16 YouTube Trends for 2024: New Forecasts & A Look Into What’s Next - Financesonline.com (2024)

When it comes to online video sharing, YouTube is, without a doubt, the ultimate destination. The platform has established itself as a peerless social media website where modern video culture unfolds daily. Because of this, marketers have turned to YouTube to build brand relevancy and spur their video marketing strategies. However, positive results have been hard to come by, especially for marketers who are not abreast of key YouTube trends.

The site is filled with engaging content ranging from how-to videos to political propaganda. Tons of fake news, unfounded conspiracy theories, including those about COVID-19 have been circulating (Reuters, 2020). Thus, it is very hard to rise above the noise. However, it is very possible to capitalize on the increasing popularity of the website.

In this article we’ll reveal all the latest YouTube trends you should know. We’ve sifted through statistics and reports to spot trends that make sense to business owners, marketers, brand influencers, and advertisers. The goal is to help you use video marketing to promote your brand and keep up with sustainably-minded consumers.

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Key YouTube Trends You Should Know

  1. YouTube Continues to Grow
  2. YouTube and the Pandemic: Battling Misinformation
  3. YouTube Live
  4. Immersive Shopping Videos
  5. How-to Tutorials
  6. Follower-Decided Content
  7. 360-Degree Videos
  1. YouTube Ads Over TV Ads
  2. Celebrity Channels
  3. Docuseries
  4. ASMR Variety
  5. YouTube Search Engine
  6. Ugly to Beauty Challenge
  7. Sustainable Living
  8. Gamers are Taking Over

In today’s fast-paced business world, there are millions of products and services vying for consumers’ attention. The cutthroat competition has impelled marketers to try new ways to make their products known to the masses. One way is content marketing, which has become a pillar for many marketing teams. From blogs, podcasts, and infographics to ebooks, whitepapers, and case studies, marketers are all out to get the attention of their consumers.

However, over the years, video marketing has vividly overshadowed all the others. Video marketing has taken over marketing, and it’s easy to see why. In 2020, Google Sites including YouTube were the most popular online video property in the US.Just in Q3 of 2020, a high number of internet users have used YouTube. In fact, in one survey, 77% of internet users who are 15 to 35 years-old used the site during the time period (AudienceProject, 2020).

And, a whopping 70% of people have bought a brand as a result of seeing it on YouTube (Google, 2020).

Apparently, video marketing has two key aspects that make it truly irresistible. One, video is good at capturing your consumers’ attention. Today’s consumers have hectic schedules and often don’t have time for the lengthy, text-based product description or sales pitch. Video allows marketers to circumvent this problem. It makes it a breeze to provide information in a way that consumers want to engage with.

Second, with video, it’s easy to deliver information that tags at the heartstrings of your consumers. This is because videos blend sounds and visuals that evoke emotions more effectively than text-based content. This way, when consumers watch videos, they feel more connected to your brand or product and are obliged to take action.

Besides, with videos comes clarity. When these three aspects are welded together, video generates increased conversion and higher ROI. To illustrate, according to HubSpot, adding a video on your landing page can increase conversion rates by 80% (HubSpot, 2020).

1. YouTube Continues to Grow

YouTube, the pandemic, and the continued lockdown are proving to be a hit, if sometimes an odd mix. By mid-March, 2020 at the start of widespread quarantines and lockdowns, people flocked to YouTube for a variety of reasons: from rekindling and reacquainting with old video haunts, discovering new ones to watch, or pursuing uncharted territories. Take, for example, the notable increase in the viewership of a video on making the perfect sourdough starter. This is despite the fact that not many of these viewers likely started with slow-fermented bread on their minds. For many, this is how their YouTube journey began. For YouTube, that simply proved the magic formula for its explosive growth.

Since its inception in February 2005, YouTube has grown exponentially to become the giant platform it is today. What started with a single, 18-seconds video called, “Me at the Zoo,” has developed to become the second most popular website, after Google. Today, there is a proliferation of YouTube videos with creators uploading 400 hours of video every minute.

In terms of users, YouTube receives an unbelievable 30 million visitors daily. Also, in total, YouTube has over 2 billion logged-in users (YouTube, 2021)each month, making it the third most visited website, trailing behind only Google and Facebook. Besides, video consumers watch over 1 billion hours of video on YouTube daily.

