The Internet's accessibility is only growing, with a number of broadening platforms attainable through a series of different mediums -- these September 2018 social media trends pay into the growing effect technology has on our everyday lives. The concept of connectivity through digital means is at our fingertips and many industries are taking advantage of this notion to reach a mass audience and to improve communication at a larger scale.
An example from this month is Sanrio's new Hello Kitty channel on YouTube, where the iconic cartoon cat is able to gather a following as an animated vlogger and influencer. This channel draws in a relationship between a character and a group of viewers, making content personable and appealing to a rapidly growing audience.
Another example is the way that The Instance Fragrance Concept creates formulated scents based on a person's Instagram feed. The company aims to produce scents that are based on some sort of memory. This marketing approach elevates a social media concept into something that is physical and breaches beyond the digital boundaries to draw an even deeper connection to consumers.
Top 30 Social Media Trends in September
30
Whimsical Cosmetic Pop-Ups
The Winky Lux Experience is Styled as a Photo-Friendly Retail Museum
29
YouTube Star Clothing Collections
Emma Chamberlain and Dote Release an Exclusive Online Collection
28
Social Media-Inspired Fragrances
The Instance Fragrance Concept Uses Instagram for Personalization
27
Fashionable Social Sunglasses
The Newest Spectacles by Snap Feature Fashion-Forward Designs
26
Garden-Connected Office Extensions
Frank Gehry Designs Facebook's Headquarters in Silicon Valley
25
Virtual Luxury Fashion Models
Balmain's 'Virtual Army' Features Diverse CGI Supermodels
24
Immersive Tea-Themed Experiences
Room For Tea is Opening in New York City
23
Mock Influencer Fashion Campaigns
The Juicy Couture Fall 2018 Ads are Styled as Sponsored Posts
22
Exclusive Social Networking Services
ONN Network Comes With a Private Online Concierge
21
Short-Form Video Apps
TikTok and Musical.ly Build a Platform That Enables Creativity & Expression
20
Cute Ice Cream Mooncakes
Häagen-Dazs & Line Collaborate on a Tasty Treat for the Mid-Autumn Fest
19
Travel-Friendly Pet Passports
Canvas Holidays Ranks the Miles Per Year Traveled by Furry Friends
18
Interstellar Selfie Apps
This NASA App Lets You Pose in Front of Breathtaking Space Photos
17
Shoppable Animated Apparel Videos
Asics Released a Five-part Series of Shoppable Videos
16
Social Media Alternatives
Mastodon Offers Unique "Instances" for Its Users
15
GIF-Centric Film Festivals
The GIPHY Film Festival Explores Stories Told in Just 18 Seconds
14
Shoppable Celebrity AR Filters
Nicki Minaj's Snapchat Filter Promotes Her 'Queen' Album
13
Fashion Commerce Communities
URSTYLE is a Social Fashion Network Powered by Blockchain & AI Tech
12
Social Event-Planning Apps
'PotluckHub' Helps Users Host Parties and Celebrate with Friends
11
Social Media Sports Streaming
"Friday Night Stripes" Will Bring High School Sports to Twitter
10
Cartoon Vlogger Influencers
Sanrio's Hello Kitty Just Got an Incredibly Adorable YouTube Channel
9
Female Empowerment Social Apps
The 'GirlCrew' Social Network Helps Women Connect on Common Topics
8
Social Chat Dating Apps
'eMeetly' Lets Users Connect with Potential Mates in Facebook Messenger
7
Traditional Pasta-Making Webseries
'Pasta Grannies' on YouTube Makes Authentic Recipes Accessible
6
AR Friend-Finding Apps
The 'Rad.ar' App Helps You Navigate to and Locate Lost Friends
5
Fruity Celebrity-Designed Perfumes
Rihanna Releases Reb’l Fleur Love Always Eau De Parfum
4
Expansive Online Beauty Forums
Sephora's Beauty Insider Community is the Largest Beauty Forum
3
Offbeat Meeting Livestreams
Old Spice Livestreamed an Interactive "Board Meeting" on YouTube
2
Vodka-Branded Music Podcasts
New Amsterdam Vodka's Branded Podcast Talks about Hip-Hop
1
Canadian Airline AI Chatbots
WestJet Launched a New Travel Chatbox Named Juliet Through Facebook
Related Ideas
Plush-Inspired Sensorial Cosmetics
Ulta Beauty x Squishmallows is Full of Fun, Tactile Features
Cartoon Cat Bath Collections
