The 10 Most Liked YouTube Videos of 2023

YouTube is the undisputed king of online video. Over 2 billion logged-in users visit each month, hungry for entertaining, inspiring, or educational content. With over 37 million channels, creators compete for viewers‘ attention. While racking up views generates revenue, a high like count represents true fan engagement.

So which videos have YouTube audiences really loved in 2023? Get ready for a rundown of the current top 10 most liked YouTube videos.

#1: "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee – 55 Million Likes

In January 2017, Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi wanted a fun, Latin-flavored party song to liven up the pop charts. Boy did he deliver. The smash hit "Despacito" instantly got people dancing with its smooth reggaeton groove and clever Spanish lyrics. Teaming up with rapper Daddy Yankee added swagger, while Justin Bieber jumping on the remix brought worldwide fame.

Within months, "Despacito" made history as the first Spanish language song to top the Billboard Hot 100 since "Macarena" in 1996. The views and likes started racking up, especially after the colorful music video showcased Puerto Rico‘s vibrant culture. By summer 2017, "Despacito" had become the most liked YouTube video ever, ending PSY‘s 5 year reign with "Gangnam Style." 6 years later, it‘s still #1 with over 55 million likes and 7.7 billion views!

#2: "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth – 45 Million Likes

This emotional tribute to actor Paul Walker has become one of YouTube‘s most beloved music videos. It appeared on the Furious 7 soundtrack after Walker‘s death in a 2013 car crash, adding extra meaning to the song‘s melancholic lyrics. Wiz Khalifa‘s rap verses complement Charlie Puth‘s somber vocals perfectly as the two honor their lost friend.

"See You Again" spent 12 weeks at #1 on the Billboard chart, breaking records as the longest running #1 rap song ever. The simplistic music video intersperses clips of Walker with Wiz Khalifa singing in front of a green screen background. This memorable combo has earned over 45 million likes since its April 2015 release. "See You Again" continues inspiring tears and fond memories whenever it pops up in someone‘s YouTube feed.

#3: "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran – 30 Million Likes

Ed Sheeran kicked off 2017 by dropping this insanely catchy track that instantly stuck in people‘s heads. The lead single from his blockbuster album Divide, "Shape of You" represents a more electronic pop sound for Sheeran compared to his usual folk ballads. The improvised lyrics paint a picture of flirtatious romance unfolding spontaneously on the dance floor.

Fans around the world fell in love with "Shape of You" in winter 2017, as it eventually topped charts in 34 countries. The simple yet clever music video features Sheeran dancing goofily through scenes at a boxing gym, construction site, and crowded pub. This combination of an addictive beat, playful lyrics, and lighthearted video has earned "Shape of You" over 30 million likes and 5.4 billion views thus far.

#4: "Baby Shark" by Pinkfong – 29 Million Likes

If you‘ve spent any time around preschoolers in the past few years, you already know this earworm by heart. The colorful animation video for "Baby Shark" went absolutely viral with young kids and spawned a whole dance craze. Even with no intelligible lyrics beyond "baby shark doo doo doo," the repetitive nature makes it easy and fun to sing along.

South Korean educational brand Pinkfong released their take on the campfire song in June 2016. While it earned modest views at first, the "Baby Shark Challenge" exploded on social media by 2019. Families, groups of friends, and even celebrities filmed themselves doing the signature shark hand dance motions. The kid-friendly bop garnered nearly 30 million likes and became the first YouTube video to hit 10 billion total views in November 2020. It currently sits at #32 on the all time most viewed chart.

#5: "Dynamite" by BTS – 25 Million Likes

Global K-pop sensation BTS took the music world by storm again in 2020 with their first English language single "Dynamite." The disco-pop confection shows off their charisma and positivity with sing-along lyrics about bringing the party when life‘s got you down. Fans around the world immediately responded with enthusiastic praise and multiple record-breaking achievements.

The upbeat "Dynamite" music video racked up 101.1 million views in just 24 hours, topping YouTube‘s record for most viewed premiere. It also became the fastest music video to reach 200 and 300 million views, hitting each milestone in under 4 days. The song itself scored BTS their first #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. With its euro-pop flair and vibrant retro styling, "Dynamite" has scored over 25 million likes to date as BTS continues breaking barriers in the US.

#6: "Gangnam Style" by Psy – 24 Million Likes

Can you do the horse-riding dance? This mega-hit from South Korean rapper Psy introduced K-pop to the western mainstream back in 2012. Its wacky music video became a viral phenomenon thanks to Psy‘s amusing dance moves and the tune‘s thumping beat. "Gangnam Style" made history as the first YouTube video to be viewed over 1 billion times.

The song‘s title refers to Seoul‘s ritzy Gangnam district, which Psy satirizes in his rap lyrics. While English speakers may not understand the full meaning, the vibe is humorous and lighthearted. Psy‘s horse-trotting shuffle, eccentric fashion choices, and silly animated sequences had everyone trying to imitate "Gangnam Style." It held YouTube‘s top likes spot for nearly 5 years until "See You Again" dethroned it in 2017. But 24 million likes and 4.5 billion views cement its status as a legendary viral hit.

#7: "Masha and The Bear" – 22 Million Likes

Animated series "Masha and The Bear" is hugely popular with Russian children for its cute characters and gently humorous stories. While rarely talked about globally, one episode managed to break out and worm its way into international YouTube fame. The season 1 episode "Recipe for Disaster" features daring little Masha attempting to cook by herself with chaotic results.

The charming cartoon visuals and endearing mayhem resonated with kids worldwide. They curiously began sampling and sharing the Russian export until it racked up enormous view counts. "Recipe for Disaster" currently stands over 4 billion views and 22 million likes, making it the most liked and viewed non-music video in YouTube history. Masha‘s antics translate universally across cultures, proving cartoons truly are eternal.

