YouTube launches Recap 2025 with personalized video highlights. Up to 12 story cards show top channels and trends. Start in the USA, global rollout follows.
2025, everything new: YouTube has introduced a separate annual review for regular videos for the first time, which runs independently of the already established music recap function. The new thing is initially starting in the USA, so in Germany you still have to wait. Concrete information as to when a specific recap function can be expected in this country remains unclear.
What to expect: Users receive up to twelve personalized cards in story format that represent different aspects of their video usage. This includes the most viewed channels, preferred subject areas and changes in usage behavior over the year. The function also assigns users to different types, such as those who prefer to consume educational content or users who prefer experimental formats.
This is how you can find the annual review
The Recap innovation can be used across platforms and can be accessed both in the mobile app and in the desktop browser. Users can find the function on the homepage or in the “You” area. As I said: The feature is currently only officially available for users in the USA. Although YouTube announced a global expansion for the following week, it did not give specific dates for individual markets such as Germany.
In parallel to the video recap function, YouTube continues to offer separate annual reviews for music usage. Detailed statistics on artists and songs are reserved for the YouTube Music Recap. There is currently an overall overview of the year 2025 on various platforms – YouTube is trying to remain competitive and challenge Spotify with its annual “Wrapped” function.
The most important trends and charts of the year
In parallel with the introduction of the recap function, YouTube published lists with the most important trends, creators and content of 2025. Here we go…
The top trending topics on YouTube in 2025 at a glance
- Squid game
- User-Generated Roblox Experiences
- KPop Demon Hunters
- Brain red
- Charlie Kirk
- Labubu
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Cookie Run Kingdom
- Blue Lock
- KATSEYE
The top creators of 2025 on YouTube
- MrBeast
- CaylusBlox
- IShowSpeed
- Double date
- Cadel and Mia
- Charlie Kirk
- Law by Mike
- CoryxKenshin
- Zack D. Films
- Outdoor boys
The top podcasts of 2025 on YouTube
- The Joe Rogan Experience
- KILL TONY
- Good Mythical Morning
- Rotten mango
- The MeidasTouch Podcast
- 48 hours
- Shawn Ryan Show
- Smosh Reads Reddit Stories
- This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
- The Diary Of A CEO
The top songs of 2025 in the shorts on YouTube
- “YOUR WAY’S BETTER” – Forrest Frank
- “Passo Bem Solto (Slowed)” – ATLXS
- “Rock That Body” – Black Eyed Peas
- “Pretty Little Baby” – Connie Francis
- “chess” – Joyful
- “Anxiety” – Doechii
- “Doot Doot (6 7)” – Skrilla
- “Soda Pop” – Saja Boys (“KPop Demon Hunters” Cast)
- “Confess your love” – Jiandro (feat. ola.wav)
- “Ocean Eyes” – Billie Eilish
The top songs of 2025 on YouTube overall
- “Die With A Smile” – Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga
- “APT.” – ROSE, Bruno Mars
- “Golden” – HUNTR/X (“KPop Demon Hunters” Cast)
- “Soda Pop” – Saja Boys (“KPop Demon Hunters” Cast)
- “Your Idol” – Saja Boys (“KPop Demon Hunters” Cast)
- “El Mayor de los Ranas” – Victor Valverde, Jr Torres
- “How It’s Done” – HUNTR/X (“KPop Demon Hunters” Cast)
- “Ordinary” – Alex Warren
- “Luther” – Kendrick Lamar, SZA
- “tv off” – Kendrick Lamar