The Hello Kitty and Friends x Lush Collab Sweetens Bathtime Rituals
Virtual Fashion Contests
Bratz and ZEPETO Launch a Four-Week Avatar Styling Challenge
Location-Based Social Media Features
Instagram Map Connects Friends Who are Nearby One Another
Summer Soda Brand Campaigns
Sprite 'Turns Up the Refreshment' With its Immersive Campaign
Baby Collectible Tech Lines
Sonny Angel x CASETiFY Has Returned for Another Adorable Collaboration
Gen Z Storytelling Campaigns
Coach is Running the 'Explore Your Story' Campaign for Spring 2026
Gen Z Advertising Initiatives
Tubi Targets Younger Viewers with Ad Innovations at IAB NewFronts
Social Media-Inspired Retail Apps
Depop Outfits Lets Users Create Moodboards and Collages
Festival-Inspired Luxury Fashion Campaigns
Burberry Celebrates the Energy of British Music Culture
Creator-Led Beauty Retail
rhode Expands Across Sephora Europe After Strong Viral Demand
Nostalgic Capsule Collections
The UNIQLO UT x Tamagotchi Range Marks 30 Years of the Digital Pet
Show-Inspired Marketplace Campaigns
Facebook Marketplace x Netflix Launch a Bridgerton Experience
AR-Powered Makeup Experiences
NYX Professional Makeup Beauty Bestie 2.0 is Available on Snapchat
High-Profile Live Performance Marketing
Rokid Delighted Folks with a High-Profile Marketing Event
Versatile Beauty-Enthusiast-Approved Products
L’Oréal Paris Spotlights its Trending Must-Haves
Beauty Hack-Inspired Campaigns
Vaseline Launched 'Vaseline World' Based on Social Media Content
Social-First Direct Selling Series
Mary Kay Miss Conceptions Reshapes Gen Z & Millennial Mindsets
AI-Driven Shoppable Catwalks
Topshop and THG Studios are Hosting a Next-Gen Fashion Experience
Pet-Powered Beauty Campaigns
e.l.f. Cosmetics' Animal Intelligence Redefines "AI"
Authentic Connection Campaigns
Heineken's Hijack Socialization Encourages Out-of-Home Gatherings
Nature Aesthetic Tech Accessories
CASETiFY x Pinterest Drop the 'Wilderkind Collection'
Beauty Retailer IP Collabs
Olive Young Announced the Expansion of Character-Driven Products
Phone-Free Crafting Experiences
Pinterest Brought a Phone-Free Experience to the Desert
Real-Life Mood-Board Transformations
Pinterest Launches the 'Bring My Pinterest to Life' Series
Digital Avatar Makeup
Roblox Expands into Digital Avatar Makeup with Customizable Cosmetics
Creator-Led Style Collabs
MAC Cosmetics and Depop are Reintroducing Gen Z Shoppers to Lipstick
Dynamic Scent-Inspired Fashion Presentations
Startup Fashion Week 2026 Concluded Its Program
Viral Satisfying ASMR Toys
MGA Entertainment's Slime Life Turns Digital Trends into Physical Play
Interactive Toy Experiences
Spin Master Highlights Opportunities in the Toy Sector in 2026
Gamified Condiment Experiences
HEINZ’s Ketchup Blast Turns Meals Interactive
Creator Community-Focused Platforms
Gap Inc. Has Introduced a New Centralized Program
Live Social Shopping Expansions
QVC® Announces New Brands That Will Join Its Roster in 2026
Glam Pet Adoption Pop-Ups
Uber Showcats Puts a Spotlight on Rescued Cats Available for Adoption
Rewards-Based Beauty Devices
Sephora Expanded its Rewards Catalog With High Tech Skincare Tools
Expressive Hair Campaigns
Wavytalk's Main Character Hair Campaign Makes Everyday Styles Memorable
Immersive Video Shopping Experiences
ASOS Live Blends Creator-Led Content with Real-Time Shopping
Sensory Retail Experiences
Claire’s Launches ASMR-Inspired Stores for Gen Alpha Shoppers
Retro Digital Pet Collabs
CASETiFY x Tamagotchi Partner for a Custom-Branded Tamagotchi Device
Cross-Industry Insight Networks
The Think Party Explores the Future of Socialization
Girl Group Beauty Campaigns
LANEIGE Taps KATSEYE for a JuicePop Box Lip Tint Campaign
AI Beauty Assistants
Sephora Launched Advanced Chatbot Features for Virtual Try-Ons and Bookings
Varsity Influencer Teams
UNC Turns Student-Athletes Into Social Media Monetization Experts
Customer-Starring Billboards
Bobbie's Campaign Spotlights Moms as "the OG Influencers"
Fashion-Forward Cultural Infrastructure Initiatives
THE FASH APP Debuts Founding Benefactor Circle
Digitized Music Group Experiences
Toca Boca Partners with KATSEYE for a Unique Digital Experience
Marketer-Targeted Albums
