We’re nearing the end of 2025, yet it has given us a whirlwind of online trends that have left us scratching our heads. From the nonsensical brainrot memes to those controversial AI projects that flooded our feeds, Today, we’re bringing you the 9 microtrends that took over the internet.
9. The White Rabbit Pointing at a Clock
This imagery is from Alice in Wonderland with the phrase “All Roads Lead to Rome.” This November 2025 trend is all over TikTok, discussing the universal feeling of impending doom. Users would post a photo or video of a negative life event along with a text about how the night rabbit affected them. It features a white rabbit pointing at a clock, which became darkly humorous.
8. The AI Puppy Trend
The AI Puppy Trend exploded on Instagram and TikTok. Users utilize AI image generators, such as Google’s Gemini, to add dozens of puppies to their photos. While this trend is more wholesome, the use of AI has become controversial as it demonstrates how accessible it has become.
7. Holding Space for Defying Gravity
The 2024 press tour for the “Wicked” movie became a success, but no moment was as memorable as this one. In an interview with cast Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, journalist Tracy E. Gilchrist stated that the people took the lyrics of ‘Defying Gravity’ and are holding space. With that, Grande’s tearful but confused reaction became a meme, which turned “holding space” into the favorite phrase for describing pretentiousness and meaningless jargon. Scrolling through social media today will also reveal Erivo’s GIF memes and “the concept of” statements from the film’s 2025 “Wicked: For Good” press tour.
6. The TikTok Carousel Revolution
2025 has marked the quiet resurgence of the photo carousel. Thanks to TikTok’s Photo Mode, carousels can now feature up to 35 images, as they outperform both single-image and video posts. Yes, it’s those posts you see on TikTok that contain just photos with a song playing in the background. This shift in user behavior has led audiences to prefer a well-crafted form of storytelling, such as photo dumps.
5. The 6-7 Meme
When you combine a rap song, a 6-foot-7 basketball player, and absurdity, then you get the 6-7 meme. It originated from the song “Doot Doot (6 7)” by Skrilla, a phrase that went viral in sports edits featuring NBA star LaMelo Ball. The meme has no inherent meaning, as it serves only as a social signal to indicate that you’re in on the joke and find it amusing.
4. The Deinfluencing Movement
As the overconsumption culture of influencers has faced backlash, it has given rise to the deinfluencing movement. It is when TikTok and Instagram discouraged their followers from buying overhyped products and instead promoted intentional spending. This anti-consumerist view revealed that audiences are tired of the endless influencer ads and seek more trustworthy advice.
3. Underconsumption Core
Taking the deinfluencing route, the Underconsumption Core was born. This trend showcases how users demonstrate their minimalist approach through their modest wardrobes and well-used items, as well as thrift store hauls. This trend was driven by economic pressures and environmental concerns related to haul videos and hyper-consumerism of the past.
2. The AI-Generated Content Explosion
2025 marked the year when AI-generated content fully mainstreamed. Tools like OpenAI’s Sora and ChatGPT-5 have made it easier for users to create a wide range of content, from hyper-realistic videos and viral memes. While this may be amazing, it’s particularly concerning to some, as it can pose risks when used in a negative manner.
1. Brain Rot
Oxford’s 2024 Word of the Year is “Brain rot,” which refers to the mental decay that can result from consuming low-quality and trivial online content. The term originated from Thoreau’s Walden, which was later adopted by Gen Z and Gen Alpha to describe their own media consumption habits. Yup, it’s those absurd Skibidi Toilet content to Ballerina Cappucina, Bombardiro Crocodilo, and John Pork.