YouTube History: All the Kings and Queens Who Claimed the “Most Viewed Video” Throne from 2005 to Today
Since its founding in 2005, YouTube has become a massive archive that tracks the pulse of global culture and popular trends. A video at the peak of one era can easily be replaced by a completely different style of content the next year. So, how did this digital throne battle progress?
Here is a breathtaking chronological list of the videos that held the title of “The All-Time Most-Viewed Video” throughout YouTube history, from its foundation to the present day! We examine the video at the top of each year from 2005 to 2025, along with the landmark view count that made it popular.
If you are curious about how many years Gangnam Style, which once took the world by storm, or the record-breaking Despacito reigned on this list, you can witness the evolution of the YouTube most viewed video by reviewing our table.
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1 2005 - Ronaldinho: Touch of Gold (Nike)
2005
Ronaldinho: Touch of Gold (Nike)
October 21, 2005
255,000$
The original video has been removed or hidden. This link is a re-uploaded version of the ad with high views.
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2 2006 - Evolution of Dance (Judson Laipply)
2006
Evolution of Dance (Judson Laipply)
6 Nisan 2006
10.600.000$
The video is currently set to 'Made for Kids' so some interactivity features may be restricted.
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3 2007 - Evolution of Dance (Judson Laipply)
2007
Evolution of Dance (Judson Laipply)
April 6, 2006
(Retained the title)
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4 2008 - Girlfriend (Avril Lavigne)
2008
Girlfriend (Avril Lavigne)
February 27, 2007
92,600,000$
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5 2009 - Charlie Bit My Finger (HDCYT)
2009
Charlie Bit My Finger (HDCYT)
May 22, 2007
128,900,000$
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6 2010 - Bad Romance (Lady Gaga)
2010
Bad Romance (Lady Gaga)
November 24, 2009
178,400,000$
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7 2011 - Baby (Justin Bieber)
2011
Baby (Justin Bieber)
February 19, 2010
450,000,000$
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8 2012 - Gangnam Style (Psy)
2012
Gangnam Style (Psy)
July 15, 2012
803,700,000$
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9 2013 Gangnam Style (Psy - Retained the title)
2013
Gangnam Style (Psy)
July 15, 2012
(Retained the title)
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10 2014 Gangnam Style (Psy - Retained the title)
2014
Gangnam Style (Psy)
July 15, 2012
(Retained the title)
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11 2015 - Gangnam Style (Psy - Retained the title)
2015
Gangnam Style (Psy)
July 15, 2012
(Retained the title)
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12 2016 - Gangnam Style (Psy - Retained the title)
2016
Gangnam Style (Psy)
July 15, 2012
(Retained the title)
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13 2017 - Despacito (Luis Fonsi)
2017
Despacito (Luis Fonsi)
January 12, 2017
3,000,000,000$
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14 2018 - Despacito (Luis Fonsi - Retained the title)
2018
Despacito (Luis Fonsi)
January 12, 2017
(Retained the title)
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15 2019 - Despacito (Luis Fonsi - Retained the title)
2019
Despacito (Luis Fonsi)
January 12, 2017
(Retained the title)
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16 2020 Baby Shark Dance (Pinkfong)
2020
Baby Shark Dance (Pinkfong)
June 17, 2016
7,000,000,000$
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17 2021 - Baby Shark Dance (Pinkfong - Retained the title)
2021
Baby Shark Dance (Pinkfong)
June 17, 2016
(Retained the title)
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18 2022 - Baby Shark Dance (Pinkfong - Retained the title)
2022
Baby Shark Dance (Pinkfong)
June 17, 2016
(Retained the title)
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19 2023 - Baby Shark Dance (Pinkfong - Retained the title)
2023
Baby Shark Dance (Pinkfong)
June 17, 2016
(Retained the title)
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20 2024 - Baby Shark Dance (Pinkfong - Retained the title)
2024
Baby Shark Dance (Pinkfong)
June 17, 2016
(Retained the title)
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21 2025 - Baby Shark Dance (Pinkfong - Retained the title)
2025
Baby Shark Dance (Pinkfong)
June 17, 2016
(Retained the title)
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