Waymo, Justin Bieber, Heated Rivalry, Steven Bartlett, Apple, Lady Gaga, ŌURA, KATSEYE, Google Gemini, Selena Gomez, Netflix, Timothée Chalamet, NPR, Amy Poehler Among Those Receiving the Internet’s Highest Honor

 Claude, Shonda Rhimes, Pete Davidson, Taraji P. Henson, Kylie Kelce, Druski to be Honored with Special Achievement Awards at 30th Annual Ceremony Hosted by Josh Johnson

The Internet’s Biggest Night Returns for its 30th Year on May 11th in New York City

NEW YORK, April 21, 2026 – The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences (IADAS) today announced the Winners for the 30th Annual Webby Awards, honoring excellence on the Internet and celebrating the creators, companies, platforms, and personalities shaping today’s cultural and technological landscape. Among those receiving awards this year are globally recognized icons including Bad Bunny, Lionel Messi, Cardi B, Lady Gaga, Timothée Chalamet, Justin Bieber, Jimmy Fallon, Alex Warren, and Kendrick Lamar & SZA; viral online sensations including The Rizzler, Are You Okay?, Zach King, Cheryl Porter, Colin & Samir, Mythical Kitchen, Keith Lee, The Try Guys, and Meet Cutes NYC; innovative AI products like Google Gemini, Claude Code, Waymo, Suno, and Eleven Labs; chart-topping podcasters like Amy Poehler, Jay Shetty, Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, & Will Arnett, Don Lemon and Jason & Travis Kelce; and pioneering organizations such as NPR, ACLU, and NASA; as well as some of the year’s most buzzed about entertainment including Heated Rivalry, Sinners, The White Lotus, SNL, and Severance.

Winners will be celebrated at a special 30th anniversary awards ceremony hosted by Emmy-nominated stand-up comedian, creator, and The Daily Show correspondent Josh Johnson on Monday, May 11, 2026 in New York City. Fans can watch special moments and the hallmark 5-Word Speeches from the ceremony by following @TheWebbyAwards across Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, X, and Facebook.

Webby Winners are selected by the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences whose members include: Joanne Jang (General Manager, OpenAI Labs), Tekedra Mawakana (Co-Chief Executive Officer, Waymo), Walton Goggins (Actor and Filmmaker), Kim Larson (Global Managing Director & Head of Creators, YouTube), Bob Carrigan (CEO, Audible), Kinney Edwards (Global Head of Creative Lab, TikTok), Manuel “Manolo” Arroyo (EVP & Global Chief Marketing Officer, The Coca-Cola Company), Alex Schultz (VP Analytics & Chief Marketing Officer, Meta), Tiffany Rolfe (Chair & Global Chief Creative Officer, R/GA), Todd Kaplan (Chief Marketing Officer, Kraft Heinz), Paris Hilton (Creator), Garry Tan (President & Chief Executive Officer, Y Combinator), Tyler Bahl (Chief Marketing Officer, Activision), and Paula Kerger (President & CEO, PBS).

The Webby Awards will also honor a group of individuals with Special Achievement Awards for their outstanding contributions to Internet culture. They join the ranks of past Special Achievement winners including Prince, Kim Kardashian, Megan Thee Stallion, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Snoop Dogg, Takashi Murakami, Adam Sandler, the founders of Instagram, and many others. This year’s Special Achievement recipients include:

• Claude will receive the Webby Person of the Year Award for its impact as an AI system reshaping how people create, communicate, and work online.
• Shonda Rhimes will receive the Webby Streaming Person of the Year Award, an inaugural honor, for her groundbreaking impact on the streaming era through her work as a writer, producer and CEO of Shondaland.
• Kylie Kelce will receive the Webby Podcast of the Year Award for her chart-topping show, Not Gonna Lie with Kylie Kelce. The Wave Original series features candid conversations on motherhood, pop culture, and women in sports.
• Taraji P. Henson will receive the IADAS and NAACP Webby Advocate of the Year Award for advancing mental health awareness, advocating for pay equity in entertainment, and leveraging her platform to champion underrepresented communities across the Internet and beyond.
• Druski will receive a 2026 Webby Special Achievement Award for his impact as a singular Creator shaping comedy on the Internet, from his innovative social media sketches to his “Coulda Been Records” auditions to his national “Coulda Fest” arena tour.
• Pete Davidson will receive a 2026 Webby Special Achievement Award for his singular voice in comedy and his impact across streaming, film, and digital culture including this year’s debut of hit podcast The Pete Davidson Show on Netflix.

