Which YouTube Video Has the Most Views?
Have you ever found yourself wondering which YouTube video has the most views? With so much content on the platform, it can be hard to keep track of what’s popular and what’s not. But fear not! This article aims to solve that problem by providing a comprehensive look at the top videos, as well as insights into what makes videos go viral.
Top 10 Most Viewed YouTube Videos of All Time
If you’re curious about the top videos on YouTube, look no further. Here are the 10 most viewed videos of all time, along with some interesting facts about each:
- Despacito by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee – 7.3 billion views
Despacito set a new record as the first video to reach 5 billion views. It also became the fastest video to reach 1 billion, 2 billion, 3 billion, 4 billion, 5 billion and 6 billion views. However, the song also had its fair share of controversies, with some criticizing the objectification of women. - Baby Shark Dance by Pinkfong Kids’ Songs & Stories – 7.1 billion views
Despite being a children’s song, Baby Shark Dance has become a major cultural phenomenon, with viewers of all ages recreating the dance on social media. - Shape of You by Ed Sheeran – 5.5 billion views
Shape of You was the most streamed song on Spotify in 2017 and won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance in 2019. - See You Again by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth – 5.3 billion views
See You Again was originally created for the movie “Fast and Furious 7” as a tribute to the late Paul Walker. It became the fastest video to reach 1 billion views at the time it was released. - Masha and the Bear: Recipe for Disaster by Get Movies – 4.4 billion views
Masha and the Bear is a Russian animated series that has gained popularity all over the world. The episode with Recipe for Disaster is one of their most-watched videos. - Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – 4.1 billion views
Uptown Funk was the biggest hit of 2015 and has won numerous awards, including Record of the Year at the Grammy Awards. - Gangnam Style by Psy – 4.03 billion views
Gangnam Style was the first video to reach 1 billion views on YouTube. It also spawned a dance craze all over the world, with people of all ages imitating Psy’s signature moves. - Johnny Johnny Yes Papa by LooLoo Kids – 3.8 billion views
Like Baby Shark Dance, Johnny Johnny Yes Papa is a children’s song that has gone viral in recent years. It’s often used in memes and remixes. - Sorry by Justin Bieber – 3.3 billion views
Sorry marked Justin Bieber’s comeback after a few years away from music. The song’s accompanying dance video was praised for its creative choreography. - Sugar by Maroon 5 – 3.3 billion views
The music video for Sugar features the band crashing real weddings and surprising couples with a performance. It was originally intended as a guerrilla marketing tactic but became a viral sensation in its own right.
It’s interesting to note that five of these 10 videos are children’s songs, and three are by Latin artists, including the top two. It goes to show that viral videos come in all shapes and sizes, and there’s no predicting what will catch on.
The Science Behind Going Viral
So, what makes a video go viral? It’s a question that social media experts and marketers have been trying to answer for years.
According to research, people tend to share videos that evoke strong emotions, such as joy, surprise, and awe. Videos that are funny, heartwarming, or inspiring often get more shares than those that are neutral or negative. Additionally, people tend to share videos that support their personal identities or beliefs.
But it’s not just about the content of the video. Algorithms also play a role in promoting certain content over others. YouTube’s algorithm, for example, takes into account factors such as watch time, engagement, and relevancy when suggesting videos to viewers. That’s why videos that have a high view count or are related to a viewer’s previous searches or watch history tend to appear more prominently.
Given all of this, what can you do to increase your chances of going viral? It’s not an exact science, but here are a few strategies:
- Create high-quality content that tells a story or evokes an emotional response.
- Promote your video on social media and other platforms to reach a wider audience.
- Use keywords and tags that are relevant to your video to improve searchability.
- Interact with your viewers by responding to comments and incorporating their feedback into future videos.
Top 5 Most Surprising YouTube Videos with the Most Views
While the videos on the top 10 list are impressive in their own right, there are a few on the platform that viewers might not expect to have the most views. Here are five videos that fall into that category:
- Johny Johny Yes Papa by ChuChu TV Nursery Rhymes & Kids Songs – 3.1 billion views
Another children’s song on the list, Johny Johny Yes Papa has become a meme in recent years, with people using the song to make fun of overprotective parents. - Alan Walker – Faded by Alan Walker – 2.6 billion views
Alan Walker is a Norwegian DJ who gained popularity through YouTube. Faded was one of his early hits and has since become a fan favorite. - Shape of You Women by Chan – 2.1 billion views
This video is a dance cover of Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You, performed by a group of women in India. It went viral in 2017 and has since been imitated by dancers all over the world. - Top 100 Viral Videos of the Year 2018 by JukinVideo – 2 billion views
This video showcases 100 of the most popular viral videos from 2018, from funny animal clips to heartwarming moments. It’s a reminder of the power of viral videos to bring people together. - Charlie bit my finger – again ! Harry and Charlie Davies-Carr – 859 million views
While not on the top 10 list anymore, Charlie bit my finger was the first viral video on YouTube, predating the platform’s partnership program and ad revenue model by a few years. It shows two young brothers, Harry and Charlie Davies-Carr, and has since been remixed, parodied, and imitated countless times.
While these videos might not have as many views as the top 10, they’re still impressive in their own right and speak to the power of YouTube as a platform for creativity and community.
The Evolution of Viral Videos: From Charlie Bit My Finger to Despacito
The first viral video on YouTube was uploaded in 2005 and featured a young boy named Charlie biting his brother’s finger. Since then, viral videos have become a genre all their own, with their own tropes, conventions, and standout stars.
Comparing Charlie Bit My Finger to Despacito, the most viewed video on the platform today, is like night and day. The former is a simple, homemade clip that’s less than a minute long, while the latter is a professionally produced music video with a runtime of almost five minutes. The themes and styles of the videos couldn’t be more different, yet both have managed to capture the attention of millions of viewers.
So, what does the future of viral videos look like? It’s hard to say for sure, but one thing’s for certain: YouTube will continue to be a platform for creativity and self-expression, with new breakthroughs and milestones yet to be made.
Inside the Lives of YouTube’s Most Viewed Creators
While it’s one thing to watch a viral video and be entertained, it’s another thing entirely to create one. The people behind the most viewed YouTube videos are often just as interesting as the videos themselves, with compelling backstories and unique perspectives on life.
One example is Ryan Kaji, the star of the Ryan’s World channel, who became a YouTube sensation at the age of just six. Ryan started making videos with his parents about toy unboxing and playing at home, and has since expanded his empire to include merchandise, toys, clothing and more. In an interview, Ryan’s parents explained that they make an effort to keep their son grounded and focused on education, despite his online fame.
Another example is Lilly Singh, a comedian and talk show host who got her start on YouTube in 2010. Singh’s channel, IISuperwomanII, features comedic sketches, vlogs, and interviews with celebrities. In a TED Talk, Singh spoke about the challenges of being a woman of color on the platform, and the responsibility she feels to use her platform to spread positivity and encourage growth.
These are just a few examples of the many creators behind the platform’s most popular videos. They remind us that behind the views and clicks, there are real people with real stories to tell.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the question of which YouTube video has the most views is a complex one, with multiple factors at play. However, by delving into the platform’s top 10 videos, exploring the science of virality, highlighting surprising hits, tracing the evolution of viral videos, and profiling top creators, we gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to succeed on YouTube.
Whether you’re a casual viewer or a budding content creator, there’s always more to discover on YouTube.