Popularity of Food Videos Continue to Skyrocket

Nobody can deny a satisfying food video when given the chance, and recent reports prove so, due to the trend’s surge in popularity. In accordance with Steve Dent from the news website Engadget, food categories have dominated Facebook video views. YouTube channels such as Buzzfeed’s Tasty have gained millions in subscribers and billions in total views. Buzzfeed’s 15 second videos of simple recipes carved the paveway for the palatable phenomenon.

These recent studies have developed a question for all of us: Why are food videos so popular?

A possible answer can be found in one of pop culture’s recent viral trends; ASMR videos. Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response videos leave viewers with a relaxing and tingling sensation that can extend from the scalp to the rest of the body. These “tingles” are considered euphoric by those who undergo the ASMR experience.

Food videos and these viral ASMR videos share lots of similarities. For starters, clips of Oreo cheesecakes and someone whispering into a microphone can be viewed in small snippets or in large compilations (playlists). Both forms of videos cause the hormone, endorphins, to be sent throughout the body, giving a similar euphoric feeling to the tingles. These tingles are strong enough to get people that previously had a disinterest in cooking to head for the kitchen.

A less-scientific possibility for its popularity is the rise of millenial phone users and easier access to smart devices in the kitchen. Spoon University suggests marketing companies play a huge role by featuring food videos on the daily.

Faster technology comes with shorter attention spans. Hence, the 15 seconds of timing prove that less is more and also play a factor into its popularity.

In conclusion, there are possibly three reasons why food videos are favored by anyone with a functioning smartphone. These videos are satisfying to watch; they are constantly shoved into people’s faces by marketing teams and they are short enough for a person with the attention span of a goldfish to watch.

Prepare to devour your screen the next time you watch Tasty’s “9 Easy 3-Ingredient Desserts” and “5 Mouth-Watering Crispy Wings That Will Ruin Your Diet” videos.