Let’s talk about content: the heart and soul of Zedge. Wallpapers that scream aesthetic, ringtones that make heads turn (for better or worse), and those oddly satisfying live wallpapers that you didn’t know you needed. Behind the scenes, our little personalization universe has been busy – like, really busy. Thanks to AI, seasonal spikes, and some truly eclectic user behavior, the content landscape is changing faster than you can say “Naruto ringtone.”
So, buckle in. Here's a peek behind the curtain at what's been happening on Zedge:
AI Took the Wheel (and the Upload Button)
Once upon a time, in late 2022, our content upload numbers were decent and stable. Then came our AI generators…and BOOM. Weekly uploads skyrocketed to as high as 184k in 2023. That’s right – AI didn’t just generate content, it basically threw a house party and invited every wallpaper idea ever imagined.
It was a glorious, chaotic surge. But like any good party, it needed some rules. In October 2024, we enforced stricter upload limits to keep quality high and spam low. The uploads dipped a bit but it’s always better to have curated beauty than endless AI chaos, right?
No. of items uploaded on Zedge, cumulative
The Big Five: What Wallpapers Are People Uploading
Despite all the AI magic, some content themes never go out of style.The top five wallpaper categories in our app are currently:
- Designs – abstract, cool, artsy. Basically, designer vibes on your lock screen.
- Nature – because who doesn’t want a waterfall in their pocket?
- Other – a mysterious black hole where all unclassifiable uploads go.
- Animals – fluffy, feathery, or fierce.
- Patterns – hypnotic loops of color and geometry.
These choices mirror the universal appeal of aesthetic visuals, serene natural scenes, and abstract creativity. Notably, the “Designs” and “Nature” categories dominate both static and live wallpapers, underscoring their timeless charm and wide relevance.
Ringtone Roulette: From LOLs to Bollywood Bangers
The audio side of Zedge is where things get even more fun. Based on uploads, comedy and sound effects are popular – because apparently, people still love having goats scream as their ringtone. (No judgment.)
Other audio faves include:
- Bollywood (always a crowd-pleaser)
- Hip-Hop
- Dance/Electronica
- Pop
- Game and Entertainment Sounds
From chart-toppers to chaotic memes, your phone’s ringtone can be a whole personality.
Swipers Gonna Swipe
Understanding how users find content is as critical as knowing what they’re looking for. Our data shows that:
- 40% of content downloads are being done after swiping -- particularly by users exploring related content once they’ve clicked on a particular item.
- 25% downloads are being done after searching – by users who are clear on what they want.
- 13.6% downloads are from the popular feed on the home page, which indicates that viral or trending content on the home page holds considerable sway.
These numbers highlight the importance of intelligent recommendation systems. When users swipe, they’re engaging in a discovery mindset, often leading to unexpected downloads – an opportunity for creators and Zedge algorithms to surface more relevant, engaging, or seasonal content.
Search Behaviour That Made Us Think
Let’s talk about what people are searching for. It’s a beautiful mix of utility, pop culture, spirituality, and lots of songs. Over the past year, top search terms have spanned across:
- “ringtones” (practical)
- “iPhone,” “Samsung” (even more practical)
- “Naruto,” “Goku,” “Demon Slayer,” “One Piece” (anime is LIFE)
- “Krishna,” “Mahadev” (spiritual is big, esp. in India, which forms 1/3rd of our user base)
- “Love Songs,” “Telugu songs” (Audio love is strong)
But here’s the kicker: many of these popular searches return less content than we’d like. That signals a golden opportunity for creators. Creating more content related to these under-served search terms and tagging it correctly can dramatically enhance user satisfaction and content engagement.
Seasonal Search Trends: Festive Fever is Real
Ever noticed how your vibe changes with the season? Our users’ do too.
In November and December, searches for Christmas and 2025 blow up. In October? It’s Halloween all the way. And February? Obviously, Valentine’s Day dominates –because nothing says romance like a heart-filled live wallpaper and a ringtone that plays a love song on loop.
Interestingly, users don’t wait for the date – they start searching in advance. Having themed content available early (like Mariah-Carey-in-November early) and prominently featured helps Zedge and creators stay ahead of the curve and improve user engagement during peak seasons.
Takeaways from the Content Matrix
So, what does it all mean? There are some clear takeaways:
- AI is a beast – but needs Guardrails. The spike in uploads from AI generation shows the power of placing creative tools in the hands of users. But to maintain relevance and quality, thoughtful moderation and limits are essential.
- Swipe is king. It’s the age of discovery, not just search.That means content positioning, recommendation logic, and visual presentation are more important than ever.
- Underserved searches = big opportunities. If your content matches what people actually want, it’ll stand out. Bridging the demand-supply gap – in culturally resonant and trending topics – presents a huge opportunity for both content teams and creators
- Seasonal content is a cheat code. It’s predictable, it spikes traffic, and it keeps users coming back.
- Content Categories Evolve. While evergreen categories such as "Designs" and "Nature" will always have appeal, it's crucial to adapt to new emerging themes from anime, memes, music genres, and more.
The Road Ahead
At Zedge, we’re not just about helping people personalize their phones. We’re about self-expression, trends, culture, and sometimes just good ol’ chaos (looking at you, goat scream ringtone).
As we lean further into AI tools, smarter search, and better recommendations, our goal is simple: help people find content that feels right. Whether it's a calming waterfall, a thumping bassline, or an anime character mid-battle cry – Zedge is where vibes live.
So keep swiping, keep searching, and keep uploading. The content train isn’t slowing down anytime soon – and honestly, we’re loving the ride.