VidCon has always been a crash course in internet fame. It's a place where creators trade advice,Pihit swap war stories, and figure out how to survive (and thrive) online. And this year, as algorithms shift, platforms evolve, and audiences grow ever more discerning, the creator playbook is being rewritten in real-time.
This year's VidCon schedule reveals what it actually takes to make it as a digital creator in 2025. Whether you’re just starting out or already juggling brand deals and burnout, there’s wisdom to be found at every panel, Q&A, and meet-and-greet.
SEE ALSO: VidCon 2025 liveblog: All the latest from your favorite creatorsWe’ve rounded up the most useful, surprising, and brutally honest takeaways from today’s VidCon sessions. From niche-building to mental health boundaries to turning content into a long-term career, these are the lessons creators are walking away with — and the tips you’ll want to bookmark, screenshot, and maybe even live by.
Kai Plunk, the creator behind some of MrBeast's most popular videos, said during his masterclass "Why'd They Click Off" that strong video retention relies on understanding human psychology, solid planning before production, and using compelling visuals and sound design.
As with all the most valuable content, it seems, building a relationship with your audience is key — and you can do that through consistent posting and storytelling driven by curiosity. Retention isn't about flashiness; it's about quality.
-Christianna Silva
Todd Beaupré, senior director of growth and discovery at YouTube, shared in the "YouTube Decoded" panel exactly how the platform's algorithm makes its recommendations.
Beaupré said the algorithm uses a system of collaborative filtering that takes everything it knows about a user to rank videos that will appear on suggested feeds. In addition to user data, it pulls from users with similar watch histories to suggest new content. With this information,
Beaupré says it's important for content creators to really understand their audience because not all engagement is good engagement. Dislikes on videos do matter and can affect a video's ranking.
-Samantha Mangino
This story will be updated throughout VidCon.
Mashable will be live at the Anaheim Convention Center this week, covering VidCon 2025. Check back in the days ahead at Mashable.com, where we’ll be talking to your favorite creators, covering the latest trends, and sharing how creators are growing their followings, their influence, and making a living online.
Topics Creators VidCon
Previous:Google Pixel Buds Pro 2: $40 off at Amazon
Next:Contingent No More
India goes berserk as Bollywood couple names newborn after medieval emperorThe most ridiculous food trends of 2016Uber now lets you set a person, not a place, as your destinationLiam Hemsworth makes an adorably awkward appearance in the Cyrus Christmas photoEasy DIY Christmas gift ideasIndia's largest mobile wallet app disappears from the App StoreYouTubers share new videos after saying they were kicked off plane for 'speaking Arabic'After hacking Netflix, OurMine hits Marvel accountsAfter hacking Netflix, OurMine hits Marvel accountsDust off your dream journal: 12 of the world's best hotel poolsMan discovers disturbing mystery object in potato chip packetNASA just performed a 'miracle save' for its farthest spacecraftStadium security makes spectacular midSling TV has its own streaming box, the AirTV PlayerThis student's genius bath hack has taken the internet by stormDetectives Benson and Stabler bless the internet with a holidays selfieDoes your iPhone 7 Plus have this camera issue?Where to watch your favorite Christmas movies this holiday seasonIndia's federal bank just can't make up its mind on demonetizationNBA rookie dunks on LeBron James and Kyrie Irving in the same damn game 25+ best Black Friday beauty tech deals: Dyson, T3, Solawave Early Black Friday Mattress deals [2024] Shop the best Black Friday deals on tablets Best Black Friday laptop deals: M3 MacBook Air, Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, and more Shop early Black Friday e Early Black Friday Apple Watch deals: Series 10, 9, and SE down to record lows NYT mini crossword answers for November 28 NYT Strands hints, answers for November 29 Best Black Friday TV deal: Save $600 on the Samsung Frame TV Best Black Friday Garmin deal: Save $100 on the Garmin Forerunner 965 Best Black Friday iPad deal: Apple’s 9th Black Friday MacBook deals start at $599 in 2024 NYT Connections hints and answers for November 29: Tips to solve 'Connections' #537. Best Black Friday Bose QuietComfort headphones deal: Save $150 at Amazon Beats Studio Pro Black Friday deal: Save 54% at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target OpenAI Sora leak: What it was and what it wasn’t. Black Friday 2024 SSD deals: Best picks for PS5, Xbox, and more Catch early Black Friday deals on books at Walmart, Amazon Best Black Friday Pokémon card deals: 30% off at Target Black Friday Bird Buddy deal: Score the smart bird feeder for $80 off