Every creator needs a few things to build a successful YouTube video: a good title, an attractive thumbnail, an addictive hook, and, most importantly, some really dope, well-edited content! And this doesn't apply to just regular YouTube videos. You need these tools to create viral YouTube Shorts, too, except you only have 60 seconds to work with.

2 billion active monthly users and 15 billion views

 generated daily, YouTube Shorts is the golden egg you simply can't ignore. So, we picked out the most-viewed Shorts to understand how and why they viral in 2023. Let's begin!

How to Get More YouTube Shorts Views on Your Channel

A classic YouTube switch and bait, the title of this video is bound to infuriate viewers. But, by the end, the video takes a wholesome turn and we have our faiths restored! The storytelling in the video, accompanied by good music and simple editing, gives it a genuine feel, and we as viewers feel more emotionally invested.

Telling a wholesome story is great, but sprinkle some artistic talent on top, and voila, you have an instantly viral Short. This creator uses his spray painting skills to paint his daughters’ favorite cartoon. The reveal, along with the uplifting music, leaves us with no other choice but to leave this man a like!

Documents a creative process, behind-the-scenes style

If you’re addicted to watching cleaning videos on YouTube, then this one shouldn’t be surprising. Just look at how all that dirt washes off in seconds: Isn’t that so satisfying? The editing is crisp too, adding to the overall positive viewing experience.

One thing that rarely fails on YouTube, or any other social media for that matter, is achieving expertise in your skill. Couple that with a unique idea and some cool editing, and you have what it takes to make a viral Short. This man’s parkour skills will leave you wanting more!

Displays an exciting talent (parkour jumps)

Uses that talent to remix a popular game (tic-tac-toe)

Employs a level of creativity beyond most videos

What do you get when you mix two of the most popular search terms on YouTube? A viral Short! Food videos are great to watch, but adding that ASMR element takes it to the next level. The editing is absolutely world-class as well, giving us some awesome sound effects.

Efficient editing leaves no dulls moments

Prepares an unexpected treat (a three-layer s'more)

Fast-moving clips and sound effects command your full attention

Challenges, especially creative ones, seem to do well in all formats on YouTube. The stakes are high in this video, which keeps the audience hooked until the very end to see who wins the game. Challenges like these are fun to watch and can be remixed by any creator looking to reach more viewers on YouTube.

Shows a unique challenge with high stakes

Ends on a high note and plot twist (the winner doesn't like milk)

Another massively popular category on YouTube is comedy. Although funny Shorts may seem like a saturated niche, you can't fail when your story is original and relatable. In this video, a problem we have all faced before becomes an entertaining comedy skit!

The problem keeps escalating, making the Short even funnier

Another challenge video, but this time it’s physical sports. Watching this video will give you a rush of adrenaline as participants move through different stages of the race by playing popular sports we all love! The commentary adds to the hype of the video and keeps you glued to your seat.

Keeps you engaged with action-packed adventure

Motivational commentary hypes up the challenge

Shows a feel-good moment (the victor celebrating)

Want to create your own viral Short? It’s simple: Just become a master at editing! Here we have the king of transitions and mind-blowing edits himself, casually stealing the Big Ben, or so it appears. This Short reinforces the idea that if you can master a single aspect of YouTube creativity, viewers will flock to your channel!

Shows a familiar yet entertaining character (the pocket thief) 

Takes editing to a new level of excitement

Shows viewers a cool trick they've never seen before

You can't talk about the most-viewed YouTube Shorts, or any kind of video on YouTube, and not mention MrBeast! This Short reminds us that the fundamental aspect of what makes a good video, regardless of format, is good storytelling! The title makes you click, and the content makes sure you stay until the end.

Shows a cool plot twist (buying someone a Disneyland ticket)

Captures the emotional satisfaction of the recipient

Fast-paced editing leaves no dull moments

Capitalizing on popular trends is another great way to make your Short viral, especially now that trends migrate to every platform. Although some trends might originate from other platforms like Instagram or Tiktok, everything eventually comes to YouTube. And if you can add your unique twist, viewers might just repost your content!

Capitalizes on the trend of short reaction videos

Uplifting music makes the video enjoyable

8 Characteristics of Viral YouTube Shorts

So, there you have it. Shorts go viral on YouTube for a few reasons, but these are the most common:

The videos show a unique skill or talent.

There's a competition of some kind, often between friends.

