The digital marketing world continues to evolve at a breakneck pace.
From AI logo generators to the rise of live stream shopping to the new Google AI Overview search feature, there is always a new trend in the industry that marketers and business owners need to keep up with if they want to stay relevant.
We know that keeping track of all these changes can be difficult, which is why we created this guide for you. Join us as we explore the top digital marketing trends in 2025 and see how you can incorporate them into your business.
Top 7 Digital Marketing Trends To Watch This 2025
Whether you want to create a new logo design, improve your customer service, maximize your ad spending, or upgrade your work processes, there is surely a trend for you.
While you don’t need to follow every trend or use every new tool that is developed, it’s still good to be aware of them to make more informed decisions.
Here are the marketing trends you need to stay on top of this 2025:
AI Takes Center Stage Again
Sixty-four percent of marketers already use AI and we expect to see this number go even higher this 2025.
This is evident in the rising demand for AI design tools such as one-click background removers, text-to-image creators, video generators, website builders, and AI avatars.
And if 2023 and 2024 were the years for generative images, we predict 2025 to be the year of generative virtual worlds.
This is due to Google DeepMind’s recently revealed Genie2, a foundation world model that can create 3D playable environments based on a single image. Other companies are also following suit, with startups like Decart and their generative AI open-world model.
Source: Google DeepMind
This new feature can create a new game type and a more streamlined process for 3D game artists and developers. We also foresee it being used to create more dynamic interactive content for social media, emails, website design, and AR/VR.
AI is also now built into systems that marketers already use—data analytics, content writing, lead nurturing, customer support, or SEO—that it’s almost impossible to escape it, whether you’re using the systems specifically for the AI feature or not.
So if you’re not on the AI train yet, you better be ready to adapt since it will be the biggest thing again this year.
AI Agents – Your New Assistant?
2024 was marked by AI large language models such as GPT-4, Google’s Bard, Turing NLG, and LaMDA.
This 2025, the latest evolution is AI Agents, which are intelligent software systems that can process, reason, and “act” to help people in more complicated tasks. Now AI can literally help you optimize, say, an email campaign instead of just giving you a list of what to do when you ask them how.
Brian Corish, Experience Architect at Accenture Interactive, said, “Previously you could use ChatGPT to create content, you then had to copy and paste that content or translate it. Now [ChatGPT] will run the whole campaign, open and control different platforms and even A-B test content.”
This leap in AI technology can lead to more efficient CRM platforms and customer support workflows, and more optimized ad campaign management. We also expect to see an uptick in AI agent software and more AI-assisted features on existing tools this year.
Google Searches and the New AI Overview
Notice the AI Overview that now appears when you search on Google?
Google shows them when it determines that a user’s query might need a summarized version of various sources to help them understand a topic faster. They appear on “how to,” “what is,” or other question-based searches.
As these AI overviews appear at the top of the search results, it has become a headache for marketers who are aiming for the top spot. It also decreased traffic for websites that were creating content targeting question-based keywords.
While the AI Overview now only appears for around seven percent of the searches (unlike the 84% it started with during its beta run), it will still greatly influence how SEO and content writing will be done in 2025.
Looking to prepare your website for this new change in search? One tip is creating topic-specific content rather than focusing on individual keywords. This will help Google find your content relevant to various concepts or questions, thus increasing your chances of being featured in the AI Overview.
You should also aim to get your website into Google’s Knowledge Graph, as these are a popular citation source for AI models.
More multimedia content on your website and blogs can also boost your chances. If you need any help creating these visuals, you can lean on our talented group of creatives and graphic designers here at DesignCrowd.
The Rise of Voice and Visual Search
Aside from the AI overview, there are other rising trends in the field of SEO.
We saw an increase in the popularity of smart speakers and voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant. This, in turn, sparked the popularity of voice search—with 43% of people using it for online shopping and 72% using it for finding information for local businesses.
Sales from voice searches have reached two billion in the last 2024, and we expect an even higher number this year.
Similarly, visual search is rapidly gaining traction, thanks to Instagram, Pinterest, and e-commerce platforms. This is due to eighty-five percent of shoppers preferring visual information over text. They would rather see how the product looks instead of reading the description.
Source: Pinterest
Visual search is also faster than manual searches as it is now built into platforms–simply click the “Look for similar images” or “Shop the Look” buttons on the product pages.
