Social media is the new brand storefront. With rising social commerce trends, social content is the new sales pitch, and frictionless shopping is the new normal.
Think about this: You’re scrolling through TikTok, and a creator is hyping up a skincare serum. They do a quick before-and-after demo, and the glow-up is insane.
The product is tagged in the video, so you tap the link, skim through some details, and before you know it, you’ve checked out. All without leaving the app.
Welcome to social commerce in 2025!
So, what’s next? We’re breaking down the biggest trends in social commerce in 2025 and the strategies you need to turn scrolls into sales! Let’s go!
What Is Social Commerce?
Social commerce is exactly what it sounds like: shopping integrated directly into social media platforms.
Traditional e-commerce works like this: Consumers see an ad on social media, click a link, visit your website, browse your products, maybe read some reviews, add something to their cart, and finally (if you’re lucky), complete the purchase. That’s a lot of steps where they could drop off.
Now, let’s look at social commerce. A user sees your product on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook and buys it instantly within the app. No redirecting. No extra steps. Just discovery → decision → purchase—all in one place.
And the numbers? They speak for themselves:
- Social commerce sales are expected to hit $2 trillion globally in 2025, with Gen Z and Millennials leading the charge.
- 82% of consumers use social media for product discovery, with platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
These consumers don’t want to be sold to; they want to be engaged with. They trust influencer recommendations, they crave interactive shopping experiences, and most importantly, they want to buy without friction.
If you’re not making your brand shoppable on social media, you’re losing sales. Period.
Major Social Commerce Platforms
Here’s a quick look at the top social commerce platforms that people used for product discovery in the last 6 months:
Top Social Commerce Trends 2025
Shoppers today want instant access to products, personalized recommendations, and interactive experiences.
Brands that make shopping as effortless as scrolling a feed will be the ones winning in 2025!
Here are the biggest social shopping trends in store this year:
1. The Rise of Shoppable Content
Shoppable content turns everyday social media posts into direct sales channels. Consumers can now tap on a post and buy instantly without leaving the app. In-app purchases shorten the consumer buying process and increase conversion rates.
Why does it work? Consumers crave instant gratification. When they see something they like, they don’t want to jump through hoops to buy it. Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest have perfected this with shoppable tags, in-post product links, and integrated checkouts. The easier you make it for users to buy, the more sales you’ll drive.
Example: Instagram’s shoppable posts allow brands to tag products directly in their lifestyle photos. A user scrolling through their feed can tap on the image, view the product details, and complete the purchase in seconds.
2. Augmented Reality (AR)
AR is changing the way people shop online by bringing products to life in real time.
Whether it’s trying on sunglasses, testing a lipstick shade, or visualizing how a couch fits in your living room, AR is removing the biggest uncertainty in online shopping: how a product will actually look in real life.
Why does it work? Consumers want confidence in their purchases. In traditional e-commerce, hesitation leads to abandoned carts.
With AR, customers can “try before they buy,” increasing conversions and reducing return rates. Beauty, fashion, and furniture brands are already seeing massive success by integrating AR into their shopping experiences.
Example: Sephora’s Virtual Artist lets users try on makeup using AR technology. Customers can see how different shades look on their face in real time, leading to higher engagement and more confident purchases.
3. Live Shopping Events
Live shopping is the modern-day QVC, but faster, more interactive, and way more engaging.
Instead of static product pages, brands and influencers host real-time shopping events, demoing products, answering live questions, and offering limited-time discounts to encourage impulse buying.
Why does it work? It builds urgency and creates an interactive, community-driven experience. When customers see a product being used in real-time, it removes skepticism and increases trust. Add in exclusive deals and limited stock, and you get instant conversions.
Example: TikTok Live Shopping has helped P Louise Makeup Academy generate $2M in sales in a single 12-hour session. By hosting engaging, educational live streams, they create a FOMO effect that drives massive real-time purchases.
READ MORE| Did you know live shopping is a phygital marketing strategy? Check out Exploring Phygital In E-commerce with Industry Examples to know more!
4. Influencer Marketing
Influencers aren’t just promoting products anymore; they’re selling them.
Traditional ads don’t work like they used to, but when an influencer authentically recommends a product, their audience listens. The result? Higher engagement, trust, and sales.
Why does it work? People trust people, not ads. Consumers are more likely to buy from someone they follow and admire rather than a faceless brand. Influencer-led social commerce is turning recommendations into direct conversions, making influencer partnerships more valuable than ever.
Example: Kim Kardashian’s shapewear brand, Skims, has dominated TikTok by leveraging micro-influencers who post authentic try-on hauls. Their real, unscripted reviews drive millions in organic sales without traditional ads.
5. Instagram Testimonials
Instagram’s Testimonials is a feature that lets brands sponsor influencer comments on their posts and ads, pinning them at the top for maximum visibility.
