YouTube has become the world’s biggest video platform, with billions of viewers liking, sharing, and engaging with creators every day. As of 2025, the list of the most liked videos on YouTube reveals more than just viral hits-it reflects global culture, entertainment trends, and the type of content people truly connect with. Whether you’re a creator, marketer, or simply a YouTube lover, understanding these top-performing videos can help you spot patterns, improve content strategy, and predict future trends.
This updated 2025 list includes music videos, kids’ content, tributes, short-form videos, and creative experiments-showing how diverse global audiences have become. Below, we break down the Top 12 Most Liked YouTube Videos in 2025, along with insights on why they became so successful.
Why This List Matters in 2025
The YouTube landscape is changing fast. From AI-generated music to YouTube Shorts and global cross-border collaborations, creators are innovating at an unprecedented level. The ranking of most-liked videos gives us:
- Clear insights into global audience preferences
- Understanding of what content formats rise fastest
- Inspiration for creators planning their next big video
- Evidence of the power of music, kids’ content, and emotional storytelling
Let’s explore each of the top 12 videos one by one.
1. Baby Shark Dance – Pinkfong (More than 40 Million Likes)
Why It’s Still #1
Despite being released years ago, “Baby Shark Dance” continues to dominate YouTube due to its viral success among children. The song became a global nursery rhyme, widely used in schools, events, and children’s shows. Its repeatability makes it one of the most-watched and most-liked videos ever.
Key Factors Behind Its Popularity
- Simple animation
- Catchy melody
- High global repeat-watch rate
- Universal appeal for kids
This video proves that children’s content has unmatched viral power when executed with strong visuals and memorable music.
2. Despacito (Over 54 Million Likes)
Why It’s a Global Phenomenon
“Despacito” broke nearly every YouTube record since its release. Even in 2025, it remains one of the most influential Latin music videos due to its infectious rhythm and cross-cultural appeal.
What Made It Viral
- International collaboration
- Dance-friendly track
- Massive media coverage
- Heavy rotation in clubs and radio
This video set the standard for global music virality long before TikTok trends began dominating.
3. Shape of You – Ed Sheeran (Over 30 Million Likes)
Impact on Global Pop Culture
“Shape of You” is one of the most streamed songs in the world across all platforms. Its YouTube music video continues to gain millions of views monthly due to Ed Sheeran’s massive fanbase and evergreen replay value.
Why It Stays Relevant
- Fitness and dance theme
- Global recognition
- Repeated use in TikTok transitions
- Strong storytelling and choreography
4. See You Again (More than 45 Million Likes)
The Emotional Power Behind the Video
Created as a tribute to late actor Paul Walker, “See You Again” resonates deeply with fans. Emotional storytelling and cinematic production helped it become one of the most-liked videos of all time.
Why It Still Gains Likes
- Strong emotional connection
- Fast & Furious fanbase
- Universal message of remembrance
- Beautiful vocals and heartfelt lyrics
Emotional depth continues to outperform pure entertainment in many categories.
5. Dynamite – BTS (Over 36 Million Likes)
BTS’s Record-Breaking Entry
K-pop giants BTS set YouTube records with “Dynamite,” their first fully English song. The music video generated massive engagement across ARMY fandom globally.
Reasons for Its Massive Success
- Worldwide promotional campaigns
- Catchy retro-pop vibe
- High-quality production
- Community-driven fandom engagement
BTS continues to dominate digital performance metrics in 2025.
6. How You Like That – BLACKPINK (26+ Million Likes)
A Landmark Video for K-Pop
BLACKPINK’s theatrical visuals, powerful choreography, and strong global fanbase secure its position in the top list.
Key Drivers of Engagement
- Strong social media fan campaigns
- Aesthetically rich visuals
- Trend-setting choreography
- Heavy use in TikTok dance challenges
7. Butter – BTS (Over 24 Million Likes)
Why Butter Continues to Rise
“Butter” brought a smooth, playful pop mood that resonated well across global markets. BTS’s brand value alone contributed to its massive like count within hours of release.
Popularity Factors
- Catchy hooks
- Perfect for dance covers
- Positive, upbeat vibes
- High replay value for fans
8. Gangnam Style – PSY (Over 25 Million Likes)
The Video That Changed YouTube Forever
“Gangnam Style” was the first YouTube video to surpass 1 billion views, reshaping the platform’s global influence.
What Keeps It Popular in 2025
- Nostalgia factor
- Cultural significance
- Fun dance moves
- Early social media meme explosion
Although no longer the #1 most-liked, it remains an iconic video that changed digital history.
9. Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars (20M+ Likes)
Why It’s Still a Crowd Favorite
“Uptown Funk” continues to dominate YouTube thanks to frequent use in dance videos, wedding playlists, and social media trends.
