5 Types of YouTube Videos That Grow Your Channel Fast

With over 2.7 billion monthly active users, YouTube remains the king of long-form video content. But with millions of videos uploaded every day, simply posting randomly isn’t enough. If you’re serious about growing your channel fast, the type of content you create can make or break your growth strategy.

Let’s break down 5 proven types of YouTube videos that consistently help creators attract views, grow subscribers, and build influence—fast. These video formats are backed by algorithm trends, audience behavior, and channel growth data.

1. How-To and Tutorial Videos (Evergreen Gold)

Why They Work:

How-to videos are search-driven, solution-oriented, and often evergreen—meaning they keep generating views for months or even years. Whether it’s learning how to edit Reels, bake sourdough bread, or install WordPress, users turn to YouTube as a visual search engine.

Real Example:

• “How to Use ChatGPT for School” – A simple tutorial like this can generate thousands of views by solving a specific problem.
• “How to Start a Dropshipping Store in 2025” – Taps into a niche, provides value, and ranks well in search.
  

Tips for Success:

• Focus on a specific problem your audience faces.
• Use clear step-by-step structure and time-stamps.
• Include searchable keywords in your title and description.
• Create high-retention intros (i.e., “By the end of this video, you’ll…”).

Pro Tip: Use tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ to find long-tail keywords and optimize your metadata.

2. Listicles and Top Videos (Highly Clickable Content)

Why They Work:

Humans love lists. List-based videos like “Top 5”, “Best 10”, and “Top 3 Mistakes” are incredibly clickable and easy to consume. They also allow you to pack in multiple value points in one video.

Real Example:

• “Top 5 AI Tools for Creators in 2025”
• “Best 10 Netflix Shows You Must Watch This Month”

These videos are often evergreen, easy to script, and perfect for affiliate marketing if you’re linking to tools, gadgets, or courses.

Tips for Success:

• Deliver the list from worst to best to encourage full retention.
• Use eye-catching thumbnails with numbers and bold text.
• Mention your personal experiences or opinions to make it relatable.

Bonus: Listicles perform especially well as Shorts or Instagram Reels teasers. Create 60-second versions and direct traffic to your full video.

3. Reaction and Commentary Videos (Trending Magnet)

Why They Work:

Reaction videos allow you to tap into existing hype. Whether you’re reacting to music videos, trailers, breaking news, or internet drama, this format lets you inject your personality into trending topics.

Real Example:

• “Reacting to Billie Eilish’s New Music Video”
• “My Honest Thoughts on MrBeast’s $1M Challenge”

When done right, reaction videos can skyrocket your discoverability—especially when your title and thumbnail match the trending keywords.

Tips for Success:

• React within 24–48 hours of the trend breaking.
• Include the original video title or subject in your title for SEO.
• Don’t just react—analyze, add value, or give unique insight.

Watch out: Use clips carefully to avoid copyright strikes. Fair use still requires you to transform the content, not just republish it.

4. Challenge and Trend-Based Videos (High Engagement)

Why They Work:

Challenges and trends create urgency and virality. Think “30-Day Glow Up Challenge”, “No Sugar for a Week”, or “Trying Viral TikTok Food Hacks.” They’re relatable, timely, and often pushed by the algorithm.

Real Example:

• “I Tried Waking Up at 5AM for 7 Days” – A great example of transformation-driven content.
• “TikTok Made Me Buy It – Amazon Haul” – Taps into both trends and product placement.

These videos not only draw attention, they also invite your audience to try it themselves, boosting likes, comments, and shares.

Tips for Success:

• Participate in fresh trends and add your own twist.
• Use trending hashtags and audio for added reach.
• Don’t be afraid to collab with other creators to double exposure.

Many creators go viral by hopping on micro-trends early. Follow creators in your niche and Reddit/TikTok to stay updated.

5. Behind-the-Scenes & Personal Vlogs (Trust-Building Content)

Why They Work:

People don’t just follow content—they follow people. Personal, behind-the-scenes videos help humanize your brand and build loyal communities. These videos don’t need to go viral to be effective—they strengthen connection and increase watch time per subscriber.

Real Example:

• “A Day in My Life as a YouTube Creator”
• “How I Prepare for Launching a New Product”

These formats are perfect for creators, small business owners, and personal brands looking to convert casual viewers into loyal subscribers.

Tips for Success:

• Be authentic and unfiltered, but still plan your shots.
• Show workflow, struggles, wins, and even mundane tasks.
• Great for weekly uploads when you don’t have time to produce high-edits.

Your loyal fans will love these—even if they get fewer views than your main content.

Bonus Tip: Repurpose & Cross-Promote

Don’t just publish a video and move on. To grow your channel fast:

• Repurpose long-form content into YouTube Shorts to reach new audiences.
• Tease key moments on Instagram Reels, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
• Embed videos in blog posts or newsletters for SEO juice and traffic.
• Collaborate with other creators to tap into their audience.

Final Thoughts

Growing on YouTube isn’t about uploading more—it’s about uploading smarter. Each of these 5 types of videos serves a strategic role:

Test these formats. Mix them. Track what works for your niche—and double down on it. The key to fast growth is delivering consistent value in the right format, at the right time.