With so much content online, YouTube is the top place to watch videos. Since its launch in 2005, YouTube has become home to everything from music videos and tutorials to comedy sketches and vlogs. But one question consistently sparks curiosity:
What is the most viewed video on YouTube?
In this in-depth post, we’ll not only answer that question but also explore why that video holds the top spot, the history of viral videos on YouTube, and how viewership trends have evolved over time.
The Most Viewed Video on YouTube (As of 2025)
As of April 2025, the most viewed video on YouTube is:
🎵 “Baby Shark Dance” by Pinkfong
✅ Over 15.7 billion views
🗕️ Uploaded: June 17, 2016
This children’s music video has become a global phenomenon. Created by South Korean educational company Pinkfong, “Baby Shark Dance” features animated characters, colorful visuals, and a catchy tune that’s stuck in millions of people’s heads. Its viral nature and ability to appeal to both kids and adults has pushed it to the top of YouTube’s charts.
But how did a simple kids’ song become the most watched video in the world? Let’s dig deeper.
Top 10 Most Viewed YouTube Videos (2025 Edition)
Here’s a look at the most viewed videos on YouTube as of 2025:
| Rank | Title | Views (approx.) | Channel | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baby Shark Dance | 15.7B+ | Pinkfong | Kids/Music |
| 2 | Despacito | 8.6B+ | Luis Fonsi | Music Video |
| 3 | Wheels on the Bus | 7.3+B | Cocomelon | Kids Song |
| 4 | Johny Johny Yes Papa | 7.0B+ | LooLoo Kids | Kids Song |
| 5 | Bath Song | 7.0B+ | Cocomelon | Kids Song |
| 6 | See You Again | 6.6+B | Wiz Khalifa | Music Video |
| 7 | Shape of You | 6.4B+ | Ed Sheeran | Music Video |
| 8 | Phonics Song with Two Words | 6.3B+ | ChuChu TV | Educational |
| 9 | Uptown Funk | 5.5B+ | Mark Ronson | Music Video |
| 10 | Gangnam Style | 5.5B+ | PSY | Music Video |
A Brief History of YouTube’s Most Viewed Videos
The Early Days (2005–2010)
In the early days of YouTube, funny or emotional videos dominated the platform. Viral hits like “Charlie Bit My Finger”, “Evolution of Dance”, and “David After Dentist” were among the most viewed. These videos became viral before social media was widespread, relying mostly on word-of-mouth and email sharing.
Gangnam Style Era (2012–2017)
In 2012, PSY’s “Gangnam Style” became the first video to break 1 billion views. It was a monumental moment in YouTube history. The Korean pop song sparked a global dance craze and held the most-viewed title for nearly 5 years.
The Rise of Music Videos (2017–2020)
With faster internet and mobile access, music videos started to dominate YouTube. “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran were massive hits that accumulated billions of views quickly. This marked a shift in YouTube consumption from memes to mainstream entertainment.
The Children’s Content Takeover (2020–Present)
As smartphones and tablets became common among children, kid-friendly content exploded. Channels like Cocomelon, ChuChu TV, and Pinkfong rose in popularity. Their content was tailor-made for repeat views, leading to huge numbers and eventually allowing “Baby Shark Dance” to take the crown.
What Makes a Video Go Viral on YouTube?
Several ingredients contribute to viral success:
- Relatability: Content that connects emotionally or entertains across cultures.
- Repetition: Especially in kids’ content, repeated plays drive views up.
- Catchy Sound/Music: A good hook keeps people engaged.
- Short and Snackable: Short videos (under 3 minutes) are more likely to be watched in full.
- Multi-Platform Support: Videos that trend on TikTok, Twitter, or Instagram often funnel traffic back to YouTube.
- YouTube SEO Optimization: Smart use of titles, tags, and thumbnails can make a huge difference.
Fun Fact: How Long Would It Take to Watch “Baby Shark” 14.8 Billion Times?
Each view of “Baby Shark Dance” is about 2 minutes long.
- 14.8 billion views × 2 minutes = 29.6 billion minutes
- That’s about 56,300 years of continuous viewing time.
To put that in perspective, humans started farming only about 12,000 years ago!
Final Thoughts
YouTube’s most viewed video says a lot about what people around the world are watching. It reflects not just entertainment trends, but also technology usage, parenting behaviors, and how we consume media.
“Baby Shark Dance” might look like a fun kids’ song, but its catchy tune, global popularity, and meme-worthy charm helped it go viral. With new and exciting videos being uploaded every day, another viral hit could take the top spot at any time.
So, if you’ve ever wondered, “What is the most viewed video on YouTube?”, now you have your answer – and the story behind it.