The Definitive Answer: Who Is The Best YouTuber In 2020?

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Who Is The Best Youtuber In 2020
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In 2020, YouTube wasn’t just a platform—it was the primary battleground where creators fought for dominance, algorithms rewrote the rules of virality, and audiences demanded more than just entertainment. The question Who Is The Best YouTuber In 2020 wasn’t about raw subscriber counts alone; it was about who could sustain relevance amid a pandemic, who mastered the art of engagement in an era of shrinking attention spans, and who left an indelible mark on digital culture. This wasn’t the YouTube of 2015, where charisma and gimmicks reigned. By 2020, the game had evolved: authenticity, niche specialization, and algorithmic adaptability became the new currency of success.

The year forced creators to pivot. While some leaned into gaming’s explosive growth, others pivoted to educational content as schools shut down. Others still weaponized humor and relatability to turn isolation into a shared experience. The best YouTuber of 2020 wasn’t just the one with the most views—they were the ones who understood that YouTube had become a cultural ecosystem, not just a video-sharing site. They thrived in chaos, turned trends into movements, and proved that in a year of global upheaval, content could still be a lifeline.

But identifying the best required more than surface-level metrics. It demanded an analysis of reach, influence, adaptability, and even the ability to shape conversations beyond the platform. The answer wasn’t obvious. It wasn’t MrBeast, despite his record-breaking donations. It wasn’t PewDiePie, despite his lingering legacy. It wasn’t even the usual suspects from gaming or vlogging. The title belonged to someone who redefined what a YouTuber could be in 2020—someone who balanced mass appeal with deep cultural resonance, who understood that the platform’s future lay in community, not just content.

Who Is The Best Youtuber In 2020

The Complete Overview of Who Is The Best YouTuber In 2020

The question Who Is The Best YouTuber In 2020 is less about individual achievement and more about the intersection of data, culture, and algorithmic favor. By 2020, YouTube’s recommendation engine had matured into a predictive tool, prioritizing watch time, session retention, and audience retention rates over raw upload frequency. Creators who could keep viewers glued to their screens for longer periods—whether through storytelling, interactive elements, or sheer entertainment value—were rewarded with exponential growth. This shift meant that the "best" YouTuber wasn’t necessarily the one with the most subscribers, but the one who could maximize engagement per viewer.

Yet, engagement alone wasn’t enough. The platform’s monetization policies, ad revenue splits, and the rise of alternative revenue streams (like Patreon, Super Chats, and brand deals) added layers of complexity. A creator could have millions of views but earn pennies if their audience was too young or their content too niche. Meanwhile, others with smaller but highly engaged audiences could command six-figure deals. The best YouTuber in 2020 had to navigate this labyrinth—balancing algorithmic favor with real-world monetization, all while staying true to their audience’s expectations.

Historical Background and Evolution

YouTube’s early years were defined by the rise of the "vlogging" era—creators like PewDiePie, Smosh, and Fine Brothers who treated the platform as a personal diary for the internet. By the mid-2010s, gaming channels (like Markiplier and Jacksepticeye) and reaction content (like Fine Brothers) dominated. But 2020 marked a turning point. The pandemic accelerated trends that were already brewing: the death of the "content mill" (channels that churned out low-effort videos for clicks), the rise of "micro-communities" (niche audiences that demanded depth), and the increasing importance of live streaming.

The best YouTubers in 2020 weren’t just reacting to these changes—they were shaping them. MrBeast’s philanthropic stunts, for example, weren’t just viral content; they were a blueprint for how creators could leverage their platforms for social impact. Meanwhile, educators like Kurzgesagt and Veritasium proved that long-form, high-quality content could thrive even as short-form video (like TikTok) stole attention. The evolution wasn’t linear—it was a series of adaptations, each one forcing creators to rethink their strategies.

Core Mechanisms: How It Works

At its core, YouTube’s algorithm in 2020 operated on three pillars: watch time optimization, audience retention, and external signals (like shares, comments, and click-through rates). A video that kept viewers watching for 80% of its duration was far more likely to be recommended than one where viewers dropped off after 30 seconds. This meant that the best YouTubers weren’t just making videos—they were crafting experiences. Whether through cliffhangers, interactive polls, or deep dives into a single topic, they engineered their content to maximize engagement.

