Move over Apple Music Replay and Spotify Wrapped because YouTube's a comin.'
The Google-owned video sharing platform is launching YouTube Recap, a "personalized and shareable highlight reel" of your watch history, on Dec. 2.
In addition to the new feature, YouTube is also releasing its annual ranking of creators, songs, and cultural moments that defined 2025.
Here's what you need to know about YouTube Recap – plus a look at YouTube's end-of-the-year lists.
What is YouTube Recap?
According to YouTube, Recap is essentially a summary of your watch history in 2025.
Recap, similar to other year-end-summations that came before it, will offer a customized view of users' top channels, interests, "personality type" and more – according to the video-platform.
When does YouTube Recap drop? How to find yours.
YouTube Recap drops Tuesday, Dec. 2.
Users can find their Recap on the YouTube homepage or under the "You" tab on mobile and desktop.
YouTube's 'End of Year' lists
At the same time YouTube dropped it's new recap feature, the platform released its five "End of Year" lists for 2025. See the lists below, which includes top trends, creators, podcasts and songs.
Trending Topics of 2025
YouTube said in a statement that its "Trending Topics of 2025" list highlights top moments in culture, including movies, memes, music, and more, as reflected on YouTube.
The list is based on analysis by the YouTube Culture & Trends team of a variety of signals, including views, uploads, and creator activity, according to YouTube.
Only topics determined to have conspicuous popularity this year, either because they were new to 2025 or because they experienced significant increases in user interest metrics, were eligible.
The top trending topics of 2025 according to YouTube are:
- Squid Game
- User-Generated Roblox Experiences
- KPop Demon Hunters
- Brainrot
- Charlie Kirk
- Labubu
- Nintendo Switch 2
- Cookie Run Kingdom
- Blue Lock
- KATSEYE
Top Creators
The "Top Creators" list is based on in-country subscribers gained in 2025. The lists excludes artists, brands, media companies, and children's channels and is limited one channel per creator.
The top creators according to YouTube are:
- MrBeast
- CaylusBlox
- IShowSpeed
- Double Date
- Cadel and Mia
- Charlie Kirk
- Law by Mike
- CoryxKenshin
- Zack D. Films
- Outdoor Boys
Top Podcasts
The "Top Podcasts" lists ranks the most popular podcast playlists on YouTube, based on total watch time in the U.S. in 2025.
The top podcasts according to YouTube are:
- 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
Top Songs on Shorts
The "Top Songs on Shorts" list is based on in-country Shorts creations for songs that debuted in 2025 or saw significant year-over-year creation growth.
The top songs on shorts according to YouTube are:
- "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
Top Songs
The "Top Songs" list is based on in-country views of songs that debuted in 2025 or saw significant year-over-year growth. Views on official music videos, lyric videos, and art track videos were included.
The top songs according to YouTube are:
- "Die With A Smile" - Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga
- "APT." - ROSÉ, 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
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: YouTube rivals Spotify Wrapped with new Recap feature
Reporting by Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

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