From online gamers to makeup gurus, the 10 Biggest YouTube Sensations in 2015 consist of ingenious individuals who have leveraged the video-sharing platform in their own unique way. YouTube has more than 1 billion users and they reach more viewers in the 18 to 49-year-old demographic than any cable network in America.
According to YouTube, the number of hours people spend watching in YouTube has increased by 60% compared to last year. This is the fastest growth they have has seen over the past couple of years. What’s more impressive is that 80% of their views are from outside of the U.S., providing a huge window of opportunity for the expansion into the global market.
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We have previously looked at the 11 most profitable YouTube channels but today we want to zero in on individual users—not celebrities—for the 10 biggest YouTube sensations in 2015. These channels are ranked and graded according to their number of subscribers, video views, and average annual earnings. The data are aggregated from Forbes, USA Today, Social Blade, and Socialbakers.
Each criterion is given corresponding points. The higher the number of subscribers (20 pts), video views (20 pts), and earnings (10 pts), the more points are given to a user. Video views are given the same weight as the number of subscribers as these indicate engagement. Earnings are also factored in as it shows the increasing value of the user. It also means that advertisers trust their credibility and authority in that specific niche. Forbes collated their pre-tax earnings from last year ending in June 2015.
Let’s now look at the 10 biggest YouTube sensations in 2015. We’re pretty sure you know some of them!
10. Rhett & Link (29 points)
With more than 3.8 million subscribers and over 554 million video views, the famous Rhett & Link duo is not only making people laugh but is also making a lot of money. Rhett McLaughlin and Charles Lincoln Neal III have earned $4.5 million from ads and sponsored content deals. The two are known for reinventing ads of major companies with a touch of wit and humor. They have inked partnerships with Toyota, Gillette, and Wendy’s. They have uploaded 325 videos to date.
9. Rosanna Pansino (30 points)
YouTube user Rosanna Pansino takes pride in being a self-trained baker and chef. She has just released her own cookbook this month The Nerdy Nummies Cookbook: Sweet Treats for the Geek in All of Us. The adorable chef has more than 4.9 million subscribers and over 1 billion video views to date. Her famous “Nerdy Nummies” channel gives a geeky spin on baking tutorials. Some of her creations include Pi Pie Pops, Jurassic Park Amber Fossil Lollipops, Layered Earth Cake, Captain America Pizza and more! With 323 videos on her channel, Pansino earned over $2.5 million last year.
9. Lilly Singh (30 points)
Known in YouTube as Superwoman, Lilly Singh has more than 7.1 million subscribers and over 951 million video views. She has created 421 videos about her life. Singh creates comedic sketches and uploads them every Monday and Thursday. She has grown so popular that her “A Trip to Unicorn Island” tour hit 27 cities worldwide. Singh has earned over $2.5 million the past year. She also clinched a deal on the Collective Digital Studio network last year along with other creators. Singh leverages her ethnic background in her videos and has no problem making fun of it.
8. Lindsey Stirling (32 points)
Despite having 72 videos, Lindsey Stirling has over 7.2 million subscribers and more than 1.13 billion video views. The classic violinist tried to get in the music industry but couldn’t land on any recording label. She decided to start her own YouTube channel and upload her performances. Stirling tried out for America’s Got Talent in 2010 and became known as the hip-hop violinist as she is just as talented in dancing. Now Stirling is referred to as the “Skrillex of classic music.” She has toured different cities in the US and Europe, earning over $6 million over the past year. Stirling has released two albums “Lindsey Stirling” and “Shatter Me.” Her book “The Only Pirate at the Party” will be available on January 12, 2016.
7. Roman Atwood (34 points)
With $2.5 million in earnings, Roman Atwood has more than 7.7 million subscribers and over 1.19 billion video views. He has uploaded 216 prank-filled videos, some of which border on the extreme. Atwood is currently known as the “most appalling prankster in YouTube.” Just to give you an idea, Atwood pretended to blow up his kid, scaring his girlfriend out of her wits. If you remember Ashton Kutcher’s TV show “Punk’d,” think of him as the internet version of this show. His name has become so big that Nissan partnered with him last January for a collaboration. Atwood has created another channel RomanAtwoodVlogs chronicling his fatherhood adventures.