The storytelling is on point (music, editing, special effects, etc.).

If you’re inspired by this list, get ready to upload your own Short! 

We've got you covered with 9 viral video ideas.

What makes a YouTube Short go viral? We analyzed the most popular ones in 2023 to find out!

Analyzing Popular YouTube Shorts: What Makes Them Go Viral?

As of 2023, YouTube has grown into an enormous platform 

with over 2 billion monthly active users.

 And, with the increasing number of people using the platform, the number of niches has also expanded.

Although any topic can become its own category, and every category can have many niches on YouTube, only a few have stood the test of time. Here are 37 that viewers keep coming back to!

Gaming remains one of the most viewed categories on YouTube, 

with over 500 million monthly active users.

 This genre includes gameplay videos, tutorial-style walkthroughs, reviews, and much more.

The gaming space is dominated by big names. You have famous creators like 

 dominating the space with billions of YouTube views. But it's also a genre where new creators continue to build a successful following.

11 Killer Tips for Starting a YouTube Gaming Channel in 2023

Music is another popular category on YouTube, and it even boasts 

. YouTube has become a go-to source for discovering new music, and it is a significant platform for both established and upcoming artists. 

It's no small achievement when many well-known musicians can point to videos on YouTube with billions of views. The key to success is not just a dedicated base of viewers, but also top-notch content.

Playing an instrument or teaching others how to play it

Reviewing songs, albums, and musical performances

Some might say the earliest well-known YouTubers were those that documented their travels. Truth be told, interest in this industry has consistently grown over time.

Based on your style of traveling, you can focus on making your content more educational, such as posting travel guides or videos to assist tourists. You can even post entertaining videos, like interviews with locals or a day visiting famous attractions. 

No matter what, travelers engage their viewers through first-person stories and experiences. There are many ways to do this, which creates a lot of opportunities in this popular category.

Popular Travel Vlogging Niches on YouTube:

For most of us, the journey of fitness begins with YouTube. After all, who 

 checked out a deadlift tutorial before entering the gym?

But even outside the gym, viewers look for channels to help them achieve their body goals, from introductory yoga to weighted jump ropes for muscle building.

You aren't limited to creating YouTube videos, either. This category has so many niches! You can create a wide variety of content, including blogs, fitness classes, one-on-one training sessions, and much more.

Home, bodyweight, and calisthenics workouts

Weight loss, nutrition and diet, and personal transformation

Are you an authority in your profession or one area of study? If there aren't many experts producing that kind of material, your knowledge could spark an interesting niche on YouTube.

Ever since the pandemic, online education has been rapidly growing. Educational content continues to be a popular category on YouTube, with millions of viewers tuning in to learn from experts across various fields.

Teaching popular subjects like history, math and science

Study along, study skills, or educational tips and tricks

In the U.S., live sports viewership is expected to exceed 90 million in 2025

 — and that’s just one aspect of this category. It also includes sports highlights, analyses, and interviews with athletes. YouTube has become a significant platform for sports enthusiasts to stay up-to-date with the latest news and events in their favorite sports.

 have chosen YouTube as their medium of choice when connecting with fans.

Sports news, analysis, highlights, and recaps

Comedy is one of the biggest genres on YouTube 

with over 77% of total viewers watching it.

 Comedic sketches, parodies, and stand-up comedy always seem to perform well on YouTube.

For many years now, popular comics have been saying that open mic sets should be recorded and uploaded to YouTube. Seeing the numbers, you can’t help but agree!

This is where it all began. From being perceived as an exclusive repository for cat videos to becoming 

 destination for all pet content, YouTube has come a long way! Animal videos are still as popular as ever.

Since 66% of American families have a pet

, most people can relate to them and share a passion for them. This category may be fantastic for your YouTube channel if you work with animals or have a cute pet of your own.

YouTube has become a vast platform with many niches that cater to different audiences. These niches are only expected to grow and evolve as viewers and their interests change over time. 

Ultimately, you need to find a marriage between your passion and what works on YouTube. That’s the secret to a winning niche.

here are some unique channel ideas that worked on YouTube

These niches have consistently attracted viewers and content creators across YouTube. Ready to know what they are? Read on!

The 37 Best YouTube Niches, According to Viewers

As the New Year approaches, you might be thinking of ways to grow your YouTube channel. Should you do more 

Those are great ideas, but there's something else you can do to get more views: following YouTube trends!

