YouTube is one of the world’s most popular social platforms, with more than 2.5 billion active monthly users. In today’s dynamic digital landscape, harnessing the power of YouTube’s evolving trends is essential to connecting with audiences and global cultures. The latest Global Culture and Trends Report explores that evolution, revealing how digital brands, shifting formats and the power of shared experiences are fueling the future of entertainment. YouTube has also introduced several new features and updates that will continually shape new trends in content, technology and viewer behavior.
The following article will dig deeper into the YouTube trends for 2025. It will also explore the key elements that the platform considers important for creators and audiences.
The Top YouTube Trends to Watch in 2025
Over the years, YouTube has released information about global Culture and Trends Reports. They offer data-driven snapshots of YouTube trends worldwide. However, the platform has done things a bit differently in the past year. This article will reference data and insights from various reports including the Global Culture and Trends Report, the Fandom Culture & Trends Report and the New Indian Aesthetic Culture & Trends Report. Nonetheless, the following are the YouTube trends that are set to blow up in 2025 and beyond.
Animations
Animations have always been among the rapidly growing trends on YouTube and other video sharing social platforms. Some of YouTube’s earliest viral moments resulted from uncanny cartoon videos. A great example is the Amazing Digital Circus unveiled by Indie Studio, Glitch in 2024.
The adult animated series only has three episodes so far, all released in 2024. However, it has impacted a lot of buzz in the entertainment circles, attracting the movie-streaming giant, Netflix. As of May 2024, about 22% of the 14 to 24 year olds in the United States had heard about it. The show has a die-hard fan base that racked up to 25 billion views on all the content related to it. The series appeared in 8 out of 12 YouTube’s countries’ trending topic lists in 2024.
Although quantity is important, quality is the holy grail of content creation on social media. The bizarre 3D visuals, zeitgeisty smashing of the fourth wall and wicked humor of the Amazing Digital Circus make it truly unique and captivating. Older viewers see it as a witty and charming throwback while the young ones may lack words to describe it. Nonetheless, it is a breath of fresh air that will still wow viewers even beyond 2025.
The Impact of AI
Artificial Intelligence is quickly disrupting and transforming almost every global sector. AI is no doubt one of the YouTube trends that will continually shape content creation and publishing beyond 2025. Tools such as ChatGPT, Midjourney and DALL-E help creators to make content quickly.
We have witnessed the rise of automated YouTube channels and content. And, the trend is not going to stop anytime soon. Creators are increasingly turning to AI software for content creation, using it to design thumbnails, script videos, edit footage and create voiceovers faster. AI is currently helping several creatives to make money on YouTube.
It is unfortunate that some creatives are using AI in some damaging ways such as impersonating celebrities and spreading misinformation. However, YouTube has an AI content policy that seeks to protect creators against possible woes. First, it requires all creators to disclose whenever they use AI to create content.
Here is an example of the best 100% AI generated videos on YouTube.
YouTube also penalizes non-disclosure and could potentially remove content. The platform also allows creators to request removal of AI generated content that impersonates them or infringes their privacy.
Despite the potential woes resulting from the use of AI in content creation, YouTube is enthusiastic about it. Thanks to the newly introduced auto-dubbing feature, creators can easily reach much larger global audiences by translating their videos into multiple languages seamlessly. AI-assisted video editing cuts production times as advanced analytics help with content optimization.
Long-form Videos
While several creators have shifted to short videos, lengthy content is swiftly making a comeback among the top YouTube trends. An average YouTube user spends about 40 minutes in a single browsing session. That number is significantly higher compared to other social media platforms. There is a growing preference for long-form videos and it is expected to increase in 2025 and beyond.
Content creators are increasingly focusing on ‘evergreen content’ or videos that remain relevant and attract consistent views over time. Due to expanding growth of YouTube audiences globally, content niches such as educational videos, documentary-style content and tutorials are in line for exponential growth. And, most of those requirements are effectively addressed through long-form content.
Although more than 90% of YouTube’s global visits come from mobile devices, there is a significant rise of viewers watching YouTube on TV. That makes documentary-style videos to also be a hot trend to watch out for even after 2025. Those formats appeal to viewers seeking high-production value and immersive experiences.
Authenticity
Many more creators are rapidly ditching highly produced videos for authentic, unfiltered content. If you look around YouTube keenly, you will realize that thumbnails are getting simpler and the fancy edits are quietly taking their leave. Even the storylines are becoming more relaxed because creators are more focused on creating intimacy with their audiences.
A good example of the creators who have jumped onto this trend is bodybuilder, Sam Sulek. And, he is not alone; Dry Creek Wrangler School which was originally a horse channel has now shifted to posting unfiltered videos of life lessons. Here is an example of a YouTube video by Dry Creek Wrangler School about ”How to Deal with Loneliness.”
There is a growing trend of authentic, sincere videos, which is bound to continue even beyond 2025.