For the second year in a row, the Webbys have partnered with Adobe, the company behind Adobe Firefly, the all-in-one creative AI studio, to present the Webby Awards’ Special Achievement in Creative AI Award. This award recognizes groundbreaking creatives redefining artistic expression through emerging technologies, pushing the boundaries of storytelling, creativity and digital culture. This year’s recipient, James Gerde is being recognized for his innovative work as an AI-native filmmaker and creator redefining visual storytelling. Through his studio Gerde Got It, Gerde transforms everyday footage into intricately stylized, imaginative worlds for social-first audiences. Drawing on a multidisciplinary background in filmmaking, writing, and music, he uses AI as a creative partner that amplifies his vision while keeping transparency and authorship at the core of his process. Gerde frequently shares insights into his work and credits source material, reflecting an artist-led approach that emphasizes intention and creative integrity.

“This 30th Anniversary class of Webby Winners is a reflection of the Internet at its best: vibrant, diverse, and continuously innovative,” said Jesse Feister, Executive Director, Webby Media Group. “From global superstars, viral online personalities, and culture-defining entertainment, to AI platforms like Google Gemini and Claude Code, these honorees are the voices setting the standard for digital excellence. We are proud to champion their creativity and celebrate the extraordinary ways they are shaping the future of the online world.”

The Webby Awards will award Google with the Brand of the Year achievement with 13 Webby Wins, 18 People’s Voice Wins, 22 Nominees, and 11 Honorees.

iHeart Media will receive the Webby Podcast Company of the Year achievement, with 2 Webby Wins and 4 People’s Voice Wins, 17 Nominees, and 10 Honorees.

Additionally, the Academy announced PBS as the Webby Media Company of the Year for earning the most honors across all Webby categories with an impressive 7 Webby Wins, 10 People’s Voice Wins, 22 Nominees, and 7 Honorees.

KPMG provides vote tabulation consulting for The Webby Awards. To view the full list of Winners, please visit http://webbyawards.com/winners

