Dynamically transitioning a digital video file between encoding states

The present disclosure relates to systems, non-transitory computer-readable media, and methods for dynamically transitioning a digital video file between encoding states of video data encodings. For example, upon receiving an uploaded digital video file, the disclosed systems can generate an initial set of video data encodings for the digital video file in an initial state. The disclosed systems further determine a virality score associated with the digital video file. Based on the virality score, the disclosed systems determine the virality score satisfies a threshold for transitioning the digital video file from the initial state to the upgraded state and generate premium encodings for the digital video file. Similarly, based on an updated virality score or a time-based trigger, the disclosed systems can transition the digital video file from the upgraded state (or the initial state) to the maintenance state by purging one or more video data encodings.