From blockbuster live events and viral internet characters to chart-topping Shorts music and influential creators, YouTube’s 2025 trends report highlights how Indian audiences consumed global and local content across formats.
Following Instagram’s year-end recap, YouTube has released its own comprehensive snapshot of the trends that shaped viewing habits in India in 2025. The platform said the year stood out for how content seamlessly blended global appeal with strong local relevance, reflecting changing consumption patterns, especially among younger audiences.
YouTube noted that nearly 76 percent of Gen Z users in India relied on the platform to stay updated on global developments, cultural moments and online trends, underscoring its growing role as a primary discovery destination.
Live events drive massive engagement
Large-scale live streams played a major role in driving traffic and conversations on YouTube during the year. Events such as the Kumbh Mela, IPL 2025 and the Asia Cup attracted millions of viewers, with users tuning in not just for live coverage but also for highlights, reactions and commentary.
These events extended beyond sports and spirituality, becoming social moments that dominated online discussions and encouraged repeat viewing across devices.
Internet trends go mainstream
Alongside live events, internet-born trends gained widespread popularity. Quirky global memes and characters, including Italian Brainrot’s Tung Tung Tung Sahur and the collectible-inspired Labubu trend, found a strong audience in India. These trends crossed language and cultural barriers, reinforcing YouTube’s claim that content in 2025 was simultaneously global, local and universal.
Entertainment titles such as Squid Game, Saiyaara, Coolie and Sanam Teri Kasam also ranked among the most talked-about topics, reflecting continued interest in films and series across regions.
Creators lead the conversation
Individual creators remained central to platform engagement. Global names like MrBeast shared space with Indian voices such as Sejal Gaba, Raj Shamani, Sirf Shreyansh and Tech Master Shorts. Vloggers, educators and short-form specialists collectively shaped viewing trends, highlighting YouTube’s diverse creator ecosystem.
Music dominates shorts and long-form
Music continued to be a major draw in both Shorts and long-form videos. Tracks such as Passo Bem Solto (Slowed), Shaky, Saiyaara and Victory Anthem dominated Shorts, while songs like Raanjhan and Teri Ramjhol Bole Gi performed strongly in longer formats.
YouTube’s 2025 trends report signals how Indian audiences increasingly move fluidly between formats, creators and cultures—cementing the platform’s position at the centre of digital entertainment and discovery.
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