As of December 2025, Australian small to medium businesses (SMBs) should prioritise short-form video content and authentic, community-driven engagement on social media for 2026.

The dominance of platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels continues to grow, with algorithms favouring dynamic, engaging video. Expect increased integration of AI-powered content creation tools to streamline video production. Furthermore, building genuine community through interactive content, Q&As, and user-generated campaigns will be crucial for fostering brand loyalty and combating declining organic reach on some established platforms. Investing time in responding to comments and messages authentically will yield better results than simply broadcasting promotions.

Focus on creating valuable, entertaining, or educational video content tailored to your target audience and actively participate in conversations to build a strong online community in 2026.