Listicle videos - still worth it or past their best?

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Ran some research on this because I keep seeing creators assume the format is played out. It's not.

Listicle videos - the "5 reasons," "7 mistakes," "Top 10" style - are still one of the most consistent formats on YouTube in 2025 and into 2026.

No major decline in creator discussions. If anything, the format keeps getting recommended as a go-to for growth, especially if you're in education, business, career, or professional content.

What makes them work: the numbered structure tells the viewer exactly what they're getting. That reduces the decision to click. And once someone's watching, the countdown creates a reason to stay - they want to see what made the list.

The sweet spot right now seems to be 5 to 8 items. Long enough to feel substantial, short enough to stay tight.

Where creators run into trouble is padding. If points feel like filler, people leave. The format rewards quality per item, not quantity.

For anyone making content aimed at a professional audience, people in their 40s or 50s looking for practical takeaways, this format fits that viewer really well. They're not there for entertainment. They want the list, they want it clear, and they want to act on it.

Are you using this format at the moment? What's your experience been with it?

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Listicle videos - still worth it or past their best?