YouTube’s Global Culture & Trends Report for 2024 is out, providing a snapshot of the year’s trending topics, top songs and leading creators from across the globe. The Paris Olympic Games appeared on 10 of 12 countries’ trending topics lists, “emphatically illustrating that non-digital-native franchises can thrive in a digital culture,” YouTube says. “Deadpool & Wolverine” is another such example. Also hot in 2024, “digital franchises” — independent creator content driven to success by online communities. Examples include Roblox’s viral “Dress to Impress” fashion game and the animated series “The Amazing Digital Circus.”

“The Amazing Digital Circus” appeared on 8 of 12 countries’ trending topics after just three episodes of the Gooseworx-created series appeared on the Glitch Productions channel, prompting the Global Culture & Trends Report to call it “arguably one of this year’s most influential pieces of intellectual property.”

In September, Netflix announced it had picked up the show, foregoing exclusivity. Episodes will continue to premiere for free on YouTube.

“The shift to a world in which anyone can actively shape and take part in a shared experience is well reflected in the two trending topics that appeared most frequently across the lists: One, an original animated series on YouTube that fans helped turn into a fully-fledged franchise; the other, a mass culture sports moment that came to life online through creator-made trends,” YouTube explains in a blog post.

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games was experienced through highlights and memes. “One creator in Brazil, CazéTV, was even granted the rights to stream some events,” notes the YouTube report. “Deadpool & Wolverine” also benefitted from the embrace of digital culture, hitting 5 of 12 countries’ trending lists as its stars appearing in franchises like “Hot Ones” and dance clips driven by the film became staples on YouTube Shorts.

In addition to creator videos, “YouTube Shorts played a significant role in propelling music trends, with creators repurposing songs into relatable content,” reports Android Authority. Singer Sabrina Carpenter rated as a “trending topic,” her success this year, “alongside that of Chappell Roan, Tyla, and Charli XCX, ushering in a new era of female artists as the faces of pop,” according to YouTube.

Also in the music department, YouTube is issuing personalized user listening summaries with the 2024 Music Recap, providing “YouTube Music users with an overview of the artists that they listened to the most,” writes Social Media Today. The feature provides stats on users’ “top artists, songs, moods, genres, albums, playlists and more from this year,” YouTube Music Product Manager Ayshaw Khan writes in a blog post.

Related:
After You Check Out Your Spotify Wrapped, Explore These Copycats, TechCrunch, 12/4/24
YouTube Music’s Answer to Spotify Wrapped Is Here for 2024, Android Police, 11/20/24
Amazon Music Launches 2024 Delivered, Its Take on Spotify Wrapped, TechCrunch, 12/3/24
Spotify Wrapped: Swift Leads a Banner Year for Female Artists, ETCentric, 12/5/24