Social media marketing (SMM) has become a pervasive influence on how consumers recognize needs, search for information, evaluate alternatives, and make purchase decisions. Drawing on the Consumer Decision-Making Model, Uses and Gratifications Theory, stimulus organism response (SOR), and consumer engagement perspectives, this descriptive paper synthesizes current evidence on how SMM elements (entertainment, interaction, customization, trendiness, and electronic word-of-mouth) shape consumer attitudes, engagement, purchase intention, and actual buying behaviour. Empirical studies across industries and regions indicate that SMM builds brand awareness and consumer-based brand equity, stimulates online brand-related activities (COBRAs), strengthens trust and perceived value, and operates in tandem with influencer marketing and parasocial interactions to influence both planned and impulse purchases. The paper outlines a descriptive survey–content analysis design to map these relationships and concludes with theoretical and managerial implications, limitations, and directions for future research.