2026 Webby Award Winners Include:

• Air: Where All Creators are Heroes featuring The Rizzler won the Webby Award for Best Creative Use of AI & Technology, Creator Excellence (Creators)
• Apple Pay won the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for Shopping & Retail, Consumer Apps (Apps, Software & Immersive)
• Are You Okay? won the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for Interview or Talk Show, Social Content Series (Social)
• Bye Bye Dongle – Logitech won the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for B2B, Branded Content (Advertising, Media & PR)
• Claude Code won the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for Best Product or Service, AI Features & Innovation (AI)
• Colin & Samir won the Webby Award for Best Duo or Group, Creator Excellence (Creators)
• Feel Good Foodie won the People’s Voice Award for Creator Launch or Drop, Creator Business (Creators)
• Flow won the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for Creative Tools, AI Experiences & Applications (AI)
• FidoCure: Revolutionizing dog cancer treatment won the People’s Voice Award for Healthcare & Life Sciences, AI Experiences & Applications (AI)
• Figma Slides: All hands on deck won the Webby Award for B2B, Branded Entertainment (Video & Film)
• GoFundMe Giving Funds won the People’s Voice Award for Responsible Innovation, Responsible Technology (Websites & Mobile Sites)
• Google Gemini 3 won the Webby Award for Best AI Technical Achievement, AI Features & Innovation (AI)
• Good Hang with Amy Poehler won the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for Best Host, Features (Podcasts)
• Heated Rivalry social won the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for Best Social Campaign, Social Features (Social)
• Justin Bieber Livestream on Twitch won the Webby Award for Creator Launch or Drop, Creator Business (Creators)
• KATSEYE and GAP’s “Better in Denim” won the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle, Branded Entertainment (Video & Film)
• Kendrick Lamar & SZA – Luther won the Webby Award for Music Video, General Video & Film (Video & Film)
• Lady Gaga Monster Press Conference – Spotify won the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for Events & Livestreams, Social Campaigns (Social)
• LEGO® Party! won the Webby Award for Kids & Family, Games General (Games)
• Lionel Messi Intercepts the Super Bowl – Apple won the Webby Award for Social Video, Individual (Advertising, Media & PR)
• MasterClass On Call won the Webby Award for Best Real-Time Engagement, AI Features & Innovation (AI)
• More Than A Game – ACLU won the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for Sports, General Video & Film (Video & Film)
• MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories won the People’s Voice Award for Newsletter or Written Stories, Creator Business (Creators)
• Mythical Kitchen won the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for Food & Drink, General Social (Social)
• NASA’s Curious Universe: The Earth Series won the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for Health, Science & Education, Limited-Series & Specials (Podcasts)
• NikeSKIMS Spring ’26 Campaign featuring Blackpink’s LISA won the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for Launch or Drop, Advertising Campaigns (Advertising, Media & PR)
• New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce won the People’s Voice Award for Sports, Shows (Podcasts)
• NOW YOU SEE ME: NOW YOU DON’T – MAKING MAGIC HAPPEN WITH ZACH KING won the Webby Award for Entertainment or Meme, General Creator (Creators)
• NPR Music Tiny Desk Concerts won the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for Entertainment & Music, Series & Channels (Video & Film)
• PayPal Open: From Farmers Market to Global Markets won the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for Best B2B Campaign, Media Campaigns (Advertising, Media & PR)
• Sabrina Carpenter “Tears” won the People’s Voice Award for Music Video, General Video & Film (Video & Film)
• Samsung x Google Gemini Museum Tour won the Webby Award for Best Immersive Technology Innovation, Immersive Experiences (Apps, Software & Immersive)
• Severance S2 – Tune-In Campaign won the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for Social Media Campaign, Advertising Campaigns (Advertising, Media & PR)
• Sinners Theatrical Social Campaign won the Webby Award for Best Overall Social Presence – Media/Entertainment, Social Features (Social)
• Smirnoff x Troye Sivan: Go Off! won the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for Digital Campaign, Advertising Campaigns (Advertising, Media & PR)
• SNL50: The Anniversary Special won the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for Events & Live, Limited-Series & Specials (Video & Film)
• Steph Curry Shoots the Moon won the People’s Voice Award for Best Use of Earned Media, Media Campaigns (Advertising, Media & PR)
• Take a Moment with Elmo and Jonathan Bailey won the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for Health & Wellness, Social Video Short Form (Social)
• Thanks Dad with Ego Nwodim won the Webby Award for Interview or Talk Show – Entertainment & Culture, Shows (Podcasts)
• The Beatles Anthology 2025 won the People’s Voice Award for Arts, Culture & Lifestyle, Social Campaigns (Social)
• The Daily Show won the Webby Award for Comedy, General Social (Social)
• The @MeetCutesNYC Universe won the Webby Award for Cross-Platform Presence, Creator Business (Creators)
• The Don Lemon Show won the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for Best Video Podcast Host, Features (Podcasts)
• The Intersection by MeidasTouch won the People’s Voice Award for Best New Podcast – News, Business & Society, Features (Podcasts)
• The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon won the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for Entertainment, General Social (Social)
• The Way Meditation App won the People’s Voice Award for Best Visual Design – Function, App Excellence (Apps, Software & Immersive)
• Timothée Chalamet for Cash App won the Webby Award for Short Form, Branded Entertainment (Video & Film)
• Toast x Keith Lee “It’s the Little Things” won a Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for Creator/Influencer Partnership or Collaboration – Brand, Creator Business (Creators)
• Touch: Beyond Vision – AI for Blind won the Webby Award for Belonging & Inclusion, AI Experiences & Applications (AI)
• Tracking Bad Bunny won the Webby Award for Best Community or Fan Engagement – Media/Entertainment, Social Features (Social)
• Trixie Mattel won the People’s Voice Award for Entertainment or Meme, General Creator (Creators)
• Try Guys Try Ghost Hunting won the Webby Award for Best Creator-to-Creator Collaboration, Creator Excellence (Creators)
• Waymo | Safety Hub won the Webby Award for Best Responsible AI Implementation, AI Features & Innovation (AI)
• The White Lotus Official Podcast won the Webby Award for Television & Film, Individual Episode (Podcasts)
• Zarna Garg & Malala: Almost-Therapy Skit won the People’s Voice Award for Best Shortform Video, Creator Excellence (Creators)
• Zohran for NYC (New York City Mayoral Primary) won the Webby Award and People’s Voice Award for Politics & Advocacy, Branded Content (Advertising, Media & PR)

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About The Webby Awards
Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet, including Websites and Mobile Sites; Video; Advertising, Media & PR; Apps & Software; Social; Games; Podcasts; Creators and AI. Established in 1996, The Webby Awards received over 13,000 entries from all 50 states and over 70 countries worldwide this year. The Webby Awards are presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences (IADAS). Sponsors and Partners of the Webby Awards include Adobe, WP Engine, Meltwater, Patreon, ElevenLabs, Framer, Meta Lab, NAACP, KPMG, Wall Street Journal, Deadline,The Hollywood Reporter, SXSW, Scalable, and The Society of Digital Agencies.

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