Montreal-based YouTuber Shahin Ouest has reached a major milestone: becoming the first French-language creator to appear on Google Canada’s list of the country’s most promising YouTubers. The annual ranking highlights creators whose channels are experiencing exceptional growth, and in 2023, Shahin’s name stood out.
A rare recognition for French-language creators
Published annually since 2021, Google Canada’s ranking showcases five YouTube channels with rapidly increasing visibility. Ranked fifth in 2023, Shahin Ouest — the online alias of Shahin Naderi, was praised for the exponential growth of his channel, according to YouTube Canada communications manager Zaitoon Murji.
At the time of the announcement, more than 180,000 people were subscribed to his channel, marking a significant achievement for a creator producing content primarily in French within a platform dominated by English.
Staying authentic in a global ecosystem
Born in Montreal to Iranian immigrant parents, Shahin grew up in the city’s West Island and received a bilingual education — French during primary and secondary school, English in CEGEP, and later a civil engineering degree at Concordia University.
Choosing the language of his content was a deliberate decision. “It was a real debate,” he admits. “But staying authentic mattered more than switching languages to chase views.”
His channel proves that Quebec French can travel beyond borders without losing its identity.
Staying authentic in a global ecosystem
Born in Montreal to Iranian immigrant parents, Shahin grew up in the city’s West Island and received a bilingual education — French during primary and secondary school, English in CEGEP, and later a civil engineering degree at Concordia University.
Choosing the language of his content was a deliberate decision. “It was a real debate,” he admits. “But staying authentic mattered more than switching languages to chase views.”
His channel proves that Quebec French can travel beyond borders without losing its identity.
