YouTube Trends in 2021 will be more important than ever because the demand for video content increases everyday. Video is now almost always favorable to text because visual culture completely takes over the younger generation with platforms like Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. According to Google’s statistics, 54% of users want to see more video content. As content creators rush to meet the demand, new Youtube trends will surely rise in 2021.
Here are 2021’s Biggest YouTube Trends
- Follower Decided Content
- Live Video Content
- Retail vs. Minimalism
- Immersive Retail
- Focusing on Sustainability and Minimalism
- Fitness Videos and Daily Challenges
- How-To Videos
Follower-Decided Content
As the number of content creators increases, the creators find new ways to interact with and attract the attention of their audiences. Because YouTube is significantly less interactive than say, Instagram, the creators need to be very creative in how they generate interaction.
In the past few years, YouTube creators have developed the habit of allowing their followers to decide on their content. While not directly controlling the content, subscribers can now make choices about the upcoming videos. This both feels like a unique opportunity to choose what they want to watch, and create a hype for what’s next.
The creators can use live videos, polls, or even video comments to gather feedback and include their subscribers in the creative process. With the inflation of content creators and the rising need to be more engaging, we’re certain follower-decided content will be a big YouTube trend in 2021.
Live Video Content
With everyone at home, live videos have been more popular than ever. Not only have they seen a massive surge on Instagram, but they’ve also increased their gravity on YouTube.
As everything happens in real time, live videos hook more viewers onto the screens than previously recorded videos. They are also more casual and longer in duration. Whether the content be gaming, podcasts, music performances, or a basic chat; live videos are a unique experience for both the creator and the viewer because of the endless possibilities to interact in real time.
Retail vs Minimalism
Immersive Retail
A big YouTube trend is immersive shopping videos where the host invites you in to shop with them. These videos usually give the viewers some pro-tips which they may not have heard.
Immersive retail videos feature a shopper who knows a certain store in and out by experience or some insider tips. The “guide” lets the viewer in on their shopping process, explaining what to and what not to buy, how to get a good deal on the products, and other tiny details that would put you one step ahead of the average Joe the next time you’re shopping.
A key element of these “shop with” channels is the community. In unison with the “follower-decided content” YouTube trend, the creators take a lot of requests on where to shop next, and even host giveaways.
Focusing on Sustainability and Minimalism
Even though consumerism still holds a very dear place, one YouTube trend that we’ll get to see more of in 2021 is sustainability and minimalism. Nowadays more Youtubers focus on minimalist decorations, “tiny homes”, and capsule wardrobe videos. Through these, they showcase what it’s really like to maintain a life with a seriously small amount of “things” and zero waste.
This sustainability trend does clash with immersive retail, with some YouTubers creating “anti-haul” videos with titles like “What I Won’t Buy”. Influencers no longer want to swim in products, and even expect more environmental PR packages. Brands, take notes!
Fitness Videos and Daily Challenges
The lockdown got us spending much more time at home, and we learnt to spend time effectively by taking up new hobbies. One of them, without a doubt, is doing exercises with fitness influencers on YouTube. These kinds of videos have always been around, but they were never this popular. They upload daily challenge videos and monthly plans for better motivation and continuity. As they actually work, they begin to be recommended on other social media platforms. Now more people watch those videos because they are easier to engage in than going to gym. Some YouTube creators make it even more interesting by adding popular TikTok sounds to their exercise videos.
An Eternal YouTube Trend: How-to videos
How to videos are a trend that will probably outlive some platforms. Gaining its power from our lack of general knowledge when it comes to doing things, and the integration of YouTube into Google which allows videos to pop up when you search for a “how to” query, these contents are here to stay.
YouTube has always been an effective platform for DIY videos. It is possible to find food hacks, even for the extreme situations such as being locked up in a room and bandaging your own hand.
As a timeless format, we’re certain “how to” videos will also be among the YouTube trends in 2021.
These were our predictions for YouTube trends in 2021. What do you think will be the most popular on our screens this year? Leave a comment down below or hit us up on our socials and let us know what you think!
Interested in TikTok as well? Don’t forget to check out our monthly trend reports for TikTok!