Welcome to 2026, where AI writes poems, search engines finish your thoughts and your customers are savvier than ever. If you're a small business owner, you already know that keeping up with marketing trends can feel like trying to drink from a firehose.

Good news: you don’t need to do it all. You just need to do what works and know what’s coming so you’re not playing catch-up.

Here are the marketing trends worth paying attention to this year (and no, we didn’t include “use AI” five different ways).

1. AI That Feels More Human

AI tools are everywhere, but people are over robotic marketing. This year, it’s all about using AI to support your human side, not replace it.

Try this: Use AI to brainstorm content or simplify your to-do list. Then add your own voice, values and quirks. If you're using tools from GROW 100, you're already ahead of the game.

2. Search Engines Are Thinking Like People

Search is getting smarter and more visual. Thanks to AI, Google and friends now understand full questions, voice commands and images better than ever.

What to do: Focus on real questions your audience asks. Use short videos, alt text and well-labeled images. And yes, your FAQ page still matters.

3. Community Is the New Marketing Channel

Forget chasing likes from strangers. This is the year to build a loyal circle of people who actually want to hear from you.

Pro tip: Start small. Host a live Q&A, create a private group or just be consistent in your comments and DMs. If you're part of the GROW Coaching fam, you already know—community converts.

4. Content Is Getting Shorter (But Smarter)

People still want helpful content. They just don’t want to read a novel to get it. The trend? Bite-size ideas with real value.

Idea: Turn one blog into five quick tips for Instagram or a 30-second video for YouTube Shorts. Think less blah blah, more “aha.”

5. People Care About How You Handle Their Data

Data privacy isn’t just a tech thing anymore—it’s a trust thing. Customers want to know what you're collecting and why.

Keep it clean: Be clear, not creepy. Use opt-ins. Make unsubscribing easy. Trust is hard to earn and easy to lose.

6. Personalization That Doesn’t Feel Like Stalking

Your emails should feel like you know your customer, not like you're tracking their every click since 2022.

Do this: Use smart segmentation. Talk to people based on what they need, not just what they’ve clicked.

Trends come and go, but your values, voice and vision are what set you apart. Use that to filter what’s worth your time. Whether you're just getting started or looking to level up your strategy, start with one trend and see what sticks.

And if you need a little support building your marketing muscles, we’re here to help—with real humans, not just robots.