In January 2026 YouTube’s team analyzed videos and ads with the highest view and engagement rates on YouTube in 2025 and identified 10 video genres that hold attention and keep performing over time.
In this post we’ll sum up their findings, outline what types videos creators should be focusing on in 2026, and what tools and resources can help them succeed.
Quick Summary
Focus on these 10 video formats, make repeatable series, and use consistent audio plus strong titles, tags, and descriptions.
- 1. Challenges
- 2. Behind the scenes
- 3. Real and raw conversations
- 4. DIY and how-to
- 5. Soundscapes (including ASMR)
- 6. Listicles
- 7. I tried …
- 8. With me …
- 9. Reactions
- 10. Official drops
Let’s take a close look at each of the recommended video types and what content or tools can help you succeed.
What videos creators should make in 2026 to succeed on YouTube?
1. challenges
What to publish? Timed attempts, skill tests, transformations, “can I do this in X days” series.
Who needs it? Fitness creators, food creators, beauty creators, sports channels, gaming channels, brand challenge campaigns.
Why it wins? Suspense and progress keep viewers watching the entire video (very important) to see the outcome.
TunePocket tips
Use punchy transitions, countdowns, whooshes, hits, and crowd reactions from Royalty Free Sound Effects collection to make your video more engaging.
Create attention grabbing hooks and titles with YouTube Video Title Generator.
2. behind the scenes
What to publish? How it’s made, day-in-the-life, studio builds, prep footage, mini-documentary cuts.
Who needs it? Product makers, filmmakers, editors, musicians, small businesses, app teams, creators launching new series.
Why it wins? Process builds trust and makes the work feel real.
TunePocket tips
Use clean background music that supports talking and voiceover from Royalty Free Music collection.
Reuse proven description layouts with Video Description Copy.
3. real and raw conversations
What to publish? Interviews, customer stories, founder Q and A, video podcasts, “let’s talk about it” episodes.
Who needs it? Podcasters, educators, coaches, SaaS brands, personal brands, review channels with strong opinions.
Why it wins? Audiences stick with authentic talk when it feels specific and useful.
TunePocket tips
Add memorable intro and outro music from Royalty Free Music Intros collection.
Craft stronger episode naming with Podcast Episode Title Checker.
4. DIY and How-To
What to publish? Step-by-step tutorials, do this not that, quick fixes, beginner setups, workflow demos.
Who needs it? Home and craft channels, software tutors, music producers, editors, photographers, teachers, service businesses.
Why it wins:? High intent viewers actively search for solutions.
TunePocket tips
Use steady, non-distracting soundtracks for tutorials from Royalty Free Music For Instructional Videos playlist.
Generate faster metadata with YouTube Video Tags Generator.
5. soundscapes including ASMR
What to publish? ASMR routines, ambience loops, sleep soundtracks, study focus sound, cozy room audio, tactile trigger foley.
Who needs it? ASMR creators, meditation channels, faceless channels, sleep and focus streams, relaxation brands.
Why it wins? Sound-first videos deliver a sensory experience viewers come back to.
TunePocket tips
Use high quality sounds from Ambient Background Sounds and Relaxing Sounds or check the specialized ASMR Sounds collection.
Promote and organize long videos with YouTube Timestamp Generator.
6. listicles
What to publish? Top 5, best of, X mistakes, tools I use, buyer guides, quick decision videos.
Who needs it? Reviewers, affiliate creators, educators, travel channels, productivity creators, brand channels with product lines.
Why it wins? Structure drives retention because viewers want the full list.
TunePocket tips
Use quick, upbeat background music plus transitions from Sound Effects.
Create listicle title variations with YouTube Video Title Generator.
7. i tried
What to publish? I tried X for 7 days, I tested the viral thing, I switched tools, before and after reviews.
Who needs it? Product reviewers, beauty, fitness, food, tech, app reviews, lifestyle creators.
Why it wins? It feels honest, practical, and easy to judge.
TunePocket tips
Use simple review-friendly music plus button clicks, swipes, and whooshes from Sound Effects.
Reverse engineer hashtags used in your niche with YouTube Hashtags Extractor.
8. with me
What to publish? Study with me, clean with me, cook with me, work with me, get ready with me routines.
Who needs it? Lifestyle creators, students, productivity channels, home channels, wellness channels, faceless creators.
Why it wins? Viewers stay for companionship and atmosphere, not just information.
TunePocket tips
Use steady focus audio from Ambient Music and room tone loops from Ambient Background Sounds.
Brainstorm repeatable series topics with YouTube Video Ideas Generator.
9. reactions
What to publish? Live reactions, commentary, watch-alongs, reacting to viewer comments, highlights with quick cuts.
Who needs it? Entertainment channels, sports channels, gaming creators, fandom channels, community-first creators.
Why it wins? people want the shared experience and the added context.
TunePocket tips
Use quick comedic stingers from Funny Sound Effects and instant sound buttons from Soundboard.
Grab a clean subscribe CTA link with YouTube Subscribe Link Generator.
10. official drops
What to publish? Trailers, launch videos, big reveals, “new collection” drops, product announcements, official shorts.
Who needs it? Brands, artists, filmmakers, game devs, online stores, creators launching merch or a new series.
Why it wins? Audiences go to YouTube for the main reveal and the follow-up creator coverage.
TunePocket tips
Use cinematic rises, impacts, and reveal hits from Royalty Free Sound Effects.
Make launch titles memorable with YouTube Video Title Generator.
key takeaway for 2026
The safest trend is not a trend at all.
Pick one format, publish it as a series, and make your audio and metadata consistent so viewers and YouTube both recognize what you do.
- Choose one genre and commit for 8 to 12 uploads before you judge results.
- Make sound part of the format. Reuse a small set of music and sound effects so your videos feel instantly familiar.
- Generate titles, tags, and descriptions with TunePocket tools, then spend more time on the actual video.
Next step:
Browse TunePocket royalty free music and TunePocket sound effects and match one sound style to one recurring series.
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