Source: Adidas
Want to make your business adapt to these trends? For voice search, focus on creating conversational content that answers questions. Think, “What gift should I buy for my mom” or “What barbeque restaurants are near me?”
For visual search, use high-quality and visually appealing images. Add multiple images taken from various angles to give your customers a better idea of what the product actually looks like. Then, on the technical side, use descriptive and keyword-rich file names and implement schema markup to ensure the images are accessible to search engines.
BlueSky and Threads: New Potential Social Media Giants
Due to the decline of Twitter or X, two new social media platforms have been rising in popularity: microblogging platforms BlueSky and Threads.
Former Twitter founder Jack Dorsey created BlueSky, while Meta specifically created Threads as an alternative to Twitter. Both platforms are seeing an increasing number of users download the app. They also expect to see a jump in 2025 once more features are available.
While there are currently no monetization opportunities on either BlueSky or Threads, marketers can start building their presence there now while the competition is still low and the user’s excitement is still high.
Reddit, a similar forum and text-based platform, has also seen a resurgence in 2024. According to studies, “+Reddit” was added to 32 billion Google searches last year. Their large influx of users makes it an ideal platform to run ads this 2025.
However, if you plan to promote on Reddit, remember that people mainly use the app to collate honest and real opinions from real people. Avoid promotional content disguised as organic posts, as this will lead to people distrusting your brand. Aim to be more helpful and informative via AMAs or use it to engage your community instead. If you’re running ads, go for their simple image or carousel ads.
Social Commerce on the Rise
The line between social media and e-commerce is blurring.
Instead of showing ads on social platforms and then redirecting them to your e-commerce sites, social media apps now allow you to shop inside the app. This makes it easier for users to discover products and encounter less friction when purchasing, leading to higher sales and revenue.
Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook now have a shopping feature. You can click a photo on Instagram and purchase the items tagged in the photo.
Source: Bagatiba
You can also create a virtual storefront on the app where users can browse and buy your available products.
Social commerce is projected to generate $1.2 trillion globally by 2025. If you’re running a small business, setting up virtual shops on these social platforms can give you that boost and reach.
Many businesses also run live selling events on their TikTok and Facebook accounts.
Viewers can ask the host to try on or demonstrate how the product works during this live selling. This exciting and interactive content is a hit with people, with a nine percent conversion rate compared to the usual two percent for e-commerce.
Source: Lovely Wigs USA
Studies also show that the livestream commerce market value is expected to grow to $55 billion by 2026. It’s best to start on this one now and strike while people are still hyped about this type of content.
Sustainability and Ethical Marketing
Consumers increasingly prefer brands that align with their values, particularly sustainability and ethics.
Don’t believe us? Here are some quick data for you:
- 50% of consumers said sustainability is one of their top criteria when making a purchase.
- 36% of shoppers would switch businesses if sustainability needs were not met.
- 30% of Gen Z customers boycotted certain companies to pressure them to take action against climate change.
- 8 in 10 people worldwide are influenced by a brand’s efforts toward diversity and inclusion when purchasing.
- Consumers are six times more likely to purchase from a brand if their ad is perceived as inclusive.
Green branding (highlighting eco-friendly practices) and ethical marketing (promoting inclusivity and fairness) will become essential in 2025. A great example is Patagonia:
However, make sure that you actually follow and believe in these practices. Avoid greenwashing or other deceitful acts, as they can ruin a brand’s reputation if customers find out you are only promoting yourself as a sustainable or ethical brand but are not following through behind the scenes.
Conclusion
According to Huspot’s CCO Rob Giglio, marketing is now in the Age of Intelligence.
The digital marketing trends of 2025 do indeed highlight the importance of tech and AI and how marketers can use them to innovate solutions to better serve their customers. By embracing these trends, brands are not only staying relevant and competitive but also building stronger connections with their customers.
While all these new trends may seem daunting, don’t worry, as we are here to help. Our designers, as well as our customizable marketing templates, can help you create any assets you may need, whether it’s for your Threads post, your Instagram Reel, or an announcement poster for your new product recycling policies.
And if you need more information regarding digital marketing, feel free to browse our related articles:
Good luck, and we wish you success in your business this 2025!
Written by DesignCrowd on Friday, January 17, 2025
DesignCrowd is an online marketplace providing logo, website, print and graphic design services by providing access to freelance graphic designers and design studios around the world.