YouTube has become the largest video sharing platform in the world, with over 2 billion monthly active users. It is home to a vast library of videos, ranging from music videos to educational content, vlogs to product reviews, and much more. As a result, it can be challenging to determine the best video on YouTube ever by number of views gained. In this article, we’ll explore the most viewed video on YouTube ever and analyze why it was so successful.
The most viewed videos on YouTube ever
As of April 2023, the most viewed video on YouTube ever is “Baby Shark Dance” by Pinkfong Kids’ Songs & Stories. The video was uploaded on June 17, 2016, and has garnered over 11.5 billion views to date. It’s an incredibly catchy tune with simple lyrics and an easy-to-remember melody, making it perfect for kids.
Below is a table of the top 10 most viewed videos on YouTube ever, as of April 2023:
| Rank | Video Name | Channel | Views (billions) | Upload Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baby Shark Dance | Pinkfong Kids’ Songs & Stories | 12 | June 17, 2016 |
| 2 | Despacito | Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee | 8.1 | January 12, 2017 |
| 3 | Shape of You | Ed Sheeran | 5.9 | January 30, 2017 |
| 4 | See You Again | Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth | 5.8 | April 6, 2015 |
| 5 | Masha and the Bear – Recipe for Disaster | Get Movies | 4.4 | January 31, 2012 |
| 6 | Uptown Funk | Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars | 4.3 | November 19, 2014 |
| 7 | Gangnam Style | Psy | 4.2 | July 15, 2012 |
| 8 | Johnny Johnny Yes Papa | LooLoo Kids – Nursery Rhymes and Children’s Songs | 4.0 | October 8, 2016 |
| 9 | Bath Song | Cocomelon – Nursery Rhymes | 3.9 | May 2, 2018 |
| 10 | Phonics Song with Two Words | ChuChu TV Nursery Rhymes & Kids Songs | 3.8 | March 6, 2014 |
Why was “Baby Shark Dance” so successful?
There are several factors that contributed to the success of “Baby Shark Dance” on YouTube. Firstly, the video’s target audience is children, who love to watch and re-watch videos they enjoy. The simple lyrics and catchy melody make it easy for children to sing along and remember, which also contributes to its success.
Another key factor is the video’s use of animation, which is colorful and visually appealing to children. The video features cute cartoon characters dancing and singing, which captures the attention of its target audience.
Finally, the video was heavily promoted on YouTube and other social media platforms, which helped it gain visibility and attract new viewers. As more and more people watched and shared the video, its popularity grew exponentially.
Despacito: The Most Viewed Video for Years
In 2017, “Despacito” by Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee was released, and quickly became a viral sensation. The song, which is mostly in Spanish, features a catchy melody and a lively beat that resonated with audiences around the world. The music video, which was directed by Carlos Perez, showcased the vibrant culture of Puerto Rico and featured beautiful scenery, dance routines, and cameos by popular Latin American celebrities.
As “Despacito” gained popularity, it also began to break records. In August 2017, the music video became the most viewed video on YouTube with over 3 billion views, surpassing the previous record held by Wiz Khalifa’s “See You Again” featuring Charlie Puth. The video continued to gain views at an unprecedented rate and reached 4 billion views in just 203 days, breaking another record.
“Despacito” was also the first video to reach 5 billion views on YouTube, achieving this feat in April 2018. It continued to hold the title of the most viewed video on YouTube for over three years, until it was surpassed by the previously mentioned “Baby Shark Dance” in November 2020.
The success of “Despacito” on YouTube not only made it a global phenomenon, but it also helped to increase the popularity of Latin American music worldwide. The song topped the charts in over 40 countries, including the United States, and won numerous awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 2018 Latin Grammy Awards.
Conclusion
The most viewed video on YouTube ever is “Baby Shark Dance” by Pinkfong Kids’ Songs & Stories, which has gained over 11.5 billion views since its upload in 2016. The video’s success can be attributed to its catchy melody, simple lyrics, colorful animation, and heavy promotion on social media platforms. These factors combined created a viral sensation that has captured the attention of audiences worldwide.
It’s important to note that while “Baby Shark Dance” may not be everyone’s cup of tea, its success demonstrates the power of YouTube as a platform for creating and sharing content. The video’s popularity has also led to an increase in merchandise sales, live performances, and even a television series.
YouTube has become a powerhouse for content creators, musicians, and businesses looking to promote their brand. As such, it’s crucial to understand what makes a video successful on the platform. While there is no one-size-fits-all formula, understanding your target audience and providing value through your content is crucial to building a loyal and engaged following on YouTube.
In conclusion, “Baby Shark Dance” by Pinkfong Kids’ Songs & Stories is the most viewed video on YouTube ever, with over 11.5 billion views. Its success can be attributed to its catchy melody, simple lyrics, colorful animation, and heavy promotion on social media platforms. Its popularity serves as a reminder of the power of YouTube as a platform for creating and sharing content, and the importance of understanding your audience to build a successful following on the platform.
