On February 11, 2026, Flickr marked its 22nd anniversary. The immense accumulation of metadata tells a compelling story of how creators are currently perceiving the world.
While the most-used tag in 2025 was "2025," the color tag "green" saw a remarkable 45% year-on-year increase, rising to second place. The tag "red" also grew by 25%, reflecting a heightened focus on the vivid colors of the natural world—be it radiant forests or micro shots of morning dew—capturing the gaze of many image-makers.
Photo by Geyao Grace Chen
Evolving Equipment and Brand Trends
Metadata from 2025 reveals an ecosystem of photographic equipment where tradition and innovation intersect. While continues to enjoy steadfast support across brands, the rankings by model highlight the ascendancy of mirrorless cameras and smartphones.
Photo by shizuku
The most-used camera model in 2025 was the , followed by the , , and . This suggests that creators are thoughtfully selecting the tools that best suit their individual artistic practices.
The Coexistence of Smartphones and Dedicated Cameras
Looking back at statistics from 2024 to 2025, maintained a strong market share of approximately 32%. The was the most-used single device in 2024, while the led among dedicated cameras.
Notably, Micro Four Thirds cameras from and also remain highly popular for nature and street photography. In settings where mobility is paramount, compact and lightweight systems continue to expand the possibilities for creative expression.
Photo by yuriwochi
Moments When Creativity Peaks
Behind every piece of equipment lies the human impulse to create. May 17, 2025, was recorded as the day with the highest number of photographs taken throughout the year. The fact that thousands—if not tens of thousands—of people pressed the shutter on the same day, each in their own place, is a testament to how our creative drive connects us in unseen ways.