Do you watch YouTube videos on mute because you're too busy reading the captions? If so, you're not alone. As it turns out, 

Want to see how popular it's gotten? Go to Google Trends and type "video captions" in the search bar, then press Enter. You'll notice that for the past five years, the term "video captions" has been searched more and more each year.

A graph showing increasing searches for the term "video captions" over the past 5 years

They make your content more accessible so that people with hearing loss — or even those in distracting environments — can understand what you're saying.

Adding captions is a major task, but you can do it quickly with two tools:

It's fast, free, and creates automatic captions.

 This tool creates automatic captions that are easy to edit. You can also change the font, size, and color of your text.

2. Less Talk, More Action: A Trend that Keeps Rising

People want fast entertainment on YouTube, and that's not going to change in 2023. If anything, it will only intensify!

You can get ahead of this trend by "hooking" viewers in the 

. Instead of saying, "Welcome back to my channel" or "This video will cover X, Y, and Z," just start talking about X, Y, and Z!

Once you've mastered the YouTube intro, look at the rest of your video and cut out scenes that don't intrigue or entertain. You'll have a much better video that captivates viewers from start to finish.

The Art of YouTube Storytelling – A Secret Path to More Watch Time

 in the U.S. have a YouTube account? That's basically all of them!

A graph from Statista showing that 96% of Gen-Z has a YouTube account.

So in 2023, take a look at your content and see if it aligns with the values of Gen-Z. According to 

, these viewers are looking for four things:

: 65% want content that's relevant to their personal lives instead of what's trending in pop culture.

: 82% look for nostalgic content on YouTube.

: 61% are a fan of someone or something, especially online.

Gen-Z adults of various races/ethinicities smiling and laughing together.

YouTube Shorts were a big deal in 2022, so they're bound to take over in 2023. There's plenty of data showing how addictive Shorts are, but the fact that 

 watch them monthly is astounding. Simply put, it's time to make more of them.

Don't know where to start? Spend some time watching Shorts on YouTube so you can see how other creators do it. You'll notice the best Shorts have three things:

Emotion, entertainment, or interesting facts

These trends will help you stand out on YouTube because they're hot right now. You'll cater to Gen-Z, a rapidly growing audience, while reaching more people through captions and holding their attention with better YouTube intros.

But if you need more ways to stand out, here's how to get more views with trending topics.

A person holding a smartphone with the YouTube logo on the screen.

Ready to get more views in 2023? Get a head start with these powerful YouTube trends, like using captions in your videos and making content for Gen-Z.

4 YouTube Trends to Skyrocket Your Views in 2023

If you haven’t started a YouTube channel yet, now's the time. The platform has more than 2B monthly users, which means you have plenty of opportunities to find and grow your ideal audience. 

That doesn't mean it's an easy job, though. With YouTube being a free platform, millions of people have launched channels with dreams of starting a profitable business. Many creators have reached success, but you'll need a solid YouTube strategy to do the same.

You can start by prioritizing these seven powerful tasks on YouTube: 

Sharing your value proposition with viewers

Creating new content to stand out on YouTube

Seizing content opportunities, such as traffic from popular trends

Mastering each skill is easier said than done, but it's possible. If you need some motivation, watch the video below to see how seven creators used the game plan above to grow their channels.

Need more proof? Here’s an in-depth analysis of how these creators quickly grew their channels in 2020.

Becoming a YouTube Authority: How ‘100 Percent Zelda’ Dominated One Topic

. This channel teaches key survival tactics in the popular video game - how to farm superfoods, tips for finding the best weapons, how to set battle traps, everything.

100 Percent Zelda has been on YouTube for nine months. But in a short amount of time, the channel has amassed more than 30K subscribers and 4M views. That’s no easy feat, especially when you consider the competitive nature of gaming.

So what’s the secret to this channel’s success? It’s simple: 

Focus on one thing and never deviate from that.

 and taught players how to survive its biggest challenges. Instead of posting a bunch of random videos, 100 Percent Zelda made a commitment to cater to its audience.

You can accomplish the same thing on YouTube. Simply decide on a niche, then 

. Post content many viewers find useful, and never, ever, abandon your audience.

