The 2025 internal communication trends you need to know

Your guide to what’s trending in internal communication for 2025 (and how to actually keep up!).

We’re officially in Q2 (how did that happen so fast?)! At the top of the year, we surveyed hundreds of internal comms professionals around the globe to see what top of mind for them! 

In this article, we’re diving into the latest challenges, strategies, and tools shaping the way we connect with our team, and as we enter a new quarter, you can get a snapshot of how your strategy stacks up so far this year.

Let’s dive into the top internal comms trends for 2025—and exactly what to do about them!

But first…grab your free copy of the report below now! 

FREE REPORT

2025 Internal Comms Trends Report

This report is packed with practical insights to help shape your internal comms strategy in 2025.

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1. Intro
2. What did we ask about
3. Why do we make this report
4. Budgets
5. Channels
6. Metrics & measurement
7. Challenges
8. Goals
9. Looking ahead for the rest of the year
10. Key takeaways
11. Survey methodology

 

1. Intro

Internal communication is undergoing a transformation—and 2025 is proving to be a pivotal year. As businesses adapt to new hybrid work models, emerging tech like AI, and ever-evolving employee expectations, internal comms professionals are rising to the occasion. But with constant change comes constant questioning: Are we keeping up? Are we doing enough? Are we moving the needle?

To answer those questions, we surveyed over 250 internal communicators across industries. This isn’t just another list of predictions—it’s a practical, data-backed guide to what’s actually working, what’s shifting, and what’s next in internal comms.

We’ll walk through what we asked, what we learned, and what internal communication pros are doing to drive stronger employee engagement, clearer alignment, and smarter internal strategies. If you work in comms or collaborate with internal teams, this deep dive will help you level up your impact in 2025.

2. What Did We Ask About?

To uncover the biggest internal comms trends, we went straight to the source: internal communication professionals. We surveyed 256 communicators across industries and geographies, from HR leaders to heads of internal comms, and asked them to share what’s working and what’s keeping them up at night.

We asked about:

• Which internal channels they use (and which are most effective)
• How they measure communication success
• What their top goals are for 2025
• What tools and platforms they rely on
• Where they’re struggling to engage employees
• Their priorities for the year ahead

From channel strategy to measurement metrics, we wanted to get a holistic picture of the internal comms landscape—and provide insights every team can learn from.

3. Why Do We Make This Report?

Let’s face it: internal communication is often invisible to the outside world. What’s happening inside companies—the brilliant strategies, the employee-first campaigns, the real-time feedback loops—rarely gets shared. So internal comms professionals are left wondering if what they’re doing is working compared to their peers.

That’s why we created this report. We believe in transparency and in building a community where internal communication professionals can:

• Learn from each other
• Benchmark their efforts
• Make better data-backed decisions
• Advocate for resources and recognition

Internal comms trends are constantly evolving, but with a clear view of the landscape, you can lead the change, not chase it.

4. Budgets

Internal comms is getting more recognition, buuuut the budget conversation is still catching up.

Only 34% of internal communicators said they have a dedicated budget. That means 66% either don’t have one or aren’t sure. And yet, 81% said their organizations have laid a solid foundation for internal communication—up from 65% last year. That’s major progress.

Even better: 33% of teams plan to invest in new internal communication tools in 2025, and 30% are considering it. That’s a 57% increase in intent to invest compared to 2024.

But the tension is real. Internal comms teams are expected to deliver more strategic outcomes—culture, alignment, engagement—without always getting the resources to match.

If that sounds familiar, here’s the takeaway: use data to connect your communication efforts to business outcomes. Show how a better internal comms strategy reduces turnover, improves productivity, and strengthens culture. It’s time for comms to be seen as an investment, not a cost.

5. Channels

The internal communication toolkit is expanding fast. Gone are the days when email was the only game in town. Now, internal comms strategies include everything from mobile messaging to live video events.

Top-used internal communication channels in 2025:

• Email: 98% use it, 84% say it’s the most effective
• Intranet: Used by 77%, with 56% prioritizing improvements
• Microsoft Teams: Now used by 63% (up from 51%)
• Digital Events: 58% are hosting these to boost engagement
• Video: 52% are using video for more dynamic messaging
• SMS and Mobile: Growing steadily—critical for frontline and deskless employees
• In-Person Events: Back in a big way, with usage up from 57% to 69%

Internal comms trends show that effective teams are building multichannel strategies. They’re blending email with mobile alerts, using video for storytelling, and optimizing intranet experiences.

