Introduction: The Speed of Digital Change
Digital marketing isn’t what it was even six months ago and that’s the beauty of it. At Talley Media, we keep our eyes not just on what’s working now, but where the market is heading. Why? Because your growth depends on riding the right wave at the right time.
Let’s unpack the major digital marketing trends shaping 2025, and where we believe the future is going.
1. AI Isn’t the Future—It’s the Now
Artificial Intelligence is no longer a novelty in digital marketing, it’s the engine driving strategy, efficiency, and scale. From automating repetitive tasks to hyper personalizing customer experiences, AI is transforming how brands communicate, convert, and compete.
Today’s consumers expect seamless, intuitive interactions with brands and AI delivers that at scale. Whether it’s chatbots providing instant 24/7 support, dynamic email content that changes based on user behavior, or predictive analytics that anticipate what a customer wants before they do, AI is enabling brands to market smarter, not harder.
Take AI powered content creation for example: tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, and Copy.ai can generate blog drafts, ad copy, product descriptions, and social media captions in seconds. Not only does this accelerate content production, it also helps teams A/B test and fine tune messaging faster than ever before.
AI is also reshaping how brands handle SEO. With platforms like SurferSEO or MarketMuse, businesses can now analyze SERP data in real time, identify keyword opportunities, and optimize on page content with precision, without needing a full SEO team.
Then there’s machine learning in paid ads. Google Ads and Meta’s ad platforms are leaning harder into AI driven bidding strategies, real time audience targeting, and responsive ad creatives. If your campaigns aren’t leveraging these features, you’re likely leaving money on the table.
And the kicker? AI isn’t replacing marketers, it’s empowering them. The best marketing teams today are using AI as an intelligent assistant, freeing them up to focus on strategy, creativity, and human connection. The brands that embrace this mindset are scaling faster and converting better.
Businesses not leveraging AI driven tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, SurferSEO, or even built in AI features in Google and Meta Ads are already falling behind. At Talley Media, we specialize in helping businesses integrate AI into their marketing workflow, without losing their brand voice or human touch. From setting up smart content pipelines to building AI enhanced ad strategies, we make sure AI works for you, not the other way around.
2. Voice Search & Conversational SEO: Speak the Language of Your Customers
Voice search isn’t a prediction, it’s a revolution that’s already here. With over 4.2 billion voice assistants in use globally (and growing), consumers are ditching the keyboard and opting for quick, conversational commands through Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, and others.
What does that mean for your digital marketing? Your content needs to talk the way people talk.
The days of robotic search queries like “best deep dish pizza Boise” are fading fast. Instead, users are saying things like,
“Hey Google, where can I grab a good deep dish pizza around here that’s open late?”
Notice the difference? That’s the key to voice search optimization, natural language, full questions, and contextual intent.
Voice queries are typically:
Longer and more conversational
Location-based
Question-oriented
Urgent or immediate
This shift is forcing search engines to adapt, and so should your strategy. If your content isn’t optimized for how people speak, you risk missing out on a massive share of organic search traffic, especially from mobile and local users ready to convert.
What to Do: Your Action Plan for Voice SEO Success
Focus on Natural Language Keywords Write content that mirrors the way your audience actually speaks. Think FAQs, casual phrases, and sentence level keywords. Instead of “affordable web design Boise,” go for “How much does a website cost in Boise?” or “Who builds affordable websites near me?”
Answer Questions Directly Google is looking for quick, direct answers to voice queries. Use headings like “What is the best time to sell a home?” and answer it concisely underneath. Structured Q&A sections and featured snippets can give you the coveted “position zero” on search results, and boost your voice search visibility.
Optimize for Local SEO Over 50% of voice searches are local. Make sure your Google Business Profile is up to date, include your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) on every page, and target local phrases like “near me,” “open now,” or city specific long tail keywords.
Use Schema Markup Add structured data (FAQ Page, LocalBusiness, HowTo) to help search engines understand your content. This boosts your chances of being pulled into voice-based results and rich snippets.
Keep It Mobile-Friendly and FastMost voice searches happen on mobile. Your site needs to load quickly and deliver a great mobile UX, otherwise, you won’t even be in the race.
Conversational SEO is more than just keywords, it’s about understanding intent. At Talley Media, we help brands reframe their content for voice first audiences, optimize for local and mobile, and implement schema to boost discoverability. Your customers are talking. The real question is: Can your brand keep up with the conversation?
3. Short-Form Video Still Dominates And the Scroll Won’t Stop Anytime Soon
Let’s face it: attention spans are shrinking, but the demand for fast, bite-sized, value packed video content is exploding. Short form video is the undisputed king of digital content in 2025, and it’s not slowing down.