Key YouTube Numbers

  • >70% of watch time is done on mobile devices. (YouTube, 2021)
  • 80 – the number of available languages. (Hootsuite, 2021)
  • >$2 billion – the amount YouTube paid to partners in the last five years. (Hootsuite, 2021)
  • 9000+ – number of partners using Content ID, including movie studios, record labels, and major network broadcasters. (Hootsuite, 2021)
  • >800 million – videos claimed by YouTube partners since the implementation of Content ID. (Hootsuite, 2021)
  • >75 million – active reference files in Content ID database. It is one of the most comprehensive in the world even winning a Primetime Emmy. (Hootsuite, 2021)
  • >100 countries have local versions of YouTube. (Hootsuite, 2021)
  • >2 billion logged-in users visit the site watching over a billion hours of video. (Hootsuite, 2021)
  • 40% YoY – the growth in the number of channels earning six figures per year. (Hootsuite, 2021)
  • 50% YoY – the growth in the number of channels earning five figures per year. (Hootsuite, 2021)
  • 65% YoY – the growth in the number of channels with more than one million subscribers. (Hootsuite, 2021)

As it stands, YouTube controls nearly a third of the internet. The ever-growing numbers tell a story of a social networking platform that is setting the trends in the realms of online video sharing. YouTube has positioned itself as an incredible social platform not just for the entertainment industry, but also for businesses. Its rise as a social channel for business is poised for steady growth with researchers estimating that in 2020, 82% of the total internet traffic in the world had been video-based (Cisco, 2020).

As expected, many businesses are using YouTube today. In fact, statistics show that in pre-pandemic 2019, up to 62.9% of businesses used YouTube (Buffer, 2019) to post a video. The growth in the importance of YouTube as a video-sharing platform makes the business video world a highly competitive arena. Because of this, creativity alone won’t make your video stand out on YouTube. Rather, your videos will appeal to consumers only if you adopt sound video marketing strategies and above all, understand the current and emerging YouTube video trends. You can read this compilation of video marketing datato gain a better understanding of this landscape.

Power to the YouTube Creators

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YouTube Growth Trend Highlights

  • With over 400 hours of video uploaded every minute, YouTube’s video content is growing exponentially.
  • Besides, with over 1 billion hours of video watched daily, YouTube is a destination for many viewers.
  • YouTube is a reliable social channel for marketing and entertainment alike.

2. YouTube and the Pandemic: Battling Misinformation

Social media, including YouTube, can be useful in terms of getting the right information in a state of crisis. However, there is a wide proliferation of misinformation and conspiracy theories concerning COVID-19. The pandemic has claimed over a million people and has infected over 38 million more. Not only that, the pandemic brought the global economy to its knees. Making outrageous claims, especially with grave health consequences, is very dangerous.

Balancing freedom of expression on the platform and objectivity is a hard act to follow. However, to mitigate more harm, YouTube has proactively removed more than 200,000 videos related to misleading and dangerous COVID-19 information since February of 2020 (Reuters, 2020). The website also added health panels in search results for COVID-19 related searches. These health panels link to information from the NHS and WHO. On April 30, 2020, YouTube also launched a health panel for self-assessment to help people make decisions on whether to seek medical care (Google, 2021).

Just last November 17, 2020, YouTube updated its COVID-19 information panels with links to third-party authoritative vaccine info. These, however, were not meant to pass on judgment on the accuracy of the video that these panels pop up in.

This trend of YouTube taking more responsibility for the content on the platform is likely to continue. Last year’s effort won’t be the last. In fact, it has committed to partner up with health organizations to create more accurate medical videos. These include collaborations with the Mayo Clinic, the American Public Health Association, Cleveland Clinic, and The Forum at the Harvard School of Public Health.

This is a departure from its previous position of merely being an ad-supported video service just hosting content. Expect YouTube to be more proactive in the future. Whether this is good or bad, only time will tell.

YouTube Battling Misinformation Trend Highlights

  • YouTube has taken more responsibility in bringing third-party authoritative information on the pandemic.
  • There were over 200,000 videos taken down related to misinformation about COVID-19 and vaccines.
  • The website is likely to continue battling misinformation on the platform. Thus, brands must be more careful of the veracity of the content they put out.

3. YouTube Live

Consumers prefer to watch videos that tell a story. There is no better way to tell a captivating brand story than through a live stream. This is because live streams create a first-person, interaction that allows the consumer to relate and connect with your brand in real-time. The prospect of directly speaking to a brand intrigues consumers and inspires them to stick around longer.

Live streaming has taken social media space by storm, and YouTube has jumped the bandwagon. YouTube Live is an incredible live streaming feature that enables you to engage consumers in numerous interesting ways. Since it was rolled out in 2011, YouTube’s live stream functionality has changed the way people consume video content.

In fact, today, more people are likely to watch a live stream on YouTube than a regular video. The inclination of consumers towards live streaming is gradually eroding the consumption levels of regular videos. In fact, consumers spend 8 times longer watching live video than video on demand. As a result, if you want to reap additional value from YouTube, you must rethink your strategies.

