If you have ever wondered what is the most viewed video on YouTube, the answer is “Baby Shark Dance” by Pinkfong. The children’s song has reached more than 17 billion views and remains far ahead of other major YouTube hits.
That result may seem surprising because YouTube has hosted huge songs from artists such as Luis Fonsi, Ed Sheeran, Psy, and Wiz Khalifa. However, children’s content has become a major force on the platform.
“Baby Shark Dance” combines a simple melody, bright animation, repeated lyrics, and easy movements. Those features make the video especially appealing to young children and families.
What Is the Most Viewed Video on YouTube Right Now?
The most viewed video on YouTube is “Baby Shark Dance” by Pinkfong. A Guinness World Records record confirmed more than 16.64 billion views on February 4, 2026. Later 2026 ranking snapshots placed the video above 17 billion views.
Because YouTube view counters continue to change, the exact number can increase every day. Therefore, a figure reported in an article should always be treated as a snapshot rather than a permanent total.
The video was first uploaded in June 2016. Its worldwide popularity grew rapidly, helping it become one of the biggest pieces of children’s entertainment ever published online.
Why Is Baby Shark the Most Viewed Video on YouTube?
Several factors explain why “Baby Shark Dance” became so successful. First, the song is extremely easy to remember. Its repeated phrases create a simple pattern that children can quickly follow.
The video also encourages participation. Children can sing along and copy the hand movements. As a result, watching the video can become an activity rather than simply passive viewing.
Another important factor is repeat watching. Young children often enjoy familiar songs and animations many times. A video that attracts repeat plays can accumulate views much faster than a video that people watch only once.
The content also works across language barriers. The basic melody, movements, characters, and visual storytelling are easy to understand in many countries.
When Did Baby Shark Become Number One?
“Baby Shark Dance” took the top position from “Despacito” in November 2020. At that point, it became the most viewed individual video on YouTube.
The achievement marked a major change in YouTube’s viewing landscape. For years, major music videos had dominated the highest-viewed rankings. Baby Shark showed that children’s content could compete with the world’s biggest pop stars.
The video later reached another major milestone by becoming the first YouTube video to pass 10 billion views in January 2022.
Since then, its lead has continued to grow.
The Most Viewed Video on YouTube Compared With Other Hits
The gap between Baby Shark and other popular videos is now substantial. Recent 2026 ranking data shows “Wheels on the Bus” by CoComelon in second place, followed closely by “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee.
Other major entries include “Bath Song,” “Johny Johny Yes Papa,” “See You Again,” “Phonics Song with TWO Words,” “Shape of You,” “Axel F,” and “Gangnam Style.”
This ranking shows an interesting pattern. Children’s songs now occupy a large share of the highest-viewed positions.
At the same time, mainstream music remains highly competitive. Songs from artists such as Ed Sheeran, Wiz Khalifa, Charlie Puth, and Luis Fonsi continue to attract billions of views.
Why Do YouTube Videos Get Billions of Views?
A video can reach billions of views when it has strong global appeal and remains useful or entertaining over many years.
Music is particularly powerful because people can replay songs repeatedly. Children’s videos have an additional advantage because parents may play the same content for their children many times.
YouTube’s worldwide audience also creates enormous viewing potential. A successful video does not depend on viewers from one country. It can attract audiences across Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, and other regions.
Simple content can therefore achieve extraordinary numbers when it connects with a global audience.
Is Baby Shark the Most Viewed Music Video?
Yes, if children’s songs are included, “Baby Shark Dance” is the most viewed video overall.
However, the answer changes slightly if you mean a conventional pop music video. “Despacito” remains one of the biggest traditional music videos ever uploaded, with more than 9 billion views in recent 2026 rankings.
That distinction matters because YouTube rankings include many different types of content. A nursery song, pop video, educational video, or animated children’s song can all compete in the same public view-count rankings.
How Many Views Does the Most Viewed YouTube Video Have?
The most viewed YouTube video has passed 17 billion views in 2026 ranking snapshots. One August 2026 snapshot recorded more than 17.19 billion views for “Baby Shark Dance.”
The number continues to rise, so it will change over time.
For that reason, it is better to describe the video’s performance as more than 17 billion views rather than treat one exact number as permanent.
What Made Baby Shark So Popular?
The song has several qualities that support repeated viewing. Its lyrics are simple, the melody is repetitive, and the movements are easy for children to copy.
The colourful animation also keeps the content visually engaging. Instead of relying on a complicated story, the video focuses on familiar characters and repeated actions.
Its simplicity may actually be one of its greatest strengths. Children can understand the concept quickly, while parents can recognise the song almost immediately.
The song also existed in different forms before Pinkfong’s viral version. The company created a modern animated interpretation that helped introduce the familiar tune to a huge digital audience.
Does the Most Viewed Video on YouTube Keep Changing?
YouTube rankings can change as videos collect new views. A video that holds the number one position today could eventually be replaced by another upload.
However, Baby Shark currently has a very large lead. Recent 2026 rankings show it more than eight billion views ahead of the second-place video.
That makes an immediate change unlikely, although YouTube’s view counts are always moving.
For anyone searching for the most viewed video on YouTube, the safest answer is therefore Baby Shark Dance, while noting that the exact view count changes continuously.
Conclusion
So, what is the most viewed video on YouTube? The answer is “Baby Shark Dance” by Pinkfong.
With more than 17 billion views, it has reached a level of popularity that few online videos can match. Its simple lyrics, colourful animation, easy movements, and strong appeal to children helped it become a global phenomenon.
The success of Baby Shark also highlights how YouTube has changed. The platform is no longer dominated by traditional music stars alone. Children’s entertainment can attract an enormous worldwide audience and generate billions of repeat views.
As YouTube continues to grow, the record may eventually change. For now, however, Baby Shark remains the clear leader.
FAQs
What is the most viewed video on YouTube?
“Baby Shark Dance” by Pinkfong is the most viewed individual video on YouTube. It has passed 17 billion views in 2026 ranking snapshots.
Who created the most viewed video on YouTube?
The video was released by Pinkfong, the South Korean children’s entertainment brand. The modern version became a worldwide viral success after its 2016 release.
When did Baby Shark become the most viewed YouTube video?
Baby Shark passed “Despacito” in November 2020 and became YouTube’s most viewed video.
How many views does Baby Shark have?
Baby Shark has more than 17 billion views according to 2026 ranking snapshots. The exact number changes continuously as viewers watch the video.
Is Despacito still the most viewed YouTube video?
No. “Despacito” was overtaken by Baby Shark in 2020. It remains one of the most viewed music videos on the platform.
What is the second most viewed video on YouTube?
Recent August 2026 rankings place “Wheels on the Bus” by CoComelon in second place, ahead of “Despacito.”