Canada’s digital landscape in 2025 was defined by a fascinating blend of established icons and explosive new sensations, as revealed by the year’s most-watched YouTube trends.
Dominating conversations and playlists alike was the animated musical phenomenon,KPop Demon Hunters. The film didn’t just appear on the trending topics list; its soundtrack permeated the charts, proving a cultural force.
Songs like “Soda Pop,” “Golden,” “How It’s Done,” and “Your Idol” fromKPop Demon Huntersall secured spots among the top trending songs and Shorts of the year, showcasing the film’s widespread appeal.
However, the year’s biggest musical triumph belonged to Rosé of Blackpink and Bruno Mars with their collaboration, “APT.” The track shattered records, becoming the fifth-fastest music video to reach a billion views and the quickest KPop song to achieve the milestone, eclipsing even “Gangnam Style.”
The power of short-form video was undeniable, breathing new life into older hits. Connie Francis’s “Pretty Little Baby” and The Black Eyed Peas’ “Rock Your Body” experienced a resurgence, propelled by dance challenges and creative content on Shorts.
Simultaneously, Shorts served as a launchpad for emerging artists like Doechii, whose hit “Anxiety” gained significant traction through the platform’s viral potential.
Beyond music, Canadians were captivated by a diverse range of topics. “Squid Game” continued to resonate, while user-generated experiences within Roblox – including “Grow a Garden,” “Dandy’s World,” and “Forsaken” – drew massive audiences.
Other trending topics included the enigmatic “Brainrot,” the economic discussion surrounding “Tariff,” the collectible “Labubu” figures, and even commentary on figures like Mark Carney and Katseye, alongside anticipation for the Nintendo Switch 2 and the anime series “Blue Lock.”
The top songs on Shorts revealed a surprising mix of genres and eras. ATLXS’s “Passo Bem Solto (Slowed),” Joyful’s “Chess,” yung kai’s “blue,” Forrest Frank’s “YOUR WAY’S BETTER,” Moliy, Skillibeng, Shenseea, and Silent Addy’s “Shake It To The Max (Fly) (Remix)” all found a dedicated audience.
Billie Eilish’s “Ocean Eyes” also experienced a revival, demonstrating the enduring power of timeless melodies. TheKPop Demon Hunterscast, through the Saja Boys, continued their dominance with “Soda Pop” landing a spot on this list as well.
The overall top songs chart mirrored this diversity. Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’s “Die With A Smile” and Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” joined theKPop Demon Hunterstracks – “Golden” and “How It’s Done” – alongside Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club,” Gigi Perez’s “Sailor Song,” and The Weeknd and Playboi Carti’s “Timeless.”
Canadian creators also shone brightly. SleepyCrafter, based in Ontario, garnered attention for their crafting content, while Mia Plays & Kouman from North Vancouver captivated viewers with their gaming videos.
Morgannbook, another Ontario-based creator, and TheCrochetCrowd from Nova Scotia, showcased the thriving DIY and crafting communities within Canada. Blue Jays Today provided dedicated coverage for baseball fans across the country.
