When it comes to entertainment, certain universal truths apply to almost every human being on the planet. First up, 

. Watching someone use a tiny amount of resources to achieve something big never gets old. Second, those stories have the power to motivate, inspire, and help others become a phenomenon themselves.

, a name synonymous with innovation and creativity, managed to do on YouTube. By making inspirational challenge videos, he has gained more than 14.5 million subscribers and over 2.7 billion video views in just a few years. His success as a content creators proves that anyone can rise to the top of their niche through dedication and ingenuity.

Ryan was born on October 7, 1998, in Eagle Lake, Texas. Growing up, his early exposure to YouTube sparked a passion that would soon define his career. 

However, his early videos are nothing like the content he uploads today. Back then, Ryan was documenting his dream to pursue a collegiate career in track and field. It was only after shifting to challenge-style videos that he found his audience and saw his channel grow quickly. 

In 2023, Ryan's channel was earning anywhere from 38 million views to 100 million 

Ryan Trahan's views growth each month in 2023

In a similar growth fashion, 100,000 to 420,000 people subscribe to his channel every month.

Ryan Trahan's subscriber growth on Youtube each month

Ryan's most-viewed video so far is "I Spent 100 Days in the Metaverse." It has more than 42 million views and explores the reality (or more accurately, the non-reality) of visiting the Metaverse.

But when it comes to YouTube Shorts, Ryan's biggest hit is "Reacting to Strangers in the Airport." That has a whopping 116 million views and counting.

 is a masterclass in YouTube content creation. In this collection of videos, he uses a single penny to survive for 30 days, capturing the hearts of viewers worldwide. This challenge not only showcased his creativity but also his ability to connect with his audience on a personal level. With this series, Ryan garnered over a billion views on his channel!

At the core of Ryan's content lies his exceptional 

. Whether it's the penny series or other engaging videos, Ryan knows how to weave a narrative that keeps viewers glued to their screens. His talent for storytelling is evident in the way he structures his videos, creating suspense and curiosity that encourages viewers to watch until the end. Watch him explain how he does it in this interview with Anthony Padilla.

Innovative Challenges: Ryan's Signature Approach

Ryan's penchant for designing innovative challenges sets him apart in the YouTube space. His videos aren't just entertaining; they're relatable and downright inspiring.

After his penny series on YouTube blew up, Ryan managed to keep the shock value of his videos through lucrative titles and a vlog-style approach. You'll notice that he created his own content recipe: challenges + storytelling = 

. And within that niche, he does four exceptional things to stand out on YouTube.

Positivity is a recurring theme in Ryan's videos. His focus on uplifting content not only entertains but also inspires his viewers. This positive approach has been instrumental in building a supportive and enthusiastic community around his channel. Even through his famous penny series, he managed to raise 

$1.4 million for the Feeding America Foundation

YouTube is competitive, and first impressions matter. Ryan understands this well, as evidenced by his attention to thumbnail design. His thumbnails are crafted to grab attention and spark curiosity, drawing viewers into his videos.

In an interview with Colin and Samir, Ryan reveals how he nails the 

of his video before everything else. Watch it below!

Ryan's content creation process balances creativity with audience expectations. He constantly experiments with new ideas while staying true to what his viewers love. This delicate balance is key to his sustained success on the platform.

Did you know that compilations are blowing up on YouTube? Ryan takes advantage of this by doing multi-day challenges and then compiling the footage from each day to make one long video. These are one-hour highlight reels that recapture the journey and provide one more chance to earn millions of views.

For example, Ryan once traveled 3,624 miles in one week with a meager budget of €0.01. He created seven videos to capture the journey and one long video to highlight the whole experience. Check it out below!

As Ryan continues to evolve, the future of his channel looks promising. Fans and creators alike should look forward to his viral challenges and any other project he decides to pursue.

Like any successful YouTuber, he has faced his share of challenges. However, his ability to turn these obstacles into opportunities for growth is what makes him so compelling.

Here are some frequently asked questions about Ryan and his YouTube journey.

Ryan Trahan got married to YouTuber Haley Pham in 2020. Watch his proposal video 

Ryan initially shared track and field training tips, but he gained mainstream popularity through his penny series on YouTube.

How much did Ryan Trahan make from the penny series?

Ryan made about $1.7 million through the series and managed to fund 14 million meals to feed the hungry through his earnings.

