As the new year begins, people place their bets on the upcoming trends to expect in 2026. These trends, however, are not entirely new. Instead, they bear a resemblance to social media trends from a decade ago. The trends don’t feel random; they feel fresh, yet familiar.
Many social media users are embracing the post formats they love in the first place, instead of moving on to the next big micro-trends. Old social media features are remembered as fun instead of old and overused. People are predicting the return of boomerangs, as people are saying 2026 is the new 2016.
Sophomore Brienna Dominique says, “I think Instagram boomerangs will make a big comeback because everyone is saying 2026 is the new 2016.”
Boomerangs are a good way for users to share their mood or life online. They are short, playful, and don’t require lots of effort compared to a regular post. Consumers tend to favor realistic videos, not over-edited ones. Looping a laugh or a quick pose just feels easier and more natural.
A trend that’s already rising in 2026 stems from comment sections, where jokes are born, people share thoughts, repeat them, and a trend is born. Instead of one creator owning a trend, everyone adds their own spin.
One of the newer trends that started in the comment sections is the “I Got Like Hella Money” song by @shutthekellup on TikTok. The user’s song quickly became a gif that flooded comments sections on social media, and was parodied across platforms. When people start to pick up on the joke, it creates a shared humor, a powerful sense of belonging
The appeal of that trend is how often it shows up in unexpected places. One user’s prediction explained it clearly: “I think the ‘hella money’ trend will last because I see it all over comment sections and people recreating the sticker.” When people recognize a joke instantly, it creates a sense of belonging. That shared humor is powerful.
“I think the ‘hella money’ trend will last because I see it all over comment sections and people recreating the sticker,” sophomore Olivia Gonzalez comments.
The trends that have already gained popularity in 2026 feel lighthearted and unserious. Nowadays, people are more comfortable being ironic, messy, and self-aware online. Instead of trying to look picture perfect, they are more focused on being funny or relatable. Those people are typically the ones social media sees going viral.
Nostalgia also plays a large role in the trend-setting. Older phrases, formats, and visuals are slowly making a comeback, but with a fresh tone. They aren’t being used in the same way, but similar enough to get déjà vu; it feels like old internet habits wearing new clothes.
At the end of the day, 2026 trends are more about making connections rather than seeking attention and popularity. People recognize the comeback of past trends, laugh together, and feel like they’re in on the joke. Whether it’s a boomerang or a reused sticker, familiarity is what’s winning. The future of trends might actually be a little bit of the past.
