2026 is set to be a pivotal year for the data center sector. With the market forecast to grow at a 14% CAGR over the next five years, and up to 100GW of new capacity coming online at a projected $1T cost according to JLL, competition for attention, trust, and demand is intensifying. For marketers, this presents major opportunity, but also greater pressure to position their brands as credible, differentiated players in a crowded, complex market.

At the same time, buying cycles are lengthening and involving more stakeholders, with buyers self-educating across channels before engaging sales. Generating leads alone is no longer enough; marketers must build brand authority while proving commercial impact.

To understand how marketing teams are responding to these challenges, DCD conducted a survey of marketers operating across the data center ecosystem. The research explores:

• Marketing and sales priorities for 2026
• The content formats and channels they plan to invest in
• The obstacles limiting performance
• How effectively marketing and sales are working together to influence pipeline and convert demand
• How trends such as AI and evolving buying behavior are reshaping data center marketing strategies for the year ahead

Download the report now to dive into the responses and suggested actions for marketers for the year ahead.