VK Video now leads Russian smartphone views, edging out YouTube in the latest survey-backed metrics. The data highlight how viewers lean toward mobile devices and how different platforms compete for attention on handheld screens. For marketers and creators looking beyond Russia, the pattern emphasizes a mobile-first approach where speed and ease of access shape choices and where platforms compete for mind share on small screens. Data from a national survey indicates this shift is real and measurable across major services.
On devices, smartphones, personal computers and laptops are the main ways Russians watch video content. On smartphones VK Video stands at 65 percent, YouTube at 60 percent, Zen Video at 54 percent, NUUM at 54 percent, and Video in Odnoklassniki at 50 percent. The spread shows a strongly mobile-savvy audience, with desktop viewership still present but clearlySecond choice for many viewers, underscoring the need for creators to optimize for mobile formats and fast loading. Data from a national survey indicates this distribution across devices.
The content preferences reveal what viewers want most. Movies and TV series lead at 56 percent, followed by news at 53 percent, humor and entertainment at 51 percent, education and science at 49 percent, hobbies and crafts at 48 percent, and music at 45 percent. Travel videos come in at 38 percent, technology and gadgets at 26 percent, beauty and health at 25 percent, economics and finance and psychology at 23 percent each, and computer games at 22 percent. These categories illustrate a mix of entertainment, information and practical topics that drive engagement across platforms. Data from a national survey underscores how different genres attract varying audiences and how platforms adapt to those preferences.
Speed matters. Viewers report that YouTube and VK Video lead the pack in upload speed, with YouTube at 25 percent and VK Video at 20 percent. RUTUBE trails at 8 percent. The speed factor matters because creators publish new clips, trailers and quick updates frequently, and faster uploads reduce waiting time for audiences. This dynamic influences where creators place new content and how viewers discover fresh material. Data from a national survey highlights the impact of uploading speed on platform choice.
The online study involved 2,000 Russians aged 14 and over, offering a cross-section of viewers across generations. Earlier notes described shifts in video content preferences among Zoomers and millennials, signaling ongoing evolution as younger audiences seek shorter formats, bite-sized storytelling and dash of humor in clips that fit their daily routines. Data from a national survey provides a snapshot of how age groups interact with video platforms and content types.