monthly trend breakdown: march
Welcome to our monthly trend breakdown, the home of the top trends from the previous month, and how they worked!
Leonardo DiCaprio and the Reluctant Meme
The 98th Academy Awards leaned into internet culture when host Conan O’Brien turned Leonardo DiCaprio into a live meme resembling a similarity to previous DiCaprio viral memes. They projected a shot of Leo with the caption "TFW You Didn’t Agree to This" on the big screen, and the moment went viral instantly. The best part was Leo looking directly at the camera with a smirk. He clearly knew he had no choice but to be part of the joke, which made the whole thing feel more genuine than your standard award show bit.
The Standout Creator: Gymskin
Gymskin was the highlight of the month. His “Follow that tune” trend was so massive it sent Madonna’s “Into The Groove " back to number 17 in the UK Official Singles Chart and onto mainstream radio for the first time in decades. Fans have loved meeting him due to his friendliness, matching his online persona, where he is often seen helping the elderly or chatting with strangers in public. Whether he is sticking to his “don't burn the bean” catchphrase or judging an Americano challenge in a brief Sidemen guest appearance, he feels like a genuine person who just happens to have a camera on him.
Sidemen Inside Season 3
Season 3 of Sidemen Inside launched on Netflix, blurring the line between social media and live TV. It is like a 2026 version of Big Brother, allowing a new generation to watch their favourite creators build bonds and face challenges on a massive scale. The show produced dozens of viral clips throughout the month, and the finale saw the biggest spender, Eddie Hall, crowned as the winner. It has set a new standard for entertainment that feels far more relevant to a modern audience than traditional broadcast.
I’m Passing The Phone To…
The “I’m passing the phone to…” format returned with a focus on team bonding and inside jokes. Used previously by clubs like Liverpool FC and close colleague businesses, the trend involves passing the phone to a team member based on something they are notorious for. Whether it is the person who eats the most snacks or the one who is always late for meetings, these videos work because the small digs feel lighthearted and earned. It gives people a glimpse into the team culture without it feeling like a scripted corporate ad.
The Hannah Montana Reunion
The 20th Anniversary Special for Hannah Montana was a huge moment for nostalgia. Miley Cyrus recreating the iconic Disney Channel wand commercial broke 45 million organic views almost immediately. “You'll Always Find Your Way Back Home” became the soundtrack of the month, with over 100,000 videos made by fans celebrating the reunion. This surge in nostalgia even saw Spotify streams for show classics like This Is The Life jump by over 700 per cent in a single day.
I Fell But Saved My…
Brands' creators used a clever filming method where they posed as if they fell down the stairs, but kept their prized possession intact. The goal is to show a messy scene but not a single drop of their morning matcha spilt, for example, showing the importance of the item to them. It is a chaotic and funny way to draw the eye to a specific item by using a relatable human moment rather than a traditional advertisement.
Instagram Carousel Update
At the end of March, Instagram finally launched a feature to rearrange images within a carousel after publishing. By using a simple long-press and drag function, you can fix the order of your posts without needing to delete and reupload the whole thing. It is a functional win that gives everyone more flexibility over how their content looks on the grid, even after it has gone live.