Social media sees many trends come and go over a year, but few dominate on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. In 2023, some of those trends included “My Roman Empire,” which asked TikTok users to ask the men in their lives how often they think about the Roman Empire. Many noted they spent significant time thinking about the empire, leading the hashtag #RomanEmpire to earn 3 billion views.

@jaydensalaam

and I don’t do anything to them either.

♬ Andrew Scott marry me I beg – Shauna

@glawki

This clip will forever have a place in my heart. #fyp #viral #fy #xyzbca #girlboss #iloveme #relatable #glawki #myromanempire #americasnexttopmodel #tyrabanks #canyousaymagnetic #tiffanyantm #meme #moneymotivated #realisation #iconic

♬ original sound – ♱1-800-CALL-CARTI♱

 

In recent years, astrology has made a significant resurgence in popular culture, with many using its principles to determine with what kind of people they are most romantically compatible. This year’s moon phase TikTok trend was a continuation of that and saw users compare the moon’s phase when they were born with that of their partner to determine their compatibility.

@zoehobor

Anybody else remember the first version of this trend? Im getting dejavu #CapCut #moonphases #relationship #love

♬ Every Summertime – NIKI

@mikyladenmodatorr

#moonphase #CapCut

♬ original sound – mikyladenmodatorr – Moonkeeper

AI-generated content was a force to be reckoned with in 2023. A few weeks ago, the AI yearbook trend saw users share AI-generated high school yearbook pictures of them. America’s sweetheart Keke Palmer even participated.

 

@fadlyfsl_

3 👌

♬ Paint The Town Red – Doja Cat

@signorinasara

#aifilter #aiyearbook

♬ original sound – Althea Ablan – Althea Ablan

Similarly, The Conversation reported that non-playable characters were mainstays on TikTok in 2023. Users worldwide pretended to move like the background video game characters, most notably creator Nicki Loczek, who’s been sharing NPC content for two years.

@loczniki

What should we do on the second date?

♬ Skyrim Atmospheres – Jeremy Soule

According to Screen Rant, the Instagram Notes number trend had many users adding strange numbers, like “099,” “022” and “045,” to their Instagram Notes with no explanation. The numbers make up a secret language users use to name their crush.

@emannii.__

o65 . 🫶🏾 #greenscreen #foryou #foryoupage #fypシ #fyp #instagramnotes #instanotes #viral #trend

♬ Originalton – 🌹

@aivhanjames

#fyp #fypシ #instagramnotes

♬ original sound – spedupsongsnlyrics

Food is always a views-garnering category on social media, and this year was no different. In 2023, TikTok users were freezing fruit roll-ups in the masses, and most couldn’t stop talking about McDonald’s berry-flavored Grimace Shake.

@anna.antonje

Dried apricot fruit roll up with icecream

♬ original sound – user404393310683 – LoloMangskih

@btw_you_dont_know_me

Making the grimace shake!!! 🫨 #grimaceshake #fyp

♬ GRIMACE – CG5 & DHeusta

@dylanlemay

#fruitrollup #icecream

♬ original sound – Dylan Lemay

Move over steak dinners. In 2023, all anyone could talk about online was girl dinner. Contrary to a hefty plate of meat and potatoes, girl dinner is a light meal, often a charcuterie board or Caesar salad with french fries.

@gracestamariaa

my girl dinner x

♬ original sound – karma carr

@gabipcintra

nois amaaaaaaa #girldinner #foryou #fyp #foryoupage

♬ original sound – karma carr

 

Why pay the full price for a product when you can get something similar (maybe even identical) for a fraction of the cost? That’s the essence of the dupe trend on social media this year. Creators across sectors — beauty, food, you name it — give their followers cheaper options for their favorite products.

@melodyclarette

Elf lip shine in shade “Ecstatic” 🍯 yes I have a pimple patch on lol #blackhoneydupe #blackhoneyclinique #elf #lipstick #lipgloss #makeup

♬ Her Way (Sped Up) – PARTYNEXTDOOR

@newlynorton

Issa no for me dawg. #alonukobridal #weddingdress #dupe #aliexpress

♬ original sound – FineFitFitness

 

Language is constantly evolving; this year, Gen Z-championed words were some of the most popular. Like “rizz,” a shortened form of the word charisma that means charm and likability. And “gyatt,” which, according to Dictionary.com, means “strong excitement, surprise, or admiration.” “Cringe,” “stan,” “mid” and “slay,” were other notable words of the year.

Regarding phrases, “it’s giving” and “no printer” were among the year’s top.

Since the dawn of modern memes in the late aughts/early 2010s, culture-inspired images have been a crucial part of the internet and social media. This year, notable memes included the Kevin James meme, Ohio memes, police girl, Smurf cat and folding chair memes. Honorable mentions go to memes created using a picture of Selena Gomez looking pensive, the Waffle House new host memes and those about OceanGate’s Titan submersible.

Check out the full list of the top trending searches below:

Trends

• Roman empire trend

• Moon phase trend

• AI yearbook trend

• Instagram notes number trend

• Fruit Roll-Ups trend

• Grimace shake trend

• Girl dinner trend

• Red boots trend

• Dupe trend

• NPC trend