{"id":1014,"date":"2022-09-16T05:24:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-16T05:24:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pack-blog.packola.com\/blog\/?p=1014"},"modified":"2026-11-13T21:22:51","modified_gmt":"2026-11-13T21:22:51","slug":"unboxing-trend-and-facts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.packola.com\/blog\/unboxing-trend-and-facts\/","title":{"rendered":"Unboxing the Unboxing Phenomenon"},"content":{"rendered":"<main id='bde-main'><section class=\"bde-section-1014-100 bde-section\">\n  \n  \n\t\n\n\n\n<div class=\"section-container\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"bde-image2-1014-101 bde-image2\" src=\"https:\/\/www.packola.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Botanical-Nature-unboxing.jpg\" alt=\"Botanical Nature unboxing\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.packola.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Botanical-Nature-unboxing.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.packola.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Botanical-Nature-unboxing-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.packola.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Botanical-Nature-unboxing-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.packola.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Botanical-Nature-unboxing-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\"><\/div>\n<\/section><section class=\"bde-section-1014-102 bde-section\">\n  \n  \n\t\n\n\n\n<div class=\"section-container\"><h2 class=\"bde-heading-1014-103 bde-heading\">\nUnboxing the Unboxing Phenomenon\n<\/h2><div class=\"bde-rich-text-1014-104 bde-rich-text breakdance-rich-text-styles\">\n<p>Unboxing is all the rage these days\u2014but what is it exactly? Practically everyone, from influential celebrities to would-be vloggers, has been hard at work posting videos that delve into the finer details of product packaging. Somewhere down the line, the mundane act of opening a box transformed. What used to be a quick, unglamorous, and forgettable activity became one filled with pomp and circumstance. Don't get us wrong, though. We love a good unboxing video.<\/p>\n<p>How did we get here? Let\u2019s unpack. In this article, we\u2019ll explore:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What is unboxing<\/li>\n<li>An unofficial history of unboxing<\/li>\n<li>How unboxing can help your brand<\/li>\n<li>How to create a unique unboxing experience<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section><section class=\"bde-section-1014-114 bde-section\">\n  \n  \n\t\n\n\n\n<div class=\"section-container\"><h2 class=\"bde-heading-1014-115 bde-heading\">\nWhat Is the \u201cUnboxing Experience\u201d?\n<\/h2><div class=\"bde-rich-text-1014-116 bde-rich-text breakdance-rich-text-styles\">\n<p>The textbook definition of unboxing means to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/unbox\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">remove from a box<\/a>. Looking at how the term is used nowadays, however, the word has evolved to refer to the act of documenting oneself or another person opening a packaged product and displaying, reviewing, and showing off the contents.<\/p>\n<p>The unboxing phenomenon didn\u2019t happen overnight. It started way back in the 2000s, in the infancy of the internet. The videos uploaded during this focused mostly on tech gear, such as personal computers, gaming consoles, and other gadgets. In 2005, a tech website named <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dictionary.com\/e\/slang\/unboxing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gear Live<\/a> registered the domain unboxing.com and had it redirect to the site\u2019s dedicated unpacking videos. At first, unboxing involved a simple documentation of what consumers can expect to find inside retail packaging\u2014does the gadget come with a remote, is there an instruction booklet, and so on.<\/p>\n<p>The concept eventually caught on and spread like wildfire. The unboxing experience captures people\u2019s fascination and covers practically all product categories. No matter how niche a product may seem, there will be an audience for it. As the old saying goes, there\u2019s something for everyone. The videos are educational and provide viewers with an accurate representation of what to expect from a product. It also has an aspirational aspect, as people like to live vicariously through watching.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section><section class=\"bde-section-1014-117 bde-section\">\n  \n  \n\t\n\n\n\n<div class=\"section-container\"><h2 class=\"bde-heading-1014-118 bde-heading\">\nCan Unboxing Really Help Your Brand?\n<\/h2><div class=\"bde-rich-text-1014-119 bde-rich-text breakdance-rich-text-styles\">\n<p>Unboxing videos are effective when done right. Especially in the digital age, they provide you with a platform to showcase your products. What\u2019s great about these videos is that the whole premise plays out slow\u2014vloggers go to great lengths discussing every minute detail of your packaging and products, giving your product the chance to shine.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section><section class=\"bde-section-1014-120 bde-section\">\n  \n  \n\t\n\n\n\n<div class=\"section-container\"><h2 class=\"bde-heading-1014-121 bde-heading\">\nRake in Those Views\n<\/h2><div class=\"bde-rich-text-1014-122 bde-rich-text breakdance-rich-text-styles\">\n<p>The best-case scenario for unboxing videos is the opportunity to go viral. With a little luck (or tons of it), a video can go nuclear and spread awareness about your business while, at the same time, reaching untapped markets. As an example of just how big a single video can get, this unboxing of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=7OHMqdMpsj8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Play-Doh ice cream cupcake playset<\/a> has over 800 million views. The reach and exposure that an unboxing video affords your product are unimaginable. This isn\u2019t just an outlier, too. There are more than 40 unboxing videos right now that have more than 10 million views.