How Marketers Plan to Adjust Their 2025 Budgets Amid Inflation and Geopolitical Shifts

With inflation gradually easing and several geopolitical changes taking place, we wanted to understand how companies are adjusting their marketing budgets for 2025.

To find out, we surveyed 11,093 marketers to discover how they plan to allocate their marketing dollars and what strategies they intend to pursue across different channels. And, of course, we were keen to uncover the reasons behind their decisions.

SEO Budget Adjustments for 2025

A significant 44% of marketers are planning to increase their SEO budget in 2025. The number one reason for this shift is the belief that SEO is still thriving, with many marketers reporting that AI-driven search results have not drastically impacted their traffic. This confidence in SEO’s ongoing relevance is driving budget increases across the board.

For the 39% of marketers who plan to keep their SEO budgets the same, the main reason is simple: it’s working. SEO continues to deliver results, and marketers are hesitant to make drastic changes to a formula that’s already producing strong returns.

However, 17% of marketers intend to decrease their SEO budgets. A major concern for these marketers is the fear of algorithm changes, which could cause their traffic to fluctuate unpredictably. Many have experienced a downward trend in their SEO performance and are wary of further shifts. The second most common reason for a decrease in budget is the uncertainty surrounding AI-driven search results, with marketers unsure how AI could reshape search rankings in the future.

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Organic Social Budget Adjustments for 2025

In the realm of organic social media, 25% of marketers plan to increase their budgets for 2025. The primary reason for this increase is that organic social remains a powerful tool for brand awareness, even if it doesn’t always lead to immediate conversions. This reflects the broader understanding that social media platforms offer invaluable opportunities to reach and engage with target audiences.

Meanwhile, 17% of marketers plan to keep their organic social budgets the same. The main reasons cited are the necessity of being present on social platforms due to the attention they command, as well as the value of using social media as a channel for customer communication. Social media has proven to be an effective means of staying connected with customers, sharing updates, and building relationships.