Thinking of starting a YouTube channel? Before diving in, you need an idea, topic, or niche that helps the YouTube algorithm understand your show and how to recommend you to users. In this article, we list the top 26 YouTube channel ideas that you can try to build your own audience.
1. Video Games
Video games are a popular YouTube channel idea due to their massive global fanbase. YouTube has over 40 million active gaming channels!
Gamers enjoy watching gameplay, tutorials, reviews, and entertainment from their favorite titles. Sometimes it’s nice to sit back and watch someone beat that hard level. The interactive nature of gaming also encourages engagement and community-building. Esports are huge now, too.
Personally, I actually find these quite entertaining. It’s fun to watch someone play the game at a level you’ll never achieve.
Here are some of the biggest video game YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of video game content:
2. Comedy
Comedy is a popular YouTube channel idea because it entertains and provides a much-needed escape from everyday life. Humor is universally relatable, making it easy to connect with a wide audience. People turn to YouTube for laughter, skits, parodies, and stand-up comedy.
Here are some of the biggest comedy YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of comedy content:
3. Education
If you’re good at explaining complex topics, an education YouTube channel might be right for you. Combine your teaching skills with a bit of entertainment and you have the recipe for a great YouTube channel. Educational content appeals to lifelong learners, students, and those seeking quick insights.
What’s great is that many of these channels blur the line between education and entertainment, so you never feel like you have to sit through a lecture
Here are some of the biggest education YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of education content:
4. Travel
People love to research destinations, accommodations, and new places before they embark on a journey. Travel channels help address these problems.
I know there were plenty of times that I consulted with a travel channel before making plans, especially if I intended to spend a lot of money.
Launching a travel YouTube channel can be a compelling way to document and share your adventures, inspire others to explore the world, and potentially generate income through content creation. It allows you to showcase unique destinations, provide travel tips, and connect with a global community of fellow travelers, while also preserving your memories.
Here are some of the biggest travel YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of travel content:
5. Fitness
Starting a fitness channel can be a great way to share your passion for health and wellness, inspire others to lead active lifestyles, and potentially earn income through content creation. It allows you to provide workout routines, nutrition tips, and motivation to a wide audience, promoting overall well-being.
Here are some of the biggest fitness YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of fitness content:
6. Beauty and Makeup
Beauty channels are huge with women, but there are men’s channels as well. There are three women in my house and I’ve seen every one of them watching makeup tutorials.
Launching a beauty and makeup YouTube channel can offer a platform to express creativity, share beauty expertise, and engage with an enthusiastic community. You can demonstrate makeup techniques, review products, and inspire viewers to enhance their self-confidence through self-care and cosmetics. Moreover, it can lead to collaborations with beauty brands and monetization opportunities.
Here are some of the biggest beauty and makeup YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of beauty content:
7. Toys
Starting a toys YouTube channel can be a joyful venture to entertain and educate children while creating a family-friendly space. You can showcase toy reviews, unboxing videos, and imaginative play, stimulating children’s curiosity and creativity.
This kind of channel also lets you connect with parents seeking informed purchasing decisions and provide an opportunity to generate income through ad revenue, sponsored content, and affiliate marketing.
Here are some of the biggest toy YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of toys content:
8. DIY
Starting a DIY YouTube channel can be a creative outlet to share hands-on skills, craft projects, and home improvement ideas. Inspire your viewers to explore their creativity, save money, and learn new practical skills. You can be a DIY generalist or pick a sub-category.
As a homeowner myself, I’ve watched countless DIY channels to learn how to do things around my house, from regular maintenance to serious repairs and improvements.
Here are some of the biggest DIY YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of DIY content:
9. Fashion
Launching a fashion YouTube channel can serve as a platform to express personal style, share fashion expertise, and connect with a global fashion-conscious audience. It offers the opportunity to showcase outfit ideas, offer style tips, and review clothing brands, while also fostering a sense of creativity and self-expression.
Here are some of the biggest fashion YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of fashion content:
10. ASMR
I’m going to be honest: I don’t quite understand this category of YouTube, but it’s definitely huge.
ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) channels are soothing, sensory experiences that help viewers relax and relieve stress. This content often involves gentle sounds, whispers, and visual triggers that promote a sense of calm and well-being.
In order to create good ASMR content, you need a high quality YouTube microphone.
Here are some of the biggest ASMR YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of ASMR content:
11. Animals and Pets
Creating a pets and animals YouTube channel can be a heartwarming endeavor to celebrate the love for pets, share their adorable antics, and offer valuable pet care advice. It serves as a platform to connect with fellow pet enthusiasts and raise awareness about animal welfare.
The best part is that these videos don’t take a lot of work. You just have to be holding the camera at the right time when they do cute and funny things.
Here are some of the biggest animals and pets YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of animals and pets content:
12. Cooking
Seriously, who hasn’t watched a cooking video on YouTube? I’ve probably watched thousands.
Cooking content is one of the most popular YouTube channel ideas. It offers a blend of entertainment and practicality. Viewers can learn new recipes, cooking techniques, and food culture from the comfort of their homes. The visual nature of cooking makes it ideal for video content.
Many people watch cooking content just because they like food, even though they have no intention of actually making the recipe!
