Top YouTube Influencers: The 31 Accounts That Audiences Can’t Get Enough Of

YouTube is the world’s premier video platform, offering billions of hours of engaging content.

But who is dominating the space?

That’s the topic of this article. We look at the accounts that draw in more engaged followers than any other.

1. Christen Dominique – 4.63 Million Subscribers

Christen Dominique is all over the internet, but her YouTube channel is where she showcases her best work. Many of her videos are makeup tutorials, showing the common mistakes people make and how to avoid them. However, she also posts some lifestyle content occasionally, providing insights into her life.

Her unedited approach is refreshing in the fashion space. People like the fact she’s real and doesn’t sugar-coat her advice or tutorials. Viewers can use her channel to learn everything from doing their makeup like Salma Hayek to putting blush on kids’ faces.

2. Carly Rowena – 411,000 Subscribers

Carly Rowena started her YouTube channel focusing on fitness. However, she now does a combination of exercise, lifestyle, and mindfulness content, allowing her to engage with her audience on a more holistic level.

We like the fact that Carly keeps everything simple. Even when the world has unreasonable expectations, she reminds her audience of the value of slowing down and emptying the mind. She talks about everything from pregnancy during exercise to her experience moving from the UK to Costa Rica, the friendly tropical Central American country.

3. Jeff Cavaliere – 13.8 Million Subscribers

Jeff Cavaliere – also known as Athlean-X – is a long-time American fitness and strength training influencer. He focuses on helping people craft their ideal physiques and bust through plateaus holding them back.

What’s nice about Jeff is his mentor-like approach to strength training. He’s not obsessed with getting the biggest muscles. Instead, he focuses on sustainability, longevity, and helping his followers discover their genetic potential.

Everything he says is science-backed and he takes responsibility for his audience, showing them techniques that might injure them and how to avoid them.

4. Adam Neely – 1.78 Million Subscribers

Adam Neely is one of YouTube’s go-to stars for anything music-related. Starting in 2006, he’s spent nearly 20 years deep-diving into music theory and live performances, explaining how musical geniuses create magic on stage and in the studio.

More recently, he’s been focusing on topical issues in the music industry, such as “Will AI replace human musicians?” and “Are binaural beats real?” Throughout it all, he maintains his laid-back, helpful style, which is perhaps why so many people follow him.

5. Smosh – 26.7 Million Subscribers

Smosh is the brainchild of Anthony Padilla and Ian Andrew Hecox. Since 2005, the pair have been growing their channel and sharing their strange adventures with the world.

Most of their content is sketch comedy that parodies pop culture and video games. However, they are also developing the so-called “Smosh Games” part of their channel to get people to participate in gaming-related activities.

Much of Smosh’s humor is irreverent and exaggerated, so it doesn’t appeal to every audience. But the pair has been enormously successful and gained numerous Streamy Awards and other accolades.

6. NigaHiga – 20.9 Million Subscribers

NigaHiga is another ancient YouTube channel and was briefly the most subscribed during 2010 and 2011 (when the platform was considerably smaller). The account is the creation of Ryan Higa and Sean Fujiyoshi and began when the pair were still studying at school.

NigaHiga was, strangely, a prefiguring of TikTok. Sean and Ryan often lip-synced famous songs (before YouTube took them down because of copyright) in their early years before moving on to more creative and comedic content.

Unfortunately, the channel hasn’t seen any updates for over four years. One of the last videos posted on the account discusses Sean’s “midlife crisis” where he examines his age (then approaching 30) and how he wanted to achieve more with his life.

7. Markiplier – 36.8 Million Subscribers

Markiplier is a video game-obsessed YouTuber who uploads content of himself playing games and sharing them with his audience. Part of his appeal is his wacky style and endlessly entertaining takes.

Most of Markiplier’s content focuses on scary games like Five Nights at Freddy’s and Resident Evil. However, he also focuses on awesome games that make his audience feel like hyperactive hamsters.

