YouTube, the biggest platform for video sharing worldwide, marks its 20th anniversary this year. Starting in 2005 as a place for amateur video makers, it’s transformed into a global powerhouse, now competing with traditional entertainment industries. Currently, YouTube positions itself as the “new Hollywood,” with professional content makers and influencers attracting huge audiences, often overshadowing film studios and television networks. For instance, in 2024, the platform’s top creator, MrBeast, garnered 762 million views on one video—almost equivalent to the total number of cinema tickets sold across the US and Canada in that year.
However, beneath this slick and commercial facade exists a hidden realm that remains mostly unnoticed by the platform’s algorithms and unseen by the majority of its users. This extensive, overlooked aspect of YouTube includes millions of videos—seldom viewed, unrefined, and far from the content that fills our recommendation lists. These videos, although they appear insignificant, offer an intriguing view into the daily lives of individuals from around the world, highlighting the platform’s initial aim as a means for personal expression.
Yet, beneath this polished and commercialized surface lies a hidden world that remains largely untouched by the platform’s algorithms and invisible to most users. This vast, forgotten side of YouTube consists of millions of videos—rarely watched, unpolished, and far removed from the content that dominates our recommendation feeds. These videos, while seemingly insignificant, provide a fascinating glimpse into the everyday lives of people worldwide, showcasing the platform’s original purpose as a tool for self-expression.
Although YouTube is commonly linked with viral sensations and high-quality productions, most of its estimated 14.8 billion videos have been watched fewer than 50 times. Researchers from the Initiative for Digital Public Infrastructure at the University of Massachusetts Amherst recently carried out one of the initial large-scale studies of YouTube’s less-viewed aspect. By developing a tool to randomly sample videos from across the platform, they discovered an alternative reality of YouTube—one rarely influenced by its recommendation algorithm.
Though YouTube is often associated with viral hits and high-production content, the majority of its estimated 14.8 billion videos have been viewed fewer than 50 times. Researchers from the Initiative for Digital Public Infrastructure at the University of Massachusetts Amherst recently conducted one of the first large-scale studies of YouTube’s lesser-seen side. By building a tool to randomly sample videos across the platform, they uncovered an alternate reality of YouTube—one that is rarely touched by the recommendation algorithm.
A researcher came across a video from 2020 in which a man merely recorded the snowfall outside his window over a span of 19 minutes. With just two views before being found, the video epitomizes the simplicity of YouTube’s unseen realm. The man softly narrates as a bird lands on a fence, with the faint noise of a TV murmuring in the background. Though nothing major occurs, it captures a serene moment that might otherwise go unnoticed amidst the increasingly curated and performance-focused digital landscape.
One researcher stumbled upon a video from 2020 where a man simply filmed the snow falling outside his window for 19 minutes. With only two views before it was discovered, the video embodies the simplicity of YouTube’s hidden world. The man quietly narrates as a bird lands on a fence, the sound of a TV murmuring in the background. Nothing significant happens, yet it captures a peaceful moment that would otherwise go unnoticed in an increasingly curated and performance-driven online landscape.
Why this forgotten side of YouTube matters
The research revealed that the median YouTube video has only been viewed 41 times, while videos with over 130 views are in the top third of the platform’s most popular content. These figures underscore how much of YouTube exists beyond the algorithm’s focus, serving as a venue for personal expression rather than public performance. Ethan Zuckerman, the director of the research effort, contends that this aspect of YouTube deserves attention. “We often assume that the sole purpose of social media is to become an influencer or to go viral, but that’s a limited perspective,” he notes. “For many people, YouTube is simply a means to share a piece of their lives.”
The study found that the median YouTube video has been watched just 41 times, with videos crossing 130 views ranking in the top third of the platform’s most popular content. These numbers highlight how much of YouTube exists outside the algorithm’s spotlight, functioning as a space for personal expression rather than public performance. Ethan Zuckerman, the director of the research initiative, argues that this side of YouTube should not be overlooked. “We tend to assume that the only reason to use social media is to become an influencer or go viral, but that’s a narrow way to think about it,” he says. “For many, YouTube is simply a way to share a part of their lives.”