These short, under-125-character endorsements serve as subtle yet impactful social proof, helping brands build credibility within their own content.
Why does it work? Unlike traditional influencer collaborations, this approach is cost-effective and works well for brands with long-term ambassadors.
While it may not have the same impact as full influencer campaigns, it reinforces trust, boosts engagement, and enhances ad performance without requiring additional content creation.
By integrating influencer marketing directly into the comment section, Instagram is giving brands a powerful new way to drive conversations, increase conversions, and strengthen their social commerce strategy.
6. AI and Chatbot Personalization
From AI-driven product recommendations to automated customer support, brands are using machine learning to create highly tailored shopping experiences that drive higher engagement and conversions.
Why does it work? Consumers expect personalization. They want brands to remember their preferences, suggest relevant products, and provide instant answers to their questions.
AI chatbots handle customer inquiries, help with product discovery, and even offer real-time shopping advice, all without human intervention.
Example: H&M’s AI Chatbot on Kik allows users to browse outfits, get style advice, and shop recommendations—all through an interactive chat experience. This personalized approach keeps shoppers engaged and increases purchase likelihood.
7. User-Generated Content (UGC)
Consumers don’t want to hear from brands; they want to hear from real people. UGC is one of the most powerful social commerce tools because it uses customer reviews, testimonials, and authentic content to build credibility and trust.
Why does it work? People trust other consumers more than branded content. Seeing real customers use and love a product makes it more relatable and convincing.
UGC also creates a sense of community, turning buyers into brand advocates who drive organic engagement and word-of-mouth marketing.
Example: Apple’s “Shot on iPhone” campaign is the perfect example of UGC done right. By featuring real photos taken by customers, Apple showcases the quality of its product through authentic, user-created content.
8. Social Commerce and E-Commerce Integration
Social commerce isn’t replacing e-commerce; it’s merging with it.
Brands that integrate their social commerce strategies with their existing online stores, inventory systems, and digital marketing efforts will have a massive competitive edge.
Why does it work? Omnichannel shopping is the future. Consumers expect a seamless experience across social media, websites, and even physical stores.
If your brand’s social shopping and e-commerce strategies aren’t working together, you’re missing out on capitalizing on customer experience.
Example: Nike integrates its Instagram and TikTok shops with its official website, allowing customers to switch between platforms effortlessly. Whether they buy from a social post or directly from the website, the experience is cohesive.
How To Win Social Commerce Trends?
Simply being on social media for “brand awareness” isn’t enough anymore. Your brand needs to be strategically shoppable, visually engaging, and deeply personalized to thrive in this landscape.
Winning social shopping trends means adopting five critical strategies:
- Create high-impact, shoppable content that seamlessly integrates with the user’s feed. This will make it easy for consumers to discover and purchase products with a single tap.
- Invest in visual and interactive shopping experiences, such as Augmented Reality (AR) and live shopping events, to bring products to life and drive higher engagement.
- Partner with micro-influencers for authentic engagement, using trust-based recommendations instead of traditional ads to boost conversions.
- Optimize for mobile-first audiences, ensuring a seamless shopping experience that keeps pace with consumers who browse, buy, and engage primarily on their phones.
- Data-driven insights and real-time analytics can hyper-personalize campaigns to make every interaction feel tailored and relevant, increasing customer loyalty and lifetime value.
With MetricsCart’s digital shelf analytics, get real-time data and actionable insights to optimize campaigns, predict consumer behavior, and deliver shopping experiences that convert.
The Final Scroll
Consumers aren’t just scrolling; they’re shopping in real time, expecting seamless, engaging, and hyper-personalized experiences.
If your brand isn’t making it easy for them to discover, interact, and buy instantly, you’ll be scrolled off the feed, never to appear again.
In 2025, winning trends in social commerce means more than just showing up. It’s about creating shoppable content that converts, immersive experiences that captivate, and personalized journeys that keep customers coming back.
The brands that get this right will own the digital shelf.
With MetricsCart, fuel your action plan with the right data and strategy to fine-tune every touchpoint and scale long-term social commerce growth.
Ready To Take Control of Your Brand Performance? Strategize With Our Digital Shelf Solutions!
FAQs
Social commerce is the direct buying and selling of products within social media platforms, eliminating the need to visit external websites.
Key trends include shoppable content, live shopping, AR experiences, in-app purchases, influencer-driven sales, AI personalization, and user-generated content.
Social commerce keeps the shopping experience within social media apps, while traditional e-commerce requires users to visit external websites to complete purchases.
It shortens the buying journey, increases impulse purchases, boosts engagement, builds trust through influencers and UGC, and enhances personalization with AI.
Globally, social commerce sales are projected to surpass $2 trillion by 2025.