The focus isn’t on flashy new tech—it’s on making existing channels work harder and smarter.

6. Metrics & Measurement

It’s official: 2025 is the year internal communication measurement goes mainstream.

This is the first year that email open rates and click-through rates are the most widely used internal comms metrics, at 63.5%. That’s a big deal. Quantitative metrics are giving teams more visibility into what’s working—and what’s not.

Other top metrics:

• Pulse surveys: Usage jumped to 63.7% from 56.5%
• Feedback & reactions: Tracking how employees respond to internal content
• Intranet traffic and engagement
• Sentiment analysis: Both formal and informal

Despite the progress, nearly 50% of communicators say they still lack the tools to measure effectively. Only 20% feel truly confident in their measurement approach.

Internal comms teams are now blending metrics—using both data and employee voice to evaluate effectiveness. Measurement is no longer a “nice to have”—it’s a must-have.

7. Challenges

Internal communicators are facing a triple threat:

1. Measuring impact (62%)
2. Engaging employees (55%)
3. Getting content from other teams (53%)

Other pain points include:

• Keeping up with last-minute requests
• Building trust in leadership communication
• Reaching employees who aren’t desk-bound

Internal comms trends show that these challenges are interconnected. If you can’t measure results, it’s hard to prove impact. If you’re not aligned with other departments, content bottlenecks stall campaigns. And without the right tools, your reach suffers.

This year, smart comms teams are solving these problems with better intake processes, automation, and clearer governance. They’re moving from reactive to proactive.

8. Goals

What are internal comms teams hoping to achieve this year? The top 2025 goals include:

• Engaging employees (79%)
• Driving alignment with company strategy (72%)
• Supporting key business goals (68%)
• Improving transparency (55%)
• Better measurement of comms performance (48%)

Secondary goals:

• Elevating employee voices (44%)
• Getting more feedback (39%)

These internal comms trends show a shift from simply informing employees to engaging them with purpose. Teams are creating campaigns that drive behavior, not just awareness.

That means more personalization, more storytelling, and more connection to core values and strategic priorities.

9. Looking Ahead for the Rest of the Year

Looking to the second half of 2025, internal comms professionals are focused on four high-impact areas:

• Manager communication enablement: Still the #1 trend (68%). People managers are the most trusted channel for employees, so equipping them with toolkits, templates, and talking points is key.
• Reaching frontline employees: 50% of teams are prioritizing comms for non-desk employees.
• Creating employee influencers: 41% are developing peer-led comms programs to build trust.
• AI-powered tools: 39% are exploring AI for content creation, scheduling, feedback analysis, and targeting.

These aren’t pipe dreams—they’re real strategies that internal teams are already testing and scaling. Expect to see even more AI adoption, mobile-first rollouts, and manager-led initiatives by year-end.

10. Key Takeaways

Let’s recap the internal communication trends shaping 2025:

• Budgets are growing—but slowly. You still need to advocate.
• Email is still king—but video, mobile, and podcast are rising fast…but you still really only need 4 tools. 😉
• Measurement matters more than ever. Data = influence.
• Employee engagement is a strategic imperative. Culture drives performance.
• AI is a real tool, not just a buzzword.
• Managers are your secret weapon for comms scale and trust.

Internal comms is evolving from a tactical function to a strategic powerhouse. Use these trends to guide your roadmap, advocate for resources, and build a more connected workplace.

11. Survey Methodology

The 2025 Internal Communication Trends Report is based on data from 256 respondents representing companies of all sizes and industries.

We asked multiple-choice and open-ended questions and combined those results with qualitative insights from Workshop customers. Survey participants included communication managers, HR professionals, and senior internal comms leaders.

This report provides the most comprehensive view of the internal comms landscape today—and helps teams build their most effective year yet.

 

So…based on our report, here are 10 internal comms trends in 2025!

1. Companies are starting to recognize internal comms…

Let’s start with the good news: 81% of internal communicators now say they have the resources to deliver on their strategy. That’s a solid jump from last year’s 65%, and it means that more teams are finally getting buy-in on the importance of internal comms.

But here’s the catch: only 30% have a dedicated internal communications budget for 2025. While internal communication is finally being seen as essential, the support behind it still has room to grow.