Ryan Trahan's success on YouTube has translated into significant earnings. According to our stats, Ryan makes anywhere between $214.1K and $642.4K per month. This adds up to an estimated net worth of about $8.5 million.

Ryan Trahan against a blue-purple background with the YouTube logo

Ryan Trahan's rise on YouTube is an inspiration to influencers everywhere. Here's how the challenge creator built his video empire and gained millions of YouTube subscribers.


Creator Chronicles: The Meteoric Rise of Ryan Trahan on YouTube

So, you want to become a gaming creator on YouTube but are still undecided on what to upload? Well, the good news is that you’re spoilt for choice! On YouTube, gaming has a sizeable audience and plenty of niches to choose from. With that kind of popularity, it's not surprising to see gamers growing new channels every week.

Every niche comes with its prerequisites, and although they aren’t written in stone, some have been proven favorable by history. So, here are 6 niches you can explore to 

Speedrunning in gaming means finishing a video game, or parts of it, as quickly as you can. And while exploring specific in-game mechanics and glitches is something viewers love to see, you need to be a highly-skilled gamer to get good speedruns consistently.

By extension, choosing the right game becomes the most important decision here. Since you’ll likely be spending hours, maybe months on the game, it's wise to pick something you enjoy playing casually. There are many popular options to choose from like 

which are classics in this genre. Once you’ve established yourself as a credible speedrunner in one game, you can explore more games.

It's no coincidence that speedrunning collected over a billion views in 2021

The Let’s Play niche has been popular in YouTube gaming for many years now; some might even say this is where gaming on YouTube started. Contrary to speedrunning, raw skills are not as vital in this niche. A successful Let’s Play creator is engaging and entertaining while also contributing some of their expertise to the video.

Let's Play channels have all kinds of viewers. While some users like YouTube Shorts with some commentary, others prefer receiving 30-minute videos every day. But regardless of the content you make, it needs rich storytelling and your creative vision.

Need inspiration? Check out the OGs in this niche like 

Have you ever been stuck on a particular level in a game and looked for a way out on YouTube? Most likely, you sought help from a video game walkthrough. These videos show less experienced players how to win faster and better. 

Plus, walkthroughs give viewers a sneak peek into games that they aren't able to purchase yet. In addition to letting viewers unwind, they may be a useful resource for gamers who want to understand exactly what a game delivers and whether its plot is compelling.

, and other walkthrough channels for some nice and cozy content.

Recently, we've noticed that long, descriptive content based on certain games (or categories of games) is gaining traction on YouTube. Most of these are video essays and documentaries; they require creators to spend more time on their content and focus heavily on production.

If you're someone who truly enjoys the experience of a video game and can translate that through stories and anecdotes, go for it! Share your own unique experience (which no one else can replicate).

Gameplay walkthroughs can help you with temporary problems, but guides and tutorials allow you to dig deeper. A content creator in this niche not only requires some nice mechanical skills but also extensive knowledge of a game.

The primary goal of gaming tutorials should be to help viewers win. In general, a tutorial should address a concern that someone else could have, such as how to navigate a challenging level or comprehend a weaponry system.

 do a great job of making engaging and creative gameplay guides, so check them out!

A few years back, almost everyone thought of Twitch when it came to gaming livestreams. But YouTube is keeping up with that giant and even has 

Livestreaming in general requires specific skills to produce a good video

. You have to be aware of the entertainment you’re providing without compromising the quality of your content while also interacting with the chat. It's a plateful, but the rewards can be exceptional. Livestreaming is one of the best ways to establish a brand on YouTube now and it’s only going to get bigger.

5 Tools You Need to Improve Your YouTube Livestreams Today

If you like games but don’t want to play them on your channel, this niche is where you’ll find your footing. Viewers will show up to get an idea of what they want to play next or discover new titles on the way.

That's because watching video game reviews is one of the best ways to determine whether a game is worth purchasing. And, of course, the best place to watch them is on YouTube! It's a platform with millions of creators who have a wide range of opinions. 

You can also share gaming news to keep your pool of content wider. Remember, the key to standing out here is cultivating and expressing your own opinion to set yourself apart.

 are a couple of really good channels here.

As mentioned above, these aren’t the only gaming niches to pursue — just the most popular. You can break these down even further and venture off into hundreds of sub-niches that exist today or are waiting to be created. There will

 be something unique to explore, so stay sharp.

For more tips, watch this video explaining how four different gaming channels have mastered their craft and continue to grow on YouTube!