YouTube Live makes video content seem authentic and relatable. Brands and marketers can use YouTube Live to start unfiltered conversations with their consumers. By allowing consumers to ask questions and speak to you directly via YouTube Live, it makes them feel valued. This way, the consumers feel obligated to reciprocate the favor. As a result, there is a high possibility that they will like the product or service you are introducing.

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YouTube Live Trend Highlights

  • You should start offering live Q&As on YouTube.
  • You should be showcasing your products or services via YouTube live streams.
  • It will also pay to introduce your brand influencer via YouTube Live.
  • Most importantly, prioritize telling your brand story through live video on YouTube.

4. Immersive shopping

In its own right, YouTube is the second largest search engine behind Google. Its search volume dwarfs that of Yahoo, Bing, Ask.com, and AOL combined. This, coupled with the fact that consumers are making buying decisions based on videos, makes Youtube a valuable source of information for shoppers.

To make it even better, YouTube allows video creators to share different types of shopping videos. From “Hauls,” “Shop With Me,” “Gift guides,” and product review videos, the platform makes it easy to create videos for shoppers in the pre-purchase and post-purchase stage. These digital videos are not created equal, but their ultimate goal is to simplify the customer experience.

For example, a “Shop with Me” video offers a guided tour at the retail store. A video creator documents the video to show viewers the A to Z of picking out items, say denim dress. This way, a potential buyer won’t have to worry about how they would look in a denim dress or how much it would cost.

The soaring popularity of immersive shopping videos on YouTube has upended shopping. To illustrate a study found that 80% of online shoppers watched a YouTube video (Think with Google) of the product they were planning to buy. Besides, over the last two years, the watch time of “shop with me” videos has grown tenfold. Besides, “does it work” grew 12 times, and “Everything you need to know” videos increased by two times.

As you can see, consumers view YouTube as a helpful shopping guide and research destination. Watching shopping videos is no longer a passive experience for buyers. It is an amazingly active experience that ends up with viewers buying from brands. The conversion of shopping videos is high, and it’s time you took advantage of this trend.

Immersive Shopping Trend Highlights

  • Brands should add product reviews and shopping guide videos to YouTube.
  • Watch time of “which product to buy” YouTube videos has doubled (ThinkWithGoogle) over the last two years. This means the time ripe for brands to partners with YouTube creators to make their products and services known.

5. How-to Tutorials

The How-to video is not a new genre on YouTube. The trend has been around for a long time, but even so, its popularity is not slowing down anytime soon. In fact, Google, YouTube’s parent company, has made changes to help how-to videos gain more traction.

Today, when you type a question on Google, you get two types of results. One is text-based results and second, is how-to video results. Given that video tutorials don’t just talk extensively about the solution, they demonstrate how to solve it, more consumers are now gravitating towards these videos.

From applying makeup, cooking a delicious recipe, and installing new software, how-to videos teach consumers how to do virtually anything. They simplify the lives of consumers, remove confusion about products’ use with firsthand information, and save time easy-to-follow steps. On the other hand, the videos take work off the plate of the customer service teams by reducing consumer’s concerns and questions.

When you evaluate how-to videos from a brand’s perspective, you’d be forgiven to wave it off as a tricky proposition. However, a deeper look into how-to and learning content reveals that this category is one of the best ways to capture consumers’ attention on YouTube. Recent research showed that how-to videos get the most attention on YouTube than any other category (Think with Google). Also, 67% of Millennials (Think with Google) strongly believe they can easily find how-to videos on virtually anything they want to learn.

Key How-to Video Numbers

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How-to Video Trend Highlights

  • To nail down how-to and learning videos on YouTube, marketers should prioritize this content as much as their consumers do.
  • Brands should mine insights from their consumers, and use those insights to create ad-driven campaigns. The idea is to broaden video content and remain as relevant as possible to the target audience.

6. Follower-Decided Content

Up until the last few years, YouTube creators were in full control of content creation. However, things have changed, and viewers are now getting the opportunity to decide the content. The fierce competition, propelled by the increasing viewers’ demands, has pushed creators to this whole new level.

Additionally; today, it’s more difficult than ever to capture the viewer’s attention. It takes immense creativity and strategic interactivity between the creator and the audience for videos to earn compelling viewership. But YouTuber creators have come up with a way to ensure the content they create is easy for viewers to relate with.

Instead of solely dictating content, influencers are now engaging viewers in a two-way dialog prior to content creation. Whether it’s via live videos, polls, or comments videos creators are investing in interactions, their fans love to have. This way, they harness viewers’ insights, while cultivating the type of connections that guarantee a more engaged audience. Here, you can employ one of the best customer feedback and review management solutions to guide your course.

