• By: Allen Brown

8 Most Popular Types of YouTube Videos in 2025

YouTube in 2025 is like a city that never sleeps — millions of videos uploaded daily, billions of clicks, and the algorithm quietly judging us all in the background. While the platform keeps reinventing itself, one thing hasn’t changed: people still love watching videos more than they like reading recipe blogs with 12-paragraph introductions.

And when it comes to what’s trending, there’s a fascinating mix: tech-savvy AI experiments, low-effort-but-genius Shorts, and documentaries that feel like Netflix lost them in the upload. In short, the types of videos topping the charts today are as diverse as the search histories of the people watching them.

Let’s zoom in on the formats that are not just getting views but shaping how content is created, edited, and consumed across the platform.

 

8 Most Popular Types of Videos in 2025

So, what are the types of YouTube videos you should consider making in 2025?

1. Shorts That Hit Hard (and Fast)

Welcome to the age of blink-and-you-missed-it entertainment. YouTube Shorts are fast, funny, visually punchy, and often leave you wondering how you just watched 60 of them in a row.

Creators are using lightning-speed cuts, flashy transitions, and dynamic text overlays. Even a chaotic “what I eat in a day” video now has tighter pacing than a Tarantino trailer.

Why they are great:

They thrive on endless scrolling.
Great for low-attention spans.
Perfectly repurposable across platforms.

Bonus: you don’t need a studio. A smartphone and simple video editing software are often all it takes to get started.

2. AI-Generated Content

This year, AI finally stopped being a gimmick and became a full-on production assistant. There are genres now where an AI voice narrates a dream someone had about Minecraft. Or where avatars host makeup tutorials. It sounds strange — but it works.

Why people watch it:

It’s futuristic, and oddly hypnotic.
Creators save time, viewers get novelty.
It blurs the line between tech and creativity.

Whether you’re watching or creating, you’ll find yourself asking: “Wait, did a person actually make this?”

3. Vlogs That Feel Like Indie Films

Gone are the shaky hand-held grocery hauls. Today’s vlog creators shoot with drones, mic their coffee brewing, and color-grade their Sunday walks like a professional film. Even a “day in the life of a freelance designer” now includes ambient lo-fi and perfectly timed zoom-ins.

Why it sticks:

Feels intimate without being oversharing.
Storytelling over randomness.
Still satisfies that voyeuristic curiosity we all have.

Audiences keep coming back not just for the life updates, but for the mood, the vibe, the soft lighting.

4. Smart People Explaining Complicated Things

Whether it’s geopolitics, crypto meltdowns, or the psychology of quitting your job via Slack — explainer videos are thriving. Think big brain energy, but with motion graphics and sarcastic asides.

What keeps them popular:

High-value, informative content.
Long watch time = algorithm gold.
Creators often become mini thought leaders.

These videos also rank incredibly well in searched topics, and they age like fine wine — racking up views long after they’re posted.

5. Reaction Videos

In 2025, reaction videos have grown up. No longer just someone making faces while watching a trailer — today’s commentary videos are nuanced, funny, and often deeply insightful.

Creators dissect pop culture, break down memes, or react to political gaffes with wit and timing that would make late-night hosts sweat.

Why it works:

Combines personality with perspective.
Easy entry point for new audiences.
Viewers feel like they’re watching with a friend.

It’s also one of the easiest formats to produce with good pacing and basic editing. Plus, the content’s already made — you just have to react to it.

6. Livestream Recaps

Long livestreams are great, but not everyone has two hours to spare on a Tuesday night. Enter the recap highlight — tight edits that package the chaos into digestible gems.

Why they’re a hit:

Ideal for casual viewers
Reuse existing footage for extra mileage
Often funnier in edited form than the live

These videos sit at the intersection of efficient editing and audience insight. Creators know which moments will land — and cut everything else.

7. Tutorials That Actually Teach (and Entertain)

The DIY crowd is still going strong. But in 2025, even a Photoshop tutorial comes with good lighting, personality, and a narrator who sounds like they’d be fun at a dinner party.

Why they’re still loved:

Genuinely useful (still a top searched category).
High replay and shareability.
Satisfies the urge to learn without the pressure of school.

Many creators now also share their own workflow tools, from lighting setups to easy camera rigs and to editing software that viewers can check out and use themselves.

8. YouTube Documentaries

This is the year creators went full-on investigative journalist. These videos are long, narrative-driven, beautifully shot, and often unpack weird internet lore or niche subcultures.

What makes them addictive:

Rich storytelling.
High production value.
Covers things mainstream media ignores.

If you’re wondering where all the young filmmakers are — look no further than this category. They’re here and thriving.

 

What Makes These Videos Stick?

While the surface may look chaotic, success on YouTube in 2025 often comes down to a few precise ingredients:

• Strong narrative hooks: Whether it’s a title, thumbnail, or first sentence, the top videos start strong, or they’re dead in the water.

• Smart editing, not over-editing: A little zoom here, a jump cut there, and maybe some well-placed captions can go a long way. Good creators know when to stop.

• Content optimized for humans and the algorithm: Tags, titles, and timestamps still matter — but so do pacing, tone, and vibes.

• Post-production polish: Clean audio, balanced color grading, and transitions that don’t scream “amateur.” Even with a modest setup, anyone can pull this off now with the right tools and some practice.

• Knowing your audience better than your own relatives: The most popular creators check their analytics regularly. They know what works — and double down on it.

 

The Final Cut

If you’re wondering what kind of content to create next, don’t start by chasing trends. Start by figuring out which styles resonate with the kind of channels you enjoy and the kind of stories you can tell. The most popular video on YouTube might be a surreal Short or a three-part investigative piece — it all depends on what the audience wants and how well it’s made.

So whether you’re crafting something funny, factual, weird, or wonderful — edit with care, lean into your voice, and remember: there’s always someone out there who will click “play.”