Want to know more? We filmed a case study on this channel months ago, and you can soak up all the wisdom below:

Stimulus Talk: How ‘ClearValue Tax’ Got More YouTube Views In 2020

 gave viewers the information they desperately needed: how to quickly get their stimulus checks. That prized information helped the channel grow from 200 subscribers to more than 1M.

Brian Kim, the certified public accountant who appears on camera, doesn’t add any fluff to his videos. Within 10 seconds, he says exactly what he’s going to cover and dives right in. The production value is fine, but it’s not overly polished with excessive editing.

Additionally, the video thumbnails on this channel are simple freeze-frames from the footage itself, as shown below:

But guess what? None of that matters as much when you’re helping thousands of people get the free money they’re entitled to. You can overlook some of YouTube’s best practices because viewers need the information that badly.

Nonetheless, ClearValue Tax did what counts most on YouTube. The creator posted frequently, which is half the battle. The channel also used relevant keyphrases, such as ‘second stimulus check update’ and ‘get your stimulus check’.

‘Dad, how do I?’ Gets More YouTube Views With Fatherly Advice

Want to start a YouTube channel that earns 3M subscribers and 12.5M views? If so, you’ll want to follow the wisdom of 

 This channel is successful because its value proposition is clear. In each video, the creator teaches a skill most people need to know.

Simply put, a value proposition is a promise. It’s a declaration of what viewers can expect to gain from your channel, and every creator on YouTube should have one.

Dad, how do I? has a subliminal value proposition. Without the creator saying a word, you instantly know what it means to ask your father for help. The name of the channel promises you a certain kind of video before you press play.

More importantly, the content delivers on that promise. You get videos about everyday tasks, such as how to tie a necktie.

If you have dreams of going viral, take notes from this uber-successful channel. Make a promise to your viewers, then keep your word by posting the type of content they originally subscribed to see.

‘Paths Interactive Videos’ Finds a New Way to Boost Channel Watch Time

 isn’t like the other channels on this list. In three months, it has only earned 6K subscribers and 45K views, which is nowhere close to the millions we’ve previously discussed.

However, we believe this channel is one Reddit share away from going viral. That’s because it brings the classic joy of choose-your-own-adventure books to the YouTube world.

On the Paths channel, each video tells a story. When the video ends, viewers get to decide where the story goes next by clicking an end-screen thumbnail that whisks them to another video. It's a novel approach to YouTube, and we haven't seen this content strategy anywhere else - except maybe on Twitter threads.

This storybook content may help the Paths channel explode. It has the potential to increase channel Watch Time, which is a crucial metric for getting more views on YouTube.

Furthermore, a video with a high viewing duration has a better chance of being recommended to more people. On the Paths channel, this is almost mandatory because you have to watch the full video to complete a story.

So each video earns a ton of Watch Time, gets recommended to more people, and then those viewers must watch in full to choose the next adventure. It’s a brilliant scheme that works just like compound interest, except you’re accumulating valuable Watch Time instead.

‘APKAEIASAAS’: A Channel That Takes Advantage of YouTube Shorts

 channel that earned 425K subscribers and 50M views in just three months. 

 is a crowded YouTube niche, so how on Earth was this possible?

 had a lot to do with it. This new content type requires videos to be vertical and less than 60 seconds long, just like the content you'd see on TikTok.

But right now, not enough creators are making YouTube Shorts. There are more than 2B monthly users on YouTube, which means there’s a huge opportunity for short video creators to stand out - and that’s exactly what APKAEIASAAS did.

This creator posted YouTube Shorts depicting impressive builds in Minecraft’s mod-centric world. The content probably went viral because the YouTube app has a Shorts carousel that plays nothing but short videos. Chances are, APKAEIASAAS’s 

 content got featured there, earning the channel thousands of views.

Take a look at this Short from APKAEIASAAS. It has 15M views, which is an insane amount of notoriety for one video.

As a creator, you can't ignore the power of short video content. It’s everywhere now, so if you want to get more views on YouTube, start posting some irresistible YouTube Shorts.

‘Matt Talks Tech’ Doubles Down On a Winning YouTube Strategy

 joined YouTube in 2012 but didn’t publish a video until 2019. And even then, he experimented on the platform to decode how it works and what his niche would be.

 figure things out, everything changed. He found a successful YouTube strategy, cranked up his consistency, and started earning the number of views new creators want to see.

The formula Matt uses is simple. As a tech YouTuber, he titles all of his videos as follows: “Product + Release Date + Price.” So for example, one of his most popular videos is titled, “iPhone 12 Release Date and Price - iPhone 12 Apple Event Date?”