There is no doubt the ‘follower decides” trend takes the influencer-viewer relationship a notch higher. But does this trend offer any benefits to marketers? Over the last year, the followers-decide video trend garnered more than 100 million views on YouTube (Think with Google).

Follower-Decided Content Trend Highlights

  • Brands and marketers should give viewers the unique opportunity to decide the content to spike true engagement.
  • Besides, marketers should use this opportunity to build user excitement around the next new product.

7. Morning & Night Routines Videos

People love stories. When the story impacts the viewer’s life, they pay close attention. The morning and night routines trend exemplifies YouTube storytelling. However, unlike other forms of stories on YouTube, morning and night routines videos tend to center around daily rituals.

For example, a morning routine video might include drinking coffee, gym schedules, and skincare regimen. On the other hand, night routine videos might include applying essential oil before bedtime.

Morning and night routines videos are made to solve the most common routine woes. Basically, influencers or celebrities film themselves applying makeup, getting ready for bed, unwinding after a tedious day, or doing any other morning or night rituals. They share these routines videos to inspire viewers and help them choose their skincare products, cosmetic options, and even restructure their daily routines.

There is an upsurge in the viewership of morning and night routine videos. In fact, statistics show that the watch time of night routine videos has increased by 80%, whereas that of morning routine videos has grown threefold. Also, 60% of online shoppers say YouTube videos inspire them to make a purchase decision (Think with Google).

The morning and nighttime routine videos continue to grow in popularity. These videos are tailored to the in-the-moment needs of the consumer; hence, they present an irresistible product placement goldmine.

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Morning and Night Routine Video Trend Highlights

  • Marketers should seize this opportunity to introduce new products.
  • Besides, consumer products and beauty brands should partner with YouTube creators to add targeted placement in these routine videos.

8. 360-Degree Videos

We all love exploring products and content in unique ways – there is no doubting that. In fact, when you are allowed to go in-depth with details about a product, making the purchase decision becomes a breeze. One of the best ways to rigorously examine a product is through 360-degree videos.

The introduction of 360-degree videos has been a monumental change in the way brands present products to consumers. Initially, video content was a click-to-play affair for consumers since there was no freedom to change the screen’s perspective.

However, that has changed with the emergence of 360-degree videos. Today, with 360-degree videos, consumers can move the video content around and interact with it in ways they previously couldn’t. The videos provide a truly immersive, virtual reality experience, keeping viewers thrilled.

The best thing about 360-degree videos is that they spike true engagement via immersive content. This way, the videos capture consumers’ attention and allow them to examine the product from their most convenient perspective.

360-Degree Video Trend Highlights

  • Marketers can use 360-degree videos to introduce or show products and services in unique ways.
  • Brands should seize the opportunity and allow consumers to see the features of their products from different angles.

Best Video Editing Software

  1. Final Cut Pro.This professional video editing tool is designed for macOS users and features 360-degree video editing. Discover its other capabilities in our Final Cut Pro review.
  2. Adobe Premiere Pro.This desktop video editing software supports simultaneous editing and immersive VR. Learn more about its functionalities in this Adobe Premiere Pro review.
  3. iMovie.This built-in application on macOS and iOS devices gives users powerful tools for telling stories in short video clips. Find out what other features it has in our iMovie review.
  4. Filmora9.Despite being intuitive for those beginners in video editing, this platform has great tools that enable users to create complex layers of videos. Our Filmora9 review has more details.
  5. WeVideo.This user-friendly and cloud-based video editing tool allows beginners and professionals alike to come up with great videos. This WeVideo review examines its key features.

9. YouTube Ads Over TV Ads

Not long ago, television (TV) was the channel of choice for business ads. However, recently, the marketing space has seen a dramatic change and businesses are reaping fewer returns from TV ads. Not only are prime TV ads expensive, but they also don’t reach as many consumers as they used to. The internet wave has swept away TV’s prime-time viewership, and unsurprisingly, businesses are pulling away from TV ads.

The dwindling fortune of TV ads has turned the odds in favor of YouTube ads. Today, many brands are investing their money into YouTube ads. This is quite understandable because YouTube ads are less expensive and they reach more consumers than TV ads. In fact, according to one Nielsen study, on mobile alone, YouTube reaches more adults consumers than any cable network does (Think with Google). Other compelling statistics include:

  • Consumers primarily watch YouTube on mobile during prime time (Think with Google, 2021).
  • 75% of adults watch YouTube at home on mobile devices.
  • Paid YouTube mobile advertising is 84% more likely to grab consumer attention than TV ads.