What we like about Markiplier is how he seems to be able to make incredible content out of garbage. It doesn’t matter what developers present him with, he can turn it into gold dust.

8. Angry Joe – 3.28 Million Subscribers

Angry Joe is another game-reviewing YouTuber obsessed with quality. He takes developers putting out shoddy software to task over their efforts, revealing their mistakes and corner-cutting in excruciating detail.

But Angry Joe isn’t just a ranting millennial. He’s also a connoisseur of games. He believes in their power to transform lives. That’s why he always gives credit where it’s due, giving top-notch productions his “Badass Seal of Approval.”

When watching his channel, expect plenty of shouting, props, and foul language. Also, look forward to satirical comedy sketches that help explain the points he makes in his review commentary.

9. Dude Perfect – 60.3 Million Subscribers

Dude Perfect is the creation of five best friends obsessed with comedy and sport. The channel’s videos cover everything from ping-pong trick shots to island survival games.

Dude Perfect’s main appeal is the sheer challenge of the projects the team behind it undertakes, like putting a rocket on a football or trying to escape a maximum security prison. All the content is highly entertaining and polished, making it a must-watch for anyone interested in crazy antics.

10. PewDiePie – 111 Million Subscribers

PewDiePie, real name Felix Arvid Ulf Kjelberg, was one of the biggest YouTubers on the planet a few years ago. And he still has more followers than 99.9999% of the accounts on the platform!

Most of his content centers around video games, particularly his antics on Minecraft. However, he also mixes in other videos, particularly Japanese-themed ideas, like training like a samurai or taking his boy to Japan (his homeland).

Marketers and brands always want to work with PewDiePie because of his extreme reach. He can access audiences anywhere. But he’s not cheap!

11. Vegan Gains – 312,000 Subscribers

Vegan Gains is one of the more controversial characters on YouTube, bringing a combination of video game playthroughs and talks about vegan issues to his audience. He rose to prominence ten years ago with a series of edgy videos on the need to protect farm animals from harm plus an element of bodybuilding (hence the “Gains” in his channel’s name). He believes anyone can achieve a muscular physique, even if they don’t eat meat. He has more than 1,200 videos to date, including numerous interviews and debates with people with opposing beliefs.

12. Dr Brad Stanfield – 246,000 Subscribers

Dr Brad Stanfield was a pioneer on YouTube when he produced his first videos on aging and longevity in 2018. Since then, he’s gone on to grow his audience significantly because of the growing interest in living longer.

The New Zealand doctor spends many videos discussing the evidence for using various supplements to slow the aging process, including NMN, fisetin, and hyaluronic acid. He also adds his voice to the debate on what causes us to grow old and whether existing solutions can work based on science.

13. Dan Koe – 764,000 Subscribers

Dan Koe is a business coach focusing on helping people get into the mindset that will let them create an online presence. He talks about the value of becoming a creator on social media and how people can live the lives of their dreams by working as little as four hours a day.

Dan uses his YouTube channel as a sales funnel to direct people to his courses on entrepreneurship and how to generate a second source of income. Most of his videos are in-depth and provide a deep psychosocial analysis of how to market a personal brand.

14. Marcus House – 534,000 Subscribers

Marcus House is a prominent influencer who helps his followers stay up to date on the latest developments in the space industry. Most of his coverage deals with SpaceX’s Starship testing. But he also covers other smaller projects across the globe, including NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) and the Russian Soyuz module.

People like Marcus because of his friendly and engaging style. He’s always excited about the latest developments in the industry and Elon Musk’s mission to send humanity to Mars. Ultimately, he’s the person to go to for anything space-news-related.

15. George Gammon – 521,000 Subscribers

George Gammon runs an insightful YouTube channel to help people build wealth through investing. He covers every topic imaginable, from the price of oil to the inversion of the yield curve.

Throughout it all, he maintains his sense of humor, no matter what the market decides to do. He doesn’t offer financial advice, but he does educate and inform, enabling his audience to build the lives they want, even if they have limited resources.