The takeaway? Now’s the time to advocate for what internal comms can do—with clear goals, metrics, and stories that show impact.

 

Trend #1: Recognition is rising—but budget battles remain.

Your move: Package up your wins. Measure everything. Tie your work to business outcomes. The more clearly you show the value of internal communication, the harder it is to ignore when budget season rolls around.

 

2. Email is (still!) the backbone of internal communications

The data is in: email is still most essential tool in internal communications!

98% of internal communicators are using email, and 84% say it’s their most effective channel. Why? Because it works. It’s versatile, direct, and reaches every corner of your organization—from HQ, to frontline, to fully remote teams.

But here’s the shift: email isn’t just about blasting updates anymore. Internal teams are getting smarter—using segmentation, personalization, and measurable data to turn email into an impactful driver of engagement. 

With the right internal email platform (👋Workshop! ), you can see who’s opening, clicking, reading—and who isn’t.

Trend #2: Email is evolving into a more dynamic, personalized, data-driven experience.

Your move: Get personalized! Tailor content by role or location, track engagement metrics, and use those insights to keep improving. Make your internal email campaigns feel less like a corporate memo blast, and more like a personal note!

 

3. New internal comms are gaining traction (& reaching more employees!)

Gone are the days when email was the only internal communication tool in the box. In 2025, teams are getting creative, expanding their channel mix to meet employees where they are.

Here’s what’s rising fast:

• Video content is booming: 52% of teams are now using it to make messages more engaging and human.
• In-person and digital events are bouncing back: 69% of communicators say they hosted in-person events last year.
• Text messaging (SMS) is gaining momtenum—especially for reaching deskless and frontline employees. (Need a tool? Check out Workshop’s 2-way SMS!)
• Intranets are getting strategic: 77% of IC pros are investing here, but they’re also realizing it’s not a “set-it-and-forget-it” solution.

Trend #3: The best internal communication strategies blend multiple tools into one seamless, connected experience.

Your move: Make your channels run smarter, not harder! Make sure each one plays a specific role. Email for consistent updates. Text for urgent alerts. Intranet for searchable resources. Slack or Teams for fast convos. When they all work together, your internal comms runs like a dream.

 

4. Metrics are finally taking the lead—and they’re changing how we define success.

Let’s be honest: for years, internal communication has been a little iffy when it came to measurement. But in 2025, that’s changing fast.

For the first time ever, quantitative metrics are now the most-used way to measure internal comms success. Yep, open rates and click-throughs aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re becoming the baseline.

At the same time, more teams are layering in qualitative feedback—through surveys, pulse checks, comments, and reactions—to get a fuller picture of what’s resonating and what’s not.

And the result? A smarter, more confident comms strategy—one that actually evolves based on real employee voices.

Trend #4: Internal communicators are shifting from “send and hope” to “test, measure, and improve.”

Your move: Set a few key metrics and build reporting habits. Whether it’s engagement on your weekly newsletter or feedback from a live event, track what matters—and use it to refine what comes next. Measurement is your ticket to proving value and earning trust

 

No open rates or click rates today? Don’t worry! Get a demo of Workshop & we’ll show you how we provide robust analytics for every email & campaign.

 

5. Employee engagement is the internal comms goal in 2025.

Impact is the vibe for 2025. 79% of internal communicators say employee engagement is their top priority. Why? Because an engaged workforce is more productive, more aligned, and more likely to stick around.

But this isn’t just about morale—it’s strategic. Engagement supports retention, culture, and even business results. And internal communication is the engine that powers it.

From personalized comms to more human touchpoints (think: authentic videos, spotlighting teams, encouraging two-way convos), the goal is clear: make employees feel seen, heard, and connected.

Trend #5: Engagement is no longer a “nice-to-have”—it’s your north star.

Your move: Ditch the jargon. Speak like a human. Get feedback. Celebrate wins. When your internal comms helps employees feel like they matter, everything else gets easier—from alignment to adoption.

 

6. AI is here—but we’re all still figuring it out.

You’ve probably seen it too: AI is popping up in nearly every conversation. And internal comms is *no* exception.

According to the report, 39% of internal communicators are exploring AI tools to support strategy, speed up content creation, and improve personalization. But adoption is still early—and a lot of teams are figuring out where it fits.