From the data, it’s clear that YouTube ads have overtaken TV ads. Besides, YouTube has redefined mobile viewing – from a daytime and on-the-go session to prime time activity. As a result, YouTube ads now rule where TV ads used to flourish, and the trend is gathering pace. By combining YouTube mobile advertising with one of the best mobile marketing software platforms, you easily achieve the desired goals.

YouTube Ads-over-TV-Ads Trend Highlights

  • While it’s still early to completely move away from traditional TV ads, time is ripe to adopt paid YouTube mobile advertising.
  • It’s time for your brand to create its own YouTube channel and start place targeted ads on video content.

10. Celebrity Channels

Traditionally, celebrities relied on media publications and record labels to release their content. However, the technological strides made in the social media landscape have changed the rules of the game.

Mainstream celebrities want to be close to their fans than ever before. This means that they have to deviate from the norm to allow fans to see them in their unplanned form. As a result, many A-listers have moved from publishing content via their record labels. They have taken to social media to create urgency around their brand and connect with their fans on a personal level.

For a long while, Instagram and Twitter have been the social channels of choice for many celebrities. With features like Instagram Stories, it has been easy for celebrities to release content that keeps fans engaged and yearning for more.

However, lately, the YouTube channel trend is redefining how celebrities interact with their fans. With a YouTube channel, celebrities can now deliver unscripted video content that is seen as being more authentic. Unlike the professionally produced content, the behind-the-scenes content has brought a new dimension to celebrity video content, making it more relatable.

Celebrity YouTube channels are personality-driven. This means celebrities have to jump out of the famous world and show fans the other side of life. This, in itself, is a well-calculated gamble for many A-listers, and many are willing to take the step. The move has blurred the lines between celebrity and social media influencing. On the other hand, it has given brand ambassadorship a breath of fresh air.

Celebrity Channel Trend Highlights

  • Brands can partner with celebrities and take advantage of the built-in follower base.
  • Celebrities with popular YouTube channels provide a built-in consumer base for brands.
  • With celebrities showing more behind-the-scenes videos, they are attracting new consumers.

11. Docuseries

Docuseries means a series of related, documentary-style videos released in segments. Generally, docuseries are videos that are released incrementally. These videos are massively trending today and influencers, as well as independent creators, are riding the wave. Some of the celebrities riding high on this trend include Ariana Grande and Shane Dawson.

What happens is, docuseries contain numerous crossovers and ideas that complement each other. This episodic nature of docuseries means that when viewers watch one segment, they are constantly on the lookout for the next one. Also, catch viewers where they stream. It was found that there was a significant increase in YouTube and YouTube TV watch time on TV screens in 2020.

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Docuseries Trend Highlights

  • The brand should partner with YouTube creators and take advantage of the already engaged viewers.
  • Docuseries provide an opportunity to engage the viewers now and in the future.

12. ASMR Variety

Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) videos are not the usual YouTube content. They are uniquely and professionally produced videos, primarily to deliver certain sounds and visuals. The videos are intended to invoke certain feelings that are satisfying and soothing to the viewers.

Generally, ASMR videos include things such as whispering, cooking, book reading, cosplay, eating, etc. The ASMR started a small niche, but the trend is currently in high gear. The video category has won the hearts of many viewers, and the online community of ASMRtists is growing steadily.

The emerging breed of ASMRtists has taken the influencer marketing space by storm. The evocative nature of their video content defies the norm of conventional marketing. As a result, this category is an irresistible platform for brands related to meditation, mental health, wellness, and therapy.

ASMR Trend Highlights

  • Brands related to meditation, mental health, wellness, and therapy should type into the hype around ASMR videos.
  • Not just for these brands, marketers can take advantage of the engaging nature of ASMR videos to target the broad consumer base.

13. YouTube Search Engine

Video marketing is on the rise, as more and more marketers seek to reap its benefits. In fact, HubSpot’s State of Inbound study found that 45% of marketers are spending more on YouTube marketing than any other channel (HubSpot, 2021). The influx of marketers to YouTube means that to see success, you need more than your creative video recording skills and recommended video editing software.

To generate increased conversion and greater ROI from video marketing, you need in-depth knowledge of YouTube search engine optimization. YouTube makes hundreds of changes each year, and 2019 is no different. For example in July 2019, YouTube tweaked its algorithm to make family content easily accessible. This change was made to appease parents and convince them that YouTube content is safe for kids.

This is one of the many changes made by Google to alter the YouTube algorithm. Generally, not all changes will favor your video marketing strategy on YouTube. For this reason, you’ll have to make the necessary changes to your SEO strategy for YouTube videos to stand out. What you need to know is that you’ll not be in direct control of some of the most important YouTube metrics. However, there is plenty of ‘best practices’ that can be adapted to align videos with the changing YouTube landscape.