Gammon started in the realm of real estate investing, but he soon moved on to cover the stock market. He also runs a newsletter – The Rebel Capitalist – to share more insights with his loyal audience.

16. Whindersson Nunes – 44.7 Million Subscribers

Whinderrson Nunes Batista is a Brazilian comedian famous on YouTube. He began his channel in 2013 to share musical parodies but it soon ballooned into much more than that.

People like Nunes because of his humorous take on everyday situations. He’s able to offer a new perspective on ordinary events that makes his audience giggle, poking fun at our daily lives and Brazilian culture in particular.

He also sometimes posts videos of his standup comedy efforts. His live performances always have plenty of energy and bring the unexpected to audiences.

17. A4 – 64.3 Million Subscribers

A4 is the creation of Vlad Bumaga, a YouTuber hailing from Belarus. He’s famous for his zany videos, skits, and pranks, making him popular with younger audiences and children.

However, things weren’t always easy for Vlad. It took him more than two years to gain 100,000 subscribers. During his career, MrBeast and JustDustin (two of the biggest influencers on the platform) accused him of stealing their thumbnails (which he admitted).

Now, though, he’s a superstar in his own right. He has over 60 million subscribers on the platform, making him among the most successful of all time.

18. Davie 504 – 13.4 Million Subscribers

Davie 504 is one of YouTube’s most celebrated creative geniuses. The bassist and guitar enthusiast provides new takes on everyone’s favorite songs, offering mind-blowing solos and bizarre meme-related content.

Saying that, Davie remains one of YouTube’s biggest independent music channels. He knows how to surprise and entertain his audience, so they keep coming back for more.

19. Jackie Aina – 3.51 Million Subscribers

Jackie Aina is a Christian influencer who wants to change the standard of beauty. Much of her work focuses on choosing the right makeup brands but she also does tutorial videos.

Her most popular videos are all about reviewing popular products from brands like KKW Beauty and Morphe. However, she also produces fun content, like mixing all her foundations or copying John Legend’s skincare routine.

20. Marques Brownlee – 19.2 Million Subscribers

Marques Brownlee is one of YouTube’s most successful tech fanatics. He does a fantastic job of breaking down new products, like the Apple Vision Pro and sharing his experiences with his audience. Plus, he’s always engaging, brightening up even dull stories.

The primary reason for going to his channel is consumer advice, making him a valuable partner for advertisers. An unashamed geek, Marques delves deep into the issues, telling his audience everything they need to know about the latest gaming consoles, tablets, smartphones, and tech accessories. His content leaves no stone unturned, whether commenting on the Samsung Z Flip/Fold 6 or Star Wars-inspired light sabers.

21. Maria Clara & JP – 44 Million Subscribers

Maria Clara & JP are heroes of the parenting world. The sibling pair have been producing high-quality children’s entertainment for the Latin American world since 2015 with no signs of stopping. Their content is fun, upbeat, and designed to keep kids entertained while parents do other things.

We like how the channel provides almost endless entertainment for young and old children, introducing them to new games, characters, and series every week. It’s always an adventure.

22. Jacksepticeye – 30.7 Million Subscribers

Jacksepticeye is the creation of Seán William McLoughlin, an Irish YouTuber with an exceptional talent for reacting to gaming videos in funny ways. Much of his content focuses on the top titles, like Elden Ring. However, he also has a penchant for responding to funny TikToks and memes.

McLoughlin also offers content centering around his “Try Not To Laugh” content. The idea is to confront audiences with side-splitting humor (usually funny skits) where he challenges them not to crack a smile.

Thanks to his combination of giggles and in-depth gaming playthroughs, he’s become one of the most-watched content creators on the internet. Many of his videos get hundreds of thousands of views.

23. Emma Chamberlain – 12 Million Subscribers

Emma Chamberlain’s career started modestly in 2016 when she set up her YouTube channel. Much of her early works centered on simple lifestyle content.

However, in 2017 she had a breakthrough with a video entitled “We All Owe The Dollar Store An Apology” that went viral, gaining her more subscribers on the platform. She’s now known for her candid and unfiltered content, showing her audience what life’s actually like. also uses an unusual editing style that compels her audience to watch more and draw them in for life.