Whether it’s TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, or even LinkedIn’s new video push, platforms are prioritizing vertical videos that are easy to consume, highly shareable, and often addictively watchable. The algorithms love it. Your audience loves it. And smart brands? They’re building entire strategies around it.
Why? Because video converts attention into action. Quickly.
Stats You Can’t Ignore
Video generates 1,200% more shares than text and image content combined
68% of users prefer to learn about a product or service through video rather than text
90% of consumers say video helps them make a buying decision
TikTok users spend an average of 95 minutes per day on the app, and over half report discovering new products there
Still wondering if short form video is “worth the time”? The numbers say it all.
What’s Working Right Now in Short-Form
Educational Micro Tutorials Think 30 second how tos, hacks, and quick tips. People love actionable value they can implement instantly.
Behind the Scenes Content Show how your product is made, give a sneak peek into your process, or share your team’s culture.
Relatable Storytelling User generated content (UGC), founder stories, and day in the life videos build trust and views.
Trend Driven Participation Hop on viral audio trends and remix formats if they align with your brand. Authenticity always wins.
Next Steps: How to Win the Short-Form Game
Create 15–60 second vertical videos that educate, entertain, or inspire these are the 3 pillars of high performing content.
Consistency > Perfection You don’t need a $5,000 camera. You need good lighting, a steady phone, and a message worth hearing. Show up 3 to 5x a week.
Hook Fast, Hook Hard The first 1 to 3 seconds make or break your video. Use bold text overlays, movement, or a compelling question to grab attention.
Add Captions, Always Over 85% of videos are watched with the sound off. Use auto captioning tools or apps like CapCut to make your content accessible and engaging.
Include a CTA Even if it’s as simple as “Follow for more tips” or “Visit the link in bio,” tell your audience what to do next.
Short form video isn’t just a content format, it’s a communication style. At Talley Media, we help brands build video content strategies that align with their voice, drive real ROI, and actually get seen. From scripting to editing to trend mapping, we can help you show up where your audience already is and make it count.
4. First Party Data is King (Thanks, Cookies)
The cookie is crumbling, literally. As Google phases out third party cookies in Chrome, the ability to track users across the web is vanishing. What’s left? First party data, and it’s now the most valuable asset in your marketing stack.
That means it’s time to shift your focus from borrowed audiences to owned ones. The brands winning in 2025 are investing in email optins, loyalty programs, gated content, and direct engagement. They're not just collecting emails, they're building relationships.
What This Means for You
Grow your email list with compelling lead magnets, exclusive offers, or gated content
Nurture with purpose using tools like Klaviyo, HubSpot, or Mailchimp to deliver personalized, behavior driven messaging
Use data smartly track engagement, segment your audience, and automate where it counts
You can’t rely on ad platforms to do the heavy lifting anymore. At Talley Media, we help brands future proof their funnels by building strong, data driven customer ecosystems owned, not rented.
5. Authenticity > Perfection
Today’s consumers are craving realness not flawless filters. In 2025, authentic, human centered content is outperforming polished brand campaigns by a mile. Why? Because people connect with people, not faceless logos or curated perfection.
Whether it's a shaky behind the scenes clip or a founder getting vulnerable on camera, unfiltered content builds trust, relatability, and loyalty fast.
Trends to Embrace
Behind the Scenes Videos Show your process, workspace, team culture, or the “messy middle.” Transparency builds connection.
Founder Led Storytelling Founders who show up regularly (even imperfectly) build stronger emotional bonds with audiences.
Real-Time Updates and Lives Go live. Share updates in the moment. Let your audience be part of the journey, not just the result.
Perfection slows you down. Progress and personality build momentum. At Talley Media, we help brands lean into what makes them uniquely human and turn authenticity into a growth strategy.
What We Predict for 2026 and Beyond
Search Will Be Visual & Conversational Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) and platforms like Perplexity.ai are changing how we interact with information. Expect search to become more image based, AI assisted, and multimodal.
Hyper Personalization Will Drive UX With AI and data, websites and ads will adapt in real time to individual users. One size fits all is over.
Decentralized & Web3 Marketing NFTs, blockchain loyalty programs, and token-gated content are starting to hit mainstream use. It’s early, but savvy brands are experimenting.
Ethical Marketing Will Matter More Gen Z and younger Millennials are deeply values driven. Brands that stand for something and show it will earn attention and loyalty.
Be Early, Not Just Ready
The brands winning in 2025 aren’t waiting for the “right time” to adapt. They’re leading the change. At Talley Media, we’re obsessed with helping forward thinking businesses do just that.
Want to stay ahead? Let’s talk strategy. We’ll help you implement today’s trends and prep you for tomorrow’s breakthroughs.
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