16 Popular Types of YouTube Channels

YouTube is more than just a massive collection of video content. It’s a major marketing tool through which video content can be released online, building followings and converting views into dollars. There are creator categories on YouTube spanning all sorts of subjects and demographics, locally and worldwide.

Are you considering using YouTube to establish or further your brand? Here are the sixteen most popular types of YouTube channels and what they entail:

Type #1: Vlogging YouTube Channels

A simple way to start a YouTube channel when you lack money or resources is to vlog. A vlog can be about anything. It’s all about being authentic and honest, passionate and enthusiastic. This type of YouTube channel only requires a basic camera and one or two video editing tricks to make it happen. To stand out, use a YouTube banner maker to create something catchy that catches the viewers’ eyes.

Type #2: Educational YouTube Channels

The most high-value YouTube videos are typically those that inform. There are entire channels built around free educational videos, sharing long-form lectures, short-form explainers, learning strategies, and going in-depth on a never-ending list of topics.

Type #3: News and Commentary YouTube Channels

Many political commentary channels exist on YouTube. While they make up a large part of news and journalism on the platform, there are also similar news channels based on sports, entertainment, and more. Major news organizations run some, and others purely comment on current events.

Type #4: Mental Health and Relaxation YouTube Channels

Mental health and relaxation is a big category on YouTube, comprising channels offering information on mental health support to more targeted videos, such as those focusing on soothing brain wave audio, guided meditations, ASMR, and more.

Type #5: Food and Cooking YouTube Channels

You can find thousands on YouTube when you’re looking for a good recipe. Food and cooking channels let you learn new recipes, learn about food, and can introduce you to new ways of cooking, baking, and more.

Type #6: Compilation YouTube Channels

A compilation channel produces videos that combine content from other sources, often in countdowns of trendy videos, funny videos, or similar formats. They’re essentially content curating rather than developing unique content and using their curating ability to build an audience.

Type #7: Photography and Video-Making YouTube Channels

Photography and cinematography tutorials are extremely popular on YouTube. Aspiring photographers, video-makers, and content creators want to know how to use cameras, how different gadgets work, and tips and tricks of the trade.

Type #8: Makeup YouTube Channels

Makeup tutorials get huge numbers. Everyone wants to look their best, but how to apply certain products is not always obvious. Makeup YouTube channels offer expert advice and showcase different styles and methods of makeup, skincare products, and adjacent concerns such as general fashion and hair. Millions click on makeup videos every day on YouTube.

Type #9: Fitness YouTube Channels

People focused on diet, exercise, shedding pounds, and keeping up with a healthy lifestyle frequently go to YouTube for advice and guidance. You can find exercise tips and tricks, workout programs, Q&As, and motivation videos, among other types of videos in the fitness category.

Type #10: Business YouTube Channels

A business channel may focus on subcategories like entrepreneurship, business practices, guidance and advice, finance and investing, or other dynamics of running and managing a corporation. Business videos help break down complex concepts into easy-to-understand explanations and can provide insight into how to be a better businessperson overall.

Type #11: Musicians YouTube Channels

Musicians flock to YouTube, setting up band pages, instrument tutorials, music criticism, and analysis. From the world’s biggest music artists to hobby musicians, YouTube is flush with music channels. It is one of the platform’s most popular categories of video content.

Type #12: Travel YouTube Channels

Travel channels have content creators travelling to exotic locations or sometimes visiting local sights and becoming travel guides. Some travel channels dip into subcategories, i.e. cuisine. There are many ways to build out a travel YouTube channel, giving it a unique tone to the creator.

Type #13: Technology YouTube Channels

Technology channels include tutorials, unboxing videos, reviews, and more. Check out new technology and learn how it works or whether it works or not. Tech channels exist for everyone, from beginners to pro-level engineers.

Type #14: Gaming YouTube Channels

Gaming YouTube channels are some of the most popular on the platform. Millions of users subscribe to accounts like PewDiePie and watch along as content creators play their favourite games for hours at a time. If you have gaming skills, YouTube can be an amazing platform to showcase them.

Type #15: Comedy YouTube Channels

Some channels are simply comedies. Though it can be tough to consistently keep up the humour, comedy resonates with everyone and can make a channel very popular. There are many possible video ideas, from prank videos to stand-up comedy, impersonations, satire, and cultural commentary. The funnier, the better.

Type #16: Reviews YouTube Channels

A review is a type of YouTube video but can also be a type of channel. Some content creators only do reviews and are very successful with that alone, be it reviewing music, tech products, movies, or something else. A review channel is typically highly targeted to a specific category rather than a general.