Success Elements
- Funk-pop revival
- Strong performance by Bruno Mars
- Viral dance covers
- Soundtrack to countless memes and challenges
10. Masha and the Bear – Recipe for Disaster (Over 20M Likes)
Kids’ Content Dominating Again
This Russian animated children’s episode remains one of the most-viewed and liked videos due to its storytelling, humor, and universal appeal to kids.
Why It Works
- Global audience for kids’ entertainment
- High replay rate
- Safe and family-friendly content
- Animation style that children love
11. Phonics Song with Two Words – ChuChu TV (19M+ Likes)
Why Educational Videos Perform Well
This video teaches young children phonics using simple animation and repetition. Parents worldwide use it for early learning.
Engagement Factors
- Educational value
- Easy-to-understand content
- Wide global reach across languages
This video proves that learning-based content can compete with big entertainment productions.
12. Boy With Luv – BTS ft. Halsey (22 Million+ Likes)
A Historic Collaboration
A collaboration between BTS and American singer Halsey, this video gained massive early engagement and remains one of the most-liked.
Reasons for Its Longevity
- International collaboration
- Catchy, upbeat track
- Strong visuals and choreography
- Dedicated fanbase engagement
Key Trends Seen in the Top 12 List (2025 Analysis)
1. K-Pop Continues to Dominate
With multiple entries from BTS and BLACKPINK, K-pop proves its unmatched global social media power. Korean pop culture has built digital communities that drive millions of engagements within hours.
2. Kids’ Content Is a Global Powerhouse
Videos like Baby Shark, Masha & The Bear, and ChuChu TV show that channels targeting young children can easily surpass mainstream entertainment in engagement.
3. Emotional and Tribute Videos Perform Strongly
“See You Again” demonstrates that emotional resonance goes viral faster than even the biggest budget productions.
4. Music Videos Rule the Platform
Most of the top-liked videos are music-related, proving that music drives global engagement more consistently than any other category.
5. Older Viral Hits Still Hold Their Place
Videos like “Gangnam Style” and “Uptown Funk” continue growing due to nostalgia and widespread cultural references.
What Makes a Video Get Millions of Likes?
1. Strong Emotional Impact
Videos with meaningful or relatable storytelling often gain long-term engagement.
2. High Replay Value
Music videos and kids’ content perform well because they are watched repeatedly.
3. Strong Community or Fandom
Fandom-backed videos (BTS, BLACKPINK) get instant, massive like spikes.
4. Global Accessibility
Simple language, universal themes, and catchy melodies travel easily across borders.
5. Powerful Promotion and Social Media Trends
Challenges, memes, and TikTok remixes boost long-term traffic.
How Creators Can Use These Insights in 2025
1. Lean Into Viral Elements
Catchy hooks, dance trends, or universal humor can dramatically improve reach.
2. Optimize for Shorts
Short-form content increasingly drives long-term visibility, especially for music clips.
3. Use Strong Storytelling
Emotional, cinematic content keeps viewers engaged longer.
4. Build Community
Highly engaged fanbases can decide whether a video becomes a viral hit.
5. Focus on Quality Production
Well-edited, polished videos stand out more in 2025’s saturated YouTube ecosystem.
How Inside Editors Can Help You Grow on YouTube in 2025
Creating a video that reaches millions of likes-like the ones on this list-requires far more than luck. It takes expert editing, powerful storytelling, and a consistent content strategy. That’s exactly where Inside Editors helps creators, brands, and influencers elevate their YouTube presence.
Below are the key ways Inside Editors can help you achieve higher engagement, more likes, and stronger audience retention:
1. Professional YouTube Video Editing
Your video’s success starts with high-quality editing. Inside Editors delivers:
- Cinematic cuts
- Smooth transitions
- Color grading
- Audio enhancement
- Story-focused structuring
Well-edited videos keep viewers watching longer-boosting likes, comments, and shares.
2. YouTube Shorts Editing to Go Viral Faster
Short-form content dominates in 2025. Inside Editors specializes in:
- Trend-based editing
- High-retention cuts
- Caption-optimized Shorts
- Viral-style pacing
These videos help you grow subscribers quickly and increase your video visibility.
3. Content Strategy Tailored for YouTube
Inside Editors guides creators with:
- Trending topic research
- High-CTR thumbnail strategies
- SEO-optimized video descriptions
- Retention strategy analysis
This data-backed approach helps you publish videos the algorithm loves.
4. TikTok & Reels Repurposing to Boost Traffic
Cross-platform promotion increases your YouTube growth. Inside Editors repurposes your long videos into:
This multiplies reach and directs traffic back to your channel.
5. Engagement Optimization
A polished video attracts attention, but strategic optimization keeps viewers hooked. Inside Editors helps with:
- Strong hooks in the first 3–5 seconds
- Professional motion graphics
- Clean subtitles
- Consistent branding
- Retention-focused pacing
All these elements increase watch time – the #1 algorithm metric on YouTube.
