Iker Unzueta Ramos (born January 9, 2005), better known as Iker Unzu, is a Spanish internet personality, specifically on YouTube[1] and TikTok.[2][3]

Iker Unzu
Iker Unzu (2024)
Personal information
Born
Iker Unzueta Ramos

(2005-01-09) January 9, 2005 (age 19)
Zaragoza, Spain
OriginZaragoza, Spain
Occupations
YouTube information
Channel
Created byIker Unzu
Years active2020–present
Genres
Subscribers11 million[4]
Total views4.5 billion[4]
100,000 subscribers2021[5]
1,000,000 subscribers2021[6]
10,000,000 subscribers2024

Last updated: May 22, 2024
TikTok followers: 13.3 million

In 2020, Iker Unzu created his account on the social network TikTok, where he was described by 'Heraldo de Aragon' as a successful tiktoker.[2] That same year, he launched his own weekly podcast which gained popularity on platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify. At age 15, he reached 3 million followers on TikTok, making him one of the earliest creators in Spain to achieve such a following at that age; he currently has over 13 million followers on the platform.[7] Although he continues to be active on TikTok, he is now most engaged on YouTube, where he has amassed 11 million subscribers and frequently posts comedy and gaming content.

Early life and education

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Iker Unzu was born in Zaragoza, Spain, and moved to Brazil at the age of six, then to Mexico four years later, where he lived for another four years. In 2018, he returned to Zaragoza, where he finished his High School years. His parents are Asier and Marta, and his sisters' names are Marina and Inés. Unzu's native language is Spanish, and he is also fluent in English, German, and Portuguese. He began his social media career on Musical.ly, now known as TikTok, in 2016 and has since been active on various platforms.[8] He currently resides in Los Angeles, California.[9]

Career

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Unzu posted his first video on TikTok on January 1, 2020, a sketch titled 'New Year's Countdown'.[10] He then began uploading content daily, including vlogs about his daily life. He created his YouTube account in 2015 but only started actively posting videos in 2020. On Instagram, Unzu primarily posts comedy videos. He has collaborated with major entertainment companies such as Universal, Blumhouse, and Warner Bros., to create content for his platforms. Notable projects include a video for Universal's movie M3GAN[11], a promotion for Blumhouse's Five Nights at Freddy's[12], and content for Warner Bros' movie Dune Part Two[13]. He has expressed that he uses TikTok as a way to showcase his creativity through comedy videos and daily vlogs.[14]

Unzu has over 13 million followers on TikTok, 11,000,000 subscribers on his YouTube channel, and more than 2,600,000 followers on Instagram. He is recognized as a prominent social media figure in Spanish-speaking countries, including Spain, Mexico, and Argentina. He is currently the 18th most followed creator on TikTok in Spain.[15]

On October 22, 2022, Iker was invited as a special guest to a charity fashion show in Zaragoza, held at the Aura events room. At the event, he discussed his experiences and developments in social media as well as his role as an influencer.[16][17][18]

 
Iker Unzu receiving Diamond Play Button for 10 million subscribers at the YouTube Works Awards 2024

Unzu was the first internet celebrity to create an Instagram-exclusive series titled "Close Friends Forever" in collaboration with Meta, which premiered its first episode on April 15, 2024.[19] This initiative marks him as a pioneer in Spain for creating original content in collaboration with Instagram on the platform.[20] In the series, Unzu serves as both the protagonist and a behind-the-scenes creator, showcasing his dual roles in content production and audience engagement. The narrative focuses on friendship and utilizes Instagram's interactive features such as close friends lists, video calls, and direct messaging to engage viewers. The series not only explores the modes of communication among adolescents but also enriches these interactions with humor and celebration of friendship, as reflected in the series' plot revolving around four friends.[21]

Lola Baños, the Director of Communications for Meta Spain, highlighted the series' intent to mirror adolescent social dynamics in a relatable and humorous manner, thereby fostering a deeper connection with the audience.[22] The series has attracted significant viewership, with millions tuning in to watch.[23]

 
Iker Unzu signing books in Zaragoza 2024

Iker Unzu's book, titled "Escapando de la mansión embrujada," was published on May 22, 2024.[24] This interactive mystery novel centers on a protagonist, similar to Unzu, who is accepted into a university in Los Angeles.[25] The plot quickly escalates as he and his family find themselves trapped in a haunted mansion, where they must solve puzzles and uncover hidden clues to escape. The story incorporates elements of adventure, humor, and suspense, featuring characters such as a restless grandmother, bickering siblings, and a cleanliness-obsessed mother, with an emphasis on teamwork and sharp observation.

