The IF Blog: Social Media Insights and Trends

Visibility now comes with a price tag The last scraps of organic reach have crumbled, leaving brands and creators staring at their engagement metrics in horror. If you’re not paying, you’re not playing. For years, brands have clung to the idea that social media could still drive…

There was a time when hashtags ruled social media. Marketers would cram as many as they could into a post, hoping for a golden boost in reach. And for a while, it worked. Instagram posts with 11+ hashtags once saw a 79.5% engagement increase (Sprout Social, 2025).

There’s something undeniably magical about creativity. It’s that spark, that flicker of imagination, that turns the ordinary into something extraordinary. This International Women’s Day, I want to take a moment to celebrate the women who’ve shaped our world with their artistry, innovation, and sheer determination to make their mark. From…

Brace yourself. March is another tsunami of changes. If you thought last month’s approach was still solid, think again. Instagram has changed what really gets reach, Facebook is quietly suffocating business pages, and AI is creeping into every platform, whether we like it or not (we see…

Brands want visibility but not at any cost. The last thing you need is your ad showing up next to controversial or harmful content. That’s where brand safety comes in. Why brand safety matters Social platforms are unpredictable. One minute, your ad is seamlessly placed in a relevant feed; the…

Do you remember that beautiful piece of visual content that grabbed your attention on LinkedIn the other day? It was not the most beautiful piece of design you have ever seen there, yet it had a lot of engagement right, but why? Have you spent a moment asking yourself how…

The way we shop has changed massively, and TikTok is leading the charge. The recent report, Commerce Redefined, dives into how the platform is shaking up e-commerce by blending entertainment, authenticity, and seamless shopping experiences. With discovery-driven commerce and user-generated content at…

TikTok’s ROI boom, AI-powered ads, and brand safety in the spotlight TikTok is delivering serious ROI, AI is running the ad game, and brands are tightening control over where their content appears. Meanwhile, X is pushing deeper into AI-driven advertising, and Snapchat is refining brand safety measures to…

Let’s face it, social media is a visual playground. If your posts are looking a bit meh, it’s time to jazz them up! Whether you’re a small business owner, a marketer, or just someone who loves creating content, the right design tools can turn your social media game from bland…

Designing for social media can feel overwhelming with all the trends, algorithms, and platform updates constantly shifting. But at its core, great design still comes down to the basics: clarity, consistency, and creativity. This blog will take you back to the essentials of social media design while helping you adapt…

LinkedIn newsletters have exploded in popularity – over 500 million people have subscribed to at least one newsletter, but what are the best ways to use them – and are they actually being viewed? As with anything on social media, if used effectively, serious engagement is possible. But the news we’re getting…

Meta’s selling more ads, TikTok’s selling more stuff & users have all the power Meta is flogging more ad space, TikTok is coming for your wallet, and Instagram is sneakily reshaping how brands tell their stories. Meanwhile, AI is worming its way into your DMs, Threads is…

If your content’s been flopping lately, it’s not just you. Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn have all shaken up their algorithms and what worked last year (or even last month) might not cut it anymore. Platforms are getting smarter, feeds are getting tighter, and brands that don’t adapt? They’re disappearing. Here’s…

You can have the best campaign, the smartest strategy, and the flashiest creative, but if your audience doesn’t trust you, none of it matters. In B2B marketing, trust is everything. It’s what turns a casual buyer into a loyal customer, a one-off project into a long-term partnership, and a client…

YouTube just dropped its 2025 strategy, and it’s clear the platform is doubling down on key areas that marketers cannot afford to ignore. With a growing emphasis on AI, Shorts, Connected TV (CTV), creator monetisation, and cultural engagement, the video giant is shaping the future of…