For example, to increase video CTR, you can change the video title, thumbnail, and description. Besides, to boost audience retention endear to create clear, captivating, and valuable video content. Also, YouTube rewards videos that keep viewers on the platform. As such, it’s important to create high-quality content, produce long videos, and include captivating end screen elements.

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YouTube Search Engine Trend Highlights

  • YouTube is constantly tweaking its algorithm. As a result, a video that’s generating significant conversion today may not be the best tomorrow.
  • Aim to create videos that keep consumers engaged on YouTube longer. Ideally, you should create videos that are watched past the 15second mark.
  • Ensure that the primary keyword is added to the YouTube video title.

14. Ugly to Beauty Challenge

Are you in the beauty or skincare products industry? If yes, then, this is a trend to keep an eye on. The ugly to beauty challenge videos are on an upward trend on YouTube and other social media platforms. These tutorial videos fall under the how-to video category. However, we decided to highlight this as a trend on its own because of the targeted nature of these videos.

The Ugly to Beauty challenge videos are created by creators with a vast knowledge of beauty and skincare products. As the name suggests, YouTube creators share these videos with the intent to help viewers, especially those making their first move into cosmetics. This category has taken the online landscape by storm and it’s proving to be a reliable social media marketing strategy for B2C companies.

Ugly-to-Beauty Challenge Trend Highlights

  • The Ugly-to-Beauty Challenge video provides a product placement goldmine for beauty and skincare brands.
  • These tutorials provide a platform for beauty brands to reach untapped market segments.

15. Sustainable Living

It seems consumers, especially beauty mavens, want to look good and at the same time, live a good life. To put it simply, today’s consumers crave a more sustainable and minimalist lifestyle. Borrowing a leaf from the primitive technology videos, sustainable living videos are overhauling the modern lifestyle.

These videos have sprung to life on YouTube as more and more viewers turn attention to eco-friendlier products and services. The trend is not new, but it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on, especially for brands in the real estate, beauty, and hospitality industry.

As we have noticed, sustainable videos are playing out YouTibe in different ways. For example, there is a notable proliferation of videos in categories like “zero-waste swap.” In this category of videos, creators capture themselves using products that offer a more sustainable option. Another category that is causing ripples on YouTube is the minimalist existence videos, where creators ditch the urban life for a nomadic lifestyle like living in a van.

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Sustainable Living

  • Sustainable living videos offer the perfect opportunity for brands to examine evolving consumer behavior.
  • A new marketing niche is opening up for brands in the real estate, hospitality, and beauty industries.
  • It’s time to add videos that help your consumers live greener and more sustainable life.

16. Gamers are Taking Over

Gaming has become more popular as consoles and PC rigs are becoming more accessible. This makes game streaming, commentary, and walk-throughs a popular form of content on YouTube. As of Q3 of 2020, there were about 910,000 unique channels on YouTube Gaming Live around the world. YouTube, however, is not the leading platform. In 2019, internet users have streamed more than 9 billion hours on Twitch. YouTube only registered just more than 2.68 billion hours. It comes a far second.

However, YouTube Gaming is gaining steam. Its pre-pandemic growth was +16% compared to Twitch’s +20%. And, many top gaming channels are from YouTube. Here are the top gaming channels ranked by the number of subscribers in 2020.

  1. PewDiePie – 107 million
  2. Fernanfloo – 38.2 million
  3. VEGETA777 – 31.3 million
  4. Markiplier – 27.1 million
  5. VanossGaming – 25.3 million
  6. jacksepticeye – 25.2 million
  7. Ninja – 24.1 million
  8. DanTDM – 23.9 million
  9. Talking Tom – 21.6 million
  10. TheDonato – 20.2 million

In the coming years, as YouTube becomes much more popular, expect more gaming channels to pop up. And, there are a good bunch of places to reach out for sponsorships and content partnerships.

YouTube Gaming Trend Highlights

  • YouTube is taking aim to be the leader in the game streaming market.
  • Currently, however, YouTube is only second Twitch.
  • Gaming channels and personalities have good potential for sponsorships and content partnerships.

What should you do with these YouTube trends?

Trends change almost daily, and it is no different from YouTube. However, the trends we’ve mentioned above have shown consistency in the way they have dominated the YouTube landscape in recent years. New trends will spring up in the most unexpected time; there is no doubt about that. But for now, it’s time to take advantage of the existing YouTube trends.

These trends are ruling the waves at a time when there is a huge surge in the adoption of video by marketers. If you want to blast into the future of video marketing, you need to align your strategy with these trends. The best thing is that you don’t have to own a YouTube channel to reap the potential benefits. You can partner with established celebrities and YouTube influencers to market your product or service to the target audience. Above all, you should understand what campaign management in marketing is, and use the right software solutions tostreamline your entire marketing strategy.