To sum it all up, the niches above have been reliable for a long time, and that’s not going to change anytime soon.

If you want to learn more, here are the 47 best niches on YouTube.

If you're looking for a suitable niche in the YouTube gaming sphere, you've come to the right place. Read on to discover which channel topic is right for you!

Discover the Top YouTube Gaming Niches for 2024

Despite last month being the year's big and final holiday season, 2023 ended very well for many creators. Viewers enjoyed an array of channels across genres, and here we have a list of 10 small creators who outperformed the competition.

As always, if you're part of our tribe — 

 to level up your YouTube game — this celebration is all about you.

Top Channels Passing 1,000 Subscribers in December

 makes insightful videos using facts and daily quizzes.

makes soothing and lo-fi melodies using popular music.

 creates optical illusions, mind tricks, and fun challenges.

 is a full-time actuarial analyst who teaches mathematical concepts.

is a kids’ entertainment channel that produces engaging content.

 creates curated playlists of popular Hindi songs.

 helps you unwind and relax with soothing music.

 creates motivational content through video essays.

Congrats to everyone who grew their channels quickly last month! 🥳

Swing by our top YouTube channels section to discover even more creators:

This month, we're looking back at small channels that surpassed 1,000 subscribers in December 2023. Get to know who they are in this roundup!

10 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 1,000 Subs FAST [December]

Contrary to popular belief, going viral is a skill that can be learned. That's what YouTube sensation MrBeast claims in 

That doesn't apply to small YouTube channels, especially those lacking millions of subscribers.

 work? What if we told you that viral YouTube videos aren't all that mysterious?

3 Ways to Discover Viral YouTube Video Ideas

Viral videos gain popularity through internet sharing, typically on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X. In fact, Harvard Business Review reported that videos reach their viral peak faster when shared within 

. Videos are considered 'viral' when they reach 2 million views (or more) in just a few days.

Let's return to the HBR article to answer this question. In the post, HBR shares interesting data from Unruly, a marketing technology company that has studied 430 billion video views. The findings suggested that 

 — a small group of people who share videos in the first 48 hours — kick start the viral process.

But why do they do this? Unruly noticed 10 motivators for sharing videos online.

A pie chart of 10 reasons people share videos online

Seeing what friends and family think about it

Viral videos evoke strong emotions which compel viewers to share them within their own networks. These videos have the potential to reach a 

 within hours or even minutes of being posted!

But viral content doesn't need to have a specific 'look' to attract views. Oftentimes, this is what a viral video looks like on YouTube:

The important thing to notice here is the sheer difference between views and subscribers related to this video. This disparity means that the audience chose to watch the video for its content and not just the person behind it.

Creating a viral video takes more than luck, as YouTube educator 

. It's more like cooking. Some ingredients are nice to have, but you can only mimic a dish when you have the main ingredients.

Choose a topic that resonates with your target audience.

The first 8-10 seconds should grab the viewer's attention.

Keep viewers engaged throughout the video.

 The viewer leaves the video feeling transformed.

Strategies for Making Your Videos Go Viral

Woman looking at phone with social emojis swirling around her head

Strategy 1: Creating Compelling, Shareable Videos

The first step to creating a viral video is to ensure that it is compelling and shareable. People are more likely to share content that evokes strong emotions, etc such as laughter, awe, or surprise. So, try to be entertaining, informative, or thought-provoking while keeping the video short and concise to maintain viewers' attention.

What this typically comes down to is telling a good story

. Make viewers feel giggly, happy, or sad, but no matter what, make them feel something. You can even surprise them with plot twists and cliffhangers.

Social media platforms play a crucial role in making videos go viral. With billions of users worldwide, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter offer a vast audience for your videos to be seen and shared. 

To leverage social media platforms effectively, consider the following tips:

 Different social media platforms cater to different demographics and content types. Research your target audience and select the platforms that align with their preferences.

 Hashtags can help increase the discoverability of your videos on social media. Research popular hashtags related to your industry or topic and include them in your video posts.

 Responding to comments, messages, and mentions on social media shows that you value your audience's feedback and want them to engage with your content.

A search bar overlayed on top of the image of man typing

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a key aspect of virality. 

 for search engines can increase their visibility and improve their chances of going viral. If you've been putting a lot of effort into your videos, but they aren't seeing the big numbers, you could be lacking in SEO.

To optimize your video SEO, consider the following tips:

 Research keywords related to your industry or topic and include them in your video titles, descriptions, and tags.

