2026 is the year the advantage shifts from doing more… to building a simpler, smarter system. In this episode of Push Forward, I’m sharing 26 Predictions of 2026—thetrends and platform shifts that will shape how creators and small businesses get discovered, earn trust, and convert attention into income.

We’ll cover what’s happening across marketplaces, social discovery, AI content, agents, and data—then turn it into practical moves you can apply to your content, your link-in-bio funnel, your offers, and your growth plan.

What we cover:

• Why the “AI slop era” makes real creators more valuable

• How social discovery is replacing traditional search

• What agent-first shopping means for your product pages and offers

• How to build trust signals that convert (without huge budgets)

• Why omnichannel is no longer optional for growth

Not all online voices are the same. We break down the key differences between influencers and creators, showing how each can impact your brand, content strategy, and partnerships. Learn which path aligns with your goals and how to make smarter collaboration decisions.

New to the creator economy and not sure where to begin? This episode is your on-ramp. We define the creator economy in plain language, show you how money actually flows (ads, sponsors, subscribers, affiliates, products, services), and walk you through a simple system to choose your content type, ideal platforms, and first offers. You’ll leave with a 90-day action plan, a lightweight tool stack, and a clear path to your first paying fan.

At the 10th Annual Florida International Trade and Cultural Expo (FITCE), Alex and his 15-year-old son Luca represented Pushbio alongside 2,000 attendees from over 70 countries. In this special father-son episode, they reflect on the power of face-to-face networking, what it’s like to learn business at a young age, and how technology like Pushbio is helping creators like Luca share their work with the world. From meeting global leaders to discovering how entrepreneurs connect and collaborate, this episode is a snapshot of what happens when generations learn, grow, and lead together.

AI influencers are no longer just a futuristic concept—they’re here, and they’re changing the creator economy in profound ways. In this episode, we dive into the rise of AI influencers like Lil Miquela, including her recent leukemia campaign that sparked conversations about authenticity and ethics in digital storytelling. We discuss what this means for real creators and share practical strategies to adapt, compete, and thrive in a world where virtual personalities are gaining ground. If you want to understand how to leverage your unique human creativity and build genuine community in the age of AI, this episode is a must-listen.

If you’re ready to start working with brands, it’s time to move beyond follower counts. In this episode, Alex breaks down how to create a professional media kit that sells your story, shows your results, and wins collaborations. Learn what to include—from video pitches to analytics—and how to use Pushbio’s Brand Collabs directory to connect with over 10,000 brands actively seeking creators. This is your roadmap from content to contracts.

In this episode of The Push Forward, we explore the global reach of Instagram and TikTok—and why creators don’t need to be U.S.-based to succeed. With massive audiences in countries like Brazil, Indonesia, India, Mexico, and Pakistan, brand deals and monetization opportunities are thriving worldwide. We’ll also spotlight creators from each country who prove that influence is truly borderless, and discuss how AI is breaking down language barriers so you can grow globally faster than ever.

Managing social media shouldn’t eat up your entire day. In this episode of The Push Forward, we dive into the world of social media scheduling—why it’s so important, how traditional tools like Hootsuite and Buffer stack up, and why PushBio’s built-in scheduler makes the process simpler than ever. From planning and scheduling to publishing across multiple platforms in one shot, PushBio’s ecosystem is designed to save you time and keep your content consistent.

Try the scheduler here: pushbio.io/social-media-scheduler