AI adoption for small business marketing ops continues
In a challenging economic environment, small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are leveraging artificial intelligence to get a leg up when it comes to marketing operations.
More than half (54%) of SMB owners are already using AI marketing tools, according to a new survey from digital marketing tools provider Constant Contact. Nearly half (45%) use AI to analyze trend data, and 44% use it to compose content.
Three-quarters (74%) of SMBs surveyed expect to spend more time on marketing this year, and more than two-thirds (68%) plan to increase marketing budgets. Only 14% expect their budgets to decrease.
[READ MORE: Survey: Content marketers see benefits in rise of AI]
When asked which channels will drive the most business in 2026, SMB owners surveyed by Constant Contact said they are betting on digital over traditional. Social media (68%) and email marketing (41%) are the most common investment areas, while traditional advertising (26%) and in-person events (29%) ranked significantly lower.
The top anticipated barrier to marketing in 2026 is customer engagement (44%). In response, half (50%) of SMB owners are prioritizing efficiency strategies, while 33% are testing new tools and technology.
"Small business owners are entering 2026 with a clear directive: do more, but do it smarter," said Smita Wadhawan, chief marketing officer at Constant Contact. "Our latest data shows a fascinating tension – inflation is the number one worry, yet businesses are choosing to increase their marketing budgets rather than cut them. This signals that entrepreneurs view marketing not as a discretionary expense, but as the essential lever for survival and growth. By leaning into efficiency and AI tools, they are finding ways to maintain this increased pace without burning out."
Constant Contact’s Q1 2026 Small Business Now report includes a survey of over 1,500 small business owners across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.
