Below, is a list of some of the most viewed videos in YouTube history. The ranking is mainly dominated by music videos and children’s content; two formats that have demonstrated a unique ability to accumulate reproductions on a global scale.
| # | Video | Artist / Channel | Approx. # of Views |
| 1 | Baby Shark Dance | Pinkfong | 14 billion |
| 2 | Despacito | Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee | 8 billion |
| 3 | Johny Johny Yes Papa | LooLoo Kids | 6 billion |
| 4 | Bath Song | Cocomelon | 6 billion |
| 5 | Shape of You | Ed Sheeran | 6 billion |
| 6 | See You Again | Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth | 5 billion |
| 7 | Phonics Song with Two Words | ChuChu TV | 5 billion |
| 8 | Uptown Funk | Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars | 5 billion |
| 9 | Gangnam Style | PSY | 4 billion |
| 10 | Learning Colors – Colorful Eggs on a Farm | Miroshka TV | 4 billion |
The interesting thing behind these numbers
- Children’s content dominates: Channels such as Cocomelon, Pinkfong, or ChuChu TV, capitalize on constant repetition, making each reproduction a habit, rather than an active decision.
- Music continues to be the most universal format: “Despacito” marked a turning point by demonstrating that language is no longer a barrier to achieving a global reach.
- The algorithm rewards repetition: The videos that work best are not always the most complex, but the most playable: catchy beats and simple structures, leading to high recurring consumption.
- The first major viral video was “Gangnam Style”: In 2012, the music video not only broke records, but also forced YouTube to update its view counter, marking a before and after on the platform.
It is no coincidence that the most watched videos in the world are not necessarily the most “creative,” but the most repeatable. In the economy of attention, it’s easy to get a few views. The hard thing — and what really scales — is getting someone to come back again and again without thinking about it.
Tomilli
