23 Content Marketing Examples That Drive Results in 2026

6 Steps to Get AI to Recommend Your Brand

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Want to 10x your marketing results?

We’ve handpicked 23 content marketing examples that are crushing it in 2026.

But these aren’t just any examples. They’re getting real, measurable outcomes.

Like Backlinko’s blog post, which earned 1,600+ shares and 600+ backlinks.

Or Reddit’s IPO video that went viral for all the right reasons.

In this post, you’ll discover:

Ready to level up?

Let’s dive in.

Innovative Blog Posts

Your blog isn’t just a play for search engine optimization (SEO).

Posts can be written to communicate your industry expertise. Build thought leadership. Create thought leaders. Or create link-worthy and valuable content.

Here are a few examples of [content marketing](/content/hub/content/what-is-content-marketing "What Is Content Marketing?"/index.html) for your blog:

1. Backlinko’s Skyscraper Technique 2.0

Backlinko’s founder, Brian Dean, wrote the “[Skyscraper Technique 2.0](/content/skyscraper-technique-2-0 "SEO Case Study: How I Increased My Organic Traffic 652% in 7 Days”/index.html)” blog. A sequel to his original piece introducing [the skyscraper technique](/content/skyscraper-technique "Link Building Case Study: How I Increased My Search Traffic by 110% in 14 Days"/index.html).

The blog previews the new landscape in which backlinks aren’t enough to win at SEO.

Brian shares his insights on creating and optimizing pages based on user intent, referencing case studies from his own blog posts.

The “Skyscraper Technique 2.0” blog post was shared over 1,600 times and gained over 600 backlinks.

Readers get a hands-on understanding of the Skyscraper 2.0 method with three clear steps for using it.

Each step is illustrated with multiple examples to contextualize the recommendation. Instead of simply sharing a tip, Brian shows exactly how he implemented it in his work.

Like here, he tells readers to “change the format” of a piece of content. And he uses a screenshot to visualize how he acted on this advice—changing a step-by-step case study into one with checklists.

Do It Your Way

Choose blog topics that are directly aligned with your expertise. Then, create blog posts on those topics using real-life examples of your work. This makes the content actionable for readers.

Further reading: Learn how to find trending topics in your industry using [Google Trends](/content/hub/content/google-trends "Google Trends: What Is It & How to Use It for SEO"/index.html)

2. Buffer’s Open Salary System

Buffer is a social media management tool with a distributed, remote team. The company’s founder and CEO, Joel Gascoigne, introduced one of their most innovative policies in this Open Salary System blog.

In the post, Gascoigne shares his ideas and beliefs about the policy. He reveals to readers how the open salary system emerged, evolved, and currently works.

He talks about how the team ran several experiments to calculate salaries based on the cost of living for every location. The post refers to this concept as “the Good Life Curve.”

The piece doesn’t read like your usual blog post.

Rather, it’s an exhaustive essay that walks the reader through every logistical detail of the policy. And, in doing so, gives them a peek into Buffer’s brand values and compensation principles.

Do It Your Way

This is a great example of thought leadership content.

Replicate this idea by creating blog posts like these that share perspectives from your company founders or senior leadership. This can build more credibility for your brand and help establish your company’s long-term strategic differentiators.

3. Hotjar’s AI vs. Human Writer Experiment

Hotjar is a behavior analytics tool that’s used to capture data around user behavior with heatmaps, session recordings, and surveys.

The team designed an experiment that would compare a human writer against ChatGPT. They published a blog titled “Woman vs. machine” with links to two competing pieces—one written by a human writer and one by ChatGPT.

The blog sets the stage for the experiment. It evaluates the substance of the competing pieces across categories like outline, time, cost, tone, and more, to present a comparative analysis. But it doesn’t quite declare a winner.

Instead, it lays out performance metrics that the team planned to track for six months before declaring a final winner in the competition.

This blog went live at the height of the AI versus human writers debate. So, it gained good momentum right from the get-go.

Her post blew up with over 700 reactions, nearly 100 comments, and 18 reposts.

Do It Your Way

This campaign is a great example of opportunistic content creation. You can create content around a topic that people are already interested in. And by joining in the conversation, you stand a chance of capitalizing on its existing momentum.

To start, identify popular or even controversial topics in your industry. And write a blog post with an intriguing angle to capture this existing interest in the topic.

Bonus, you can show your product in the content to build awareness around your use cases.

Further reading: [12 Content Marketing Trends That Will Continue This Year](/content/content-marketing-this-year "12 Content Marketing Trends That Will Continue in 2024"/index.html)

4. Olipop’s Guide to Recycling

Olipop is a soft drink company that makes sodas with plant fiber and prebiotics.

Olipop’s website has a dedicated “Learn” section where visitors can explore the brand’s origin story, read blog posts, find ingredient details, and more.

The brand publishes blogs around its core values, like sustainability, diversity, and nutritional health.

