Can you guess the most-liked videos on YouTube? Check out this list
YouTube has been running since 2005, and the platform has gone from hosting quick viral clips to serving as the default home for music videos, creator challenges, and children’s songs that rack up billions of plays. Viewers still want to know which clips collect the most likes, so we pulled the current numbers and updated the original list to match where the rankings sit today.
“Despacito” by Luis Fonsi feat. Daddy Yankee
The Latin-pop juggernaut sits at roughly 55.7 million likes, still the highest tally among traditional music videos. The beachside visuals and domino showdown keep drawing fresh viewers, even after the track lost the overall top spot in early 2025.
“See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth
The tribute to Paul Walker holds about 45 to 46 million likes and now typically lands fourth overall. The quiet shots of empty roads and the final message to the late actor continue to resonate with longtime fans of the franchise.
“Dynamite” by BTS
The glitter-soaked 1970s homage has climbed to 38 to 39 million likes and passed two billion views, the first BTS video to reach that mark. Its nonstop choreography and bright color palette still land on repeat playlists worldwide.
“Baby Shark Dance” by Pingfong Kids Songs & Stories
The earworm animation now sits above 16 billion views and 46 million likes. Stadium sing-alongs during the 2019 World Series helped push it into the stratosphere, and the clip keeps adding millions of plays each month.
“Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran
Sheeran’s boxing-gym romance sits near 35 to 36 million likes. The quick cuts between sweaty workouts and quiet diner scenes still play well on global pop playlists.
“Faded” by Alan Walker
The stark, empty-building visuals have collected roughly 29 to 30 million likes. Solheim’s vocals and Walker’s masked wanderer remain a moody favorite for late-night streams.
“Boy With Luv” by BTS feat. Halsey
The second BTS entry holds about 29 million likes. Halsey’s quick cameo and the group’s precise formations keep the clip in heavy rotation among K-pop accounts.
“Gangnam Style” by Psy
Psy’s 2012 breakout still logs around 32 million likes. The horse-dance craze marked the first time a K-pop track topped global charts, and the retro clip keeps resurfacing on nostalgia roundups.
“Alone” by Marshmello
The EDM producer’s high-school fantasy has reached about 27 million likes. The beat drop that turns the bullied kid into the most popular student still hits the same wish-fulfillment note it did on release.
The Rise of YouTube Shorts in Most-Liked Rankings
MrBeast’s “Would You Fly to Paris for a Baguette?” Short now leads the entire platform with more than 57 million likes after overtaking Despacito in January 2025. The short-form format lets likes pile up faster than long-form videos because viewers finish the clip in seconds and hit the button before scrolling on.
MrBeast's Dominance in Engagement Metrics
Multiple MrBeast titles now sit inside the global top ten most-liked videos. Challenge videos and giveaways pull in viewers who treat the content like live events, letting non-music clips compete directly with established music videos for the highest like counts.
K-Pop's Enduring Presence in Top Likes
BTS tracks continue to post strong numbers years after release. Dynamite’s 38-plus million likes and Boy With Luv’s 29 million likes show that dedicated fan bases keep streaming and liking older videos long after the initial push.
Evolution of Viral Kids Content on YouTube
Baby Shark’s jump past 16 billion views and 46 million likes proves children’s content can reach the same scale as major music releases. The simple animation and dance routine travel across languages without needing translation, which helps the numbers keep climbing.
The updated list shows how YouTube’s audience has split between long-form music videos and quick Shorts while still rewarding the same core ingredients: catchy hooks, striking visuals, and moments that feel worth a thumbs-up. Numbers shift daily, yet the videos that keep their place tend to deliver something viewers want to celebrate more than once.