Provide a comprehensive description of your video that includes relevant keywords, so search engines understand your content.

 Captions and subtitles make your videos accessible to a wider audience, including those who are hearing impaired or watching without sound.

 Design an eye-catching thumbnail that accurately represents the content of your video (thumbnails are shown on search pages).

Strategy 4: Analyze Performance and Apply New Insights

The final strategy for making your videos go viral is analyzing their performance and iterating on future content. By analyzing data such as views, engagement rates, and shares, you learn what works and what doesn't. 

To analyze and iterate effectively, consider the following tips:

 that tracks views, watch time, engagement rate, and audience demographics.

 Look for patterns or trends in your successful videos by carefully observing performance data.

 Adapt your content based on what performs well and discard strategies that don't produce results.

Quite recently, one of our videos went viral on YouTube and is currently sitting at 

 and how he's grown his channel exponentially in 2023.

Our in-house expert, John, explained how he made it happen in a separate video (above), and here's what you need to know:

 Our viral adventure began with Sam Sulek, a rising YouTube sensation. We saw a potential story in his rising subscriber count and the authenticity trend that's been sweeping YouTube since the pandemic. Combining a trending topic with our audience's desire (YouTube growth) helped us produce an interesting video.

 As we know already, a video's success often hinges on its title and thumbnail. They're like the cover of a book, enticing viewers to dive in. We used the ICE method (Imagery, Curiosity, Expectation) to craft ours. Remember, your title and thumbnail should not only grab attention but also set the right expectations.

 Have you ever clicked on a video and realized it's not what the title and thumbnail suggest? Annoying, right? We made sure our content aligned with what our thumbnail and title promised. It's all about respecting your audience and delivering what you've promised.

 Our first cut for the video wasn't perfect. We had to re-edit to better match our title and thumbnail, but we didn't stop. Here's a golden nugget for you: 

. Your first draft doesn't have to be your final. Be open to feedback and willing to make changes.

 Initially, our video didn't do great. But then, the YouTube algorithm picked it up, and the views skyrocketed. So, focus on creating content that engages. Even if your video doesn't take off immediately, don't lose hope.

Check the video above to get a deeper understanding of how we made it all happen. And while you're at it, swing by the description box to get a free template for making viral YouTube videos!

identifying your unique voice as a creator

 leads to virality. Authenticity is the soul of what makes a video viral; it's what makes people relate to your content and share it with others. So, be yourself and let your unique personality shine through.

Creating a viral video might seem like finding a needle in a haystack, but it's not an impossible task. So, fellow creators, take heart. Your viral moment could be just around the corner, waiting for you to seize it!

Going viral on YouTube isn't just about luck; it's a skill to be learned. Find out how you can maximize the chance of going viral with your content!

How to Get Your First Viral YouTube Video: The Blueprint

On YouTube, there is nothing better than getting feedback from your viewers, especially when the insights make your content better. Sometimes, the best way to get this information is by 

 on the YouTube Community Tab. It's a fantastic way to spark new conversations, address real pain points, and introduce ideas that grow your channel.

 is about making your life better as a content creator. Through our polls, we try to understand your problems holistically and share tips and tools to fuel your success.

 all kinds of questions in 2023. You gave us thousands of responses, sharing what you felt about YouTube, the monetization game, and your individual growth journeys. 

YouTube Insights from the vidIQ Community

 make up most of our community. Many of them are grinding their way toward 

 so they can get monetized. Our insights are from creators who watch the vidIQ channel or interact with our community posts.

Want a brief snapshot? Here are seven YouTube statistics that show what small creators (in the vidIQ community) were thinking, feeling, and doing this year:

59% think YouTube's monetization rules and processes are fair.

85% love longer videos (rather than Shorts).

72% would choose 1,000 subscribers over 10,000 views.

92% want "forever growth" instead of "fast growth" on YouTube.

72% are interested in video editing courses (rather than thumbnail design courses).

69% believed their YouTube journey was going better in 2023 compared with 2022.

First of all, a massive shoutout to the vidIQ community for engaging with us and participating in the polls. Your support keeps us motivated! Having said that, these were the most popular, opinionated polls on our community tab in 2023.

