongoing access to the Social for Good experts (forever!). Check it out and view the brochure here.