This guide to recycling targets one of Olipop’s ideal customers: The eco-conscious buyer who makes mindful choices for the environment. Published during Earth Month, the post shares insights on the importance of recycling and quick tips to recycle items.

The brand also highlights its approach to sustainability and recycling.

It’s a great example of an ecommerce brand creating content that strengthens its positioning and earns buyers’ trust.

Do It Your Way

Your company blog can be a gateway to your brand’s core identity. Give your audience an insider’s view of your business goals, values, and initiatives while educating readers on relevant topics.

Viral Video Campaigns

An impressive 89% of people want to see more videos from brands.

If that statistic alone is not enough motivation to create videos, here are two examples of viral video campaigns that captured a lot of positive attention.

5. Reddit’s IPO Video

Reddit posted a video on the day of its public launch. It went viral for all the right reasons.

This 90-second video features Reddit’s mascot, Snoo. In it, several people on the Reddit team talk about what it’s like working with Snoo. And the video ends with Snoo ringing the bell at the NY Stock Exchange building.

This video is quirky and hilarious. It reflects Reddit’s personality as a social brand.

The video is unlike what most companies would post for a major milestone like an IPO. Reddit uses humor to appear more relatable.

And it paid off! The video received close to 2,000 reactions and over 100 reposts on LinkedIn. It also got over 39,000 views on X. The results demonstrate the power of a well-crafted video with a unique approach.

Do It Your Way

What sets Reddit’s IPO video apart is its uniquely authentic tone. This example shows that it’s okay to not play by the rules if you want to stay true to your brand personality.

Focus more on what resonates with your audience. Creating relatable content with relevance to your niche can pay off even when you’re making major announcements.

6. Xeela Fitness’s Documentary-Style Videos

Xeela Fitness, a supplement company, has cracked the code on video content marketing.

The secret?

Documentary-style fitness transformation videos that keep viewers hooked from start to finish.

Take their YouTube video featuring Natalie Mariduena’s six-month body transformation—losing 30 pounds.

It’s raw and unfiltered, showing both the triumphs and struggles of her journey.

At over 27 minutes, it’s a far cry from the short, snappy content that dominates most social media.

In fact, it has amassed over 4.8 million views.

What makes this content so compelling is its authenticity.

You see Natalie’s frustration with early workouts, her diet struggles, and her drive to push through tough days. This isn’t a glossy, unrealistic portrayal of fitness.

It’s a real person facing real challenges, which resonates deeply with the audience.

The production quality is another standout feature. With its polished editing and storytelling, the video feels more like a TV documentary than a typical YouTube fitness video.

Xeela’s approach is quality over quantity.

Their channel has few videos. But, each fitness journey has over a million views.

Do It Your Way:

Consider creating long-form content that tells a compelling story. Focus on authenticity and high production values.

Remember, one great video can outperform dozens of mediocre ones.

Show the entire journey—challenges included—to create content that resonates with your audience.

7. Hyro’s Funding Announcement

Hyro, a conversational AI company, announced its $20 million Series B funding with a hilarious video campaign.

The video playfully personifies ChatGPT and Hyro as assistants talking to a user. It perfectly exemplifies how an adaptive conversational AI platform like Hyro is different from intent-based chatbots and LLMs like ChatGPT.

Ziv Gidron, the company’s Head of Content, explains their approach to creating such an enjoyable video for a major announcement:

“As a veteran conversational AI company in the wake of ChatGPT’s 2023 boom, we decided to ride the hype wave rather than drown in it by pointing out what makes us different—and in the context of heavily regulated industries such as healthcare, better and safer.”

This video garnered 15,000 impressions, 10,000 views, 308 clicks, 162 reactions, and a strong 5% engagement rate.

Do It Your Way

The Content Head shared that, in creating this video, the team found inspiration from Apple’s Mac versus PC ads.

The lesson? Find something iconic from the past and put your own creative spin on it.

Creative Social Media Posts

Social media channels are a space where you can instantly connect with your users. Even turn them into raving fans.

Here are three amazing content marketing examples of success on socials.

8. tl;dv’s Instagram

tl;dv is an AI assistant that records, transcribes, and summarizes meetings.

The brand’s social media team includes a couple of video creators. They’re known for making short sketches enacting real-life scenarios in a SaaS company.

Their goal?

Entertain the audience > promote the product.

For example, they created an Instagram reel sharing a funny conversation about a product feature between a sales rep, customer success manager, and prospect.

tl;dv’s content is comical, relatable, and worth sharing.

Ian Evans, one of the creators in tl;dv’s social team, summarizes their social media strategy in one line:

“Instead of telling people about our product, we’re commiserating with the people who could use our product.”

Do It Your Way

Most people use platforms like TikTok and Instagram for leisure. They likely don’t want to learn how your product works or what services you can deliver.