1. Are YouTube's monetization requirements fair?

In this poll, we asked our community their thoughts on 

. Although it was a close contest, the majority of respondents think the rules and processes are fair. This makes sense given that YouTube is making life easier for small channels, from 

We like to check up on our loyal viewers from time to time. In this poll, we wanted to know 

how our community was doing on YouTube in 2023

, good or bad. Much to our pleasure, 70% of the participants said their year was going “better than [they] thought.” We’re glad to be of service!

Now, we know our community is primarily new creators trying to make it on the platform. But, as a fun experiment, we posted a poll asking 

. Expectedly, the majority of people said “1.” However, a respectable 19% chose “2”, which was pleasantly surprising! After all, we interviewed a creator this year who runs more than 20 

4. I love…(YouTube Shorts or YouTube Longs)

YouTube Shorts are a powerful tool for channel discovery, but it looks like our community loves 

 more. A staggering 85% would rather make or watch longer content.

5. Which thumbnail would you click on (and why in the comments)?

 they would click on. Through these polls, we learned what our viewers like aesthetically. So far, bold, yet simple thumbnails are winning the race!

6. Which would you rather have? (views or subscribers)

 1,000 YouTube subscribers or 10,000 video views. A whopping 72% opted for 1,000 subscribers, which makes sense considering it is one of the requirements for 

7. Which one do you want to be: 'fast-growing' or 'forever growing'?

This is another image poll asking creators 

: faster in the short term or steadily in the long run. 92% of participants chose “forever growing” instead of “fast-growing”, and we couldn’t agree more with the results! This proves that many creators aren't looking to go viral here and there; they want to grow large channels with longevity.

8. Do you think YouTube is better or worse than this time last year (why?)

 in 2023. Looking at the comments, many creators feel this way because their channels are growing, they're excited to learn content creation, and they love how YouTube is improving the platform.

9. Would you rather take a YouTube course on...

With this poll, we got an answer to a very important question that pops up now and then. We asked our viewers whether they would take a course on 

. The majority, with 72% votes, chose “video editing.” This proves that making presentable videos is important to small creators.

10. What type of device do you primarily watch YouTube on?

 to watch YouTube on, and a staggering 78% chose “Phone.” Maybe that's why YouTube Shorts are so explosive this year...

Looking for a New Year's resolution to pursue in 2024? Start polling your audience on the YouTube Community Tab! With thousands of poll responses, this is an easy way to 

Everything you need is in the YouTube Studio, and there are plenty of features to customize your content.

How to Use the YouTube Community Tab and Engage with Viewers

 icon at the top of your YouTube homepage. Select Create Post from the drop-down menu.

Community post create tab on YouTube page 

Once again, we would like to thank every community member for participating in our polls and helping us grow with you! The new year is fast approaching, and 

here’s how to prepare for YouTube growth in 2024.

Through many polls, we learned more about small creators in 2023. Here's how they view monetization, YouTube Shorts, and what it means to grow with longevity.

Poll Data: 10 YouTube Stats About the Small Creator Journey

the top gaming creators on YouTube pulled in over 300 million subscribers collectively.

 With numbers like that, it's safe to say that interest won't be declining any time soon; viewers will embrace gaming content for years to come.

Maybe that's why creators in the vidIQ community choose to leverage this popular niche. To prove that point, here are the top 15 gaming channels from the last month that outperformed everyone else!

Ready, Set, Game: Discover the Top YouTube Gaming Niches for 2023

 creates content around car simulation games.

is an FPS gamer who plays multiple titles.

is a content creator who likes animal survival games.

 does gameplay walkthroughs on popular titles.

uploads content on time simulation games.

Saluting gaming's newest YouTube stars! This list showcases 15 creators from the vidIQ community who defied the 'saturated niche' myth to grow their channels!

Posts Written By Uttaran Samaddar

Creator Chronicles: The Meteoric Rise of Ryan Trahan on YouTube

Discover the Top YouTube Gaming Niches for 2024

10 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 1,000 Subs FAST [December]

How to Get Your First Viral YouTube Video: The Blueprint

Poll Data: 10 YouTube Stats About the Small Creator Journey

15 Fastest-Growing Gaming Channels on YouTube [December]

Your Channel Refresh: How to Prepare for YouTube Growth in 2024

How to Get More YouTube Likes [and Influence the Algorithm]

10 Fastest-Growing Tech Channels on YouTube [November]

How to Monetize a YouTube Podcast: Brand Deals and Sponsorships

Can Ad Blockers Tank Your YouTube Views and Watch Time?

How to Write the Best Titles for YouTube Shorts