24. Ria Yunis – 46.8 Million Subscribers

Indonesian YouTube star Ria Yunis is another talented creator who appeals to Southeast Asian audiences. The rising star is best known for her squishy toy videos that went viral several years back and catapulted her to fame in her home country.

Most of her content follows her lifestyle and how she enjoys living, such as adventures to the mall or swimming pool. It’s all family-friendly and energetic like so many of the top channels are.

25. Vanoss Gaming – 25.9 Million Subscribers

Vanoss Gaming is the brainchild of Evan Fong who set up the channel in 2011 to chronicle his passion for video games. The show started with run-throughs of GTA V with friends, but soon ballooned into something much bigger.

Fong’s channel is interesting because he collaborates with other cast members, including Daithi De Nogla, Ohmwrecker, Lui Calibre, and Mini Ladd. Adding more people to the mix always creates new surprises and encourages more people to follow what he does. Most of his supporters are teenagers, but he also has a sizeable older audience that follows his horror game content.

26. Yuya – 24.7 Million Subscribers

Mariand Castrejon Castaneda is the creator of the YouTube channel, Yuya, and one of the most popular in Mexico and the Spanish-speaking areas of the U.S. The talented creator set up her channel in 2009 but it took her over a year to upload a video (which covered various hairstyles).

Since then, she’s created hundreds of lifestyle videos covering everything from new clothes hauls to face masks. Everything she does is high-energy and encourages her subscribers to go on a journey with her to discover new and accessible ways of living.

27. BuzzFeedVideo – 19.9 Million Subscribers

BuzzFeedVideo is the main channel of news outlet and gossip publisher BuzzFeed. It covers all sorts of real-life issues, sometimes funny, sometimes serious.

Currently, the account is promoting its Mom In Progress series following the life of a mother as she goes through the various stages of pregnancy. However, it also focuses on other topical issues, like the food to make your partner on a date, and black moms reacting to other moms’ soul food. It even has a segment on Nick Young, the man who became the “confused” meme now used across the internet.

28. Roman Atwood Vlogs – 15.3 Million Subscribers

Roman Atwood Vlogs is the largest of this talented influencer’s channels on YouTube (the other one only has a mere 10.1 million subscribers!) Most of his content revolves around pranking his friends (and getting everyone to mistrust him). His most famous pranks are his Anniversary Prank, Pee Prank, and Ferrari Prank. However, he has dozens of other creative tricks and jokes on his channel.

29. James Charles – 23.9 Million Subscribers

James Charles is an American beauty influencer and makeup artist who loves to develop new and creative approaches to styling your complexion. He’s known for his good looks and ability to help his subscribers create any look they want, even with simple tools.

Some of his most popular videos involve exposing viral makeup hacks and whether they work. He’s also known for roasting some of the worst makeup hacks and strategies that don’t work. People trust him because of his honest approach and ability to make you smile, even if you’re having a bad day.

30. Thoughty2 – 5.45 Million Subscribers

Thoughty2, real name Arran Lomas, is one of the most interesting YouTube influencers. He’s a self-described “gatekeeper of useless facts” and offers his audience new and interesting takes on the random things in the world. Videos cover topics like why eating fish gives people nightmares and how people survived impossible situations.

The great thing about Thoughty2 is that his audience never knows what he’ll do next. He seems to have a way of viewing the world from perspectives nobody expects!

31. Good Mythical Morning – 18.7 Million Subscribers

Good Mythical Morning seems a bit like a daytime talk show when you first encounter it. But as you probe deeper, you see that it’s much more than that. The channel is run by Rhett McLaughlin and Charles Lincoln who refer to themselves as the “intertainers.” The pair do everything from testing street food to pumping up balloons until they pop. But at the heart of their work are usually helpful messages that offer practical benefits to their audiences’ lives (sometimes). And no matter what they put out there, it’s always great entertainment.