The Spotify Tunetorials Campaign Blurs Education and Entertainment
Festival Beauty Activations
Medicube Brings Skincare Tech and Experiences to Coachella
Bold Beauty Campaigns
IPSY Reframes Beauty as a Hobby with the 'I Play Beauty' Campaign
Influencer-Driven Fashion Events
Pacsun Collaborated with Prominent Gen-Z Creators
Sensory ASMR-Style Toys
Incredible Group's Squishi Toys Appeal to Gen Z Consumers
Influencer-Supported Worldwide Promotional Campaigns
GUESS? Taps Chiara Ferragni for Its Campaign
Imaginative Fantasy-Inspired Campaigns
Canva Spotlights its Creative Tools Ahead of Halloween
AI Shopping Integrations
Sephora’s ChatGPT App Enables AI-Powered Product Discovery
Culture-Inspired Dolls
Katseye and Monster High Debut a Music Video & Inclusive Doll Collaboration
Scan-to-Sniff Fragrance Billboards
Rare Beauty's Activation with Shopify Shop Promote a New Scent
Fashion-Branded Café Experiences
Vogue Blends Retail with Immersive Hospitality Spaces
Music Scene-Informed Luxury Campaigns
Burberry Taps Twiggy for Spring 2026 Advertising Campaign
Gen Z-Coded Design Platforms
Canva Chronically Online Gives a Classic Interface More Personality
Collaborative Curated Fashion Capsules
SHEIN Taps Cultural Tastemaker Scot Louie
Anti-Digital Social Campaigns
Heineken Partners with Joe Jonas for 'Socials Off Socials'
24/7 Live Shopping Streams
QVC is Launching an Always-On Shopping Experience with TikTok Shop
Nostalgic Toy Brand Celebrations
Tamagotchi Marks Its 30th Anniversary at the New York Toy Fair
Self-Expression Festival Activations
Barbie Brings Customizable Persona-Building to Coachella
Sensorial Soda Campaigns
Sprite's 'Hurts Real Good With Sprite' Targets Gen Z
Youthful Hair Mists
Mane is Launching Scented Hair & Body Mists for Millennials & Gen Z
GenAI Fashion Try-Ons
Perfect Corp. Fashion APIs Help Shoppers Visualize Scarves, Hats & More
Mobile Beauty Pop-Ups
Henkel’s göt2b Debuts a Citywide Mobile Beauty Experience
Traveling Fashion Showcases
The Guess Bus in Sydney is an Example of Experimental Marketing
Comprehensive Fast Food Reports
Yum! Brands, Inc. Explores Food Trends Influencing the Industry
AI Influencer Platforms
Statusphere Raised $18 Million to Scale Micro-Influencer Marketing
Gamified Scent Marketing Experiences
Axe's Grab The Sweet Turned a Bus Stop into a Claw Machine
Interactive Juice Boxes
Suntop's Mega Back to School Campaign Integrates Connected Packaging
Character-Driven Fashion Newsletters
The RealReal Creates The RealGirl Luxury Consignment Series
Social Commerce Integrations
Ulta Beauty Launches a Creator-Driven TikTok Shop
Social Media-Driven Brand Partnerships
Target and Parke Join Forces on a Limited Style Capsule
AI Beauty Apps
Refresh App Combines Hair, Makeup and Styling in One AI Platform
Circular Fashion Platforms
eBay Acquired Depop to Grow Its Fashion Resale Ecosystem
Culturally Inspired Fall-Ready Streetwear
BAPE Introduces its Connect with People Collection
Flea-Market-Inspired Brand Experiences
CASEKOO Hosted a DIY Experience in Beijing
Plush-Inspired Perfumes
Three Squishmallows Fragrances Debuted with Mood-Boosting Scents
Fragrance Shopping Events
Sephora Introduced its 'Fragrance For All Event' for Last Minute Gifting
Consumer Insight Engines
Buzzabout Delivers Real-Time Insights From Billions of Conversations
Production-Led Live Commerce Events
P.Louise Launches Get Unteddy With Me on TikTok Shop
Anti-Algorithm Social Platforms
Buzzfeed’s Branch Office Creates Interactive AI-Powered Apps
Experiential Grocery Campaigns
No Name launches a multi-city grocery goss campaign
Local Social Media Feeds
TikTok’s Local Feed Uses Precise Location Opt-In, Excludes Minors
Feedless Social Platforms
Bond Eliminates Feeds to Focus on Real-Life Experiences
Predictive Artificial Intelligence Tools
Creatable AI Analyzes Social Commerce Data
Nostalgic Cartoon Tech Accessories
CASETiFY Launches a 'Power Puff Girls' Collection
Curated Resale Experiences
Poshmark Blends Community Curation with Personalized Shopping
Next Gen Multimedia Platforms
Hello Sunshine Launches Sunnie, a Gen Z Media and Lifestyle Platform
Shoppable Reel Features
Meta Expands Reels with Product Tagging on Instagram and Facebook
