Here, we look at the top 5 YouTube trends from the last year and the human truths that are driving them.
What are millions of people choosing to watch on the world’s largest video platform?
Some of 2021’s most successful videos were follow-ups to top-viewed videos.
For example, Sidemen’s third iteration of their “Tinder in Real Life” series was a smash hit, topping the original’s view count by almost 1.5x.
The success of sequels reveals how
viewers are taking comfort in familiarity, particularly amid times of uncertainty.
Once viewers are invested in content they love, they begin to actively seek out more of the same.
Creators are using live streams to connect with their audiences in real time, making cultural moments a communal affair.
When HikakinTV live streamed his road to 10M subscribers, fans flocked to be part of this emotional milestone. Simple yet heartwarming, this was Japan’s No. 1 trending video in 2021.
You don’t need big budgets or intricate scripts to captivate audiences.
The popularity of live streams shows that viewers are placing value on authentic and immediate content that reflects real life.
Once a subculture, gaming is now
undeniably pop culture. The first half of 2021 saw over 800B gaming-related views on YouTube.
Top creators like India’s Payal Gaming inject their personalities into gaming content, from gameplay videos to comedic
highlights.
Gaming is more than holding a controller — it’s joining a community.
Digital audiences seek content they can relate to and tribes they can align with, and gaming pop culture provides a colorful backdrop for diverse storytelling and engaging experiences.
YouTube is now an established podcast destination, buoyed by greater demand for audio content and multisensory experiences.
For example, Singapore’s breakout
creator, The Daily Ketchup Podcast, has
attracted 28K subscribers and over 2.8M views just six months after its launch.
The rise of video podcasts shows how viewers are seeking to build deeper connections with the content and creators they care about.
Providing behind-the-scenes
access can help to establish virtual proximity for viewers, while offering creators and brands an opportunity to show a different or more intimate side of themselves.
Is reality more captivating than fiction?
Millions of people seem to think so.
Jeenie.Weenie’s snappy Shorts about being a flight attendant rake in up to 40M views.
Top creators are tapping into the quick,
informal aspect of Shorts to spotlight the humor and relatability of daily life.
Regardless of themes or topics, this year’s most popular Shorts had one thing in common: they were relatable.
Today’s viewers are looking for content that is unfiltered and unpretentious.