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Taboola’s Readership Insights for May 2023 are led by the IPL Finals, the Cannes Film Festival, and the Met Gala
Mumbai: Taboola, a global leader in powering recommendations for the open web, helping people discover things they may like, today released the readership insights for May 2023. Taboola Newsroom uses Topic Insights to analyze real-time audience data to identify some of the intriguing and popular themes that engaged Indian readers throughout the month.
The surge in pageview traffic revealed insights into the diverse interests of Indian audiences in content across sports, and entertainment. Here are some of the key insights revealed from the readership trends for May 2023:
1. Sports:
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most popular cricket leagues in the world, and the finals are always a huge event. This year’s finals were no exception, with millions of Indians tuning in to watch the match. The excitement for the finals was palpable across the country. In Bangalore, where the match was held, fans were camping outside the stadium for days in anticipation. There was a festive atmosphere in the city, with people wearing team colors and cheering for their favorite teams. The IPL finals are not just a sporting event, they are also a cultural phenomenon as they bring together people from all walks of life and create a sense of national unity. For many Indians, the IPL finals are the highlight of the year.
The Taboola Newsroom also witnessed a surge in readership, with a 424 per cent increase in people reading the key highlights of the finals between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans. This is a testament to the popularity of the IPL and the reach of Taboola’s platform during key sporting events, when netizens flock to the open web to read articles about their favorite teams.
2. Entertainment:
Cannes Film Festival 2023: Sara Ali Khan, a Bollywood actress, made her Cannes Film Festival début on May 17, 2023. She looked lovely in a black-and-white saree-style costume made by Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla. The costume, which included a bralette blouse and a trailing skirt, was a success with both fans and fashion critics. Khan’s costume was complimented for its contemporary spin on traditional Indian attire. The trailing skirt was a modern interpretation of a traditional Indian dress. Many people complimented Khan for her daring decision to wear a modern interpretation of traditional Indian design, which was perceived as an indication of the growing global appeal of Indian fashion and resulted in a 277 per cent increase in pageviews on Taboola’s newsroom compared to the last 45 days
Met Gala 2023: Indian movie star Alia Bhatt is one of the most popular actresses in India. She has a large following on social media and is known for her fashion sense. When she attended the Met Gala 2023, she turned heads in a custom-made gown by Ralph Lauren. The gown was made of white silk and a voluminous skirt and was accessorized with a diamond necklace and earrings. The news of Bhatt’s Met Gala outfit was widely shared on social media and news websites. Taboola, a native advertising platform, was able to capitalize on this interest by publishing a number of articles about Bhatt’s outfit. These articles were seen by millions of people, which led to a significant 100 per cent increase in readership on Taboola’s newsroom
Netizens in India avidly follow the latest news about their favorite actresses on major news websites, especially during major international galas and film festivals. This presents a valuable opportunity for brands to reach a wide audience and ensure that their advertisements are prominently displayed during these highly anticipated events.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
