The Top YouTube Categories To Consider When Launching Your Marketing Campaigns

The top YouTube categories can be leveraged by marketers to drive successful marketing campaigns. Ever considered launching your next big campaign on YouTube? (check out our YouTube statistics blog to help your decision).

YouTube remains a dominant platform that captures the attention of billions worldwide; 2.1bn to be exact. Its diverse range of content offers an abundance of opportunities for brands and businesses to collaborate with influencers who hold sway over specific niches.

But which of these niches are the most profitable?

From the glitz and the glam of the beauty scene, to the thrills of the gaming world, we’ll uncover the top YouTube categories and the untapped potential they offer marketers who are looking to launch their next campaign on the platform. 

Not only this, but we’ll also delve into the emerging trends that are shaping the latest shifts in audience preferences so that you’re publishing up-to-date, engaging content. After all, staying relevant is the key to navigating an ever-changing digital landscape. 

If you’re looking to harness the power of YouTube for your next big campaign, then keep reading to discover which of the top YouTube categories will unlock your influencer marketing potential and propel you to new heights. 

The top YouTube categories driving successful marketing campaigns

Carefully selecting the content type your marketing campaign will adopt is crucial for determining its success later on. Here are the most popular categories on YouTube when it comes to content:

1. Commentary videos

The internet has shifted to a place where thoughts and opinions from people are encouraged and commentary-based videos are feeding that.

Commentary videos involve someone expressing their thoughts/opinions on any topic. Think monologue, but informative, sarcastic and comedic. Your commentary video can take on a more aggressive tone and adopt the popular rant video format, or swing the opposite way and delve into business/current affairs to help educate the public.

Whichever commentary approach you want to take, you’ll be guaranteed several views.

Memeulous is one of YouTube’s most popular commentary video creators.

2. Music videos

Music does extremely well on YouTube. Just think about how many music videos from your favourite artists are uploaded to the platform. Though music streaming platforms are flourishing, nothing seems to have replaced YouTube clips.

Not only is this a great platform for professional musicians, but it also houses large amounts of user-generated and amateur content, cover performances, lyrics videos, karaoke material etc. 

Just Eat created a notable example of a brand cashing in on the top YouTube categories to drive a successful campaign, with their Did Somebody Say music video featuring Katy Perry. 

3. Reviews

Reviews belong to the most beloved of YouTube categories. 

Reviews can take on many forms. Typically, creators will review products or services (this is what we often see influencers doing).

The great thing about review videos is that they don’t necessarily have to be very professional-looking. What matters most is their advertising value. Polls have regularly shown that consumers are more likely to make a purchase if they see a positive review online. 

YouTube is the perfect medium for many products. People find it a lot easier to relate to a review if they can physically see the product in question. 

4. Educational videos and tutorials

How long does it take to boil an egg? How to take your phone’s SIM card out? Just about every question known to man can be met with a YouTube tutorial. 

Considering how many people retain visual and mobile information more easily, tutorials seem to be a sound way to go when marketing your product. 

The debate surrounding studying through YouTube is still very much open, so why not claim your slice of the pie by uploading educational content to help your audience learn something new about your brand?

Ryobi Tools does a great job of integrating a tutorial in with their new product launch.

5. Docuseries

If you are a regular user of YouTube, you won’t be surprised with our next contender in our top YouTube categories list. 

Docuseries take a documentary and break it down into several episodes before posting them to YouTube. They typically follow an individual, group of people, or a certain situation over a period of time. They also have varied objectives, from educating to marketing (for example, companies that film their day-to-day functioning).

Check out Oner Active’s documentary below, which highlights the running of the company and gives viewers a glimpse into the happenings behind-the-scenes; all with the intention of selling the brand. 

6. Challenge videos

Our list of the top YouTube categories would not be complete without the inclusion of challenge videos. These are like games in which the participants are invited to do out-of-the-ordinary activities either for charity or for pure fun. Oftentimes, the aim of circulating a challenge around the internet is to raise awareness or money for a certain cause. Think Ice Bucket Challenge circa 2014, which raised more than $220 million for ALS charities worldwide.

All brands can create their own challenge as a promotional strategy too. 

7. ASMR videos

Whether you love them or hate them, there is no denying that the recent ASMR trend is shifting audience preferences one whisper at a time. 

ASMR stands for autonomous sensory meridian response and involves capturing the “pleasing” sounds of everyday life; such as scratching, breathing, whispering, paper crinkling etc. 

As of lately, brands across all industries have taken on the ASMR trend, with skincare brands emphasising the sounds of lathering products and fashion brands recording the sound of their packaging being opened. ASMR videos have no limits – and therefore infinite success – so it’s no wonder it has earned a spot on the list of the top YouTube categories! 

FAQs

Which content is most popular on YouTube in 2023?

As of 2023, music videos are the most popular content type on YouTube.

What are the most popular content categories on YouTube?

1. Commentary videos
2. Music videos
3. Reviews
4. Educational videos and tutorials
5. Docuseries
6. Challenge videos
7. ASMR videos

Which YouTube categories pay the most?

The most profitable YouTube categories are:

1. Make money online
2. Social media marketing
3. Finance & investing
4. Educational videos
5. Photography & filmmaking 
6. Cars
7. Lifestyle
8. Fashion & clothing
9. Entertainment
10.  Cooking

Which of the top YouTube categories is the fastest growing?

Beauty and fashion is growing rapidly. 

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@ Socially Powerful