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 PewDiePie, Mumbo Jumbo, and DanTDM dominating the space with billions of YouTube views. But it's also a genre where new creators continue to build a successful following.
Read more: 11 Killer Tips for Starting a YouTube Gaming Channel in 2023
Music is another popular category on YouTube, and it even boasts the most viewed channel in February 2023. 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.
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.
For most of us, the journey of fitness begins with YouTube. After all, who hasn’t 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.
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.
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.
Many top athletes like Stephen Curry, Alphonso Davies, and Lewis Hamilton have chosen YouTube as their medium of choice when connecting with fans.
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 the 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.
Meanwhile, here are some unique channel ideas that worked on YouTube!
In addition to being an avid movie and gaming enthusiast, Uttaran Samaddar is an experienced writer who has lent his creativity and unique perspective to various publications. He loves hearing and telling stories.