So, instead of talking just about your brand, build an audience on these channels by creating content that speaks to your users and makes them feel seen.

9. Headspace’s Instagram

Headspace is a mindfulness app designed to improve mental wellbeing. The brand’s social media strategy is rooted in its mission to empower people and improve their mental health.

On Instagram, the brand uses vibrant illustrations and reels to share uplifting messages.

You’ll find a mix of different kinds of content on Headspace’s Instagram:

Do It Your Way

Headspace’s example shows what you can achieve when you focus on helping your audience with genuinely meaningful advice. It also offers great inspiration for creating impactful visuals.

10. HubSpot’s LinkedIn

HubSpot is a one-stop platform with tools and resources for marketing, sales, and customer service.

The brand offers another case study in which marketing content uses humor to delight an audience. And keep them coming back for more.

The team leans heavily on memes, one-liners, and hilarious posts on a supposedly serious platform like LinkedIn.

Each post gets hundreds of likes. HubSpot often goes viral on the platform.

Chi Thukral, the Team Lead on HubSpot’s social team, changed the way the brand approached social media.

“Before I was hired, memes didn’t exist on HubSpot’s page at all. Never something they dabbled in.

Do It Your Way

Don’t be afraid to include comical and witty content in your social media strategy. Use humor to give your audience a good laugh and stay top of mind.

To create relatable content, test what works best for your users—memes, one-liners, pop-culture references, and more.

Interactive Content Assets

Interactive content can capture people’s attention much faster than static posts can. These assets often engage users better for longer and have a higher chance of getting shared.

Check out these interactive content marketing examples before you create one for your brand.

11. Anecdote’s AI Candle Generator

Anecdote Candles sells unique fragrances by crowdsourcing new ideas. In the same spirit, the brand created an AI candle generator to design custom candles based on people’s favorite memories and moods.

This tool asks for a simple input—describe a moment. The user can keep it short or make it as detailed as they want.

When they hit generate, the tool creates a new candle name and copy around the users’ response to the prompt.

Do It Your Way

Anecdote’s candle generator involves the buyer in the production process and gives them complete control over the end product. You can pull off something similar to get creative ideas directly from your audience.

12. Slite’s Time-Saving Calculator

Slite, a knowledge base platform, has a time saving calculator.

The calculator suggests a fun activity based on the number of hours and money it could save. Like how many pancakes the person can make.

Do It Your Way

If your product/service has a direct, quantifiable benefit for users, use interactive content to help them realize the possibilities.

13. Coffee Bros’s Coffee-to-Water Ratio Calculator

Coffee Bros sells a wide variety of fresh-roasted coffee. The team created a coffee-to-water ratio calculator.

The calculator includes seven steps where users can choose any of the available options, like their brewing method, drink size, and roast level.

Do It Your Way

Coffee Bros targeted a fairly common pain point among their audience: How to make the perfect brew. They created an interactive tool to solve this problem and gently nudge people to explore their products.

14. Figma’s Cost Comparison Calculator

Figma created a cost-comparison calculator to help buyers make informed decisions.

Do It Your Way

Cost is one of the biggest factors among buyers. You can make a strong case for your brand with a cost calculator like this.

15. Miro’s “Look Back” Board

Miro’s ”look back” board recaps all the features the team rolled out in 2023.

Do It Your Way

Miro presents the perfect example of using your product to interact with your audience.

High-Impact Case Studies

Case studies play a crucial role in the buyer journey. That’s why 36% of marketers consider them to be the best-performing content type.

16. Gong’s First-Person Case Study

Gong, a revenue intelligence tool, created this first-person case study.

Do It Your Way

Instead of following the same old playbook when creating case studies, focus on involving customers in the process of creating a case study.

17. Huckberry’s Everyday Carry Dump Videos

Huckberry has a YouTube playlist called “Everyday Carry Dump.

Do It Your Way

You can invite customers to your studio and create similar videos. Or encourage/incentivize happy customers to share their experiences with your products on social media.

18. Mutiny’s Customer Playbooks

Do It Your Way

You can share customer stories to build social proof.

19. Postmark’s Comics

Postmark created a series of comics called Postmark Express.

20. Teal’s Job Search Cheat Sheet

Teal created an A-to-Z cheat sheet with their best tips for people to find their next role.

Do It Your Way

Infographics like these work well on social media platforms.

Value-Packed Email Campaigns

21. Coda’s The Docket

Coda is a writing and documentation tool with a monthly newsletter called “The Docket.”

22. Dohful’s Sunday Letters

Dohful is an artisanal cookie brand that relies heavily on email marketing to stay top of mind and drive sales.

23. Podia’s Topical Email

This email by Podia is an awesome example of how brands can use trendjacking to resonate more with their audience.

Over to You: Start Planning Your Next Big Campaign

That’s a wrap on some of the best content marketing examples we like. May they get your creative juices running the next time you’re looking for big ideas.