It’s been a minute since we sent our first tweets in 2007 and began Instagramming our brunch in 2010 (maybe you were a Facebook O.G. back in the mid-2000s).

Though social media isn’t exactly new, we’re always learning new things. Whether it’s one social network introducing a new algorithm or a brand new platform like TikTok exploding on the scene, those of us in the industry are constantly adapting.

What does “trending” really mean, and why is it important? Well, according to Merriam-Webster, “trending” is defined as “to generate or attract a lot of interest or attention, especially online and in social media.” Whether you’re an up-and-coming startup or a Fortune 500 company, keeping up with current trends is necessary to gain a prize-winning edge over the competition.

With a flurry of constantly changing industry trends, how can a brand possibly know which ones are most relevant? We’ve scoured the internet and rounded up the top 15 digital marketing trends (in no particular order) that have made the biggest impact this year. Here’s what we discovered:

New York City allowed brick-and-mortar retail stores to open back up at the end of June. As the month went on, more and more shoppers ventured out, masks in place, to see just what it is like to shop in-person in these (still) uncertain times.