<br \/><br \/>When a video does go viral, it can fundamentally change your business overnight. It\u2019s that powerful. A great example of how viral marketing can transform a business for the better is <a href=\"https:\/\/candyfunhouse.ca\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Candy Funhouse<\/a>. They noticed the trend and opportunity for online content to reach a wider audience. The candy company took to TikTok and created visually stimulating videos that enchanted viewers all over the world. They now have 2.8 million followers and 37 million likes on the social media platform. Remember that no matter how mundane or how ordinary your products might seem, there will always be an audience for them. It\u2019s up to you to create engaging content to keep those eyes and phones glued to your channel.<br \/><br \/>Even if the unboxing video doesn\u2019t go viral, the audience for this content remains as voracious as ever. All you need to do is look at how well it\u2019s performing on the top three social media platforms. The hashtag #unboxing on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/explore\/tags\/unboxing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Instagram<\/a> has over three million posts. Over on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/results?search_query=unboxing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">YouTube<\/a>, a quick search will yield over 90 million hits. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/unboxing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tiktok<\/a> is even more impressive, with a whopping 30 billion views on #unboxing videos to date.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section><section class=\"bde-section-1014-123 bde-section\">\n  \n  \n\t\n\n\n\n<div class=\"section-container\"><h2 class=\"bde-heading-1014-124 bde-heading\">\nFeel the Rush\n<\/h2><div class=\"bde-rich-text-1014-125 bde-rich-text breakdance-rich-text-styles\">\n<p>Part of the charm of unboxing videos is how addictive it can get. You can innocently watch one or two, and before you know it, hours have passed, and you have an intimate knowledge of different packing peanuts and liners. It\u2019s easy to get lost down the rabbit hole of content.<br \/><br \/>A big reason why unboxing videos are so compelling is that one doesn\u2019t normally encounter them in the wild \u2013 you search for them. It\u2019s a topic or a product that you have, at the very least, a vague interest in. You don\u2019t randomly click content related to the Bike Smart Trainer unboxing, for example. It\u2019s something that you are actively thinking about and want to know more about. It could be that you\u2019re considering making a purchase or shopping around and comparing it to a similar product.<br \/><br \/>On the opposite side of the spectrum is the aspirational aspect of unboxing. High-end products and premium brands are out of reach for the most part, so unboxing video fans stay glued to content creators who buy or are gifted with these packages. They share the excitement of opening up every layer of packaging, giving you a peek at what it\u2019s like. There\u2019s a rush in watching the unboxing process of something unattainable. There\u2019s no jealousy here, only pure satisfaction.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section><section class=\"bde-section-1014-126 bde-section\">\n  \n  \n\t\n\n\n\n<div class=\"section-container\"><h2 class=\"bde-heading-1014-127 bde-heading\">\nInfluence Purchase Behavior\n<\/h2><div class=\"bde-rich-text-1014-128 bde-rich-text breakdance-rich-text-styles\">\n<p>A major character in the saga of unboxing is the influencer, also known as a key opinion leader. These are content creators who have amassed a loyal following and can sway public opinion. They know their fans and interact with them every day. Bigger influencers broker deals with brands themselves, while neophyte ones tend to create content out of pocket. You can be proactive and offer them a complimentary product that they can review. Grab the opportunity to harness their influence, but make sure to be strategic about it.<br \/><br \/>Fans of these content creators can be fickle. They want to see genuine products, not simple paid posts and mindless shilling. If you\u2019re dealing with influencers, make sure that they are knowledgeable about your product and that your product is something they\u2019ll likely use on a daily basis. They don\u2019t necessarily have to be in the same industry as you. Being believable, genuine, and sincere will get you far. If it\u2019s fake and disingenuous, you\u2019ll get called out and clowned for your attempts. Remember how big of a train wreck it was when <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=uwvAgDCOdU4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kendall Jenner<\/a> single-handedly achieved world peace with a can of Pepsi?<br \/><br \/>Speaking of different industries, tapping an influencer outside of your normal line can help lead fresh eyes to your business. A good example would be when Japanese car maker Subaru tapped extreme sports content creator Devin Graham. