Wikipedia Joins the Year-in-Review Trend

Wikipedia is getting personal with its first-ever Year in Review feature on the mobile app. If you’ve been reading articles this year, the app will now track your habits and highlight the topics you explored most. The move mirrors popular “year wrapped” features from platforms like Spotify, giving users a playful look back at their digital journeys. While not groundbreaking, it’s a clever way for the Wikimedia Foundation to drive app engagement and downloads.

How to Access Your 2025 Wikipedia Recap

To use the Year in Review, you need the Wikipedia mobile app installed and must have been active this year. Once logged in, the feature generates a summary of your reading habits, showing the total minutes spent and your most-visited topics. For longtime users, it’s a nostalgic glance at interests that may have shifted over the years. Those who haven’t logged in regularly might be surprised—or amused—by their highlighted categories.

What the Data Reveals About Your Reading

The personalized recap is simple but entertaining. It lists the total time spent browsing and ranks your favorite topics. For example, one early user discovered that their top categories included fiber-optic internet service and “internet properties established in 2005.” It’s a quirky snapshot of your curiosity and digital footprint over the year.

A Fun Way to Encourage Engagement

Wikipedia’s new feature isn’t just a novelty—it’s a subtle nudge for more app engagement. By showcasing personal reading statistics, the Foundation encourages users to return to the app and explore more content. Similar features on other platforms have proven effective at boosting user retention, and Wikipedia is testing the same strategy in the information space.

Limitations and User Experience

The 2025 Year in Review isn’t as fully featured as other platforms’ versions. There’s no playlist-style highlight reel or social sharing, just a concise overview of reading activity. Some users may find the personalization a bit minimal, but it still delivers an enjoyable, reflective experience. The simplicity may actually appeal to Wikipedia’s information-focused audience.

The Bigger Picture: Personalization in Knowledge Platforms

This move signals a growing trend in educational and knowledge platforms to adopt personalization features. As attention spans shrink and digital engagement rises, even traditional information hubs like Wikipedia are finding ways to make learning and browsing more interactive. Tracking and visualizing personal data helps users connect with content in a meaningful way.

Will This Shape Wikipedia’s Future?

While the Year in Review is currently mobile-only, it may hint at broader personalization initiatives from Wikimedia. If successful, users could see more tailored recommendations, reading challenges, or social-friendly summaries. For now, it’s a fun, lightweight feature that adds a touch of human curiosity to Wikipedia’s massive knowledge base.