Key Insights

  • YouTube Growth:
    • YouTube remains the second most popular website with over 2 billion logged-in users monthly.
    • 400 hours of video are uploaded every minute, reflecting exponential growth since its inception.
    • Over 1 billion hours of video are watched daily, and 70% of watch time happens on mobile devices.
  • Pandemic Impact:
    • The pandemic increased YouTube’s popularity as people turned to the platform for diverse content.
    • YouTube proactively removed over 200,000 videos spreading COVID-19 misinformation.
  • Live Streaming:
    • YouTube Live has gained traction, with viewers spending 8 times longer on live videos compared to on-demand videos.
    • Live streaming allows brands to engage directly with consumers, enhancing authenticity and relatability.
  • Immersive Shopping:
    • Shopping-related videos, such as “Hauls” and “Shop With Me,” have grown significantly, influencing consumer purchase decisions.
    • The watch time for shopping videos has increased tenfold over the last two years.
  • How-to Tutorials:
    • How-to videos remain highly popular, with 67% of millennials believing they can find tutorials for any task.
    • These videos provide practical, easy-to-follow guidance, enhancing consumer engagement.
  • Follower-Decided Content:
    • Creators increasingly involve viewers in content creation through polls, comments, and live interactions.
    • This trend boosts viewer engagement and fosters a stronger connection between creators and their audience.
  • Routine Videos:
    • Morning and night routine videos have surged in popularity, with a threefold increase in morning routine video watch time.
    • These videos provide a prime opportunity for product placements in daily rituals.
  • 360-Degree Videos:
    • 360-degree videos offer an immersive experience, allowing viewers to explore content from various angles.
    • This format enhances engagement and provides a unique way for brands to showcase products.
  • YouTube Ads:
    • YouTube ads are increasingly preferred over TV ads due to their cost-effectiveness and higher reach.
    • YouTube mobile ads are significantly more effective in capturing consumer attention compared to TV ads.
  • Celebrity Channels:
    • Celebrities are leveraging YouTube to connect with fans through unscripted, authentic content.
    • This trend offers brands a valuable opportunity to partner with celebrities for marketing purposes.
  • Docuseries:
    • Docuseries, which release content incrementally, are becoming popular for sustained viewer engagement.
    • These series provide opportunities for brands to partner with creators and reach an engaged audience.
  • ASMR Videos:
    • ASMR videos, known for their soothing and satisfying nature, are gaining popularity.
    • Brands related to wellness, mental health, and meditation can tap into the ASMR trend to reach a broad audience.
  • YouTube Search Engine:
    • Effective YouTube SEO is crucial for visibility and conversion.
    • Marketers need to stay updated with YouTube’s algorithm changes to optimize their video content.
  • Sustainable Living:
    • Videos promoting sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyles are on the rise.
    • Brands in real estate, hospitality, and beauty can capitalize on this trend to cater to environmentally conscious consumers.
  • Gaming Content:
    • Gaming channels are thriving, with top channels amassing millions of subscribers.
    • YouTube Gaming is growing, providing opportunities for sponsorships and content partnerships.

