The Most Popular Clips on YouTube, Ranked

Choose the clips you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 12, 2024 06:15
With the abundance of content on YouTube, it's often a challenge to filter through everything to find the most engaging and talked about videos. By ranking these clips based on viewer votes, it becomes easier to identify what is currently capturing the attention of the largest audience. This method not only highlights the flavors of the season but also gives new viewers a curated starting point. This dynamic ranking adjusts with each vote, presenting a continuously updated snapshot of popular opinion. Your participation is crucial as it directly influences the rankings, ensuring that they represent a collective preference. For those interested in what's trending or seeking to contribute to the visibility of their favorite videos, engaging with this list is key.

What Are the Most Popular Clips on YouTube?

  1. 1
    80
    votes
    This catchy children's song has become a viral sensation with over 8 billion views on YouTube. It has spawned a variety of merchandise and even a TV show.
    The 'Baby Shark Dance' is a popular children's song and dance video that went viral on YouTube. It features a catchy tune, simple lyrics, and an easy-to-follow choreography, making it a hit among young kids. The video showcases various colorful animations of sharks and other sea creatures, along with a family of singers and dancers performing the dance moves.
    • Title: Baby Shark Dance
    • Release Year: 2016
    • Genre: Children's song
    • Language: English
    • Duration: 2:17
    "Baby Shark Dance" by Pinkfong in other rankings
  2. 2
    24
    votes
    This Spanish-language hit became the most-viewed video on YouTube in 2017, with over 7 billion views. Its catchy tune and danceable beat made it a global phenomenon.
    "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee in other rankings
  3. 3
    18
    votes
    This Korean pop song became a viral sensation in 2012, with its quirky dance moves and catchy chorus. It has over 3 billion views on YouTube and helped introduce K-pop to a global audience.
    Gangnam Style is a music video by South Korean artist PSY that became a global phenomenon. Released in July 2012, it quickly gained unprecedented popularity on YouTube for its catchy tune, humorous lyrics, and distinctive dance moves. The song satirizes the flashy lifestyle of Gangnam, a trendy district in Seoul, with PSY's energetic and eccentric performance. Gangnam Style broke multiple records and became the most-watched video on YouTube at the time.
    • Release Date: July 15, 2012
    • Genre: K-pop, dance-pop
    • Duration: 4 minutes and 13 seconds
    • Views: Over 3.9 billion
    • Likes: Over 18 million
    "Gangnam Style" by PSY in other rankings
  4. 4
    8
    votes
    This emotional tribute to actor Paul Walker, who died during the filming of "Fast & Furious 7," has over 5 billion views on YouTube. Its touching lyrics and powerful music video resonated with fans around the world.
    The music video for "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth is a tribute to the late actor Paul Walker, who was a part of the Fast & Furious film franchise. The video features emotional scenes from the movie series, intercut with shots of Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth performing the song. It aims to showcase the bond between the cast members and pay homage to Paul Walker's impact on the franchise.
    • Title: See You Again
    • Artist: Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
    • Release Date: April 6, 2015
    • Genre: Pop hip-hop
    • Views: over 4.9 billion
    "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth in other rankings
  5. 5
    16
    votes
    This funky hit has over 4 billion views on YouTube and won a Grammy for Record of the Year in 2016. Its catchy chorus and retro vibe made it a fan favorite.
    "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars in other rankings
  6. 6
    9
    votes
    This pop hit has over 5 billion views on YouTube and was the best-selling single of 2017. Its upbeat rhythm and romantic lyrics made it a popular choice for weddings and dance parties.
    Shape of You is a music video by Ed Sheeran, released on January 30, 2017. It is one of the most popular clips on YouTube, with over 5 billion views as of September 2021. The video features Ed Sheeran participating in a boxing match and falling in love with a woman practicing capoeira. It follows their blossoming relationship from training together to spending time together outside the gym. The video captures a mix of energetic dance moves and romantic moments, all set to the catchy pop song Shape of You.
    • Release Date: January 30, 2017
    • Views: Over 5 billion (as of September 2021)
    • Duration: 4 minutes and 24 seconds
    • Genre: Pop
    • Director: Jason Koenig
    "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran in other rankings
  7. 7
    8
    votes
    This empowering anthem has over 3 billion views on YouTube and inspired fans around the world to embrace their inner strength. Its catchy chorus and colorful music video made it a fan favorite.
    Roar is a music video by Katy Perry, released on September 5, 2013. The video was directed by Grady Hall and Mark Kudsi, and features Katy Perry stranded in a jungle after a plane crash, embracing her inner strength and independence. The video conveys a message of empowerment and self-discovery, as Perry goes on a journey to find herself. It has garnered over 3 billion views on YouTube, making it one of the most popular clips on the platform.
    • Release Date: September 5, 2013
    • Directors: Grady Hall, Mark Kudsi
    • Views: 3+ billion
    • Duration: 4 minutes, 30 seconds
    • Genre: Pop
    "Roar" by Katy Perry in other rankings
  8. 8
    10
    votes
    This feel-good love song has over 3 billion views on YouTube and features the band surprising couples with impromptu wedding performances. Its romantic lyrics and heartwarming music video made it a popular choice for wedding receptions.
    The music video for 'Sugar' by Maroon 5 features the band surprising couples on their wedding day with impromptu performances. The clip showcases the band setting up their equipment and surprising couples at various wedding venues, resulting in heartwarming reactions from the newlyweds and their guests.
    • Title: Sugar
    • Artist: Maroon 5
    • Release Date: January 14, 2015
    • Genre: Pop
    • Length: 5 minutes and 2 seconds
    "Sugar" by Maroon 5 in other rankings
  9. 9
    5
    votes
    This dance-pop hit has over 4 billion views on YouTube and features the singer apologizing to a former lover. Its infectious beat and catchy chorus made it a fan favorite.
    "Sorry" by Justin Bieber in other rankings
  10. 10
    2
    votes
    This anthemic pop-rock hit has over 3 billion views on YouTube and features the band performing in a variety of locations, from a desert to a city skyline. Its uplifting lyrics and catchy melody made it a fan favorite.
    The "Counting Stars" music video by OneRepublic is a popular clip on YouTube. It showcases the band performing the song in various locations, including a warehouse and a forest. The video also features a narrative of a girl struggling with her life choices. The visuals of the video are engaging and complement the energetic and catchy nature of the song.
    • Title: Counting Stars
    • Artist: OneRepublic
    • Release Year: 2013
    • Genre: Pop rock
    • Duration: 4:44