Short-Form Video Previews
Vertical Feeds Help Members Discover Content on Netflix
Creativity-Celebrating Social Media Awards
The Instagram Rings Award Honors Exemplary Creators
Social Engagement Platforms
Sociable AI Predicts Viral Posts And Generates Brand Aligned Comments
Creator-Boosting Platform Features
The YouTube Hype Feature Boosts Smaller Creators in Explore
Peer-Powered Gifting Initiatives
indu and SoPost Encourage Customers to Share Samples with Friends
Interactive Traveling Marketing Initiatives
Heinz Pllayfully Spotlights the Heinz Ketchup Zero
Social Travel Booking Platforms
TikTok GO Turns Creator Travel Videos Into Bookable Trips
AI-Created Video Feeds
Meta Introduces Vibes as a Social Platform Driven by AI-Generated Posts
Localized Retail Media Platforms
Snappy Shopper Launches Connect, a Retail Media Network
Curated Resale Storefronts
eBay's The NYC Edit Storefront Shares Tastemaker Selections
On-Demand Content Creation Apps
Social Agent Connects Users to Certified Content Creators
Branded App Takeovers
TikTok Introduces Logo Takeover Ads That Dominate the App’s Opening Screen
Celebrity-Supported Luxe Fashion Campaigns
BOSS Taps Renowned Public Figures for Fall 2025
Social-First Beauty Retailers
Sally Beauty Joins TikTok Shop
Feline-Hosted Podcasts
Whiskas' Purrcast Supports & Entertains a New Generation of Pet Parents
Social Media Schedulers
SocialLater Automates Social Media Posting Across Multiple Platforms
In-Store Creator Commerce
Mac Cosmetics Turns Retail Employees into Live-Streaming Creators
Focused Fashion Feeds
Clone Helps You Stay Updated with Fashion Trends Sustainably
City-Focused Influencer Platforms
Storytime Launches Storytime Marketplace in Cities
Social Media Creator Initiatives
Snapchat Launches its Gen Z-Focused Creator Connect Service
Social Copy Optimizers
TweetFast Turns Ideas Into Viral Tweets With AI-Powered Suggestions
Global Messaging Platforms
Borderless Lets Users Send and Read Messages Across the World
Interactive Streaming Ads
Spotify Turns Listening into Engagement with Carousel Ads
Asian Film-Themed Promotions
Crocs Launches a Media-Themed Monsoon Campaign in Southeast Asia
Focused Social Platforms
LastWeekend Prioritizes Sharing Moments With People Who Matter Most
IP-Based Kids Games
Netflix Turns Shows into Play Experiences
Custom AI Social Feeds
Bluesky’s Attie Lets Users Build Feeds with AI
Social Media-Inspired Streaming Apps
The Netflix App Feed Will Introduce a TikTok-Like Style
AI Beauty Marketing Platforms
Coty Uses Pencil to Scale AI-Generated Campaigns
Real-Time Sharing Apps
MomentsHub Lets You Discover And Share Nearby Experiences Instantly
Collaborative Beauty Events
Stoney Clover Lane X Hello Kitty and Friends Host a Pop-Up Event
Expressive App Icons
The Instagram Teen Icons Deliver Vibrant Customization for Younger Users
Real-Time Social Chats
Threads introduces live group chats around major cultural events
Retro Phone-Free Events
Before the Internet is on a Mission to Reconnect People in Real Life
Social Media Sticker Tools
Instagram Comment Sticker Generator Creates Engaging Reply Stickers
Decentralized Social Websites
Surf Enables Creator-Owned Platforms
Shoppable Swimsuits
Sports Illustrated Launches Its Shoppable Swimsuits
Layered Online Content Reports
YouTube Defines Creative Maximalism as the Key Point After 20 Years
Paired-Down Social Media Platforms
Month Friend Boasts a New Experience in the Hyper-Digital World
Interactive Traveler-Focused Campaigns
Tessan Will Spotlight the 100 Travelers Campaign
Teen Content Filters
Instagram Expands Age-Rated Experiences with Stricter Parental Controls
Influencer Discovery Assistants
SocialiQ 2.0 Automates Influencer Research Right on Social Media
Cat-Like Attitude Certifications
Friskies' Certified Frisky is a Playful Nod to Cat-Like Behavior
AI-Powered Animation Tools
Facebook Adds AI-Powered Animation And Restyle Tools
Adaptive Notification Systems
YouTube Filters Push Alerts Based on Recent User Engagement
Social Diary Platforms
Truuze Social Networking App Blends Personal Journaling With Social Sharing
Distinctive Asia-Focused Platforms
Feature.Asia Notes Asia's Professional & Cultural Innovators