FAQ

  1. How has YouTube’s growth been influenced by the pandemic? The pandemic has significantly boosted YouTube’s popularity as people sought diverse content during lockdowns. There was a notable increase in viewership for various types of content, from how-to videos to live streams. YouTube also took proactive measures to combat misinformation related to COVID-19, enhancing its credibility as a reliable information source.
  2. What makes live streaming on YouTube beneficial for brands? Live streaming on YouTube allows brands to engage directly with consumers in real-time, creating a more authentic and relatable interaction. This format encourages longer viewer engagement compared to regular videos and provides opportunities for live Q&A sessions, product showcases, and storytelling.
  3. Why are immersive shopping videos important for marketers? Immersive shopping videos, such as “Hauls” and “Shop With Me,” have grown in popularity and significantly influence consumer purchasing decisions. These videos provide detailed product insights and guided shopping experiences, making them valuable tools for brands to connect with potential buyers.
  4. What is the significance of how-to tutorials on YouTube? How-to tutorials are highly popular as they offer practical, easy-to-follow guidance on various tasks. These videos cater to consumers seeking quick and effective solutions, making them an essential content type for brands to engage and educate their audience.
  5. How are follower-decided content and routine videos changing YouTube content creation? Follower-decided content involves viewers in the content creation process, fostering stronger engagement and connection. Routine videos, showcasing daily rituals like morning and night routines, have surged in popularity and provide prime opportunities for product placements in relatable contexts.
  6. What advantages do 360-degree videos offer? 360-degree videos provide an immersive viewing experience, allowing viewers to explore content from various angles. This format enhances engagement and offers a unique way for brands to showcase their products, making the content more interactive and appealing.
  7. How have YouTube ads become more effective than TV ads? YouTube ads are more cost-effective and have a higher reach compared to traditional TV ads. With the rise of mobile viewing, YouTube ads capture consumer attention more effectively, making them a preferred choice for brands looking to maximize their advertising ROI.
  8. What role do celebrity channels play in YouTube marketing? Celebrity channels offer brands the opportunity to partner with well-known personalities who have a built-in follower base. This partnership allows brands to reach a broader audience through authentic, unscripted content that resonates with fans, enhancing brand visibility and engagement.
  9. How do docuseries contribute to sustained viewer engagement? Docuseries, which release content incrementally, keep viewers engaged over a longer period as they anticipate new episodes. This format provides brands with opportunities to partner with creators and maintain a consistent presence in front of an engaged audience.
  10. What is the appeal of ASMR videos for marketers? ASMR videos, known for their soothing and satisfying effects, attract a broad audience interested in wellness, mental health, and relaxation. Brands in related industries can leverage the popularity of ASMR videos to reach a receptive and engaged consumer base.
  11. Why is effective YouTube SEO crucial for marketers? Effective YouTube SEO is essential for improving visibility and conversion rates. Marketers need to stay updated with YouTube’s algorithm changes and optimize their video content to align with best practices, ensuring their videos reach the target audience and generate desired results.
  12. How can brands capitalize on the trend of sustainable living videos? Sustainable living videos cater to consumers seeking eco-friendly and minimalist lifestyles. Brands in real estate, hospitality, and beauty can create or sponsor content that promotes sustainability, tapping into the growing demand for environmentally conscious products and services.
  13. What opportunities exist in the gaming content niche on YouTube? Gaming content is thriving on YouTube, with top gaming channels amassing millions of subscribers. Brands can explore sponsorships and content partnerships with gaming influencers to reach a highly engaged audience and tap into the growing gaming community.

References:

  1. YouTube for Press. (2021).Press. YouTube.
  2. Newberry,C. (2021, February 2).25 YouTube statistics that may surprise you: 2021 edition. Hootsuite.
  3. Culliford,E., & Dave,P. (2020, October 14).YouTube bans coronavirus vaccine misinformation. Reuters.
  4. Comscore. (2021).Top U.S. Online Video Content Properties Ranked by Unique Video Viewers February 2021. Comscore.
  5. Werliin,R. (2020, September 17).New study: Instagram climbs the ladder, TikTok has a long way to go. AudienceProject.
  6. Rettke,N. (2020, June 18).Drive results with new direct response solutions on YouTube. Google.
  7. Cox,L.K. (2020, February 25).16 video marketing statistics to inform your 2020 strategy [Infographic]. HubSpot.
  8. YouTube Culture & Trends. (2021).Watching the pandemic. YouTube.
  9. YouTube. (2021).YouTube for press. YouTube.
  10. Cisco. (2020, March 9).Cisco annual internet report (2018–2023) white paper. Cisco.
  11. Buffer. (2019).State of social 2019. Buffer.
  12. YouTube Help. (2021, February 18).Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) updates. Google.
  13. Livestream Blog. (2020, April 16).47 must-know live video streaming statistics. Vimeo.
  14. Think with Google. (2018, July 24).How digital video has upended shopping as we know it. Think with Google.
  15. O’Neil-Hart,C. (2017, December 4).Self-directed learning from YouTube. Think with Google.
  16. Think with Google. (n.d.).Followers decide video view statistics. Think with Google.
  17. Pettie,E. (2018, October 30).Trending now on YouTube: Halloween, morning and nighttime routines, and holiday travel planning. Think with Google.
  18. Think with Google. (2018, July 26).YouTube mobile reach statistics. Think with Google.
  19. Think with Google. (2021).The latest YouTube stats on when, where, and what people watch. Think with Google.
  20. HubSpot. (2021).The ultimate list of marketing statistics for 2021. HubSpot.

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16 YouTube Trends for 2024: New Forecasts & A Look Into What’s Next - Financesonline.com (7)

By James Anthony

A senior FinancesOnline writer on SaaS and B2B topics, James Anthony passion is keeping abreast of the industry’s cutting-edge practices (other than writing personal blog posts on why Firefly needs to be renewed). He has written extensively on these two subjects, being a firm believer in SaaS to PaaS migration and how this inevitable transition would impact economies of scale. With reviews and analyses spanning a breadth of topics from software to learning models, James is one of FinancesOnline’s most creative resources on and off the office.

16 YouTube Trends for 2024: New Forecasts & A Look Into What’s Next - Financesonline.com (2024)

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