Why Expert Long-Form Content Will Dominate B2B Engagement in 2026

In a digital landscape saturated with short-form content consumed without much thought, B2B content in 2026 is moving in the opposite direction. Expert long-form content is becoming the primary driver of engagement, trust, and conversion on LinkedIn and beyond.

While most brands compete for a few seconds of attention with a quick post or short video, organizations investing in in-depth content formats—podcasts, long-form videos, expert carousels, infographics, or even structured live sessions—are not only capturing attention but also building lasting trust with decision-makers.

In this article, we'll analyze why expert long-form content will dominate B2B engagement, how to leverage these different formats, what concrete benefits they offer, and why they're establishing themselves as an essential strategic lever in 2026.

To learn more, download our free Influencer Marketing ebook.

What you’ll find in this guide:

The Long-Form Content Strategy in B2B

B2B influencer marketing has long suffered from the pressure of short-form formats. The assumption was that fragmented attention meant we had to communicate "quickly and easily."

This micro-content culture invaded LinkedIn, Twitter (X), and social platforms... but it's now reaching its limits. According to a recent report on B2B decision-maker content preferences, 72% consume at least three pieces of content before making a purchase decision. Often, these aren't just short posts, but deeper, more analytical, more expert content.

In B2B, purchasing decisions are based on trust and credibility. Decision-makers don't rely on a slogan or catchy hook: they want to understand the why and how, explore concrete cases, and see well-constructed arguments. Long-form content offers this depth.

Expert-based long-form content allows you to demonstrate a deep understanding of a business problem, structure detailed strategic thinking, and cite relevant data, sources, and examples.

In B2B buying cycles, trust isn't built in a few seconds—it's forged over time through consistent content.

At Les Années Folles, we understand these extended B2B timelines. That's why our campaigns are designed to be consumed over time. For example, we collaborated with HubSpot on a video series. These weren't short videos optimized for quick LinkedIn scrolling, but longer formats giving users time to fully understand the tool we were highlighting.

Learn more about how we measure B2B influence campaign success through essential KPIs.

Which Long-Form Formats to Prioritize in B2B?

Expert-driven long-form content can take several shapes:

In-depth analytical articles (2000+ words)
Thematic podcasts with internal or external experts
Webinars and extended interviews
LinkedIn Live sessions
Carousels rich in insights and data
Detailed infographics based on studies or market data
White papers, reports, and industry guides

All these formats share a promise of depth, unlike "snackable" content primarily aimed at immediate visibility.

Here are the formats where we typically integrate B2B influencers:

Podcasts

In a podcast, the B2B influencer can become the host and interview experts. They can also be the one interviewed to highlight their journey or expertise. Unlike a simple short video, podcasts give experts a voice, establish a regular appointment, humanize speakers, and allow for more flexible formats (30–60 minutes or longer).

This type of content can also be integrated into an evergreen strategy: each episode continues to generate engagement even after publication due to its ongoing informational value.

Explore our approach to B2B influencer marketing campaigns on LinkedIn and check out our podcast on influencer marketing.

Carousels and Infographics

LinkedIn carousels and infographics aren't just visually appealing formats—they're powerful tools for structuring complex idea sequences, step by step. A well-constructed carousel retains attention longer because each slide represents a micro-insight that adds to an overall understanding.

Discover how to optimize your LinkedIn carousels with formats, templates, and best practices.

Infographics, meanwhile, make data or processes more digestible that would otherwise be laborious to read. They often serve as visual summaries of expert content, whether it's a report, study, or industry analysis.

Video and Live Streaming

While some platforms favor short formats, on LinkedIn, native long-form video and structured live sessions capture a qualified audience. According to several analyses, video on LinkedIn generates up to 5 times more engagement than text or image content and remains one of the most shared formats.

LinkedIn Live sessions enable:

Interactive real-time sessions
Q&A with experts
Presentation of exclusive data

At Les Années Folles, we've been producing LinkedIn Live sessions for several years. We've become true specialists, capable of offering you innovative formats by integrating influence in relevant ways.

They're among the rare formats that combine deep discussion, direct interaction, and live experience, making them perfectly suited for B2B decision-makers.

Why Expert Long-Form Content Is the Future of B2B Engagement

In a saturated universe, expert long-form content is becoming the most powerful lever for engaging a qualified B2B audience. It allows you to build the trust essential for complex decisions, position brands as leaders in their sectors, and provide enough material to nurture a long sales cycle.

B2B buying cycles don't end after a single viral post. They're built through continuous exposure to rich, deep, and useful content. And unlike ephemeral formats, long-form content continues to generate long-term value while supporting a coherent and sustainable editorial strategy.

See our client case studies to understand how we've helped brands leverage long-form content strategies, and explore our complete approach to B2B influence marketing.

Looking ahead? Read our insights on 3 key B2B influence marketing trends to anticipate in 2026 and understand why LinkedIn is essential for building a strong employer brand.

To learn more, download our free Influencer Marketing ebook.