YouTube 2025 Trends REVEALED: Are Roblox, Switch 2, & Brainrot Taking Over?!

YouTube has spoken, and apparently, we've all been living in a world of Roblox, Switch 2 hype, and... brainrot? The streaming giant just dropped its list of trending topics for 2025, and as usual, gaming and pop culture are ruling the roost. It's a fascinating snapshot of what captivated our collective attention this year, even if some of it makes you scratch your head.

YouTube 2025 Trends REVEALED: Are Roblox, Switch 2...

For U.S. viewers, the big draws were the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2, the ever-expanding universe of Roblox (specifically those user-generated experiences), and the somewhat addictive RPG-strategy title Cookie Run Kingdom. Throw in the viral sensation of KPop Demon Hunters, the collectible craze surrounding Labubu dolls, and the anime series Blue Lock, and you've got a pretty good picture of what dominated our screens. It's interesting to note that YouTube doesn't actually rank these trends; it's more about highlighting what gained serious traction throughout the year.

Globally, Roblox and the Switch 2 continued their reign, popping up as major trends in countries like Korea, Germany, Mexico, France, Japan, and the United Kingdom. YouTube says they use "a variety of signals" to determine these trends, including views, uploads, and creator activity. Essentially, it's all about what's new and what's exploding in popularity.

Speaking of Roblox, its continued dominance has brought a renewed focus on safety, particularly concerning child predators. CEO David Baszucki recently unveiled a new face-scanning feature aimed at protecting younger users. Honestly, it's a step in the right direction, but some of his comments in a recent New York Times interview have left me feeling a bit uneasy.

Meanwhile, Nintendo seems to have knocked it out of the park with the Switch 2 launch. Sales figures are through the roof, with over 10 million units sold by the end of September. Initial projections of 15 million units sold by year’s end have now been increased to a whopping 19 million. At this rate, the Switch 2 could outsell the launch-year performance of the original Switch, PS4, and even the PS5. That’s pretty impressive.

As for the rest of the list, well, KPop Demon Hunters has truly become a phenomenon. Since its debut on Netflix, its soundtrack has been everywhere, and you can't escape it, even if you tried. And Labubu toys? The blind box craze combined with KPop endorsements is a recipe for retail madness. "Brainrot" being a trend? Well, that makes sense, too, in a weird, internet-y kind of way.