#8: "Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – 21 Million Likes

Chances are you can still recall exactly where you were when you first heard the irresistible funky riff of "Uptown Funk." The insanely catchy lead single from Mark Ronson‘s 2015 album Uptown Special became a worldwide phenomenon once Bruno Mars laid his velvety vocals on top. Mars boasts and struts his way through this homage to old school funk legends, daring listeners not to dance.

The playful music video sees Mars and Ronson strolling around cities like modern day versions of Prince, Michael Jackson, and other icons. "Uptown Funk" spent a record-breaking 14 consecutive weeks at #1 on the US charts. It also took home Grammys for Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Thanks to its smooth funk swagger and Mars‘ star power, this throwback jam soared to 21 million likes and over 3.8 billion groovy views.

#9: "Likey" by TWICE – 20 Million Likes

K-pop girl group TWICE expanded their popularity across Asia in 2017 with this catchy digital pop track. "Likey" stands out for its bubbly electropop sound and upbeat lyrics about capturing someone‘s attention on social media. The music video drives that theme home by depicting the singers snapping selfies and updating their Instagram-style feeds.

Known for their infectious energy and synchronized dance moves, TWICE turns the song into an effervescent performance. "Likey" became the group‘s highest charting single in South Korea at the time. It also earned TWICE their first entry on Billboard‘s World Digital Song Sales chart. The social media savvy visuals struck a chord internationally too, now sitting at over 20 million likes. TWICE continues releasing viral dance hits that get fans worldwide singing along and copying their moves.

#10: "Daddy Finger Nursery Rhymes" – 18 Million Likes

The simple songs and colorful characters of YouTube channel Super Simple Songs have enthralled a generation of preschoolers. Their animated take on classic nursery rhyme "Daddy Finger" in particular has little kids utterly captivated. They gleefully watch the finger family puppets interact while memorizing every lyric.

Comments are disabled on this video clearly targeting very young viewers. But based on the view count, millions of enthralled toddlers have given "Daddy Finger" a big thumbs up over the years. Parental love for the channel‘s educational value surely boosts its popularity as well. While nursery rhymes may seem outdated, Super Simple Songs proves their appeal endures on YouTube. This beloved video has earned over 18 million likes since its 2018 release.

Most Liked YouTube Videos: Identifying Common Traits

After examining YouTube‘s top 10 most liked videos of 2023, some common traits emerge:

• Music reigns supreme – 9 out of 10 are official music videos, with pop, rap, and Latin genres covering most bases. Music is YouTube‘s most popular content category.
• Virality is vital – Catchy songs, amusing spectacles, and meme-ability are essential for sparking shares across social media. Psy, Justin Bieber, and Ed Sheeran sent their hits into the stratosphere.
• Kids are key – Children‘s content earns colossal views and likes. Little ones will rewatch beloved cartoons endlessly. Parents also use YouTube as a digital babysitter.
• Recency rules – Anything older than 2012 didn‘t make the 2023 top 10. Trendy new sounds and stars soar fastest on today‘s YouTube.
• Foreign language pops – "Despacito," "Gangnam Style," and "Likey" proved language needn‘t be a barrier to going global.

So in the quest for YouTube fame, the data suggests aspiring creators should make music, think visual, aim for all ages, and ride the trends. Easier said than done, but over 20 million people liked these videos for a reason!

Most Liked Non-Music YouTube Videos

Music dominates the most liked leaderboard, but other types of videos have also earned huge audiences:

1. "Make This Video The Most Liked Non-Music YouTube Video" by MrBeast – 27 Million Likes

MrBeast is the king of YouTube stunts, with over 120 million subscribers. In this 2019 video, he got thousands of fans to compete in egg-themed challenges for the goal of dethroning current #1 "Despacito." It exemplifies his outrageous style of crowdpleasing spectacle.

2. "First YouTube Video Me at the Zoo" by Jawed – 12 Million Likes

This 18-second vlog of elephants from 2005 is a historic relic. Shot by YouTube co-founder Jawed Karim, it set the standard for vlogging and let early adopters experience a new era of online video.

3. "YouTube Rewind: The Shape of 2017" – 10 Million Likes

YouTube‘s annual recap video creatively revisits each year‘s viral creators, memes, and moments. Rewind 2017 featured celebrities like The Rock to boost its Rewind star power.

4. "Vlad and Niki – Best funny stories about Toys" – 10 Million Likes

These wacky toy adventure animations entertain kids for hours. Comments are disabled on Vlad and Niki‘s family friendly channel, but millions of toddler views add up.

5. "Minecraft Mob Vote 2022 Live" – 14 Million Likes

This live event let Minecraft fans vote on which new mob would be added to the game. Viewers felt invested in this interactive process.

Across these most liked non-music videos, interactivity, nostalgia, and reactions rule. MrBeast and Rewind get viewers involved in record-breaking stunts. Old viral videos preserve historic moments. Animators and gamers let fans shape the content.

So for YouTube likes outside music, think participation from your audience. Make viewers part of the video and they‘ll eagerly hit that like button.

Closing Thoughts on YouTube Likes

I hope you enjoyed this rundown of the most liked YouTube videos in 2023. Music continues leading the pack with undeniably catchy hits. But comedy, cartoons, trends, and interactive moments also attract big audiences. At the end of the day, likes represent a real connection between creator and viewer on the internet‘s favorite video platform.

So which of these viral sensations have you liked and shared? Are there other beloved YouTube videos you would add to the most liked list? The YouTube game is never static, as new stars and sounds emerge daily. But these popular mainstays keep earning millions of thumbs up year after year. That‘s the beauty of YouTube – there‘s always another memorable moment waiting to go viral.