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular clips

  1. View count
    One of the primary factors that determine the popularity of a YouTube clip is the total number of views it has garnered over time. The higher the view count, the more popular the clip is among users.
  2. Likes and Dislikes
    The number of likes and dislikes on a video can provide insight into audience response and overall popularity. A higher like-to-dislike ratio usually indicates a more popular and positively received clip.
  3. Comments
    The number of comments a video has can also be an indicator of its popularity, as it reflects the level of audience engagement and discussion surrounding the clip. A higher number of comments often signifies increased interest and engagement.
  4. Channel's subscribers
    Consider the number of subscribers of the channel that uploaded the clip. A video posted by a channel with many subscribers may have more views, indicating higher popularity.
  5. Share count
    The number of times a clip has been shared on social media can also offer insight into its popularity. A higher number of shares implies that the video has resonated with a broader audience and caught the attention of many viewers.
  6. Watch time
    Watch time, or the amount of time users spend watching a video, can provide valuable information concerning the popularity of a clip. Longer watch times tend to signify higher audience retention and overall enjoyment of the content.
  7. Audience demographics
    Another aspect to consider is the demographic breakdown of the people watching the clips, as some videos might be more popular among specific age groups, genders, or geographic locations.
  8. Awards/Recognition
    Videos that have earned awards, such as YouTube Creator Awards, or have been recognized by other media platforms or websites can signify a high level of popularity.
  9. Inclusion in playlists
    The number of playlists in which a video has been included can also indicate its popularity. When a clip is added to many playlists, it demonstrates that viewers find the content valuable or entertaining enough to save and watch again.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular clips on YouTube. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or clip is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1648 views
  • 186 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each clip once every 24 hours. The rank of each clip is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

Categories

More information on most popular clips on youtube

YouTube has become a global phenomenon, with over 1 billion users and hundreds of millions of videos shared each day. As one of the most popular video sharing platforms, YouTube has something for everyone, from music videos to gaming content, vlogs, and more. One of the most engaging features of YouTube is the ability to create and share video clips. These clips are short, engaging highlights of longer videos that capture the most exciting, humorous, or memorable moments. Over time, some of these clips have become incredibly popular, attracting millions of views and creating viral sensations. From funny animal videos to epic fails and heartwarming moments, the most popular clips on YouTube offer a glimpse into the best that this platform has to offer. Whether you're a casual viewer or a dedicated YouTuber, these clips are sure to entertain and inspire. So if you're looking for a quick and easy way to discover the best of YouTube, be sure to check out our list of the most popular clips on the platform.

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