GIPHY predicts a Gen Z takeover in 2025, embracing the bizarre and offbeat with trends ranging from flamboyant language to viral zooperstars.
Key takeaways:
- Gen Z is reshaping online communication with quirky and dramatic new trends.
- Expect a massive surge in playful group chat slang and custom GIFs.
- Adorable animal influencers are continuing their rise in 2025.
- Millennial slang is fading, giving way to brain rot speak from Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
Gen Z’s rise in online communication
GIPHY’s 2025 trend predictions showcase a future where Gen Z dominates online culture, mainly how they communicate.
A surprising trend is the increase in verbosity, as Gen Z embraces extravagant and playful language.
Searches for words like “Lugubriousness” (+850%) and “Pulchritudinous” (+446%) have skyrocketed, indicating a preference for more elaborate language.
The thesaurus may just become your new best friend in 2025.
The dominance of group chat slang
In 2024, group chat slang took the online world by storm and is only set to rise further in 2025.
Searches for terms like “gm chat” (+52%), “hey chat” (+65%), and “gn chat” (+47%) have spiked dramatically, signaling that Gen Z’s group chats are now a powerhouse of creative and dynamic communication.
Integrating GIFs, clips, and custom stickers into these exchanges makes them the epicenter of how conversations evolve in the digital age.
Viral Zooperstars: The new animal influencers
If you’re always on the internet, you’ve probably heard of Moo Deng, the baby pygmy hippo. GIPHY predicts that these adorable animal influencers will keep gaining popularity in 2025.
Searches for “smoking duck” shot up a staggering +5394%, and “dancing raccoon” saw a more modest +182% increase.
These viral animals are not just cute; they’re becoming cultural icons, with more searches anticipated as 2025 unfolds.
The decline of millennial slang
I’m sorry, millennials. Your slang is being left behind as Gen Z and Gen Alpha redefine the digital lexicon.
The era of terms like “lol” and “vibe” is fading into history, replaced by new brain rot language.
Searches for words like “aura” (+778%) and “skibidi” (+112%) are trending, indicating a significant shift in the way younger generations communicate.
This evolution is ushering in an entirely new lexicon reflecting online culture’s quirky and experimental nature.
Nostalgia for Y2K aesthetics
Even as Gen Z sets the tone for 2025, there’s a growing nostalgia for early internet aesthetics.
Y2K fashion and tech are making a comeback, with searches for digital cameras (+71%), flash games (+74%), and flare jeans (+64%) seeing significant increases.
It’s clear that while Gen Z is pushing the envelope with new trends, they’re also embracing the early days of the internet, bringing back a sense of nostalgia and retro charm.
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