This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Eli Casas. Find them on Instagram at @elicasasnow. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
There are over 200 streaming services available, but how we decide which ones to show loyalty to depends on different factors. We tend to determine the type of content available, the genres, the price, and accessibility. YouTube seems to have shifted from solely serving as a platform for content creators who share daily vlogs to a streaming service. According to Forbes, YouTube has ranked number one for watch time for two years now.
Long-Form Vs. Short-Form Videos
When you think of short-form videos, do you think of YouTube or TikTok? Heck, you may even think of Instagram reels, right? That’s because YouTube is predominantly known for long-form videos. For a while, there seemed to be a shift from content creators as well as viewers. In short, we all left for TikTok, but we did not forget about YouTube.
However, at some point, podcast-style content started popping up on everyone’s Fyp, and that’s when I first began to see how some creators decided to incorporate YouTube again. The strategy is genius if you think about it: they would share a snippet of their podcast episode on TikTok or Instagram Reels, as well as encourage viewers to click the link in the bio for the full episode, which then redirects users to their YouTube channel.
Long-form videos usually require longer attention spans and inform as well as entertain viewers for X amount of time, let’s say five minutes and up. On the other hand, short-form videos require shorter attention spans, and they provide brief entertainment. Therefore, if you combine both strategies for content creation, it sounds ideal to generate revenue, followers, and awareness. As a viewer, you might find it beneficial to have both options available depending on how much time you want to invest in a video.
Content Creators To Watch For Inspiration
Yes Theory is a great channel to watch if you feel like binge-watching interesting adventures because, to be frank, it is never the same, it is always new and exciting! Ammar, Thomas, and Matt have shared their journey in building a community, brand, and their individual growth over the years. One of my favorite features on YouTube is that you can watch playlists content creators have curated just for you! Yes Theory has over 10 awesome playlists to choose from. I recommend checking out their channel if you feel inspired to travel because they do a lot of that but in a very unique manner.
If you are considering living abroad and looking for some inspiration, check out Nathaniel Drew’s channel. He has spent time living in Mexico as well as Europe. The cinematography, the dialogue, and the wisdom all come pouring out of the screen. What is most captivating is Drew’s storytelling skills, making you feel like you are on Facetime with a long-distance friend, think of each video as a food-for-thought piece that lingers positively afterward.
Bretman Rock has been recognized for his make-up endeavors as a make-up influencer, but there is much more to his online persona. There is a series available on YouTube where viewers learn more about his healing journey, family, and core values. If you want to feel inspired to embrace discomfort or obstacles, I recommend checking out “30 Days With Bretman Rock.” It is both interesting and funny!
YouTube Channels For Foodies!
The Try Guys first started their YouTube careers when they worked at Buzzfeed, but they eventually ventured out on their own, expanding their brand. Although the Try Guys started with four official members, it is now just three: Keith Habersberger, Zach Kornfeld, and Eugene Lee Yang. Their numerous series feature different guest stars, which makes it entertaining. They have a series called “Without A Recipe,” where they attempt to cook or bake different foods without a recipe! If you’re a foodie, you should also check out their series “Try Food,” where they essentially eat everything on the menu for various restaurants.
As a fellow foodie, sometimes I just want to watch something entertaining while I eat, ironically, if it involves a content creator eating as well, I don’t mind it, but I can’t do mukbangs. Take, for example, “Hot Ones,” a series on YouTube that features different celebrities but with a twist, throughout the interview, the host, Sean Evans, and guest stars eat ridiculously spicy chicken wings intending to make it to the spiciest one.
Another great content creator who has a unique series where she bakes different recipes with an Easy Bake Oven is Trixie Mattel. Keep in mind this is only a short series she has on her channel for the most part, the rest of the content consists of make-up looks, which makes sense after all, she is a drag queen.
Channels For Animal Lovers!
Stories of animals being rescued and given a second chance will always have a special place in my heart! Ugh! I love animals. If you feel the same way, The Dodo shares endless content about various animals. Spoiler alert: the happy endings always get you!
Kurt the Orange Cat from TikTok is also on YouTube! The content is similar to Kurt’s online persona on TikTok, but I think it’s neat to watch long videos about DIY cat toys, cat products, and other related topics.
Things To Keep In Mind
These are just some YouTube channels and genres to keep in mind. The platform is huge! You can pretty much find anything from educational videos, entertainment, politics, news, sports, and more.
When you do find content creators you like, consider subscribing, as it is the easiest way to keep up with their projects. I can not tell you how many times I have forgotten the name of the channel or the creator, and that is not a journey I wish on anyone. However, if that does happen, you can always try finding them in your watch history. Another cool feature I enjoy is being able to save videos to watch later.
In summary, is YouTube losing popularity compared to other platforms? I do not think that is the case as of right now, and it is one of the biggest search engines out there. To be exact, it is the second-largest search engine in the world. Plus, they have long-form and short-form videos to choose from!
Is YouTube losing popularity? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
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