Introduction
Cat videos are user-generated videos featuring cats that have been uploaded and shared on the internet since the early days of YouTube and other video sharing platforms. They largely show cats doing cute, silly, or funny things. Though videos featuring cats and other pets existed prior, the trend of more amateur cat videos posted online for entertainment took off in the mid to late 2000s.
The popularity of sharing cat videos online skyrocketed with the viral success of early hits like “Keyboard Cat” in 2007 and “Surprised Kitty” in 2009, among others. These videos were viewed and shared by millions, demonstrating the sheer entertainment value and cultural phenomenon cat videos had become. Since then, cat videos have remained an extremely popular staple of internet culture and viral media.
Today, cat videos receive enormous viewership and have significant influence in online communities and pop culture. Many consider them one of the foundation blocks of modern internet media. The culture around cat videos continues to thrive and evolve today.
Viewership Statistics
Cat videos have become an extraordinarily popular internet phenomenon. According to surveys, approximately 2 million cat videos are viewed on YouTube daily. On Facebook, cat videos receive over 8 million views per day. On Instagram and TikTok, cats consistently rank among the most watched animals.
Though it’s impossible to collect comprehensive data across all platforms, estimates suggest over 1 billion cat videos are viewed each month on the major social media sites alone. And that number continues rising year over year as more cat content is uploaded.
Out of all videos viewed online, it’s estimated that 15-20% are cat videos. And on aggregator sites dedicated specifically to cute animals, over 60% of content features felines. So while cat videos may seem like a niche interest, they actually make up a sizable chunk of total internet video viewership.
Notable Viral Cat Videos
Some of the most popular and iconic internet cat videos feature specific famous felines that have reached viral fame. These include:
Keyboard Cat – One of the earliest viral cat videos from 2007 featuring a cat named Fatso wearing a blue shirt and “playing” an electronic keyboard. The video has over 70 million views on YouTube.1
Maru the Cat – A Scottish Fold cat from Japan named Maru with videos since 2008. Maru has over 400 million views across various videos showing antics like jumping into boxes.2
Lil Bub – An American cat born in 2011 with dwarfism, giving her a unique perpetually kitten appearance. She has over 3 million Facebook followers.3
Grumpy Cat – Named Tardar Sauce, this American cat went viral in 2012 for her grouchy facial expression due to feline dwarfism. She has over 8 million Facebook followers.4
Nala Cat – A Siamese and tabby mix adopted in 2017 that became famous on Instagram with over 4 million followers for her expressions.5
Henri the Existential Cat – Star of several viral videos since 2007 philosophizing about life as a housecat. His most popular video has over 8 million views.6
Revenue Generated
Cat videos have become major money makers on platforms like YouTube and Facebook. According to research, a popular cat video on YouTube with 1 million views can generate between $1,000-$10,000 in ad revenue for the creator. With viral cat videos regularly amassing tens or hundreds of millions of views, the earning potential is massive.
For example, Keyboard Cat has over 200 million views and Grumpy Cat has over 50 million views on their top videos. Even monetizing at a conservative $2 per 1,000 views, these videos have brought in at least $400,000 and $100,000 respectively for their owners. And channels dedicated to original cat content can earn even more from regular viewership and back catalog.
Beyond ad revenues, viral internet cats have launched merchandise empires. Grumpy Cat products have generated over $100 million in sales. The famous feline Lil Bub has a line of merchandise including plush toys, calendars, and books. With their online fame, cat brands can earn significant revenues from licensing deals, brand partnerships, public appearances, and more.
While monetizing cat videos has been controversial at times, it’s clear that for pet owners lucky enough to go viral, there is a huge financial upside. Cat content has proven its ability to attract millions of viewers and generate impressive revenues for creatives and brands alike.
Impact on Cat Adoption
The rise of cat videos has led to an increase in cat adoption and breeding rates. According to Pet adoption and the science of cat videos | Chew On This, shelters across the country reported 30-40% more cat adoptions after viral cat video sensations. One of the most well-known examples is Keyboard Cat, whose popularity directly led to a spike in orange tabby adoptions.
Prior to the viral video boom, cat adoption rates tended to lag behind dogs. But thanks to the proliferation of cute and funny cat videos online, more people are opening their homes to feline companions. The Perception of Cats: Assessing the Differences Between Dog and Cat Persons study found cat videos positively influence viewers’ perception of cats, portraying cats as endearing pets.