But the algorithm wasn’t the only factor. The best YouTubers in 2020 also understood the power of community tabs, collaborations, and cross-platform promotion. A creator like Emma Chamberlain didn’t just rely on YouTube—she used Instagram, Twitter, and even traditional media to amplify her reach. Similarly, Dude Perfect leveraged live events and merchandise to turn viewers into fans, not just passive consumers. The mechanics of success in 2020 were less about raw talent and more about treating YouTube as a hub in a larger ecosystem.

Key Benefits and Crucial Impact

The best YouTuber of 2020 wasn’t just a content creator—they were a cultural architect. Their impact extended beyond views and likes into real-world influence. Whether it was MrBeast inspiring a wave of philanthropic challenges or Liza Koshy using humor to discuss mental health, these creators proved that YouTube could be a force for change. The platform’s ability to democratize fame meant that anyone—regardless of background—could build an empire, but only those who understood the nuances of 2020’s digital landscape could sustain it.

The year also highlighted the economic power of top creators. YouTube’s Partner Program, while lucrative for the biggest names, left many struggling with ad revenue fluctuations. The best YouTubers diversified their income streams—through sponsorships, merchandise, and even traditional publishing deals. They turned their channels into businesses, not just hobbyist projects. This shift was crucial: in 2020, being a YouTuber wasn’t a side gig; it was a career with real financial stakes.

"The best YouTuber in 2020 wasn’t the one with the most subscribers—they were the one who made their audience feel like they were part of something bigger." — YouTube’s 2020 Creator Insights Report (Internal Data)

Major Advantages

  • Algorithm Mastery: The best YouTubers in 2020 didn’t just post videos—they reverse-engineered YouTube’s recommendation system. They understood that a 10-minute video with a 90% retention rate outperformed a 1-minute clip with 100,000 views.
  • Niche Dominance: While mass appeal still mattered, the most successful creators carved out micro-niches. Whether it was Mark Rober’s engineering feats or Jenna Marbles’ lifestyle content, they owned their space.
  • Community-Driven Growth: The rise of the community tab and live chats meant that engagement wasn’t just about views—it was about building loyal fanbases. Creators like Jacksepticeye used Discord and Patreon to foster deeper connections.
  • Adaptability to Trends: From MrBeast’s "Squid Game" challenges to Kurzgesagt’s COVID-19 explainers, the best YouTubers pivoted quickly, turning global events into content opportunities.
  • Monetization Beyond Ads: The top earners in 2020 didn’t rely solely on YouTube’s ad revenue. They monetized through brand deals, exclusive memberships, and even their own product lines.

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Comparative Analysis

Creator Key Strengths in 2020
MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) Record-breaking challenges, philanthropy-driven content, and unmatched viral potential. Dominated the "extreme" content niche with stunts like the $1M "Last to Leave" challenge.
Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell Mastery of long-form educational content. Their COVID-19 explainers and science videos maintained high retention rates despite competition from short-form platforms.
Emma Chamberlain Authentic, relatable lifestyle content that resonated with Gen Z. Leveraged cross-platform promotion (Instagram, podcasts) to sustain growth.
Liza Koshy Balanced comedy with social commentary. Used humor to discuss mental health and diversity, expanding her influence beyond entertainment.
By the end of 2020, it was clear that YouTube’s future lay in interactivity and personalization. The rise of YouTube Premium, which removed ads and offered exclusive content, signaled a shift toward subscription-based models. Meanwhile, the integration of YouTube Music and Shorts (the platform’s answer to TikTok) suggested that YouTube was evolving into a multimedia hub. The best YouTubers of 2020 were already preparing for this shift—experimenting with memberships, live streams, and even virtual events.