Online Gaming and Virtual Reality
Online gaming is also one of the top YouTube trends expected to blow up in 2025 and beyond. In the past, online gaming was associated with Twitch live streaming but, that has completely changed today. For example, Roblox Studios’ Dressed to Impress attracted over 4 billion related video views on YouTube in 2024. Their collaboration with Charli XCX took the game to a whole new level that even the creators did not expect.
YouTube creators are increasingly transforming games into a pop culture phenomenon. Roblox is a great example that has now become a universe of user-generated content and immersive gaming experiences. Thanks to their efforts, Dress to Impress has increasingly attracted both gamers and non-gamers globally.
It is estimated that the global Virtual Reality (VR) market will hit more than $22 billion by 2025. Thus, it makes sense that this style of entertainment is making a significant impact on YouTube, especially in the gaming arena. There is a growing trend of viewers searching for VR content from games such as Hellsweeper and Synapse. They are also increasingly searching for VR gamers and commentators on YouTube.
More Emphasis on Community
In early 2024, YouTube announced that content creators could monetize their channels with just 500 subscribers and 3,000 hours of watch time. That is a sharp fall from the previous requirement of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time. Nonetheless, creators can monetize content through video ads with just 5,000 subscribers.
However, YouTube restricts those creators to fan-funding revenue only. They can use avenues such as Stickers, Super Chats, Super Thanks and channel membership subscriptions. But, only Super fans can donate money. That provision will push content creators who want to make money through fan funding to build communities.
This trend suggests that YouTube wants small creators to have loyal fans before they become influential. That will help in raising the quality of videos and watch time on YouTube.
Fandom
Whenever we think of superfans, we usually imagine young people under the age of 20. YouTube has shown that 80% of self-identified United States fans aged between 14 and 44 consume content of which they are fans on a weekly basis. Besides, 85% of people in that age group identify as fans of something or someone.
That covers everything from superfans, casual fans and fans who know the birthdays, family members and grocery lists of their favorite creators. That spectrum accommodates people who only view content as well as those who create their own theories, fan edits and tributes to existing content such as the Amazing Digital Circus and Dressed to Impress.
Although fandom is open to people who are old enough to remember dial-up internet, it is the Gen Z who are finding new niches. YouTube established that 47% of 14 to 24 year-olds claim they belong to a fandom for which they do not personally know any other fans. That shows how broad the art of content creation has become but, it also presents an opportunity for creators to leverage.
There is a greater emphasis on fandom because without fans, there is no audience for your content.
YouTube Shorts
Although long-form videos are swiftly making a comeback on YouTube trends 2025, Shorts are finding a home in key market segments. Short-form, snappy content formats are thriving on the platform. Get-ready-with-me videos in India attracted over 7.2 billion views in 2024, with skincare YouTube Shorts receiving more than 4 billion views.
YouTube content creators are developing Shorts content in diverse and innovative ways. In Indonesia, creators are using Shorts to keep their country and culture vibrant. Brazilian creators are leveraging music on Shorts to deliver intimate, point of view content instead of jumping onto dance trends.
YouTube Shorts have become a key trend for music discovery, attracting billions of views daily and connecting artists and fans in numerous exciting ways. They help to propel regional hits and international stardom and, launching the careers of several emerging artists. YouTube Shorts empower musicians to release chart-topping hits, drive trends and engage fans worldwide.
In a recent list of the YouTube channels that hit 100,000+ subscribers in 30 days in 2024, their standout videos were not lengthy or horizontal content. They were YouTube Shorts. While Shorts may not have a huge impact on YouTube trends, they are worth focusing on because they are a significant driver of growth in small channels.
A great example of the impact of YouTube Shorts is on the video ”If Cleaning Was a Timed Sport, Part 2” by DanielLaBelle. The video boasts over 1.6 billion views on YouTube.
YouTube Livestreaming
YouTube creators are making lots of money by simply going live on the platform. Hosting livestreams is also a growing YouTube trend that both beginners and seasoned content creators should watch out for. Here’s an example to get things into perspective;
- In 2023, the video streaming market was valued at $95.88 billion.
- VidIQ YouTube channel made $10,806.72 from 1 million livestreams in 2024.
Livestreaming is a lucrative strategy even outside of YouTube. Take for instance, musicians like Tee Grizzley, who earns $200,000 monthly streaming on Twitch then, posts the completed streams on YouTube. We expect this trend to continue as revenue streams pile up in 2025.
The Bottom Line
This article has outlined the top YouTube trends to watch out for in 2025. While jumping onto these trends is essential to boosting your presence and engagement on the platform, you need more YouTube subscribers, views, comments and shares for success. Superior Social Boost is your gateway to driving organic social growth. We help creators, brands and businesses to increase their reach and engagements on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, X and Google Business. Get in touch with us today for an incredible journey of organic social growth.