Social media usage during the COVID-19 pandemic has skyrocketed. According to a recent study, engagement is up 61% on average across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

With usage up, we thought it would be interesting to see what people are talking about in Toronto, and what content is being shared in social media.

So, as you do when you’re curious and stuck inside for the 534^th (we think?) day, you look for data. 

We reached deep into our social media toolbox to look for content shared or commented on outside of the daily breaking news coverage of the pandemic. We looked from the beginning of April through to the first few days of May, then put it through our #LoveTO lens to see what people are sharing from the topics we follow – food, sports, auto, fashion, culture, real estate and more.

Our findings?

• Toronto’s favourite musician toosie slid into the top spot by opening up his mansion for a tour
• Toronto landmarks put themselves on the map by showing some love
• An overwhelming number of companies and people flipped their lives and businesses upside down to give back to those in need.

You can see the entire list below, but if you want to read by category or by mood, we got you. If you want to see a simplified infographic we’ve done that too. And for those who can’t get enough of the listicles, scroll to the bottom.

Let the choose your own top 20 #LoveTO stories adventure begin:

Browse by category

Click roulette-style: Pick a category and see where it takes you. We promise there are no risky clicks:

• Giving – Door #1, Door #2, Door #3, Door #4, Door #5, Door #6, Door #7
• Landmarks – Door #1, Door #2, Door #3, Door #4
• Arts & Entertainment – Door #1, Door #2, Door #3
• Sports – Door #1, Door #2, Door #3
• Business – Door #1, Door #2
• Pets – The cat door

Browse by experience

I would like to be entertained (this is for you). I want to be wowed (this should do it). I want a heartwarming story (gotcha). Show me something inspirational (definitely this). Give me something to do at home (fastest way to your heart is through your stomach, isn’t it?)

At a glance

And of course, the full listicle

Here’s our top 20, ranked in order of number of times shared: