January is usually a time to look to the future, make plans and get excited about the year to come. So why is the internet hooked on the past? In our first issue of 2026 we’re unpicking the 2016 trend sweeping our feeds, before serving you up some much needed creative inspiration.
And if you need more to combat the winter blues, our biggest sale yet ends January 31st 2026! Jump to our latest updates to learn how you could get 30% off any annual plan.
Why is 2016 trending?
It’s the summer of 2016. You’ve just posted a quick snap to your Instagram with a Sepia filter and the hashtag, #cutecat. It sits at the top of your timeline alongside other friend’s snaps of cats and avocados. Life is good...
If you haven’t heard, 2016 is trending hard. TikTok searches are up 452% with over 2.2 million posts with music, fashion and makeup from the year. This is nostalgia on a scale that’s been labelled as “collective mourning.” But for what?
2016 is widely seen as the turning point between an old internet, and the algorithm-driven, AI-spotted thing we know today. Let’s take a look!
- Video was still the new kid (and short form hadn’t left Vine) → In 2016, if you wanted video you went to YouTube. Platforms like Instagram were still mainly image-based, and short-form as we know it was non-existent outside of specific places like Vine and Musica.ly.
But the year did mark some major shifts for video. One catalyst? Instagram Stories. Launched in August 2016, Stories normalized ‘vertical video’ (better suited to phones), encouraging creators to start filming with what they had.
- Chronological feeds were phasing out → 2016 was the year social platforms like Instagram and Facebook pivoted from time-based feeds (i.e. new things first), to algorithmic feeds which guessed your interests… which funnily enough aren’t your aunt’s holiday photos.
- Creators realized their earning potential → Influencer marketing went “mainstream” in 2016. Increasingly creators were monetizing videos and partnering with brands, with the top YouTube creators earning $70.5 million!
This trend is only on the up. YouTube has said it’s paid more than $100 billion to creators since 2021 and yearly earnings are said to hit $45 billion in 2028.
Back to the future… As the world becomes more uncertain, are we craving simpler times? For many, this looks like an internet before algorithmic feeds, short-from reels and AI. Or, on the flip side, an internet that values connection and human creativity.
We predict creators' nostalgia for 2016 will impact content trends in 2026... and that can only be a positive thing. Want our advice? Keep an eye out for camcorder aesthetics, authentic takes and a shift to slow, considered content.
5 steps for a creative 2026
Caught in a creative rut? January is often a time to set new goals, but it can also feel pressured for many. If you’re experiencing a new year's slump, don’t fret. We’ve pulled together five creators that will inspire you to keep creating what you love.
- Eat your anti-rot diet. Struthless believes it’s not possible to pour from an empty cup. Which is why he shares 10 creative challenges to get the juices flowing again.
- Return to what you love. Amid productivity gurus and screaming social feeds, Phil Makes Stuff says you don’t need to lock in. Instead, he challenges you to make creating fun again by rediscovering your childhood passions.
- Act impulsively. It’s easy to get bogged down in niches, brand curation or algorithm changes… all a recipe for creative burnout. For Anna Howard, the remedy is following your creative impulses and separating output from identity.
- Rediscover your whimsy. Feeling directionless?<> Join YouTuber Ellbat on her 365 day mission to recover her joy and make 2026 your best year yet. Including practical month-by-month steps to get there.
- Do it anyway. What’s stopping you from achieving your goals? Casey Neistat shares the story of Logan, a marathon runner who’s battling cerebral palsy. Inspiration to go after your dreams, no matter what stands in your way.
Made something you’re proud of? Tag us in the comments of your video (@uppbeatofficial) and we’ll show it some love!
What are we watching?
We asked Lia Wickham from our catalog team the channel she’s been loving recently and why.
What’s your favorite channel right now?
Mix with the Masters (@mixwiththemasters), an interview style channel where different producers and artists talk about how they made their big hit.
3 words to describe them? Artistry, insightful and grounded.
Why do you love them? I'm a big fan of pop music, so I love hearing how some of my favorite songs came together and all the tiny details that go into the writing and mixing process behind the scenes.
We think they would love… Anything from our music catalog. We work to spotlight real artists, a mission I think Mix with the Masters would really get behind.
Elsewhere on the web
Eye watering. Mr Beast opens Sydney burger joint to controversy.
$14 billion. The TikTok deal American investors made to acquire a US version of the app. Find out what this means for creators on the Uppbeat blog.
Procrastinating? The ‘admin night’ trend might be exactly what you need.
Sidemen Charity Match is back this April! Get your tickets February 2.
A year ago, Jasper the golden retriever momentarily lost composure.
Short-form, with a difference. Tiktok launches new app dedicated to ‘microdramas.’
BBC signs deal to premiere content “combating disinformation” on YouTube.
Latest Uppdates
Want to make 2026 your year? Get ahead of the trends with a round-up of content predictions brought to you by real creators on the feed. If you're feeling lucky, follow us on TikTok for an exciting giveaway coming soon.
Or why not commit to your creativity with an Uppbeat subscription? For a limited time only you can get 30% off all annual plans with code ANNUAL30 at checkout. But hurry, this deal ends January 31st!