6. Michelle Phan (35 points)
Teaching girls how to put on makeup has brought in over 8.1 million subscribers for Michelle Phan. The makeup guru has earned $3 million in ads and sponsored content. She has 377 videos to date. Phan now has her own cosmetic line! She is currently in the process of launching her online video lifestyle network called ICON in collaboration with Endemol Beyond. Not only that, Phan will also be launching her makeup delivery startup called Ipsy. She has already raised $100 million so far. Ipsy delivers “Glam Bags” full of makeup goodies from popular brands for only $10 a month! This busy, business-minded girl really deserves a spot in our 10 biggest YouTube sensations in 2015.
5. KSI (37 points)
Olajide Olatunji aka KSI has a huge following with more than 11.1 million subscribers and over 2 billion video views. He has created 892 videos so far. With $4.5 million in earnings, he started uploading videos of himself playing FIFA video games. His popularity has grown so big that he used it to launch his career as a hip-hop artist. In April, the British YouTube sensation has released his single “Lamborghini” and landed on the number 30 spot in the U.K. charts. His new single “Keep Up” was just released a few days ago. He has another channel KSIOlajidebtHD where he still plays video games.
4. Fine Brothers (39 points) – TIE
With over 13.5 million subscribers and more than 3.5 billion video views, the Fine Brothers Benny and Rafi are famous for creating the React videos. These include Kids React, Teens React, Elders React, YouTubers React, and more! With 914 videos to date, the producers have created one viral video after another tackling different subjects and asking different groups of people for their reactions. The siblings have earned a whopping $8.5 million last year. Make no mistake, the Fine Brothers also appear in their own videos and they’re hilarious. They’ve had collaborations with bigwigs such as Comedy Central and Ford. From being YouTube stars, the two brothers now have a Nickelodeon show called “React to That.”
4. Niga Higa (39 points) – TIE
Ryan Higa is a 24-year-old YouTube sensation who does a lot of comedic videos and impersonations. With more than 15.58 million subscribers and 2.4 billion views, Higa earns around $1.5 million annually, according to USA Today. Some of his epic videos include “How to be a Perfect Boyfriend” and “How to Sing Like Your Favorite Artists.” He has already uploaded 251 videos to date and has another channel called Higa TV. Higa has just launched his very own TEEHEE app that allows him to connect with his subscribers directly!
3. JennaMarbles (42 points)
Jenna Mourey aka Jenna Marbles currently has 15.62 million subscribers and 1.8 billion video views. She earns around $1.1 million a year. She guested in the show “Millionaire Matchmaker” a few years ago. Mourey told New York Times that what she does is simply take her videos at home, have fun, and upload them on the internet. The 29-year-old New Yorker vlogger has appeared in the movie “Road Hard.” Some of her viral and notable videos include “How to Trick People Into Thinking You’re Good Looking” and “How to Avoid Talking to People You Don’t Want To Talk To.”
2. Smosh (45 points)
Ian Hecox and Anthony Padilla are more popularly known by their YouTube pseudonym Smosh. The duo has 21.4 million subscribers and 4.9 billion video views. They have created 574 videos so far and have earned $8.5 million last year. The two comedians have produced some of the most hilarious videos on YouTube such as “The Truth Behind Emojis” and “If Romantic Movies Were Real.” The childhood buddies became famous for their Pokemon-inspired skits. The two have shifted to the big screen with their film “Smosh: The Movie” which was released last July. They currently have five YouTube channels.
1. PewDiePie (48 points)
Topping the list is Felix Arvid Kjellberg aka PewDiePie, the famous video gamer with over-the-top and expletive-filled reactions. The Swedish YouTube sensation has more than 40.4 million followers and 10.5 billion video views to date. So far, he has uploaded 2,555 videos with most of them being commentaries while gaming. He has earned around $12 million last year. Despite being popular with his “bros,” Kjellberg is an introvert who rarely accommodates interviews. The guy is only 25 years old and he gets paid for playing “The Walking Dead.” One of the things that make him successful is his close connection with his subscribers. He takes the time to read and reply to comments, allowing him to build an army of followers.
If there’s one thing in common among the 10 biggest YouTube sensations in 2015, it’s their ability to stay true to who they are and what they know best. They leverage their own lives, skills, and talents thus allowing them to carve a niche following on YouTube. Do you think you can do the same? The internet is your oyster. Start creating your own videos now! Who knows? You just might end up on our list next year!
