reaction video
/riˈækʃən ˈvɪdiəʊ/
Very CommonA video where a creator films themselves watching and reacting to another piece of content in real time.
Reaction videos are a huge genre but also a source of ongoing controversy around fair use and whether creators add enough original value. 'Reaction YouTuber' can be used dismissively.
Real-world examples4 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | every trailer gets like 50 reaction videos within the hour now | Reaction content is so saturated that any big release immediately gets covered by dozens of creators. | x, 2024 |
| 02 | his reaction videos are actually good because he knows the context, not just vibing | The creator's reactions are valuable because they bring relevant knowledge, not just emotions. | youtube, 2023 |
| 03 | i don't watch reaction videos unless i want to see someone else's first listen | The appeal of reaction content is watching an unfiltered first experience. | reddit, 2023 |
| 04 | she made a reaction video to the drama and now she's part of the drama | Getting involved in a controversy through reaction content drew the creator into it. | tiktok, 2024 |
Use it when
- A creator's video primarily shows them reacting to other content.
- Describing the video format where the reaction is the main content.
- Discussing the genre broadly as part of YouTube or creator culture.
Do not use it when
- The creator is analyzing or reviewing content without reacting live.
- The response is a full video addressing criticism of the creator directly.Use “response video” instead.
Reaction video vs response video
reaction video
Reaction videos are about watching something and responding emotionally or with commentary.
VS
response-video
Response videos are directed at criticism or accusations, usually a defense or rebuttal.
Origin and context
Reaction videos became a major YouTube format in the early-to-mid 2010s. The format exploded as creators discovered audiences wanted to watch others experience content for the first time.
- First seen
- early-2010s
- Confidence
- medium
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/reaction-videoUpdated: 2026-08-28License: CC BY 4.0