What today's creators want aspiring creators to know

Captured during three days of creator conversations at VidCon

From YouTubers and TikTok stars to streamers and podcasters, Mashable talks to creators about how they built their platforms, the gear they swear by, and the trends they see coming next. Read more of our creator coverage and meet the Mashable 101 to discover the internet’s most exciting voices.

VidCon is a premier global convention for content creators, influencers, digital media brands, and fans. The event features creator panels, networking opportunities, live entertainment, meet-and-greets, and discussions on trends shaping the creator economy.

For three days, Mashable was on the ground at VidCon 2026, talking to the creators, executives, and industry leaders shaping the future of the internet.

From our booth on the convention floor, we sat down with some of today's biggest creators, moderated conversations about the creator economy, and explored the ideas driving the next generation of online entertainment. Along the way, we discussed everything from AI and creator burnout to community building, platform shifts, and what it takes to build a lasting career online.

This highlight reel brings together some of our favorite moments — and some of the best advice we heard all weekend. From candid interviews and behind-the-scenes footage to packed panels and creator insights, it's a snapshot of the conversations shaping the future of online creativity.

Watch the highlights above, then explore Mashable's full VidCon coverage for more interviews, features, and reporting from the convention floor.

Topics Creators VidCon

Crystal Bell

Digital Culture Editor

Crystal Bell is the Digital Culture Editor at Mashable, where she leads coverage of the creator economy, internet culture, and digital life. Her work focuses on the people, platforms, and communities shaping modern entertainment, from YouTube creators and livestreamers to fandoms, social media trends, and the evolving relationship between technology and culture. She also oversees the Mashable 101, the publication's annual list recognizing the internet's most influential creators.

Previously, she was the entertainment director at MTV News, where she helped expand the brand's coverage of fan culture, K-pop, and the internet's most passionate communities. Her work has appeared in Teen Vogue, Rolling Stone, PAPER, NYLON, ELLE, Glamour, NME, W, The FADER, and elsewhere on the internet.

She's exceptionally fluent in fandom and will gladly make you a K-pop playlist and/or provide anime recommendations upon request. Crystal lives in New York City with her two black cats, Howl and Sophie.