Some ideas we’re loving:

• Auto-drafting comms based on campaign goals
• Rewriting email copy to improve tone or clarity
• Pulling insights from employee feedback faster
• Recommending send times or segmentation strategies

AI can’t replace your internal comms team—but it can definitely make your work smarter, faster, and more focused.

 

Trend #6: AI is making its way into internal communication—one experiment at a time.

Your move: Start small. Try AI for brainstorming subject lines or generating survey summaries. Build comfort and confidence before going all-in. And always add your human touch.

 

7. Your internal comms channels are expanding—but so are your challenges.

It’s great that internal communication teams now have more tools than ever. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy. In fact, the #1 challenge in internal comms for 2025 is measuring results—followed closely by employee engagement and getting content from other departments.

The more channels you add, the more complex your strategy becomes. You need consistency, visibility, and a system to keep it all moving. Without that, messages get missed, engagement drops, and your beautifully written updates vanish into the void.

Sound familiar?

You’re not alone. Internal comms professionals everywhere are feeling the pressure to “do more with less” while juggling emails, intranet updates, Teams chats, live events, and video content.

 

Trend #7: Channel chaos is real—but it’s manageable with the right strategy and tools.

Your move: Create a comms calendar! Get buy-in on priority channels. Standardize requests from other teams. And if you haven’t already, start thinking like a content strategist—what stories are you telling, and how are you telling them across each touchpoint?

 

8. Frontline and manager comms are finally getting the spotlight.

Internal communication is only effective if it reaches everyone. And this year, two groups are finally getting the attention they deserve: frontline employees and people managers.

Frontline workers often don’t sit at desks. They don’t always check email. But they’re still key to your culture, your customer experience, and your business outcomes.

Meanwhile, managers are the #1 conduit between strategy and action—and yet they’re frequently left out of the comms loop or overwhelmed by unclear expectations.

The report found that manager communication (68%) and frontline communication (50%) are top priorities for 2025. Internal teams are getting serious about closing the gaps.

Trend #8: Reaching deskless teams and empowering managers is at the heart of modern internal comms.

Your move: Support managers with toolkits, ready-to-send updates, and talking points. Use 2-way SMS to reach frontline employees. And above all—design communication that fits into their day, not just yours.

 

9. Intranets are still essential (but not the full picture).

More than three-quarters of internal communicators (77%) say they’re using an intranet—but only 56% feel it’s a top priority for the year ahead. Why the hesitation?

Because intranets are hard.

They require long-term thinking, cross-functional collaboration, great UX, and constant upkeep. They can be a home for everything…or a cluttered digital ghost town.

But when done right? An intranet becomes the central source of truth—a trusted place where employees go to find what they need, stay in the loop, and access resources on their own terms.

Trend #9: Internal communicators are rethinking the intranet—not as a fix-all, but as part of a connected strategy.

Your move: Don’t launch an intranet just to check a box. Start small. Focus on usability. And make sure it works with your other tools (like email or Slack), not against them.

 

10. The future of internal comms is strategic, intentional, and bold.

Here’s what’s clear: internal comms teams aren’t just sending updates anymore. They’re leading conversations. Shaping culture. Driving strategy.

According to the 2025 report, internal communication is becoming a strategic lever—one that connects business goals to employee experience. From transparency and alignment to engagement and retention, the role of internal comms is growing in both impact and visibility.

But that growth brings responsibility.

You’re no longer just the messenger—you’re the architect. And 2025 is all about building systems that support clarity, connection, and consistency at scale.

Trend #10: Internal comms is now a strategic partner in organizational success.

Your move: Think beyond tactics. Build a communication framework that aligns with leadership goals, supports managers, engages employees, and delivers real business value. You don’t need to do it all overnight—but you do need a plan.

 

So what does this all mean for your internal comms strategy?

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the internal comms trends flying around right now, here’s the good news: You don’t need to chase everything.

You just need to focus on what works—and make it work better.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Audit your current internal comms channels.

What’s working? What’s not? Where are the gaps? Don’t be afraid to cut dead weight and double down on high-impact tools.

🎁 Practical bonus guide!: How to run an internal communications audit

 

2. Build smarter habits around measurement.

Having access to open rates & click rates is a great place to start. Just track a few key numbers, get clear on what success looks like, and build a feedback loop that informs your decisions.

