YouTube has released its annual end-of-year lists, offering a fascinating snapshot of the Middle East and North Africa’s (MENA) most popular online content in 2024. This year marks a significant development, with the platform unveiling its inaugural Top Trending Topics in MENA, providing a broader perspective on the region’s cultural pulse. The lists encompass top creators, trending songs, and prominent moments, reflecting diverse tastes and interests across the region.
Javid Aslanov, Head of YouTube in the Middle East & North Africa, commented: “This year’s YouTube End-of-Year lists reveal how YouTube mirrors the most important events in MENA. From breaking news and sporting moments to the latest gaming trends and breakout musical artists, these lists showcase how creators give life to MENA’s most important stories, sharing their perspectives and engage audiences across diverse formats – including Shorts, long-form videos, live streams, and podcasts – on the topics that matter most to them.”
The Trending Topics list reveals a captivating mix of global phenomena and regional specifics. Gaming dominated, with EA Sports FC 24, Free Fire MAX, and Poppy Playtime: Chapter 3 all featuring prominently. The impact of regional conflicts was also evident, with searches for Rafah, the Houthi movement, and Southern Lebanon reflecting significant online engagement. Sporting achievements were celebrated, notably with Algerian boxer Imane Khelif’s appearance on the list. Beyond gaming and news, the Asoka makeup trend, a celebration of traditional Indian bridal aesthetics, demonstrated the platform’s capacity to reflect global trends within a regional context. The YouTube-native dating reality show, Qesma w Naseeb, garnered over a billion views, highlighting the growing popularity of this format in MENA. Finally, the rise of breakout musicians like Al Shami added a vibrant musical element to the Trending Topics.
This year’s Top Creators list showcases a diverse range of talent across MENA. Gaming creators dominated, with AboFlah, BanderitaX, ShongxBong, Abo Noo7, and POWR Suhaib all making significant appearances, reflecting the undeniable popularity of gaming content. Other notable creators included Majd Alzakout, a UAE-based Syrian artist and lifestyle creator; Shawar, an Egyptian comedic talent; Alkaisr, an Egyptian multi-format comedian; and Abo Rany, a Palestinian vlogger. Alkhal Mahdi, a Lebanese creator of skits and mini-dramas, also secured a place on the prestigious list.
The Top Songs list reflected a rich tapestry of musical styles and artists from across the region. Egypt’s Tamer Ashour with “Haygyly Mawgoo” and Morocco’s Mohamed Lazaar (Lazaro) with “Mahboul Ana” topped the chart, demonstrating the platform’s ability to propel emerging artists to wider recognition. Other notable entries included Mahmoud El Leithy (Egypt), Assala & Ahmed Saad (Syria & Egypt), Assala (Syria), Cheb Hichem Tgv (Algeria), Lbenj (Morocco), Wael Jassar (Lebanon), Cheb Hamidou (Algeria), and Al Shami (Syria).
YouTube’s methodology for generating these lists involved an in-depth analysis conducted by the YouTube Culture and Trends team, using internal data, including views, uploads, and creator activity. The Trending Topics list focuses on moments exhibiting conspicuous popularity, either through novelty or significant increases in user engagement metrics. Top Creators are ranked based on in-country subscriber gains in 2024, while Top Songs are determined by in-country views, encompassing official music videos, lyric videos, and art track videos that debuted in 2024 or experienced substantial year-on-year growth. The comprehensive lists provide an invaluable insight into MENA’s vibrant digital culture.
YouTube 2024 End of Year Lists (Detailed):
- Trending Topics (unranked): EA Sports FC 24, Free Fire MAX, Al Shami, Rafah, Houthi movement, Southern Lebanon, Asoka (makeup trend), Poppy Playtime: Chapter 3, Imane Khelif, Qesma w Naseeb
- Top Creators: AboFlah (Kuwait), Majd Alzakout (UAE/Syria), BanderitaX (Saudi Arabia), Abo Nooh (Saudi Arabia), Shawar (Egypt), ShongxBong (Saudi Arabia), Alkaisr (Egypt), Abo Rany (Palestine), POWR Suhaib (Saudi Arabia/Palestine), Alkhal Mahdi (Lebanon)
- Top Songs: Tamer Ashor – Haygyly Mawgoo3 (Egypt), Mohamed Lazaar (Lazaro) – Mahboul Ana (Morocco), Mahmoud El Leithy – Am Elmagaal (Egypt), Assala & Ahmed Saad – Sabab Farhity (Syria & Egypt), Assala – Fouq (Syria), Cheb Hichem Tgv – Fatou Liyam (Algeria), Lbenj – Hawasy (Morocco), Wael Jassar – Koul Waad (Lebanon), Cheb Hamidou – 3achkek idman (Algeria), AL SHAMI – Sabran (Syria)
