In 1979 Buggles released the hit song “Video Killed The Radio Star”.
The same song was the first ever video featured on MTV in August 1981. The irony was intended.
Fast forward forty years and video hasn’t just killed the video star, it’s doing a good number on a variety of other things.
The truth, as online video consumption statistics will confirm, is that video is now the most popular way to view content online. It’s faster than reading and easier to do anywhere.
After all, the majority of people have cell phones and similar mobile devices.
That allows you to watch a quick video when you don’t have the time or inclination to read something.
Of course, businesses know this and consistently use videos alongside content, ensuring they reach as many people as possible.
What is interesting is that the human brain is geared for visual stimulation.
It’s said that a picture tells a thousand words. Research confirms the brain processes information from images 60,000 times faster than from text.
In short, it’s natural for humans to watch videos. That doesn’t mean the statistics won’t surprise or shock you.
Key Statistics
- 85% of US internet users watch videos online
- 90% of videos are watched on mobile devices
- You tube is the most watched video channel
- 500 hours of video is uploaded to you tube every minute
- The average user watches 17 hours of video a week
- 53% of users watch product review videos before purchasing
- 23% of users watch influencer videos & vlogs
- 93% of businesses use branded video content to win new customers
- People are 52% more likely to share videos compared to other sources of information
- 83% of marketing professionals recommend videos should be less than 60 seconds long
Top Online Video Consumption Statistics in 2025
1. 85% Of US Internet Users Watch Videos Online
This isn’t a particularly surprising figure.
It’s been climbing steadily each year but the sheer amount of video content online means that the climb is inevitable.
Most businesses and influencers see video as an essential way to connect with customers and potential clients.
This has led to a rapid increase in video-only content as well as videos mixed with content.
In short, if you go online it is almost impossible not to watch a video.
It’s likely that the figure will move from 85% to 100% within the next few years.
(Google)
2. 90% Of Videos Are Watched On Mobile Devices
This also isn’t surprising. In the last couple of years mobile internet access has overtaken desktop access.
Currently, 58% of all internet visits are made via a mobile device. Interestingly, mobile devices only account for 42% of online time.
That means people are generally searching for products on a mobile device but a greater amount of time is spent absorbing information via a desktop.
It’s fair to assume, as 90% of videos are watched on mobile devices, that the majority of internet time is still dedicated to article-based research instead of watching videos.
(Google)
3. YouTube Is the Most Watched Video Channel
YouTube currently has over 2 billion users. That’s a quarter of the population on the planet and nearly half of all internet users!
Thanks to the array of videos available on YouTube, there is content which appeals to everyone, making it the most popular social media channel.
It’s currently the largest and most watched video channel online and this doesn’t look like it will change anytime soon.
The latest research shows that 9 out of 10 internet users aged between 18-44 watch videos on YouTube.
(Cisco)
4. 500 Hours Of Video Is Uploaded To YouTube Every Minute
YouTube is the most popular social media channel for a good reason.
According to the latest statistics approximately 500 hours of new videos are uploaded every minute.
That’s an impressive number and means you’ll never be able to watch all the content on YouTube.
With so much content it’s not surprising that it’s the most-watched video channel, there is always something new to see.
Of course, the fact that it’s free to watch YouTube videos does encourage content to be uploaded, it’s guaranteed to be visible online, no matter how good or bad the content is.
It’s worth noting that while 500 hours of content is uploaded every minute, 5 billion videos are watched daily!
(99 Firms)
5. The Average User Watches 17 Hours Of Video A Week
This may seem like a staggering figure but much of this digital viewing is a replacement for conventional television.
Digital video content includes that streamed by Netflix and similar channels.
The number of videos watched per week climbed rapidly during the global pandemic and concurrent lockdowns.
However, while the pandemic has officially ended, the amount of digital content being watched doesn’t seem to have decreased.
(Statista)
6. 53% Of Users Watch Product Review Videos Before Purchasing
People are increasingly turning to videos for advice and information.
This is because they are convenient and many are surprisingly informative.
One of the most popular types of video is the explainer video.
