Both The Try Guys and TED are successful YouTube channels, but they cater to different audiences and serve different purposes. The Try Guys offer entertaining and relatable content, while TED provides educational and informative talks. TED has a broader reach and greater accessibility due to its multilingual support.
| Attribute | The Try Guys | TED |
|---|---|---|
| Channel Focus | Comedy, with elements of informative content. They "try" various activities, challenges, and experiences. | Primarily educational, covering a wide range of topics including science, technology, entertainment, design, business, and global issues. |
| Target Audience | Primarily females, aged 15-25, with a significant portion in the 18-25 range. They also appeal to Asian-American and LGBTQ+ viewers. | Open-minded individuals interested in learning and engaging in meaningful conversations, including students, professionals, teachers, and business leaders. TED aims to appeal to everyone with the idea to start conversations, get people to think, and spread ideas that matter. |
| Video Production Quality | Generally high, with sharp editing and planned graphics. They use different editors for videos. | TED Talks are known for high production quality, with professional stage setups, lighting, and video production. Real TED Talks are produced to incredible production values and filmed in 4K. |
| Frequency of Uploads | They aim for a consistent posting schedule. Previously, it was Wednesdays and Saturdays. Currently, the video frequency is 6. | TED-Ed uploads content consistently, and consistent content is key. TEDx uploads approximately 666.25 videos per week. |
| Average Video Length | Varies, but many videos are between 15-45 minutes. | TED Talks have a strict maximum length of 18 minutes. The average length of the 50 most-watched TEDx Talks is 13.5 minutes. |
| Diversity of Content Formats | They offer a variety, including challenges, "Eat the Menu" series, "Without a Recipe" series, podcasts ("The TryPod," "You Can Sit With Us," "Guilty Pleasures"), and special projects. | TED offers various content formats, including talks, performances, interviews, animations, newsletters, social media posts, and shorts. |
| Engagement with Audience (Comments, Polls) | They interact through comments, social media, and live shows. They also use audience participation in their shows. | TED actively encourages viewers to share their favorite talks and engage with their networks. TED also engages with followers through comments and messages, fostering open dialogue. |
| Number of Subscribers | 7.93 million (June 2025) | The main TED YouTube channel has over 26 million subscribers. The TEDx YouTube channel has 43.1 million subscribers. |
| Total Views | Over 2.8 billion | The main TED YouTube channel has reached over 2.8 billion views. TEDx talks have been viewed over 8 billion times. |
| Brand Partnerships and Sponsorships | They have engaged in brand partnerships and sponsorships. | TED collaborates with companies to craft partnerships across events, media platforms, and custom opportunities. Target has partnered with TED to showcase design leadership. |
| Consistency of Content Quality | Some sources suggest the quality has fluctuated, particularly after their departure from BuzzFeed and more recently after launching their subscription service. | TEDx presentations' quality varies, as it is the responsibility of the TED organizers. TED ensures high-quality content through science standards and content guidelines. |
| Accessibility (Subtitles, Translations) | They include subtitles. | TED Talks are available in 115 languages, thanks to a global community of volunteer translators. |
| Pros | High production quality, Diverse content formats, Engaging with audience, Include diverse perspectives, Address serious topics | High production quality, Diverse content formats, Actively engages with audience, Incorporates diverse perspectives, Available in 115 languages |
| Cons | Content can be repetitive, Quality has fluctuated, Perceived sufficiency of uploads may vary among viewers | TEDx presentations' quality varies |
| User Feedback (Positive) | Entertaining videos, Relatable and inspiring content, Expertly paced show | Engaging and informative videos, Videos are designed to be concise, Consistently delivers content aligned with its educational focus |
| User Feedback (Negative) | Some find the content repetitive, Some viewers feel the quality has declined |