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As 2026 unfolds, social media seems to have taken a sudden trip back to 2016, reviving memories and trends from a decade ago. From The Chainsmokers dominating music playlists to everyone perfecting their Snapchat dog filter poses, the year 2016 feels surprisingly present once again. Events like Leicester City’s unlikely Premier League victory and viral moments such as the Mannequin Challenge add to the collective nostalgia. Social media platforms have played a significant role in this resurgence, with TikTok reporting a 452% increase in searches for “2016” in recent days and over 55 million videos created using its dedicated filter inspired by that year.
Music, in particular, is driving much of this revival. Lauren Redfern, host of Radio 1 Anthems, describes the music from 2016 as “so so good” and deeply nostalgic for many. She highlights iconic hits from artists like Zayn, The Chainsmokers, Twenty One Pilots, and The 1975 as part of the era’s soundtrack. This renewed interest is supported by Spotify data showing a 71% rise in “2016” playlists last year compared to 2024. Among the biggest comebacks is Zara Larsson’s chart-topping hit “Lush Life,” which originally launched in 2016 and recently climbed back into the UK top 10. Alongside music, fashion and beauty trends from that time, such as bold Y2K-style makeup looks with bright colors and thick winged eyeliner, have also found new life through social media influencers.
The cultural shift on social media itself during 2016 is another reason for the fondness felt today. Joel Marlinarson, a London-based TikTok creator and brand strategist, explains how the vintage, pinkish filter used widely on TikTok evokes a sense of simplicity and fun from that era. He notes, “Looking at Instagram, around 2016, there was no carousel posts… it wasn’t so performative,” contrasting it with the complex algorithms and frequent content updates expected on today’s platforms. Lauren Redfern echoes this sentiment, remembering 2016 as “the year of Snapchat stories” when social media felt more relaxed and less pressured.
Despite the warm feelings, experts urge caution when romanticizing 2016 too much. Psychologist Clay Routledge, who studies nostalgia, points out that 2016 was marked by significant and often divisive events, including the deaths of cultural icons like David Bowie and Prince, the UK’s Brexit referendum, and Donald Trump’s election victory. He warns against over-sentimentalizing any one year but acknowledges that such moments act as “markers” in collective memory. He also believes the current fascination with 2016 stems partly from young people seeking comfort amid ongoing uncertainty, such as concerns about artificial intelligence disrupting employment. For many Millennials and older Gen Z, 2016 represents a formative period of youth, a time they look back on for guidance and reassurance in a rapidly changing world
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