 
Iker Unzu presenting with Pedro Pina at the YouTube Works Awards 2024 in Madrid

In its first month of release, "Escapando de la mansión embrujada" became the best-selling book on Amazon and FNAC in Spain, including pre-sale figures.[26] Nine editions of the book were published within the first two weeks due to high demand. Iker Unzu conducted book signings in Madrid, Barcelona, and his hometown, Zaragoza, attracting a total of more than 3,000 attendees.[27][28][29][30][31]

In 2024, Iker Unzu complied with Spain's "Ley de Influencers," which mandates registration for content creators who have over one million followers and earn above 300,000 euros annually.[32] Unzu is among only 36 influencers in Spain[33][34], including figures such as Ibai Llanos and Dulceida, who meet these criteria, indicating their significant reach and financial success in the digital sphere.[35]

Unzu presented one of the nine awards at the YouTube Works Awards 2024 in Madrid, alongside YouTube's Vice President Pedro Pina.[36] During the event, he was also awarded the Diamond Play Button in recognition of reaching 10 million subscribers.[37]

TikTok

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During the summer of 2020, Unzu began posting six videos a day on TikTok. By August 1, 2020, he had reached 1 million followers, with consistent growth that saw his following increase to 3 million by December 2020, 4 million by January 2021, 5 million by March 2021, and over 13 million followers currently. His content primarily includes relatable situations for teenagers, comedic story-times, and skits featuring made-up characters, which he often portrays wearing wigs.[8]

Unzu's videos often explore everyday scenarios and interactions with parents, resonating with a teenage audience. His rapid follower growth during this period illustrates his impact on the platform.[8]

YouTube

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Unzu posted his first YouTube video titled "The Whispering Challenge with My Sister" on October 28, 2018. He began vlogging in 2020 and reached 100,000 subscribers within that year. His popularity on TikTok contributed to an increase in his YouTube channel's viewership, with some videos reaching up to 100 million views.[8] As of now, Unzu has 11,000,000 subscribers and 4.5 billion total views on YouTube, ranking him as the 33rd most subscribed channel in Spain.[6][38]

Unzu launched a second YouTube channel on December 25, 2021, which reached 100,000 subscribers within the same month, earning him the Silver Play Button. His channel, Iker Unzu Shorts, currently boasts over 900,000 subscribers.[39]

Podcast

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In 2020, Unzu launched his podcast, Iker Unzu[40] (originally titled Pasando el rato con Iker Unzu). The podcast is a weekly series hosted on Spotify Podcasters and features discussions on a variety of topics, including relationships, mental health, humorous anecdotes, and personal instincts. It is available on multiple platforms, such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts.[41]