Here are some of the biggest cooking YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of cooking content:
13. Art and Design
Art and design channels inspire creativity, offer tutorials, and showcase diverse artistic talents. Viewers seek artistic inspiration, tips, and techniques for various forms of visual expression. The visual medium of video allows for a dynamic showcase of art in progress.
The best part about this YouTube channel idea is that it can be pretty much anything. You can build a channel around filmmaking, painting, drawing, animation, computer effects, or anything else artistic.
Here are some of the biggest art and design YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of art and design content:
14. Financial Tips
Financial tips are popular on YouTube because they provide valuable advice, strategies, and education on money management, investing, and personal finance. Viewers seek guidance to improve their financial well-being, plan for the future, and make informed decisions. The practical nature of financial content makes it highly sought after.
It’s surprising how much basic financial knowledge people lack, so it’s critical that sources of information like this exist. I know I’ve used finance videos to teach myself a thing or two.
Here are some of the biggest financial tips YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of finance content:
15. Healthy Living
Healthy living content offers guidance on fitness, nutrition, mental well-being, and a holistic approach to a healthier lifestyle. Viewers seek inspiration, workout routines, recipes, and wellness advice. The visual medium of video is ideal for demonstrating exercises and healthy cooking. Plus, people love hearing stories about creators who better themselves.
Here are some of the biggest healthy living YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of healthy living content:
16. Career Advice
Career advice YouTube content provides valuable insights, job-search strategies, and professional development tips to job seekers. Viewers seek guidance on career growth, interviews, resume-building, and entrepreneurship.
If you niche down to a specific industry, you can build a channel that gets fewer views, but has a much more engaged audience. This is a great strategy if you want to pair your YouTube channel with other monetization strategies.
Here are some of the biggest career advice YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of career advice content:
17. History
This is easily my favorite category of YouTube content. Something about history videos are absolutely captivating for me.
YouTube users love history content due to its ability to engage and educate viewers about the past. Historical channels offer captivating narratives, documentaries, and insights into various time periods and events. Audiences enjoy learning about the world’s history, making it an enduring channel idea.
Here are some of the biggest history YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of history content:
18. Technology Reviews
Tech reviews are popular YouTube channel ideas because they offer in-depth analysis, product comparisons, and insights into the latest gadgets and technology. Viewers rely on these channels for informed purchasing decisions, tech news, and learning about innovative products. The visual format allows for clear demonstrations and showcases.
Here are some of the biggest tech review YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of tech review content:
19. How-to and Life Hacks
How-tos and life hacks channels provide practical solutions and tips for everyday challenges. Viewers seek quick and useful advice for tasks, DIY projects, and improving efficiency. These channels offer a treasure trove of information in easily digestible video format.
Here are some of the biggest life hack YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of life hack content:
20. Self-Improvement
Self-improvement empowers viewers to grow, learn, and enhance various aspects of their lives. These channels offer valuable advice on personal development, mental health, productivity, and motivation.
Here are some of the biggest self-improvement YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of self improvement content:
21. Car Reviews
Car reviews offer valuable insights, expert opinions, and visual demonstrations of various vehicles. Viewers rely on these channels to make informed purchasing decisions, compare models, and stay updated on the latest automotive trends.
Plus, the visual nature of cars makes them ideal for video content. They make for some of the most exciting YouTube footage.
Here are some of the biggest car review YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of car review content:
22. Parenting
Parenting YouTube channels provide a platform for sharing advice, experiences, and support among parents. It addresses a wide range of topics, from child development to parenting challenges, fostering a sense of community. Viewers seek guidance, tips, and relatable content.
Here are some of the biggest parenting YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of parenting content:
23. Book Reviews
Book reviews are popular YouTube channel ideas because they help viewers discover new literature, make informed reading choices, and engage in literary discussions. Audiences value personal perspectives and recommendations from reviewers they trust. These channels foster a sense of community among book lovers.
Here are some of the biggest book review YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of book review content:
24. Home Design
Home design channels inspire creativity and offer practical ideas for home improvement and decoration. Viewers seek inspiration, DIY tips, and guidance on creating beautiful living spaces. The visual appeal of interior and exterior design makes it well-suited for video content.
I don’t have any decorating skills, so these kinds of videos have been a big help for me. My wife and I have used this kind of content to make our house feel more like home.
Here are some of the biggest home design YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of home design content:
25. Documentary
Documentaries are popular on YouTube as they offer in-depth insights into various subjects, from history to science and social issues. Viewers appreciate informative and thought-provoking content.
Here are some of the biggest documentary YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of documentary content:
26. Vlogs
Starting a vlog YouTube channel offers a creative outlet to document your daily life, share personal experiences, and connect with similar people. You can express yourself, share insights, and build a sense of community with viewers who share similar interests or experiences.
I’ve seen plenty of vlogs where the subject doesn’t do anything especially interested, but it’s fun to watch them navigate the world from their own perspective, kind of like living in someone’s shoes for a bit.
Here are some of the biggest vlog YouTube channels:
Here’s an example of vlog content:
Your YouTube Channels Ideas?
Do you have any unique YouTube channel ideas? Let us know in the comments and we’ll add them to our list.