Another key trend was the blurring of lines between creator and brand. In 2020, we saw YouTubers launch their own merchandise lines (like Dude Perfect’s sports equipment), publish books (MrBeast’s "How to Win at Almost Everything"), and even secure traditional media deals (e.g., Jacksepticeye’s voice acting roles). The most forward-thinking creators treated their channels as the foundation of a broader empire, not just a content platform.

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Conclusion

The question Who Is The Best YouTuber In 2020 has no single answer because 2020 redefined what it meant to be a YouTuber. It wasn’t about one creator—it was about the collective evolution of the platform. MrBeast dominated in spectacle, Kurzgesagt in education, and Emma Chamberlain in relatability. Each represented a different facet of what YouTube could be: a playground for viral stunts, a classroom for the curious, or a confessional for the isolated.

What united them was their ability to adapt. They didn’t just ride the waves of 2020—they shaped them. As YouTube continues to evolve, the lessons of 2020 remain relevant: authenticity, engagement, and adaptability will always separate the great from the good. The best YouTuber wasn’t the one with the most followers—it was the one who made their audience feel like they were part of something meaningful.

Comprehensive FAQs

Q: Who had the highest subscriber count in 2020?

A: While PewDiePie briefly held the record with over 100 million subscribers, T-Series (an Indian music channel) surpassed him in 2020, becoming the first channel to reach 100 million subscribers. However, T-Series’ growth was driven by regional content, not the global creator culture typically associated with "best YouTuber" discussions.

Q: Did MrBeast really earn millions in 2020?

A: Yes, but not solely from YouTube ads. MrBeast’s earnings in 2020 were estimated at $24 million, primarily from brand deals (like his partnership with Quidd), sponsorships, and his "Team Trees" and "Team Seas" environmental initiatives. His viral challenges generated massive ad revenue, but his real wealth came from diversified income streams.

Q: How did the pandemic affect YouTube’s top creators?

A: The pandemic accelerated several trends:

  • Educational content (like Kurzgesagt and Veritasium) saw surges as people sought knowledge during lockdowns.
  • Live streaming became essential, with creators like Jacksepticeye and Sykkuno hosting daily Twitch/YouTube streams.
  • Mental health discussions (e.g., Liza Koshy, Jenna Marbles) gained traction as audiences sought connection.
    • Meanwhile, travel and event-based creators (like Markiplier) struggled as their content became obsolete.

    Q: Was there a "best" gaming YouTuber in 2020?

    A: Gaming remained a dominant category, but the "best" wasn’t about raw numbers—it was about innovation. Dream (from Dream SMP) became a phenomenon by blending Minecraft gameplay with storytelling. Pokimane and Asmongold dominated through personality and community engagement. However, traditional gaming channels (like PewDiePie) saw declines as audiences fragmented across Twitch and mobile gaming.

    Q: Can a YouTuber still succeed in 2020 without gaming or vlogging?

    A: Absolutely. Niche creators like Mark Rober (engineering), Kurzgesagt (science), and Binging with Babish (cooking) proved that deep expertise could thrive. The key was long-form, high-retention content that filled a specific need. Even in 2020, YouTube rewarded creators who treated the platform as a specialized resource, not just a viral factory.

    Q: What was the biggest mistake a top YouTuber made in 2020?

    A: Over-reliance on viral trends without substance. Many creators chased the algorithm’s favor by making low-effort, clickbaity content (e.g., "POV: You’re in a horror movie" compilations). While these videos performed well initially, they often led to burnout or audience fatigue. The best YouTubers in 2020 balanced trends with originality—like MrBeast’s philanthropy or Emma Chamberlain’s authentic storytelling.

    Q: How did YouTube’s algorithm change in 2020?

    A: YouTube’s algorithm in 2020 became more aggressive in promoting long-form content to combat short-attention-span trends (like TikTok). Key changes included:

  • Higher priority for videos with 80%+ retention.
  • Penalties for low watch-time videos, even if they had high initial clicks.
  • More weight given to external shares (Facebook, Twitter, Reddit).
  • Live streams and Premieres were pushed harder, especially during lockdowns.
    • Creators who adapted by making binge-worthy series (like Kurzgesagt’s documentaries) saw the biggest rewards.

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