2026 Marketing Trends: The Top Digital Marketing Trends to Watch
The dizzying cycle of marketing trends can be hard for businesses to grasp, and even harder to stay on top of. At Reech, we have a culture of continuous education to ensure we stay ahead of marketing trends and at the forefront of the industry.
So, as we move closer to 2026, we’ve scoped out which trends to keep an eye on, and how we will be nurturing them to our advantage.
The Year Everything Speed Up
Over the past year, we have seen everything speed up.
· Welcome to the Team AI, Looks Like You’re Here to Stay.
The persuasive use of AI has become a standard member of most marketing teams, whether that’s for research, operational efficiencies or daily tasks. As a marketing team, you should consider how to embrace it while retaining creative control and authenticity.
· Short Form Video is King
Attention spans are shortening, and attention-grabbing videos are more relevant than ever. As an agency, we have focused on animation, content shoots and internal show reels. While this text may have lost your attention already, a snappy reel would have you hooked.
· Consume Quick, React Quick
Reactive marketing has reached another level. By the time you’ve witnessed, reacted and turned over content, the moment is over, and you’ve missed 5 marketing milestones.
· We’ve Only got One Planet Earth
It’s hot to be sustainable and care about your people. This year, Reech announced its certification as a B Corporation, and we think that goes beyond trends.
Hey ChatGPT, What’s Next?
With the dramatic development of AI, 2026 will see the battle of the decade: authentic content vs. AI LLMs.
Genuine content and media have a human touch that connects B2B and B2C. However, with LLMs understanding and manipulating human language, it’ll be harder to differentiate authentic copy and AI-generated chat. Considering the dominance of short-form video and ultra-fast churn rate, man-made content will be more scarce and therefore more valuable to consumers as they lose trust in the digital world. We’ve all been fooled by a crazy video, only to open the comment section and realise it was AI generated.
We have to start thinking differently.
AI is built off of human history, so predicting trends ahead of time, using human built insights and creating differently will be our last remaining telltale of genuine, human fracted work.
Think deep connections, consumer desires and nurturing leadership.
The Impact on Traditional SEO
AI LLM optimisation is a completely different mind field than current SEO practices.
Where traditional search engine behaviour is repetitive: identical keywords and phrases driving stable metrics, LLMs like ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude are conversational and variable. Context and specific language mean simply rewording a prompt will pull a whole new set of responses.
In 2026, we will see revised SEO, focusing on unique, conversable content that can be translated by LLMs and trusted by users. As an agency, this means deeply understanding your content and the ins and outs of each audience.
In turn, traditional metrics will be out the window. Organic traffic will be less reliable, so metrics like dwell time, scroll depth, interaction rates and visibility within AI LLMs will be the indicator to success or flop.
Start analysing different KPIs, trust us.
Questioning The Possibilities
To truly scope out the upcoming trends, we must also consider the downfalls of AI, where cracks have already begun to show.
Will AI LLMs out-live the ‘ick’ or is it doomed to the same fate as social AI, where it’s now considered embarrassing to use ChatGPT for everything? This is every copywriter’s dream, as blog writing will be safe in their well-trained hands.
In 2026, heat on environmental impact will be turned up even higher and AI is a huge contributing factor to climate change. For marketers that prioritise the environment, will this force the abandonment of AI tools, or are they too far integrated already?
With the rise of impersonal AI, will there be a focus on hyper-personalised experiences? More brand stunts, more consumer personalisation, more reactive marketing.
Your journey to a trendy 2026 begins at Reech.
