As 2024 draws to a close, India’s social media landscape offers a revealing snapshot of the country’s cultural and consumer preferences. Powered by data from Sprinklr Insights, the year’s most significant conversations spanned festivals, streaming services, live events, and sporting milestones, highlighting how digital platforms have become a central space for public discourse.
The festive season, particularly Diwali, became the focal point for brand engagement, with over 7.2 million conversations. WhatsApp led the mentions with 872,000, followed by Amazon with 785,000 and Apple with 727,000. These figures underline the role of social media as a barometer for consumer sentiment during peak shopping seasons. Netflix emerged as the most talked-about streaming service with 550,000 mentions, far outpacing Prime Video, which garnered 150,000 mentions. In the mobility sector, Ola recorded 270,000 mentions, ahead of Uber’s 190,000. The food delivery space remained competitive, with Zomato securing 155,000 mentions and Swiggy close behind with 145,000. Quick commerce brands Blinkit and Zepto also saw notable traction, with 52,616 and 43,756 mentions, respectively.
Indian storytelling dominated the streaming conversation, with three of the top five most discussed shows being local productions. Netflix’s Heeramandi led with 98,000 mentions, followed by a mix of global and Indian titles, including House of the Dragon Season 4, Mirzapur Season 3, Panchayat Season 3, and Bridgerton Season 3. Anticipation for upcoming releases was also evident, with Squid Game Season 2 amassing a significant reach of 469 million ahead of its December debut. This data reflects the growing appetite for both local and global narratives among Indian audiences.
Live music events also had a significant impact on social media discussions. Coldplay’s India tour generated over 12,250 conversations, showcasing the continued influence of global artists in the Indian market. Diljit Dosanjh’s Dil Luminati tour reached 485 million fans, reinforcing the international appeal of Indian artists. International performances by Maroon 5 and Dua Lipa also made waves, with Lipa’s Shah Rukh Khan mashup at her Mumbai concert being a standout moment. Meanwhile, anime fandom continued its rise in India, driven by events like Comic Con 2024. Characters from One Piece, Pokémon, and Naruto dominated the conversation, with mentions of 129,000, 93,000, and 64,000, respectively.
Sports discussions were driven by key retirements and landmark achievements. The announcements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli retiring from T20 cricket after the World Cup sparked over 23,000 mentions each, while Sheetal Devi’s success at the Paris 2024 Paralympics saw a dramatic 5000% increase in engagement. Devi’s rise reflected the growing acknowledgment of women athletes and inclusivity in Indian sports.
These trends highlight how 2024’s digital conversations captured India’s evolving interests and cultural milestones. From brand battles during festivals to the rise of inclusive narratives in sports and entertainment, the year offered a diverse range of topics that engaged audiences across platforms. As the year ends, these conversations set the stage for the trends and discussions that will define India’s digital landscape in 2025.