References

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  1. ^ "About Iker Unzu on YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Iker Unzu: "Ver a mis abuelos siguiendo mis vídeos en 'Tik tok' me emociona"". Camino Ivars. Heraldo de Aragón. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  3. ^ "Iker on TikTok". TikTok. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  4. ^ a b "About Iker Unzu". YouTube.
  5. ^ "Iker Unzu's Youtube Statistics". Socialblade. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  6. ^ a b "YouTube Stats". Socialblade. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  7. ^ "Iker Unzu crea la primera serie original de Instagram en España". Pablo Ferrer. Heraldo de Aragón. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d "Iker Unzu, o cómo conquistar a la Generación Z con el humor". Flooxer. 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  9. ^ "Iker Unzu crea la primera serie original de Instagram en España". Pablo Ferrer. Heraldo de Aragón. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  10. ^ "New Year Countdown by Iker Unzu on TikTok". TikTok. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  11. ^ "Iker Unzu's M3GAN Promotion on TikTok". TikTok. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  12. ^ "Iker Unzu's Five Nights at Freddy's Promotion on YouTube". YouTube. 26 October 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  13. ^ "Iker Unzu's Dune Part Two Promotion on Instagram". Instagram. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  14. ^ "Así son los 'tiktokers' aragoneses". Camino Ivars. Heraldo de Aragón. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  15. ^ "Top 20: tiktokers españoles con más seguidores en TikTok". Marketing 4 Ecommerce. 25 January 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  16. ^ "Desfile benéfico de moda infantil y juvenil de La Caridad en Zaragoza". Heraldo de Aragón. 2 October 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  17. ^ "ÉXITO DE ASISTENCIA EN EL IX DESFILE DE MODA BENÉFICO FUNDACIÓN LA CARIDAD". La Caridad. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  18. ^ "IX Desfile de Moda Infantil-Juvenil beneficio Fundación La Caridad". Radio Marca. 30 September 2022. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  19. ^ "Iker Unzu crea la primera serie original de Instagram en España". Heraldo de Aragón. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  20. ^ "Iker Unzu crea una serie con Instagram para conectar con la generación Z". Reason Why. 17 April 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
  21. ^ "Instagram presenta su primera serie original en España, una celebración de la amistad con el creador Iker Unzu". Meta. 16 April 2024. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  22. ^ "Iker Unzu crea la primera serie original de Instagram en España". Heraldo de Aragón. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  23. ^ "Instagram crea su primera serie de contenidos al lado de Iker Unzu". IP Marketing Digital. 16 April 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  24. ^ "Escapando de la mansión embrujada book by Iker Unzu". Planeta de Libros. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
  25. ^ "El zaragozano Iker Unzu sigue asombrando al mundo: "Intento ser yo mismo en los vídeos"". Pablo Ferrer. Heraldo. 7 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  26. ^ "Quién es el autor más leído este 17 de mayo". Jenifer Nava. Infobae. 17 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  27. ^ "Quién es Iker Unzu, el zaragozano que firmó hasta la medianoche en la Librería General". Pablo Ferrer. Heraldo. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  28. ^ "¿Quién es el influencer que ha desatado hoy la locura en su firma en la Librería General?". Cristina Morte Landa. Aragón Digital. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  29. ^ "Iker Unzu causa gran expectación ante la Librería General de Zaragoza". Pablo Ferrer. Heraldo. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  30. ^ "Entrevista al youtuber zaragozano Iker Unzu, sobre su libro 'Escapando de la mansión embrujada'". Laura Hernández. COPE. 4 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  31. ^ "¿Quién es Iker Unzu, el exitoso creador de contenidos que firma libros durante horas?". Fnac. Cultura Fnac. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  32. ^ "La nueva ley de creadores de contenido solo reúne a 36 influencers, entre ellos Ibai Llanos y El Xokas". Marca. 5 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  33. ^ "España tiene 'solo' 36 grandes 'influencers'". Alba Giraldo. Diario de Mallorca. 6 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  34. ^ "Solo estos 36 influencers aparecen en el listado oficial: "No estar en el registro es una infracción y por tanto tendría multas"". Adrián Valero. Antena 3. 7 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  35. ^ "Iker Unzu, entre los grandes "influencers" de España que ganan más de 300.000 euros anuales". Cristina Morte Landa. Aragón Digital. 6 July 2024. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
  36. ^ "Los ganadores de los YouTube Work Awards 2024". Valeria Rodriguez. Marketing Directo. 18 October 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
  37. ^ "Hijos de Rivera, Atlético de Madrid y Multiópticas, entre los ganadores de las mejores campañas del año para YouTube". Carolina Muñiz. Marketing 4 Ecommerce. 18 October 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2024.
  38. ^ "Most Followed YouTubers in Spain". YouTubers Me. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  39. ^ "Iker Unzu Shorts". YouTube. Retrieved 26 January 2023.
  40. ^ ""Iker Unzu" Podcast". Podchaser. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  41. ^ "Iker Unzu, breve biografía y Escapando de la mansión embrujada". Actualidad Literaria. Juan Ortiz. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.