Most of us have been influenced in some way by something we’ve seen on social media. But did you know that this Christmas, social media companies expect retail sales to grow by more than 1.4 trillion dollars as a result of the holiday season?
A new survey conducted by Meta recently found that around 85% of shoppers on its social media platforms purchased something after seeing it online – and surprisingly that last year around 1 in 4 shoppers used AI to aid their shopping endeavours.
With that in mind then, how are things shaping up over on social media for the pending 2026 holiday season?
Must-Knows for Small Businesses Using Social Media
If you are a small business that uses social media for sales, Meta’s report shares advice on how best to use its platforms for marketing and engagement – starting on Black Friday.
Much of the advice from Meta concerns the need for the algorithm to learn what your business is about and who its audience is. Starting ads early means that Meta will start to recognise what you are marketing and to who – ensuring that your content is seen by the right people, whether they are drawn in organically, through targeted advertising, or as part of a bulk purchase of new engagements.
The rise of AI is another area that the Meta touches on, with small businesses able to use artificial intelligence tools to create new content, come up with ideas, and schedule content in advance.
And let’s not forget the power of user-generated content and influencer advertising, putting your products in the hands of real people. Word of mouth is such a powerful tool for sales growth and reputation – not to mention it generates content that you can share with ease, without having to be the creator behind the original post.
Suffice to say, Christmas may seem like a long way away, but savvy small businesses are already dipping their toe into social media planning and scheduling. Stay ahead of the game by following this advice and checking out Meta’s small business guide to holiday marketing.
