In discussing the top posts and topics of 2025 and all time, one has to consider the metrics used for measurement. For instance, are we looking at the most commented topics of 2025 or historically? It’s essential to clarify whether “topic” refers to an entire thread or specific discussions within that thread.
Many discussions can generate multiple threads, and while efforts are made to merge similar threads, this can create complications in measuring engagement accurately. If we define “most commented topic of all time” as the thread with the most visible replies, one can explore the various megathreads available. However, personal favorites may not always lead in popularity, as seen in discussions surrounding topics like “Bacon,” which may not top the list despite significant interest.
Moreover, the measurement of “most liked post” also raises questions. It’s important to define “most liked” in terms of a positive reaction score. The system includes reactions such as “Disagree,” which counts against the score, leading to instances where a post may have numerous reactions but a lower overall score.
For example, a post with 10 likes and 5 disagrees would show a total score of 5, despite 15 total reactions. To explore the engagement levels over time, it might be worthwhile to identify the best and worst years for MacRumors based on the number of messages. This analysis can include determining how long MacRumors has been active and assessing monthly active user statistics over the past decade.
Lastly, retrieving data using specific post URLs can yield insights into yearly activity. By identifying the first posts of different years and using a binary search approach, one can estimate the number of posts per year. However, it is important to recognize that certain discrepancies may exist due to software updates and other factors that could affect post numbering over the years.