6 Marketing Trends That Will Shape 2026

What should businesses focus on as marketing evolves in 2026? In this solo episode, John Jantsch breaks down 6 marketing trends that will shape 2026, from the growing importance of local SEO and customer retention to the rise of trust-based micro-influencers and authentic content. You'll learn why "real" is replacing viral, how mischief can become a marketing strategy, and why being genuinely helpful is the future of search. This episode offers practical guidance for small businesses and marketers looking to stay relevant, visible, and trusted in a rapidly changing landscape. Today we discussed: 00:00 Start 01:09 Intro 01:58 Local Advantage 04:45 Real is the New Viral 07:26 Mischief Marketing 08:43 Retention is the New Acquisition 10:30 Trust Brokers and Micro-Influencers 12:11 Be the Answer – Helpful Search Content Rate, Review, & Follow If you liked this episode, please rate and review the show. Let us know what you loved most about the episode. Struggling with strategy? Unlock your free AI-powered prompts now and start building a winning strategy today! 👉 Get Your Free Prompts: https://dtm.world/freeprompts