Hitting 1 trillion of anything is a ridiculous achievement (unless you consider government deficit spending) and YouTube has just crossed that threshold while taking a look back at what 2011 had to offer. The YouTube blog posted up a year in rewind to take a look back at 2011 and to digest what was popular over the last 12 months.
Besides the awe inspiring size of 1 trillion, YouTube is more popular than ever and it allows for content discovery like no other platform on the Internet. The site also allows for ridiculous videos to go viral giving the average citizen a chance at Internet fame which entices many to submit, sometimes odd, videos to the platform.
Posted below are the top videos for the year in several different categories. If you have a personal favorite that is not posted below, hit us up in the comments so we can check it out.
Most viewed YouTube videos globally (excluding videos from major music labels)
- Rebecca Black - Friday (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
- Ultimate Dog Tease
- Jack Sparrow (feat. Michael Bolton)
- Talking Twin Babies - PART 2 - OFFICIAL VIDEO
- Nyan Cat [original]
- Look At Me Now - Chris Brown ft. Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes (Cover by @KarminMusic)
- The Creep (feat. Nicki Minaj & John Waters)
- Maria Aragon - Born This Way (Cover) by Lady Gaga
- The Force: Volkswagen Commercial
- Cat mom hugs baby kitten
Most viewed YouTube channels globally (excluding channels from major music labels)
- machinima
- IGNentertainment
- RayWilliamJohnson
- expertvillage
- BlueXephos
- smosh
- realannoyingorange
- roosterteeth
- thelonelyisland
- barelypolitical
Most watched videos from major music labels globally
- Jennifer Lopez - On The Floor ft. Pitbull
- LMFAO - Party Rock Anthem ft. Lauren Bennett, GoonRock
- Bruno Mars - The Lazy Song [Official Video]
- Nicki Minaj - Super Bass
- Pitbull - Give Me Everything ft. Ne-Yo, Afrojack, Nayer
- Pitbull - Rain Over Me ft. Marc Anthony
- Jessie J - Price Tag ft. B.o.B.
- LMFAO - Sexy and I Know It
- Katy Perry - E.T. ft. Kanye West
- Katy Perry - Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)
Some highlights from other categories:
- Zach Wahls Speaks About Family was the most-watched political video
- Japan Earthquake: Helicopter aerial view video of giant tsunami waves was the most-watched news video
- 25 Ways to Wear a Scarf in 4.5 Minutes! was the most watched “how-to” video
- iPhone 5 Concept Features was the most-watched science/technology video
- Immortals was the most-watched movie trailer
- Mountain Biker gets taken out by Buck was the most-watched sports video