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=GJdEqU6l7pw&amp;t=138s\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">viral video<\/a> had Graham and his friends using a slip and slide over a 500-foot cliff with a new Subaru Impreza waiting down below to take them to their next location. It\u2019s far from an obvious pairing, but Graham\u2019s 5 million subscribers, who are mostly millennials, were exposed to a car brand they might otherwise not have known about.<br \/><br \/>While it\u2019s beneficial to prioritize influencers who already have a large following, you can also take a chance on those just starting out. These content creators are also known as micro-influencers. The deals with them tend to be cheaper or even free! Usually, you can just send them a free product that they can use for unboxing content. It\u2019s a win-win scenario. They get new items they can use as content for their channel while you get publicity. A potential issue with new creators is that their audience might be low or even non-existent. On the flip side, these influencers tend to be extremely niche, so if you win them and their fans over, you\u2019ve got customers for life. It will have to be a judgement call on your part.<br \/><br \/>Are influencers worth it? There\u2019s data to support it. In a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pr.com\/press-release\/838157\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2021 consumer study<\/a>, 55% of those who watch unboxing videos claim the video convinced them to purchase the product. The more videos you have circulating, the bigger the chances that someone will find it and make the jump. With every video and every view, you\u2019re positioning yourself for success.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section><section class=\"bde-section-1014-129 bde-section\">\n  \n  \n\t\n\n\n\n<div class=\"section-container\"><h2 class=\"bde-heading-1014-130 bde-heading\">\nFactoring in Loyalty\n<\/h2><div class=\"bde-rich-text-1014-131 bde-rich-text breakdance-rich-text-styles\">\n<p>All this action isn\u2019t focused solely on new sales. Unboxing also helps boost customer loyalty. Maintaining and driving repeat business is arguably harder since viewers who have already bought from you know what to expect. The key to engaging your customers is consistency and adding value.<br \/><br \/>To ensure brand loyalty, consistency is paramount. If an old customer watches an unboxing video and sees something amiss, like a missing piece or an obvious change in quality, they\u2019ll immediately notice it. The next thing you know, they\u2019re going ballistic in the comment section or sending a very angry email. The expectation from you was set the moment they opened up their own package. It\u2019s up to you to consistently meet or even exceed that benchmark. You can make repeat purchases more memorable with value-added accents, such as thank you notes. It\u2019s simple, but effective. If they have a positive customer experience with you, the chance of getting repeat business is higher.<br \/><br \/>You can also use unboxing videos to provide additional discounts to repeat buyers. Make a promotion that requires an unboxing video from them, and in return, you\u2019ll give them a coupon or a freebie. This works well for new businesses, as it will help you amass content that you can use in the future.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section><section class=\"bde-section-1014-132 bde-section\">\n  \n  \n\t\n\n\n\n<div class=\"section-container\"><h2 class=\"bde-heading-1014-133 bde-heading\">\nHow to Create a Unique Unboxing Experience\n<\/h2><div class=\"bde-rich-text-1014-134 bde-rich-text breakdance-rich-text-styles\">\n<p>Now that we\u2019ve established the merits of unboxing, how can one go about crafting a unique experience that will be etched in memory? The product quality must be top-notch first and foremost. Everything falls apart when the actual item in question fails to live up to the hype. With that said, here are a few tips to keep in mind to make your packages unboxing video-worthy:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Personalize the Packaging Experience<\/strong> \u2013 Taking the extra effort to add a touch of personalization to a package will pay off in the long run. It can be as simple as using your customer\u2019s name or including a discount coupon for future purchases. If you decide to do this, make sure that personalization extends to all customers, not just influencers or content creators.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use Creative Branded Packaging<\/strong> \u2013 As far as the unboxing experience goes, additional layers are golden. Adding inserts to your packaging builds anticipation and adds more drama to the unboxing experience. Make sure to use branded packaging essentials like custom tissue paper, labels, or stickers to further elevate the whole experience. I<a href=\"https:\/\/wwd.com\/business-news\/retail\/dotcom-report-1234838375\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">n a 2021 study<\/a>, online shoppers were asked which packaging touches would bring them back to a brand: sustainable packaging, free samples, gift-like packaging or personal messages. Sustainable packaging came out on top at 42%<\/li>\n<li><strong>Include Freebies for Gift-Like Product Unboxing<\/strong> \u2013 One of the most positive responses you\u2019ll see in unboxing videos is when the user finds surprise gifts inside a package. If your budget permits, add something extra to your boxes to give the unboxing a little oomph. It can be something as simple as a sticker set, a discount voucher, product samplers, and so on. Getting free loot is always a welcome sight in any unboxing.