Psychological Appeal
Cat videos have a strong psychological appeal for many people. According to a 2015 study by Jessica Gall Myrick at Indiana University, watching cat videos produces positive emotions and increases viewers’ energy and positive moods (Myrick, 2015). The study found that cat videos provide a quick emotional boost that can help people manage anxiety, stress, and other negative feelings.
One reason cat videos are so psychologically satisfying is due to our innate attraction to baby schema – the set of features like big eyes, chubby cheeks, and soft round faces that make young creatures seem cute and endearing. Kittens and cats naturally exhibit these traits, which taps into our nurturing instincts. Myrick’s research showed that the positive feelings were not limited to cat owners and extended to a wide demographic.
The fact that cat videos are typically lighthearted, funny, and void of negativity also adds to their appeal. Unlike much of the content online, cat videos are a safe outlet for emotions and don’t require any complex thought or challenges to one’s beliefs. They provide a simple pleasure that people gravitate towards when they need an emotional pick-me-up or distraction (Gall Myrick, 2015).
Overall, psychology indicates that people are drawn to cat videos because they tap into positive emotions and provide a sweet escape from stresses of everyday life. Their traits appeal to our parental instincts while their humor and simplicity offer a readily-accessible coping mechanism.
Sources:
Myrick, Jessica Gall. “Emotion Regulation, Procrastination, and Watching Cat Videos Online: Who Watches Internet Cats, Why, and to What Effect?” Computers in Human Behavior (2015): 168-176. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2015/06/16/the-fascinating-feel-good-psychology-of-internet-cat-videos/
Faunalytics. “Watching Cat Videos Can Make You Happier And Give You More Energy.” Faunalytics, 15 Aug. 2015, https://faunalytics.org/watching-cat-videos-can-make-you-happier-and-give-you-more-energy/.
Community Building
Cat videos have helped build a strong sense of community among cat enthusiasts online. There are numerous forums and groups dedicated to sharing and discussing cat videos, such as the r/cats subreddit which has over 3 million members. These online spaces allow cat lovers to bond over their shared interest.
In addition, cat video festivals have become popular in-person events for fans. CatVideoFest is an annual film festival devoted to cat videos that takes place across the United States and raises money for cat charities and shelters. According to the CatVideoFest website, these events “bring the joy of cat videos to the masses, while doing good for the worldwide community of people working to help cats in need.” The festivals demonstrate the power of cat videos to unite people for a fun cause.
Criticism
Cat videos have faced criticism on several fronts. One common critique is that they are frivolous wastes of time. Some argue that the popularity of cat videos reflects poorly on our culture’s attention span and values.
For example, professor David Rothkopf has called cat videos “the decay of Western civilization” and states we are “slouching toward cat videos.” (https://twitter.com/CarlaDCanales/status/1497272622815531009). In his view, the collective time spent watching cat videos could be better utilized for more meaningful purposes.
Another concern is about the welfare and dignity of cats starring in viral videos. Some animal rights activists argue that cat videos exploit felines solely for entertainment and popularity. They claim many cat videos depict animals in undignified positions or situations, such as scared cats startled by cucumbers.
Defense of Cat Videos
While some criticize cat videos as lowbrow entertainment, others argue there are benefits to silly online videos. In an open letter titled “In Defense Of Cat Videos: An Open Letter To Jerry Seinfeld,” Lee Essner counters that cat videos can provide moments of levity and stress relief in our increasingly busy lives. He argues that the playfulness of cat videos brings people joy and can temporarily transport viewers away from their problems. Essner also notes that the creativity involved in producing entertaining cat videos should not be dismissed, as it takes skill to capture moments that resonate with a mass audience. Ultimately, he defends cat videos as harmless entertainment that spread smiles. While some may see them as lowbrow, Essner contends that cat videos can lift people’s moods and provide brief escapes, implying their value should not be underestimated.
Conclusion
In summary, cat videos have become an enormously popular internet phenomenon over the past decade. Though originating from simple home videos, they now generate billions of views across major social platforms. A select few cat videos have gone viral and become embedded in internet culture. The popularity of cat videos has supported the careers of many content creators and pet influencers. These videos appeal to viewers by being cute, funny, and heartwarming. They provide light entertainment and emotional comfort. At the same time, critics argue that cat videos represent the worst of internet culture by celebrating meaningless content. However, cat videos have had many positive effects as well. They have strengthened online fan communities, boosted cat adoptions, and spread joy during difficult times. While seemingly trivial, cat videos have left a deep cultural paw print, reflecting our human need for community, laughter, and animal companionship.