Instagram is thriving & TikTok is flopping: What's working right now on social media in March 2026

Welcome to WORK!! Today we’re so back unpacking our firstly monthly instalment of State of Social Media!! We’ll be unpacking what’s working in March 2026 on social media, Instagram new features, content inso, creator economy news & more! CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS00:00 Intro 3:15 Polished casual content is still in 4:25 Tess’ theory: The two types of creator in 2026 5:00 Expert personal brand + examples7:09 Chaotic personal brand + examples8:07 Influencers aren’t influential anymore 9:38 Niche audiences in 2026 are essential 10:26 Instagram updates: Stickers, Carousels & Adam Mosseri corner lol 12:15 YouTube updates: Voicenote comments & quizzes14:18 Podcasting news: Apple video & Jake Shane on Netflix 16:24 Average creator income & it’s not too late 20:30 Podcasts are the new late night22:04 The future of this channel & this podcast Check out Storyblocks at https://www.storyblocks.com/tessbarclay to level-up your content!ARTICLES + LINKS MENTIONEDAverage creator incomeFintech created for influencersVanity Fair the new late nightSubstack articles: https://mufarodawn.substack.com/p/the-rise-of-the-expert-influencerSubstack article 2: https://curatedbyamritasingh.substack.com/p/the-difference-between-being-an-influencerReddit thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/influencermarketing/comments/1rg8k7d/ive_spent_millions_on_influencer_marketing_ama/