Cart Culture: Social Signals & Social Strategy for 2026

CPG

TL;DR: The 3 Big Shifts Shaping Social in 2026

Followers Matter Less. Shares Matter More.

  • Follower count is now largely a vanity metric. Algorithms prioritize discovery feeds over chronological following.
  • Shares, saves, and sends are stronger indicators of brand health than follower growth.
  • Virality is an outcome — not a strategy. Sustainable growth beats one viral spike.

Episodic Content Drives Intent & Loyalty

  • Series-based content increases return visits and search behavior.
  • Audiences are tuning in like they would for TV — platforms are signaling a shift toward longer-form storytelling.
  • Turning standalone posts into structured “Episode 1, Day 1” formats creates momentum and retention.

Bridge Social & Real Life for Deeper Connection

  • Consumers crave in-person community and human connection.
  • Experiential activations work best when they collect data (email/follow) and generate shareable content.
  • Send people + product — not just samples — to create memorable brand moments.
 

unlock the full 2026 social signals & strategy recap

Access the complete webinar recap, including key takeaways, examples, and a detailed table of contents to explore every insight.

 

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