As of January 15, 2025, a number of subjects are popular on the internet, reflecting changes in culture, technology, and world events. Here is a summary of the topics that are most frequently discussed:
1. Social Media Content Moderation Changes
The efforts of major social media sites to moderate material are being reduced. Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta Platforms announced intentions to eliminate speech limitations on Facebook and Instagram and stop fact-checking. This choice is consistent with Elon Musk’s policy changes at Twitter (now X), which have loosened content controls. Critics warn of an increase in hate speech and false information, while supporters claim these reforms lower expenses and political blowback. Businesses are using user-generated fact-checking tools like X’s Community Notes in place of expert moderation. Researchers, however, doubt their efficacy and advise against completely substituting expert moderators. The more stringent laws in Europe that hold tech companies responsible for their content stand in contrast to this change.
2. Google’s Top Search Trends of 2024
The most searched-for people and events are highlighted in Google’s 2024 Year in Search report. In the UK, the top three were Luke Littler, the teenage darts star, Donald Trump, and the Princess of Wales. The most popular general search was for major athletic events, such as the Euros, where England’s men made it to the final. Due to elections in the US and the UK, political searches were common; searches for election timetables and voting information were particularly noteworthy. Kendrick Lamar’s diss hit “Not Like Us” topped song searches, while Oasis’ reunion concert drove a high in music searches. The most popular TV-related search was for Netflix’s contentious smash “Baby Reindeer.”
3. Fashion and Beauty Industry Shifts
In 2024, there were major developments in the fashion and beauty industries. Popular trends included the return of early 2000s styles like skinny pants and jelly sneakers. With Frasers Group closing Matches, HBC purchasing Neiman Marcus, and Mytheresa’s agreement with Richemont buying Yoox Net-a-Porter, the retail industry faced significant disruption. The study of women’s influence on fashion, including workplace dynamics and obstacles like menopause and maternity leave, also attracted a lot of attention. Notable were the insights regarding the impact of Gen Z on marketing, sustainability concerns such the possible environmental effects of the “mob wife” style, and forecasts for upcoming trends.
4. Bluesky Introduces Trending Topics Feature
The social media site Bluesky has unveiled a new feature that shows the subjects that members are interested in. Announced on December 25th, 2024, this feature lets users see trending topics, which improves platform engagement and content discovery. On mobile apps, users can locate it by clicking the search button, and on the web version, they can find it in the left sidebar. Users can tap on any topic to view related posts, and the list includes both Trending and Recommended subjects. The functionality has been designated as “V1” and “Beta,” and Bluesky is looking for user input to make additional changes.
5. Gen Z-Approved Black Friday Deals
Products that were popular with Generation Z saw a notable trend during the 2024 Black Friday sales. The products included everything from kitchen equipment and beauty tools to makeup and smart home devices. The Bearaby Cotton Weighted Blanket, DASH Mini Waffle Maker, and Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug were among the noteworthy items. Black Friday was a great time to shop because of the huge discounts offered by brands like Lululemon, UGG, adidas, Apple, and Stanley.