YouTube to Unveil Annual Trending Lists & Launch New Personalized ‘YouTube Recap’ Feature

[December 2, 2025] – YouTube is announcing two major end-of-year moments to close out its 20th anniversary year. YouTube Recap is the first-ever personalized feature, which launches alongside the annual release of the End Of Year Trending Lists highlighting the creators, songs, podcasts and cultural moments that defined 2025.

2025 TRENDING LISTS [Global Report] [Press Asset]

“Our End Of Year trending lists continue to capture the cultural zeitgeist. This year, we saw creators take new releases—like KPop Demon Hunters”—and propel them into global phenomena. Whether it’s the resurgence of classic songs like “Pretty Little Baby” through Shorts or the rising influence of international products like “Labubu”, YouTube remains the ultimate engine for shared pop culture experiences.” – Kevin Allocca, Global Director of YouTube Culture & Trends

Check out the full lists below.

YOUTUBE RECAP

The first-ever personalized YouTube Recap provides users with a fun, shareable summary of their individual viewing journey over the year.

Users can find their Recap on the YouTube homepage or under the “You” tab on mobile and desktop. Recap provides up to 12 distinct cards spotlighting top channels, interests, viewing habit evolution, and even a personalized “personality type” based on watch history.

Users who listened to music will also see Top Artists and Songs, with options to dive deeper into genres and podcasts via the YouTube Music app.

FULL TRENDING LISTS

Trending Topics of 2025

*Not ranked – The Trending Topics list highlights top moments in culture – movies, memes, music, and more – as reflected on YouTube, based on analysis by the YouTube Culture & Trends team of a variety of signals, including views, uploads, and creator activity around these topics. Only topics determined to have conspicuous popularity this year, either because they were new to 2025 or because they experienced significant increases in user interest metrics, were eligible.

1. Squid Game
2. User-Generated Roblox Experiences: Grow A Garden, Dandy’s World, Forsaken, Steal A Brainrot
3. KPop Demon Hunters
4. Brainrot
5. Charlie Kirk
6. Labubu
7. Nintendo Switch 2
8. Cookie Run Kingdom
9. Blue Lock
10. KATSEYE

Top Creators

Channel rankings based on in-country subscribers gained in 2025. This excludes artists, brands, media companies, and children’s channels. One channel per creator.

1. MrBeast
2. CaylusBlox
3. IShowSpeed
4. Double Date
5. Cadel and Mia
6. Charlie Kirk
7. Law by Mike
8. CoryxKenshin
9. Zack D. Films
10. Outdoor Boys

Top Songs

Based on in-country views of songs that debuted in 2025 or saw significant year-over-year growth. Including official music videos, lyric videos, and art track videos.

1. Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga – Die With A Smile
2. Rosé, Bruno Mars – APT.
3. HUNTR/X (KPop Demon Hunters Cast) – Golden
4. Saja Boys (KPop Demon Hunters Cast) – Soda Pop
5. Saja Boys (KPop Demon Hunters Cast) – Your Idol
6. Victor Valverde, Jr Torres – El Mayor de los Ranas
7. HUNTR/X (KPop Demon Hunters Cast) – How It’s Done
8. Alex Warren – Ordinary
9. Kendrick Lamar, SZA – Luther
10. Kendrick Lamar – tv off

Top Songs on Shorts

Based on in-country Shorts creations for songs that debuted in 2025 or saw significant year-over-year creation growth.

1. Forrest Frank – YOUR WAY’S BETTER
2. ATLXS – Passo Bem Solto (Slowed)
3. Black Eyed Peas – Rock That Body
4. Connie Francis – Pretty Little Baby
5. Joyful – Chess
6. Doechii – Anxiety
7. Skrilla – Doot Doot (6 7)
8. Saja Boys (KPop Demon Hunters Cast) – Soda Pop
9. Jiandro (feat. ola.wav) – Confess your love
10. Billie Eilish – Ocean Eyes

Top Podcasts

Ranks the most popular podcast playlists on YouTube, based on total watch time in the U.S. in 2025. Excluding clips and Shorts.

1. The Joe Rogan Experience
2. KILL TONY
3. Good Mythical Morning
4. Rotten Mango
5. The MeidasTouch Podcast
6. 48 Hours
7. Shawn Ryan Show
8. Smosh Reads Reddit Stories
9. This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
10. The Diary Of A CEO

For more information please contact:

YOUTUBE RECAP atoh@google.com

TRENDS jalatucker@google.com

MUSIC lres@google.com