You can watch the video below, which has more than 500K views.

Once this formula was in place, Matt applied it to other product releases. The Google Pixel 5, the iPad Mini 6, the Xbox Series X - it was all fair game.

Matt Talks Tech dominates this strategy now, but it’s nothing you can’t repeat in the future. When you start your channel, pay close attention to what’s working for you. Then stay the course to get more views and subscribers on YouTube.

'Jake Fellman' Creates 3D Animation the World Has Never Seen

 had 41K views on his animation channel. Then he discovered YouTube Shorts and started uploading custom, 3D animation videos inspired by a popular game called 

. The multiplayer game has one objective: Fix a spaceship while avoiding the crew’s deadly, undercover imposter.

 mania has shown no signs of slowing, so Jake seized the opportunity on YouTube. In just 80 days, he gained more than 1M subscribers posting YouTube Shorts filled with 3D 

Want to achieve the same results on your channel? Watch the full case study below to learn more:

Jake is a former 3D motion designer, so he had the technical skills to grow an animation channel. But he has another gift people don’t talk about enough, which is unwavering self-belief. Back in October 2020, Jake said that in a year or less, he’d get 1M followers posting video content. Now 

 by simply being patient and passionate about his craft.

Creators, it’s never too late to share your passions on YouTube. These successful people, who are no different than you, have proven that in 2020. Now that 2021 is here, don’t second-guess yourself. Press record and don’t look back.

It's never too late to start a YouTube channel. If you need proof, just ask these seven creators who've gained thousands of subscribers in just a few months.

Why It's Not Too Late to Start a YouTube Channel in 2021

The way we tell stories, as well as who gets to tell those stories, keeps evolving. That’s the underlying message of YouTube’s latest 

, a statistical breakdown of how global events influenced video creators and viewers alike. With data showing the rise of virtual events and relatable content creators, the report proves video is still a powerful medium for expression - maybe the most powerful.

From the constant popularity of online gaming to our shared experiences around virtual events, here are the key insights from YouTube’s report.

New Creators Made YouTube Their Storytelling Home

According to YouTube, a large number of people became video creators in 2020. There was a 95% increase in new YouTube channels on the platform, and most likely, this contributed to a diverse group of emerging creators.

Ash Chang, YouTube culture and trends manager for the Asia-Pacific region, said as much in his video summary within the report:

“More than ever, it feels like the creator archetype of what we think a creator should be, should look like or should make content about has broadened and evolved to meet an audience more receptive to a diversity of stories and storytellers.”

Statistics around these diverse creators, as well as their genre-bending content, were also highlighted in YouTube’s report:

47% of people said it’s hard to place their favorite creators into one genre. 

, a U.S. creator who mixes makeup with true crime content, is a great example.

58% of people said they’d watch online content from creators in any age group.

By October 2020, VTubers (animated AI characters) were viewed 1.5B times per month.

, an indigenous creator from Ecuador became one of the top creators in Latin America, growing her channel from 100K subscribers to 1M in 2019.

In 2020, Video Connected People to New and Exciting Experiences

We’ve shared video experiences before, but not as fervently as in recent months. Instead of watching digital events solo, many viewers decided to watch alongside their favorite creators for a shared experience.

Did you catch YouTube's Culture & Trends Report for 2020? The global year-in-review highlights the rise of virtual events, emerging creators, and collective resilience during a challenging year.

YouTube Insights

Analyzing Popular YouTube Shorts: What Makes Them Go Viral?

The 37 Best YouTube Niches, According to Viewers

4 YouTube Trends to Skyrocket Your Views in 2023

Why It's Not Too Late to Start a YouTube Channel in 2021

YouTube in 2020: Powerful Stats You Need to Know

YouTube in Review: Insights from 2020 & Strategies for 2021

How to Get More Views On YouTube By Playing Among Us

How to Increase YouTube Video Views From Tentpole Events

Virtual Halloween 2020: Top Keywords on YouTube

6 Honest Reasons You Might Be Losing YouTube Subscribers

What is Cottagecore and Why is it Taking Over Social Video?

Why Your YouTube Subscriber Count Sometimes Looks Wrong

How YouTube Can Unlock Back to School Success

How MLB Is Using Live Streaming to Combat COVID-19

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