This is when a job is described in detail and simultaneously completed visually. It makes it much easier to see and understand the process.
Another very popular type of video is product reviews.
These allow people to see a specific product in action and decide if it is as good as it appears to be. Currently 53% of people admit to watching product review videos.
Almost everyone admits to undertaking some research on a product before purchasing.
(Syndacast)
7. 23% Of Users Watch Influencer Videos & Vlogs
28% of internet users prefer to watch live streaming instead of pre-recorded videos. This is a fact that many influencers and vloggers use to their advantage.
Specifically, offering paid access to live streaming.
It’s a lucrative business as 23% of internet users want to keep up with their favorite influencers and vloggers.
In other words, this type of video is the 10th most popular on the internet.
One of the main attractions of influencer videos and vlogs is how attractive the lifestyle of others looks.
The videos can, and often are, set-up to create the perfect look.
But, many internet users want this and buy into the artificial lifestyle.
(Oberlo)
8. 93% Of Businesses Use Branded Video Content To Win New Customers
An impressive 92% of marketing professionals believe that videos offer a high return on investment.
They are generally cheap to make and can reach a significant number of people.
The videos become even more powerful when they are branded.
It increases the credibility of the video and the business and makes it more likely that new customers will try their services.
In fact, the latest research shows that 93% of businesses post branded videos and successfully attract new customers from them.
In short, social media and videos have become the most powerful and effective marketing tools for any business.
Best of all, it makes it much easier for small businesses to compete with industry giants.
(Oberlo)
A video is often seen as an accurate presentation of facts, simply because the events appear to unfold in real time.
This gives the video credibility and makes it more likely that a viewer will share it with someone else.
In fact, the latest reports show users are 52% more likely to share a video than any other content, testifying to the credibility of video content.
(Wyzowl)
10. 83% Of Marketing Professionals Recommend Videos Should be Less Than 60 Seconds Long
Marketing professionals spend their lives looking at the best way to get a product or brand known to potential customers.
The fact that the majority of marketing professionals recommend videos less than 60 seconds long tells you that it’s the most effective way to broaden a customer base.
Short videos are quick and easy to make, as well as cost-effective.
You can create multiple videos in a very short space of time and keep uploading new content.
That is sure to keep the business in everyone’s thoughts.
After all, humans may absorb more information from a picture than by reading, but they still generally have short attention spans.
(Hubspot)
The Future For Video
The global pandemic dramatically increased the number of people watching videos online and effectively changed the way people interact with each other and businesses.
Many of these new habits are here to stay.
For example:
Marketing Videos Will Become More Popular
In the past product reviews were completed by reading any information that could be found.
However, the future will see a greater reliance on product review videos.
Businesses will use marketing videos to bring products to the user’s attention.
They will then identify the advantages and disadvantages but users will want to confirm these with online video reviews.
Videos Are Becoming The Main Entertainment Source For The Younger Generation
The younger generation now predominantly uses online digital videos for entertainment.
This can be viewed almost anywhere and is how many young people are entertained or how they relax and unwind.
In short, if you’re looking to create videos to inspire, motivate, or simply increase brand awareness, you need to add some humor.
It will ensure you appeal to the younger generation, which is either your customer base or your future customer base.
The Quality Of Videos Will Improve
Take a look at any movie from the 1980s and you’ll see the difference in quality compared to today.
That is exactly what you’ll do with videos in a few years.
That’s why businesses will seek to get ahead of the game and produce higher quality videos today.
After all, a high-quality video does make a better case for a reputable company, rather than one which has been hastily put together.
Don’t forget, when creating a video, you need to look credible.
28% of viewers believe the quality of production is an important factor in deciding whether to watch future videos or not.
Summing Up
One thing online video consumption statistics in 2025 make clear, videos are the most popular type of content and they are likely to continue to be for years to come.
Videos won’t just be used to entertain, they are the perfect way to create a sales pitch, welcome people to an establishment, and even stay in touch with others.
That’s the real reason they are here to stay.
In other words, if you haven’t already embraced online video creation, it’s time you jumped on the bandwagon and found out what video content could do for you.
