Current Social Media Trends Shaping Purpose-Driven Marketing in 2025
Social media isn’t slowing down - but it is growing up.
In 2025, we’re seeing a digital shift towards authenticity, community, and intentional marketing. Between conversations about a potential social media ban for under-16s, rising frustration with “workslop” content, and new trends like micro rituals and deinfluencing 2.0, purpose-led organisations need to rethink how they show up online.
At Coaching With Purpose, our marketing strategist Liz recently unpacked what these trends mean for social enterprises, not-for-profits, and values-driven brands - and how leaders can turn them into practical marketing strategies that actually build impact.
Here’s your guide to the social media landscape of 2025 👇
🚸 1. The Under-16s Ban Conversation - What It Means for Ethical Marketing
The proposed ban on social media for under-16s has sparked global debate. Whether or not it happens, one thing is clear: digital wellbeing and trust are now central to marketing.
For purpose-driven leaders, this is a cue to model responsible online engagement.
✅ What to do:
Revisit your brand’s values and messaging - does it promote healthy, balanced digital habits?
If your mission touches youth, parents, or education, communicate how you safeguard young audiences.
Use your platform to advocate for positive digital citizenship.
👉 SEO Tip: Position your organisation as a leader in ethical marketing - an increasingly searched term among digital marketers and impact-focused brands.
💼 2. The “Workslop” Backlash - Authentic Over Polished
“Workslop” is the new word for content that tries to look authentic but ends up feeling fake - the over-rehearsed LinkedIn post or the “vulnerable” video that’s secretly an ad.
Audiences can tell. And they’re craving something real.
✅ What to do:
Post progress, not perfection - share the story behind your success, not just the headline.
Use raw video, live sessions, and unfiltered moments.
Show your organisation learning, growing, and being human.
👉 SEO Focus: Terms like “authentic content marketing,” “transparent storytelling,” and “ethical social media strategy” are trending - and resonate strongly with impact-focused leaders.
💬 3. Micro Rituals - Building Digital Communities That Stick
From Stanley Cups to Sunday resets, “micro rituals” are small, repeatable habits people do together online. They build belonging - and belonging builds loyalty.
✅ What to do:
Don’t force it. Join existing rituals that align with your values.
Example: Post a weekly “Mission Monday” update that highlights small wins from your community.
Or join “Sunday Reset” trends to show how your organisation resets for the week ahead.
These rituals humanise your brand - turning followers into participants.
👉 SEO Focus: Use key phrases like community building on social media and digital marketing for engagement to attract search traffic from leaders looking to increase online connection and retention.
♻️ 4. Deinfluencing 2.0 - Intentional Consumption Takes Over
The first wave of deinfluencing told people not to buy anything. Now it’s evolved into “Deinfluencing 2.0” - all about intentional consumption.
People still buy - but they want to buy better.
✅ What to do:
Be radically transparent about your impact and sourcing.
Share behind-the-scenes insights into how your services or products create real social good.
Use language like “value-driven choices” and “buying with purpose.”
👉 SEO Focus: Phrases like ethical marketing trends 2025 and sustainable branding for social enterprises are increasingly searched by impact leaders and conscious consumers alike.
🔍 5. Transparency Is the New Currency
In 2025, the strongest brands will be those that practice radical transparency. People want to see the values you claim - in your operations, partnerships, and people.
✅ What to do:
Share data or real stories that back up your claims.
Turn your annual report highlights into short, shareable posts.
Admit challenges and show how you’re addressing them - this builds trust faster than perfection ever could.
👉 SEO Focus: “Brand transparency” and “trust-based marketing” are climbing search trends - and they position you as a credible, forward-thinking leader.
💡 Turning Social Media Trends Into Purpose-Driven Strategy
Social media is evolving - but purpose remains your competitive advantage.
At Coaching With Purpose, we help leaders like you translate these trends into clear, practical marketing strategies that grow your organisation and your impact.
Every week, our sessions with strategist Liz help values-driven founders, communicators, and marketing leads:
✅ Understand the latest digital marketing trends
✅ Apply them to real-world challenges
✅ Build ethical, effective campaigns with confidence
🚀 Ready to Grow Your Impact With Coaching With Purpose?
If you found this useful, you’ll love our next Coaching With Purpose live session - where we’ll dive deeper into ethical digital marketing, authentic brand storytelling, and social media strategies that actually convert.
👉 Apply to join today and get hands-on guidance from experts who understand the unique needs of social impact leaders.
Because in 2025, the most successful leaders won’t just follow social trends - they’ll lead with purpose through them.