In the age of influencers and viral trends that fade overnight, some creators manage to break through the noise and hold onto their audience year after year. Sam Golbach and Colby Brock, known to millions simply as sam and colby merch are among those rare few. They’ve transformed from Kansas high school pranksters to two of the biggest names in paranormal entertainment on the internet. But what exactly made Sam and Colby so famous? It’s not just abandoned asylums and haunted hotels — it’s a story of timing, reinvention, risk-taking, and an unshakeable friendship that fans can’t stop watching.
It All Started in Kansas
Before millions of YouTube subscribers, merch drops, and world tours, xplr merch were just two kids growing up in Overland Park, Kansas. They met as teenagers at Blue Valley High School and bonded over their mutual love for pushing boundaries and making people laugh. Like so many content creators of their generation, they didn’t have a production studio or expensive equipment — they had a phone, ideas, and an internet connection.
Their earliest internet fame came from Vine, the six-second video app that exploded in the early 2010s. Sam and Colby found an audience with prank videos and relatable clips about teen life. They were good-looking, funny, and had natural chemistry on camera — the kind of best friends dynamic that felt authentic, not manufactured. When Vine shut down, they did what so many couldn’t: they pivoted, and got even bigger.
The YouTube Pivot: Finding a Niche
When Vine ended in 2016, thousands of creators vanished with it. Sam and Colby hoodie refused to be among them. They shifted to YouTube, but unlike many former Viners who stuck with short skits, they did something different — they found a niche that was bigger than any prank: exploration.
They called themselves “explorers” — the XPLR branding that would later define their merch and community. Their videos began with urban exploration: sneaking into abandoned schools, forgotten hospitals, underground tunnels. Their audience, mostly teens and young adults, were fascinated by places they’d never dare go themselves.
The stakes were real: fences were hopped, alarms were triggered, police were sometimes involved. The danger felt raw, unpolished, and thrilling. Sam and Colby’s brand wasn’t just watching a video — it was feeling like you were right there with them, flashlight in hand, heart pounding.
From Urban Exploration to Paranormal Phenomenon
The duo’s content evolved naturally. Abandoned buildings often come with ghost stories — and where there are ghost stories, there’s a whole new audience hungry for paranormal content. Sam and Colby leaned in. Their exploration videos grew darker, scarier, and more cinematic. Haunted hotels, cursed forests, haunted prisons — no place was off limits.
Unlike traditional ghost-hunting shows on TV, Sam and Colby brought a YouTube generation vibe. There were no stiff hosts with night vision cameras — it was just two friends, some basic gear, and raw reactions that felt real. If they heard a whisper, they’d jump. If a door slammed, they’d scream. The audience screamed with them.
They didn’t try to be polished investigators. They were there to test limits — and show how fear can bond people together.
Authenticity and Friendship: The Core of Their Appeal
Ghost hunts are thrilling, but what really keeps millions of fans coming back is Sam and Colby’s friendship. Their dynamic is the secret ingredient. Sam is more cautious, logical, and hesitant to dive into danger. Colby is the risk-taker, the one who says, “Let’s just do it” when everyone else says no.
This contrast creates natural tension and humor. Watching them bicker, dare each other, and sometimes fight shows a relationship that feels real. Unlike many influencer duos who split over money or ego, Sam and Colby have stuck together for over a decade. That loyalty resonates with fans who see their own friendships in the pair’s bond.
Relatable Fear: The Power of Reactions
Some paranormal shows feel scripted or overly dramatic. Sam and Colby’s reactions feel genuine. If they’re scared, you believe it. If they say they saw a shadow, their wide eyes and shaky whispers sell it. Their fear makes the audience feel brave enough to be scared too.
Their style isn’t about proving ghosts exist — it’s about the experience. Viewers don’t just watch ghost hunts; they feel part of the crew, invested in whether Sam will stay alone in a haunted basement or Colby will push the group deeper into danger.
Smart Branding and Community Building
Many creators fade because they fail to build a brand beyond videos. Sam and Colby did the opposite. They built XPLR — not just a slogan but an identity. XPLR means pushing boundaries, facing fear, and seeking truth in the unknown. They sell hoodies, shirts, hats — all with that “XPLR” mark that fans wear proudly. It’s a badge that says: I’m part of the adventure too.
They also interact directly with fans through social media, behind-the-scenes updates, and live tours. Fans feel seen, heard, and valued. It’s not just a YouTube channel — it’s a club.
Constant Evolution: Staying Relevant
One reason Sam and Colby remain so famous is that they never stand still. When urban exploring hit legal risks, they leaned more into paranormal investigations. When ghost hunts risked getting repetitive, they upped production quality with dramatic storytelling, cinematic editing, and deep dives into lore. Their videos feel like short films, not just vlogs.
They also experiment with series formats: The Origin, Hell Week, The Attachment. Each new series brings fresh locations, new collaborators, and bigger stakes.
Facing Controversies Head-On
Fame attracts controversy, and Sam and Colby have had their share. From arrests for trespassing to brushes with dangerous situations, they’ve faced moments that could have ended their careers. Instead of hiding, they address these issues openly. They apologize when needed and show growth. Fans appreciate the honesty — it makes them feel like they’re growing up with Sam and Colby, flaws and all.
Tapping Into Universal Fears
At its core, their content taps into something timeless: curiosity about the unknown. Everyone wonders what’s on the other side of that locked door, what happens after death, and if the stories about that haunted hospital are real. Sam and Colby are willing to go first, so we don’t have to — but we get to feel the thrill through them.
A Community That Feels Like Family
More than anything, Sam and Colby are famous because they make their fans feel like they belong to something bigger. It’s not just watching someone else’s adventure — it’s being part of a collective experience. Fans meet through fandom pages, wear XPLR gear, and even travel together to abandoned places in their own towns.
In an age where connection often feels fake, Sam and Colby’s brand of fearless friendship, raw emotion, and unpolished honesty is exactly what keeps them so beloved.
The Legacy So Far
Why are Sam and Colby so famous? It’s simple — they found a way to make fear fun, adventure accessible, and friendship an anchor in a chaotic world. They turned abandoned buildings and haunted prisons into the backdrop for a story about loyalty, courage, and what happens when two Kansas kids refuse to grow up in the ordinary way.
