The biggest music industry news | December 2025
Spotify Wrapped and year-end trends, TikTok and YouTube music moments, and algorithm transparency. Plus, continued video podcast growth from Netflix.
Spotify Wrapped 2025 launches with record engagement
Spotify Wrapped 2025 is officially live, offering personalised listening insights and shareable summaries for users worldwide. The launch marked a record-breaking start, with millions engaging across social media and streaming stats highlighting global listening trends. Wrapped continues to be a cultural moment that celebrates music discovery and fan engagement.
YouTube launches its first Wrapped-style year in review
YouTube has unveiled its first ever year-in-review feature, highlighting top music moments and personalised viewing stats for users. The new tool mirrors Spotify’s Wrapped concept but focuses on video consumption and trending creators. It gives fans another way to reflect on their year in music and video.
Google reveals most-searched musical moments of 2025
Google published its list of the most-searched musical moments of the year, offering insight into what fans cared about most in 2025. This year, Google offered a more pared back overview, focussing only on searched song lyrics and results for “hum to search”. The list provides a snapshot of global trends and fan interests across the year.
YouTube reveals top 2025 trends
YouTube has shared its Top Trends for 2025, highlighting the creators, songs, podcasts, and cultural moments that defined the year on the platform. From MrBeast remaining the top US creator to K-pop soundtracks and viral Shorts sounds dominating music discovery, the roundup shows how video, music, and internet culture continued to shape global viewing habits.
Spotify music videos launch in the US and Canada
Spotify has launched its music video feature in the US and Canada, letting users toggle seamlessly between audio and video formats. The expansion continues Spotify’s push into audiovisual content and gives artists more ways to present their work. Video availability is expected to grow as more tracks and visual content are added.
TikTok 2025 Year in Music
TikTok has shared its Year in Music for 2025, underlining its huge influence on music discovery and chart success. The platform helped break new artists, revive classic tracks, and fuel viral trends, with 8 of the 10 Billboard No.1s this year first gaining momentum on TikTok. From KATSEYE being named Global Artist of the Year to older songs becoming global hits again, the roundup shows how TikTok continues to shape what the world listens to.
Instagram introduces ‘Your Algorithm’ tool
Instagram has launched a new “Your Algorithm” tool that gives users direct control over what shapes their Reels recommendations. The feature shows which topics influence your feed and lets you choose what you want to see more or less of, with changes reflected in real time. Rolling out first in the US, the update marks a big step towards transparency and personalised discovery on the platform.
Spotify launches Prompted Playlists
Spotify has introduced Prompted Playlists, a new feature that lets users type in written prompts to generate fully customised playlists. Using listening history and AI, Spotify builds playlists around exactly what listeners ask for, with options to refine prompts and refresh playlists over time. Rolling out in beta to Premium users in New Zealand, the tool gives listeners more control over how Spotify’s algorithm works for them.
Netflix and iHeartMedia strike video podcast deal
Netflix has partnered with iHeartMedia to bring over 15 popular video podcasts, including The Breakfast Club and My Favourite Murder, to the platform in the US. The exclusive deal reflects the rapid growth of video podcasts, while iHeartMedia retains audio-only distribution across its own platforms. The shows are set to launch on Netflix from early 2026, with international expansion planned.