This month’s creator trends are heartfelt, emotional, and just a little chaotic. From the Grinch becoming this season’s hottest influencer to angel trees inspiring millions, creators are setting the tone for what’s cool, clickable, and converts.

Heading into 2026, both creators and platforms are rewriting the rules. Leading creators and brands are swapping polished perfection for lo-fi content, unexpected collaborations, and community-powered storytelling. And metrics are evolving too: impressions are out, and cultural impact is in. Platforms are making moves that reinforce this shift. From Instagram capping hashtags to TikTok’s partnership with iHeart, we’re entering a future where creator reach becomes more fluid, more omnichannel, and more influential.

Ovative’s influencer marketing experts are breaking down the most important cultural, social, and platform shifts right now—and equipping brands with actionable insights to navigate what’s next.

In this report, you’ll find:

• The trends dominating the feed and why they’re working
• The creator formats that feel fresh as audiences fatigue on “perfect”
• What we’re betting on for 2026 creator trends
• The platform updates changing how content gets discovered