The online video world has a special corner called ASMR. ASMR creators attract a loyal crowd who love the tingling feelings these sound-focused videos spark. Videos can feature a variety of types like mukbangs, where someone eats and chats with viewers, hauls showing off new stuff, roleplays acting out scenes, vlogs sharing everyday moments, and lots more. People into relaxing sounds or seeking calm often find themselves hooked on these channels. Discovering why these videos work like magic might just change how daily stress feels, so keep watching to unlock that secret.
If you’ve never heard of ASMR or seen an ASMR video, we’ve got you covered. In this post, we’ll go over what ASMR is, what ASMR videos are, highlight some of the most popular ASMR content creators, and give you tips for how to start creating your own ASMR videos.
What does ASMR stand for?
ASMR stands for autonomous sensory meridian response, which happens as a result of certain auditory stimuli, also known as triggers. It causes a tingling sensation that starts from the top of your head and moves down your body. ASMR can also overlap with frisson, aka goosebumps, which is a sensation where your hairs stand on end.
ASMR triggers
There’s a wide range of auditory stimuli that can trigger ASMR, but some of the most common include whispering, breath or mouth sounds, tapping (typically with long nails), mechanical buttons, nature noises, and repetitive tasks or sounds.
While whispering is a popular option for ASMR, any voice can influence the stimulation of ASMR just by controlling the speed, volume, tone, or emotion in specific ways. Not everyone experiences ASMR from the same triggers, and some people may not experience it at all.
What is an ASMR video?
ASMR videos are created by people who are intentionally trying to evoke the full-body “brain tingles” that the response creates through their content. If you’re just learning about ASMR for the first time, it might surprise you that these videos aren’t a new phenomenon.
ASMR videos actually first started gaining traction online 10+ years ago, and they’ve continued to grow in popularity since then. In 2022 alone, ASMR videos generated around 90 billion views on related videos on YouTube. Now, you can find ASMR streams on Twitch along with dedicated ASMRtists (aka creators who create ASMR videos exclusively) on Instagram, TikTok, and other social media platforms.
But even before the advent of social media, people were experiencing ASMR from unexpected places, like Bob Ross’s The Joy of Painting. Ross’s calm, gentle way of speaking triggered the response in some people, along with certain noises like the scraping of his palette knife on a canvas (one of my personal favorites – so satisfying).
Why do people like ASMR videos?
If you’ve read everything so far and don’t understand the appeal of these types of videos, there’s a chance you might not experience ASMR. After all, not everyone does. But those who do describe ASMR as a “euphoric” feeling, which is why ASMRtists have such dedicated communities and videos with millions of views.
Alexandra Crowder, a Senior Manager of Customer Experience here at Storyblocks, has been watching ASMR videos for years. “I love ASMR because it allows me to fully relax in a way I didn’t know I could. It takes away my anxiety and has a way of decompressing me, similar to meditation,” she explains.
Many people find them calming and soothing to listen to, with some even turning ASMR videos on to use as white noise while they fall asleep. For Alexandra, this is the main reason she watches them, as they help her fall asleep, especially when she’s traveling. There are tons of hours-long ASMR videos that are created for this exact reason, with titles that include things like “ASMR for deep sleep” or “ASMR sleep and relaxation (no talking)”.
Popular ASMR content creators
Because there’s such a wide range of triggers when it comes to ASMR, you can find videos in practically any category or niche, from creators all over the world. Below are some of the most popular ASMRtists and channels in terms of both views and subscribers.
1. Hongyu ASMR
Based in South Korea, Hongyu ASMR started creating mukbang videos in 2018, where the focus is on the sounds that she makes while she’s preparing and eating different foods. She only ever shows the top half of her face and doesn’t typically talk in her videos, so the focus is only on the high-quality audio and delicious looking food.
With over 16 million subscribers and over 5 billion views as of writing this article, she’s one of the most popular ASMR channels in the world.
2. Sand Tagious
This ASMRist focuses on satisfying, repetitive noises using kinetic sand. They use a variety of tools to create these noises, from cutting the sand with a knife to carving it out with an ice cream scoop. Their videos never show the creator or include any voice overs, so the content is solely focused on the sounds and visuals of the tools interacting with the kinetic sand.
3. Gibi ASMR
Gibi is an ASMRtist who started as a fan of ASMR videos before deciding to make them herself. She creates different types of ASMR videos, including roleplaying, makeup, vlogs, and more, though she always speaks in a whisper.
4. Moonlight Cottage ASMR
The attention to detail and work that Diane, aka Moonlight Cottage ASMR, puts into the sets, costumes, and other elements of her videos is among the best of the best that I’ve come across. Creating what she calls cinematic/historical ASMR videos, you can find everything from hair styling, film noir, cooking, medieval knights, and even a wand shop on her channel.
5. Jocie B ASMR
One of the top ASMRtists on TikTok, Jocie creates relaxing ASMR videos that include makeup and skincare application, where it’s like she’s applying them directly onto the viewer. Her videos are all whispered, but she also creates and records her own sound effects with foley work, as she shows in a behind-the-scenes video below.
Tips for getting started with creating ASMR videos
Interested in creating ASMR content? One of the great things about this specific niche of videos is that there’s plenty of ways to get creative with it and stand out from existing ASMRtists. Here’s our top tips to keep in mind when you’re creating ASMR videos.
Invest in a high-quality microphone
If you’re creating ASMR content, recording with a basic microphone won’t cut it. After all, audio is the main focus of these videos. Choose a microphone that’s sensitive enough to pick up on every detail of the sounds you’re recording, but is also low-noise.
The Blue Yeti microphone is a popular low-budget option, but be sure to do your research to make sure you get one that works best for the kinds of videos you want to create.
Learn how to mix and enhance your audio
While a good quality microphone will set you up for crisp, clear audio, learning how to mix and enhance it further will be a huge asset to creating satisfying ASMR videos. Being able to remove background noise, soften any harsh sounds, and control the audio levels will help you attract an audience and keep them coming back for more. Even if you use pre-recorded ASMR sound effects, good quality audio and mixing is essential for this genre.
Keep the visuals interesting
While audio is the key element of ASMR, don’t neglect the visuals! You are creating a video, after all. Audiences today have short attention spans, so they’ll be more likely to click or swipe away if your visuals aren’t engaging, no matter how great your audio sounds.
You don’t have to show your face in your videos (many ASMRtists don’t), but you’ll need to find a way to keep your video interesting to watch.
Final thoughts
ASMR videos have a loyal, active audience across pretty much all of the major social media platforms. As long as you record high-quality audio, the sky’s the limit when it comes to the different types of ASMR content that can be created. This gives you endless creative options with how you can approach creating this kind of content, along with tons of variety with finding the ASMR creator that has the right blend of audio and visuals for your taste.
If you’re looking for professionally recorded sound effects or visuals that you can use to create your own ASMR videos, you can find everything you need in the Storyblocks library. With over 10 million royalty free stock assets, you’ll have everything you need to make content that gives your viewers the ASMR experience they’re looking for. Explore our plan options and sign up today to start downloading!