6. Custom Packages for YouTubers
Whether you are a beginner or a full-scale content creator, Inside Editors offers:
- Monthly editing packages
- Per-video editing
- YouTube automation support
- Script assistance
This flexibility lets you grow at your own pace.
Why Creators Trust Inside Editors
Inside Editors has become a preferred platform for creators because they provide:
- Fast turnaround
- Affordable pricing
- High-quality editing
- Experienced video editors
- Dedicated support
Creators consistently report higher engagement and faster growth after improving their editing quality.
How This Helps You Get More Likes on YouTube
Using Inside Editors increases your chances of producing videos that:
- Retain viewers longer
- Encourage more likes and comments
- Perform better in search
- Rank higher in recommendations
- Stand out visually
This gives your content a higher chance of joining the list of most-liked videos in the future.
Conclusion: The Evolution of YouTube’s Most Liked Videos in 2025
The Top 12 Most Liked Videos on YouTube in 2025 show that quality content, strong emotional appeal, and excellent editing are what separate viral hits from ordinary uploads. Whether you’re making music videos, educational content, entertainment, or shorts, your success depends on how well you connect with your audience.
If you want to create powerful, high-performing videos that stand out-Inside Editors is your partner for professional video editing, content strategy, and Shorts optimization. With expert help, you can increase your video quality, boost engagement, and grow your channel faster than ever.
FAQs – Most Liked Video on YouTube
1. How can I trust Inside Editors with my raw footage and privacy?
Inside Editors uses encrypted file transfer (SFTP/secure cloud links) and strict access controls so only assigned editors see your raw footage. We retain files only for agreed retention periods and offer NDA options for sensitive projects; ownership and usage rights are documented in the service agreement. If you need custom privacy terms (e.g., restricted playback or removal policies), we can add those to your contract.
2. How does Inside Editors ensure high quality and revisions?
We follow a multi-step quality workflow-editor cut, color and audio pass, and final QC-so outputs meet professional standards like broadcast-level color grading (creative look) and clean audio mixes. Standard packages include 1–2 rounds of revisions and a single comprehensive delivery; additional revision rounds are available at predictable hourly or per-round rates. Editors provide time-stamped notes and preview links to speed feedback.
3. Do I own the final video and source files after the project?
By default, you get full ownership of the final video files and a non-exclusive license to any deliverables unless the contract states otherwise. Source project files (Premiere/After Effects) can be provided on request-typically for an additional fee-so you can continue edits in-house later. We always put file ownership and usage terms in writing up front to avoid surprises.
4. Should I edit my YouTube videos myself or hire Inside Editors (DIY vs pro)?
DIY editing is fine for simple clips, but professional editors save time and improve retention with expert pacing, thumbnails, and audio treatment-key factors for “YouTube video editing” that grows channels faster. If you publish weekly or want consistent brand quality, a pro service (monthly package) usually yields a higher ROI than piecemeal DIY efforts. We offer a starter package for creators testing professional editing.
5. What pricing ranges and what’s included in each package?
Typical pricing ranges: $30–$150 per short-form video, $150–$800 per long-form edit, and $800+/month for subscription packages that include multiple videos and priority support. Each package lists deliverables (resolution, revisions, thumbnails, subtitles) and excludes stock licensing fees or rush-day surcharges unless specified. We provide transparent line-item quotes so you know what’s included and any optional extras.
6. What are typical turnaround times and rush options?
Standard turnaround is 48–96 hours for Shorts and 3–7 business days for 8–20 minute long-form edits depending on complexity and workload. Rush delivery (24–48 hours) is available for an extra fee and depends on editor availability; ongoing subscription clients often get faster SLA windows. Deliveries may take longer if you need heavy VFX, complex motion design, or lengthy revision cycles.
7. How should I prepare my files for fast, effective editing?
Send high-bitrate master files (MP4/ProRes), camera logs, and a short brief with timecodes for highlights or unwanted sections to speed the process-label files clearly and include a reference clip for tone. Providing a rough script, voiceover audio, logo assets, and preferred fonts reduces back-and-forth and shortens turnaround by 20–50%. If you can’t provide masters, we accept compressed source clips but note this may limit color grading and final quality.
8. How do I choose between packages and what tier fits new creators?
New creators often start with a per-video “starter” package (one long-form edit or several Shorts) to test quality and workflow; mid-tier packages add faster turnarounds and 2–3 revisions, while enterprise tiers include account management, content strategy, and scaling support. Choose a package based on upload frequency: monthly packages are better for weekly publishing, while pay-per-video suits irregular creators. We offer a free onboarding call to match your volume to the right tier.