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Make It Easy to Open<\/strong> \u2013 While it may be funny to watch a vlogger get frustrated with ridiculously hard-to-open packaging, it\u2019s no joke when you\u2019re the one trying to do the unpacking. Packaging should be protective, but intuitive, fuss-free, and easy to open. This makes the whole unboxing experience smooth and frustration-free.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Get People to Share<\/strong> \u2013 Social media marketing is powerful. You want all of your customers to post images or videos of your packages on their socials. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.websitemagazine.com\/social-media\/premium-packing-increases-social-shares-may-reduce-returns\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">40% of consumers will share an image<\/a> of your packaging on social media if it was unique or branded.\u00a0Make sure to make it easy for them. If it\u2019s too plain or simply ugly, they won\u2019t bother. Set your brand for success by dialing in the design right from the get-go. Make it attractive enough that you yourself would want to flaunt it on social media.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Say Thanks<\/strong> \u2013 Gratitude is underrated. Saying thank you is such a simple gesture but can be incredibly effective. A generic, printed message will suffice, but going the extra mile with a handwritten note is sure to win over the toughest of customers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section><section class=\"bde-section-1014-135 bde-section\">\n  \n  \n\t\n\n\n\n<div class=\"section-container\"><div class=\"bde-rich-text-1014-137 bde-rich-text breakdance-rich-text-styles\">\n<p>To summarize, it is crucial to offer a positive unboxing experience each and every time. Even if nine out of ten customers don\u2019t care about the whole unpacking process, that one person who does can create a video that potentially reaches millions. It\u2019s also a best practice for a business to always put its best foot forward. Being consistent day in and day out is integral to success. By consistently offering positive experiences to customers, you set your business apart from the competition.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section><section class=\"bde-section-1014-105 bde-section packola-post-cta\">\n  \n  \n\t\n\n\n\n<div class=\"section-container\"><div class=\"bde-div-1014-106 bde-div\">\n              \n  \n  \n\t\n\n  <div class=\"section-background-overlay bde-section-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"bde-div-1014-107 bde-div\">\n  \n  \n\t\n\n\n\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"bde-image2-1014-108 bde-image2\" src=\"https:\/\/www.packola.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/cta-badge.png\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 88px) 100vw, 88px\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"bde-image2-1014-109 bde-image2\" src=\"https:\/\/www.packola.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Logo.svg\" loading=\"lazy\">\n<\/div><div class=\"bde-div-1014-110 bde-div\">\n  \n  \n\t\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"bde-heading-1014-111 bde-heading toc-ignore\">\nCustom mailer boxes that make every <span>delivery memorable!<\/span>\n<\/h2><div class=\"bde-text-1014-112 bde-text\">\nQuality Packaging. Your Design.\n<\/div><div class=\"bde-button-1014-113 bde-button\">\n        \n    \n    \n    \n    \n            \n                    \n            \n            \n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    <a class=\"breakdance-link button-atom button-atom--custom bde-button__button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.packola.com\/products\/mailer-box\" target=\"_self\" data-type=\"url\">\n\n    \n        <span class=\"button-atom__text\">GET YOUR MAILER BOXES<\/span>\n\n        \n        \n                <\/a>\n\n    \n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section><\/main>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Unboxing is all the rage these days \u2014 but what is it exactly? Practically everyone, from influential celebrities to would-be vloggers, have been hard at work posting videos that delve into the finer details of product packaging.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":1675,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_breakdance_hide_in_design_set":false,"_breakdance_tags":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1014","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-packaging-design"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.packola.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1014","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.packola.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.packola.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packola.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packola.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1014"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/www.packola.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1014\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2008,"href":"https:\/\/www.packola.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1014\/revisions\/2008"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packola.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1675"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.packola.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1014"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packola.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1014"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.packola.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1014"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}