 

3. Champion your work internally.

Your internal communication drives alignment, trust, and culture—and it deserves a seat at the table. Package your wins, share insights, and speak the language of business impact.

 

4. Prioritize inclusivity and reach.

Whether your employees are in-office, remote, deskless, or on-the-go, your internal comms should meet them where they are. Mobile-first strategies, clear language, and multiple formats help everyone stay in the loop.

 

5. Start experimenting—especially with AI.

You don’t need to be a prompt engineer!. Just start. Whether it’s AI-assisted content or smarter segmentation, 2025 is the year to test, learn, and grow. Here’s a great resource to get you started: ChatGPT prompts for employee newsletters!

 

The bottom line?

Internal comms trends in 2025 are all about evolution.

More measurement. More personalization. More strategy. More connection.

The internal communication landscape is expanding—and your team is in the perfect position to lead the charge.

You’ve got the tools. You’ve got the insight. And you’ve got a community of communicators navigating the same trends. Let this be your year to go from reactive to strategic, from siloed to connected, and from overwhelmed to totally in control.

Internal comms is more than a support function—it’s the foundation for thriving teams, clear leadership, and aligned organizations.

 

Looking ahead: internal communications in 2025

2025 is shaping up to be a year of balancing the tried-and-true with the cutting-edge. This year’s internal communication trends tell us that while email and video remain pillars of internal comms, the growing focus is on feedback, personalization, and AI hints at exciting opportunities. Whether you’re refining your metrics, exploring AI, or ramping up in-person events, these trends provide a roadmap to strengthen connections and boost engagement.

It’s not just about staying on trend – it’s about creating a workplace where communication flows freely, ideas thrive, and employees feel genuinely connected. Let’s make 2025 your team’s best year yet!

 

Thanks for making it all the way down here! Didn’t grab the report yet? Here it is:

 

Need help putting these internal comms trends into action?

Workshop makes it easier to create, manage, and measure impactful internal communications—without a massive overhaul.

Schedule a demo of Workshop right here today!

 

Have any questions? Internal comms FAQs for 2025

To help you put these internal comms trends into action, we’ve rounded up some of the most frequently asked questions teams are asking right now.

Q: What’s the single most important internal comms trend to focus on in 2025?

A: It depends on your org’s maturity, but if you’re looking for one starting point? Measurement. If you can measure it, you can improve it—and prove its value. Too many internal communication strategies still rely on assumptions instead of data. Start tracking open rates, click-throughs, and qualitative feedback to guide your comms decisions.

 

Q: How can we reach deskless or frontline workers more effectively?

A: Text messaging is on the rise for a reason. Platforms like Workshop now offer employee SMS as 2-way feedback loop, making  it easy to send updates, reminders, and alerts directly to mobile devices. You can also explore mobile apps, QR code signage, or even digital signage in high-traffic areas.

Q: How do I get buy-in from leadership for internal communication tools?

A: Use the internal comms trends in this post as your proof points. Highlight the ROI of better engagement, retention, and alignment. Pair that with metrics from your current efforts and show where a better tool (like a dedicated comms platform) could improve results.

 

Your 2025 Internal Comms Checklist ✅

Let’s recap. Use this checklist to gut-check your strategy, get inspired, and take action on the top internal comms trends this year:

✅ Use multiple internal communication channels (email, video, SMS, events)
✅ Track open rates, click-throughs, and qualitative feedback
✅ Prioritize communication for frontline and remote workers
✅ Build a smart, searchable, up-to-date intranet
✅ Segment and personalize internal comms wherever possible
✅ Advocate for budget using data and success stories
✅ Explore AI tools for smarter content creation
✅ Create a repeatable comms calendar and intake system
✅ Make every message employee-centered and human
✅ Align all internal communications with your org’s big-picture goals

Internal comms isn’t just keeping employees informed—it’s making them feel connected, supported, and aligned.

 

What are folks saying from the report?

Here are a few standout responses from real communicators, pulled straight from our survey:

“Honestly the most successful thing we’re doing today in internal communications is using Workshop. It’s very user friendly and has increased the feedback we receive from employees receiving our communications.”

“Segmenting communication. We’re global and growing, and all the noise doesn’t resonate with all audiences.”

“Creating content based on users’ needs and analytics, not on leadership’s personal preferences.”

This is what the future of internal communication looks like: intentional, inclusive, and insight-driven.