2023 Roundup: Taboola releases India Readership Insights around popular topics

As the calendar turns its final pages for 2023, Taboola, a global leader in powering recommendations for the open web, helping people discover things they may like, today released the readership insights for the year 2023. Using Topic Insights, Taboola Newsroom used real-time audience analytics to discover some of the interesting and trending topics that caught Indian readers’ attention during the year. From space exploration and hosting the G20 summit to the Cricket World Cup, online shopping, festive kitchens, and Bollywood glitz, the nation has felt a range of emotions.

Chandrayaan’s Landing Triumph and G20 Leadership

The year 2023 marked a significant triumph for Indian science with the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the lunar surface on August 23, 2023. The nation collectively held its breath as the spacecraft made its descent, and when it touched down successfully, it not only etched a historic moment for the ISRO but also ignited the imagination of a nation that aspires to conquer the cosmic frontier. With over 12 million pageviews on the Taboola Newsroom witnessed between August and September, the images and data sent back by Chandrayaan-3 opened new chapters in scientific discovery, placing India prominently on the global space exploration map.

Simultaneously, in a pivotal moment for global diplomacy, India assumed the G20 presidency in 2023 between September 9 and September 10, seizing the opportunity to shape the narrative on critical global issues. The G20 coverage emerged as a source of insights, attracting a significant readership of around 1 million on the Taboola Newsroom.

Exciting Cricket Highlights from the World Cup 

The familiar roar of cricket enthusiasts was witnessed on the Taboola Newsroom as the ICC Cricket World Cup took the spotlight, with over 53 million pageviews during October and November, showcasing the unwavering passion of Indian cricket fans. The stadiums echoed with cheers, and the streets buzzed with discussions as the cricketing battles unfolded. While the desired trophy remained elusive, the spirit, resilience, and passion of the Indian team left an enduring mark on the cricketing landscape.

E-commerce Battleground and Festive Fasting

The e-commerce battleground witnessed a spectacular showdown in 2023. As per the data by Taboola Newsroom, Amazon Great Indian Festival led the charge with more than 1.4 million pageviews in the month of October. The online marketplace overflowed with eager shoppers seizing the opportunity to indulge in gadgets, fashion, and more. What was once a mere transactional experience evolved into a nationwide celebration of savings and style, reaffirming the growing influence of e-commerce in shaping consumer experiences.

As festivals adorned the calendar from October onwards, Indian kitchens became laboratories of culinary creativity. Navratri fasting recipes and Janmashtami delights danced their way into digital hearts, accumulating a staggering 20 million pageviews. These weren’t just recipes; they were tales of tradition, stories told through the sizzle of spices and the aroma of home-cooked love.  Social media was buzzing with food bloggers and home chefs sharing their creative spins on traditional fasting recipes, encouraging others to enjoy the fun of festive cooking.

Cinematic magic unfolded with the launch of the year’s blockbuster movies

Bollywood cast its spell in 2023. With the release of ‘Pathan’ in January and ‘Jawan’ in September. They emerged as the protagonists of box office tales, accumulating a whopping 38 million pageviews on the Taboola Newsroom. While the release of ‘Gadar’ in August, a reincarnation of historical epics, and ‘Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani’ in July, a modern love symphony, added their chapters to the cinematic odyssey with 20 million and 15 million pageviews respectively. These weren’t just films; they were narratives that intertwined with the fabric of Indian storytelling, providing an escape, a mirror, and a shared experience for audiences nationwide.

In the online world today, every click is like a vote or a shared emotion. Taboola’s Newsroom tells us about a country where people are connected by curiosity, dreams, and shared experiences. As we go into 2024, let’s think of these digital footprints as our guide. They remind us that on the internet, our stories, achievements, and dreams are all part of our shared journey.