When YouTube debuted in 2005, it acted as a groundbreaking platform for user-generated content. Initial creators posted videos to share personal experiences, explore creative ideas, or engage with specific audiences. Over the years, the platform has transformed, introducing elements like monetization and algorithms aimed at increasing watch time and engagement. Consequently, content creation has become more professional, with the most successful creators investing significantly in production quality and marketing tactics.
When YouTube launched in 2005, it served as a revolutionary platform for user-generated content. Early creators uploaded videos to share personal moments, experiment creatively, or connect with niche audiences. Over time, the platform evolved, introducing features like monetization and algorithms designed to maximize watch time and engagement. As a result, content creation became more professionalized, with the most successful creators investing heavily in production quality and marketing strategies.
However, this shift toward professionalization has overshadowed the platform’s original purpose as a space for unfiltered self-expression. The researchers’ findings suggest that, while viral videos and polished productions dominate public conversations about YouTube, they represent only a fraction of the platform’s true content. The majority of videos are created by individuals with no intention of becoming famous or monetizing their work. Instead, they use YouTube as a digital storage space, a communication tool, or a creative outlet.
The Influence of the Algorithm on YouTube
The role of the algorithm in shaping YouTube
YouTube states that the algorithm’s goal is to assist users in finding videos that match their interests, whether those videos have six views or six million. “The magic of YouTube is that it allows anyone, regardless of their starting point, to share their voice with the world,” a company spokesperson notes. However, critics argue that the algorithm’s emphasis on engagement has facilitated the spread of harmful content, such as misinformation and divisive rhetoric, by encouraging sensationalism and controversy.
According to YouTube, the algorithm’s purpose is to help users discover videos that align with their interests, whether those videos have six views or six million. “The magic of YouTube is that it allows anyone, regardless of their starting point, to share their voice with the world,” says a company spokesperson. However, critics argue that the algorithm’s focus on engagement has contributed to the rise of harmful content, including misinformation and divisive rhetoric, by rewarding sensationalism and controversy.
An insight into daily life
Delving into YouTube’s hidden world is both intriguing and enlightening. The platform’s less-visible side brims with small, daily moments that may appear trivial but together create a vibrant mosaic of human experience. From a man residing in his car chronicling his journey to a young ballerina performing on stage, these videos encapsulate the beauty and intricacy of everyday life.
For some creators, such as Bill “The WoofDriver” Hellman, YouTube serves as a platform to share their passions with the world. Hellman, a 58-year-old dog lover, has spent years capturing his adventures with his four Siberian huskies, producing over 2,400 videos along the way. Despite investing considerable effort into his content—including original music and drone footage—Hellman’s channel maintains a modest following, with many videos attracting only a few views. “I don’t get a large audience most of the time, but that doesn’t bother me,” he remarks. “I just do it for the joy it brings me and my dogs.”
The underappreciated worth of YouTube’s quiet side
While YouTube’s most prominent content frequently ignites discussions about misinformation, extremism, and harmful stereotypes, its hidden realm offers a contrast. The vast majority of videos on the platform are neutral or highly positive, highlighting the ordinary yet meaningful ways people use technology to share their lives. These videos remind us that, beyond the polished veneer of viral content, YouTube continues to be a space for creativity, connection, and self-expression.
While YouTube’s most visible content often sparks debates about misinformation, extremism, and harmful stereotypes, its hidden world provides a counterpoint. The vast majority of videos on the platform are neutral or overwhelmingly positive, showcasing the mundane yet meaningful ways people use technology to share their lives. These videos remind us that, beyond the polished façade of viral content, YouTube remains a space for creativity, connection, and self-expression.
As YouTube enters its third decade, its hidden world serves as a powerful reminder of the platform’s original purpose. In an era where social media is often criticized for its negative impact, these forgotten videos highlight the quieter, more personal side of the internet—a space where content doesn’t have to perform but can simply exist.
