YouTube’s 2025 cultural trends report showcases the top‑performing creators, songs, and content across the platform — from animated hits to viral throwbacks.
Among the standouts: a 1960s song by Connie Francis (originally “Pretty Little Baby”) resurfaced as a viral soundtrack for short‑form videos, landing alongside contemporary acts like Doechii and Billie Eilish on YouTube’s Top 10 songs for 2025.
Also dominating the charts this year was the soundtrack to the animated hit KPop Demon Hunters, along with consistent stars like MrBeast — who for the sixth year in a row made the year‑end top creators list.
Beyond specific songs and stars, the report reflects broader shifts: viewers leaned hard into short‑form content, community‑driven formats, and fan‑powered media — trends aligned with 2025’s broader content landscape.
What This Means for Creators & Small Businesses
• Nostalgia and cross‑generational hits sell
The success of a 1960s track shows that old songs — when recontextualized in modern short‑form/video formats — can resonate strongly. For creators or small businesses, using nostalgic or unexpected audio might help capture attention and tap new audience segments.
• Animated and niche‑genre content has power
With a hit like KPop Demon Hunters leading year‑end trends, animation and niche‑genre content (especially those with strong fanbases) can outperform more conventional formats. Creators or brands exploring storytelling, animated visuals, or culturally specific content may find new growth opportunities.
• Shorts, community, and format flexibility are critical in 2025
According to multiple analyses of platform data, short‑form videos, AI‑powered creation, and community‑driven content are among the biggest winners in 2025.
For small businesses: even without big budgets, bite‑sized video, repurposed content, or community‑focused formats can drive engagement and growth.
Takeaways for 2026 Strategy
- Consider creative use of music — even older or unexpected tracks — when producing Shorts or social videos.
- Explore animated, niche, or fan‑driven content: stories built around culture, fandoms or niche interests can cut through the noise.
- Lean into short‑form, community‑oriented content formats, while staying flexible — use Shorts, collaborations, and interactive features to reach new audiences.
