2026 Content Marketing Trends
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A Simple Guide To The 2026 Content Shifts You Need To Know
In 2026 content marketing trends are changing to the previous few years. The way people discover products and services online is changing fast. Social platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube are no longer places people visit only to scroll. They are now search engines where users look for how-to advice, recommendations and local services before they ever open Google.
Marketing expert Neil Patel describes this shift as a move toward “search and discovery engines”. Instead of typing long questions into Google, people now search short phrases on social platforms and expect quick, clear results. At the same time, long-form video is making a comeback, AI is becoming a trusted assistant for creators and zero-click experiences are reshaping how users interact with content.
To help you navigate these changes, this guide breaks down the biggest 2026 content marketing trends and shows you how to apply them in simple, practical ways.
The Rise of Multi-Channel Search: Why Websites Still Matter
Many businesses assume websites are less important because social media dominates attention. The truth is the opposite.
Firstly, more people are using AI to answer questions, such as ChatGPT or Gemini, and you won't show up in these results unless you have a website.
That said, social media is still important because it acts as your top-of-funnel search engine. Websites remain where people go when they want:
more detail
a clear comparison
a sense of trust
a conversion point
Optimise for both social and web search
People often start a search on YouTube or Instagram, then move to Google or AI for deeper research. This means your content needs to work across both.
You can support this shift by:
answering common questions your audience searches
keeping pages simple, structured and skimmable
using keywords naturally, not artificially
ensuring your content previews well when shared (clear titles and meta descriptions)
Tools like Semrush and SE Ranking help you research keywords and understand what people are searching for.
Evergreen content is becoming essential
Short-form content disappears fast, so you have to keep creating every week if not every day depending on how competitive your industry is. Evergreen content anchors your expertise.
Examples include:
Ultimate Guides
FAQs
beginner breakdowns
step-by-step tutorials
glossary pages
Example:
This blog is evergreen for 2026, so I have set it to expire on 30 December 2026.
These pieces continue driving traffic long after you publish them. There are also excellent repurposing tools for social content.
Google Business Profile: The New Zero-Click Front Door
Local search behaviour has shifted dramatically. Users increasingly get the answers they need without clicking through to a website. Google Business Profile (GBP) now functions as a mini-homepage.
In 2026, Google is favouring:
complete profiles
clear service descriptions
fresh photos
Q&A sections
consistent Google Posts
Even basic updates help your business appear in local discovery searches such as “near me” or “best [service] in my area”.
YouTube Continues To Prove Its Worth: Depth Over Noise
Short-form video is still powerful for entertainment, but long-form video is usually what people use to research your business. This is why audiences want:
depth
real demonstrations
storytelling
practical guidance
YouTube remains the second-largest search engine, which means your content there has a long life span.
One of the best parts about YouTube is the algorithm. It doesn’t focus on the latest content. It focuses on what is most relevant to the user and their searches. If you post an evergreen video today, it can still show up five years from now. Their content algorithm is far superior to any other platform.
Treat YouTube like a search engine
Optimising your:
titles
descriptions
thumbnails
chapters
…makes your videos easier to find and watch.
Solve real problems with your content
Videos that answer specific questions perform best. Viewers want clear explanations and examples they can follow.
And if recording videos feels overwhelming, start with small steps such as screen recordings, tutorials, voiceover slides or repurposed blog content.
We have set our 2026 goal to create one long-form video on YouTube per month, so follow us to see how we go with doing what we recommend!
– Ellie Clare | CLP Advertising
LinkedIn Strengthens Its Position for B2B Visibility
LinkedIn is still the most effective platform for Business to Business (B2B) service providers. It rewards:
useful insights
simple text posts
stories that show your expertise
meaningful engagement
high dwell time
Strong openings matter
Readers decide in one sentence whether to continue. Hooks such as:
a question
a surprising insight
a relatable challenge
a quick lesson
…make people pause and click “See more”.
Engage before you post
LinkedIn’s algorithm notices when you interact with others. Commenting regularly builds trust and increases your visibility long before your next post goes live.
If you want help with an engagement strategy, check out our online course.
Social Media Evolves Into a Complete Sales Ecosystem
Platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Facebook now support full shopping experiences. Users can buy products without leaving the app. Service-based businesses also benefit because users can:
book appointments
message directly
save posts for later
User-controlled feeds change everything
People are becoming more intentional, hiding content categories they don’t care about. This means:
fewer posts
higher value
more intention behind each piece of content
Posting less often but with stronger clarity and purpose leads to better engagement.
Personal brands outperform traditional influencers
People want expertise, not entertainment.
Expert creators are becoming the new influencers.
If you teach, share experiences or break down processes, you already fit this category.
In the world of AI, people want authenticity and genuine connection. They become annoyed and frustrated by AI-generated content. Show up as the real you and you will already do better than someone using AI to create everything.
– Ellie Clare | CLP Advertising
Video still leads in 2026 Content Marketing Trends
Short-form and long-form are both growing, not competing. Start with what feels easiest and build steadily.
AI supports consistency, not creativity
AI saves time by:
researching topics
suggesting ideas
helping with outlines
generating first drafts
But your voice, experience and judgment remain the differentiator.
The CLP Content Workflow example:
We use AI to do all of our research. It literally saves us 10–15 hours a week. Then we use it to outline content, test our headings, hooks and structure. After that, I personally edit, update and improve the content.
Everything I create starts with AI and finishes with me.
Making These 2026 Trends Work For Your Business
The trends for 2026 all point toward one core idea:
People want clarity, trust and value.
When your website, socials, search presence and content all support each other, your business becomes easier to find and remember.
Start small:
choose one evergreen topic
create a long-form video on that topic
turn it into a blog
repurpose it into social posts
use the video to create short snippets
update your Google Business Profile with the same messaging
This approach builds visibility without burnout. The best part is you can use AI to take the video you created, turn it into a blog and generate social content. Use tools like Descript to create the shorts, and our CMS to schedule and automate your content. The only thing you need to create is the video itself.
And if you want guidance, on the 2026 Content Marketing Trends remember, you do not need to do it alone.
Let’s Build A Clear, Confident Content Strategy Together
If you want support applying these trends, planning your content or creating a marketing approach that feels simple and sustainable, we can help.
Ellie's mentoring and training is designed for business owners, marketing coordinators and social media managers across Australia who want practical guidance, not overwhelm.
Explore mentoring options here: https://clpadvertising.com.au/marketers-mentor
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