The best way to get more views on YouTube is to optimize your videos so they show up in search and recommendations
— and keep viewers engaged once they click. That means mastering clickable thumbnails, compelling titles, and content that delivers on its promise.


With 10+ billion views tracked through coaching and tools, vidIQ provides data-backed insights into what drives video discovery.


In this section, we will break down strategies, examples, and case studies so you can consistently grow your views.

More Views

How To Get More Views on YouTube

The fastest way to get more YouTube subscribers is to publish videos that keep viewers watching and make it easy for them to subscribe.
That means using strong titles and thumbnails, clear calls to action, and building content around topics people are already searching for.


At vidIQ, we analyze millions of channels to see what actually drives subscriber growth, from doubling down on high-retention videos
to packaging content in ways that hook new audiences. Explore our guides and case studies to learn proven tactics that will
help you grow your subscribers faster.

Get Subscribers

How to Get More YouTube Subscribers

To make money on YouTube, creators start by qualifying for the YouTube Partner Program and enabling ads, but that’s just the beginning. Real income comes from combining multiple streams: sponsorships, channel memberships, affiliate marketing, and selling your own products or services. 

At vidIQ, we’ve studied how creators unlock monetization
milestones and scale beyond ad revenue. Here you will learn practical strategies to diversify income and build
a sustainable business from your YouTube channel.

Make Money

How To Make Money on YouTube

YouTube Analytics reveal which videos are working and why, but not all metrics matter equally. Watch time, retention, CTR, and revenue are the numbers that drive real growth. 

At vidIQ, we break down these metrics with examples so you can spot trends, identify weak points, and make smarter decisions for your channel. Here you’ll learn how to use analytics as a growth engine, not just a dashboard.

Data Insights

YouTube Analytics Explained: Metrics That Matter

Watch Time is arguably THE most important metric on YouTube right now, and creators won’t be able to monetize their content without 4000 hours of it. But what is it and how can creators increase the amount of Watch Time their videos attract? We keep you updated on the best practices around Watch Time, and how you can increase how much your video content generates.

Watch Time

YouTube Watch Time

YouTube Shorts are one of the fastest ways to reach new viewers and grow your channel.


With millions of Shorts analyzed, vidIQ has tracked the formats and strategies that help creators break through. Here you’ll learn how to make Shorts that stand out, and how to use them to boost your long-form videos.

YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts: Tips and Strategies

The best YouTube tips save time and make your videos perform better. From thumbnail tweaks to hidden features in YouTube Studio, small changes can drive big results. 

At vidIQ, we’ve tested countless tactics across millions of videos to see what really works. Here you’ll find quick wins and practical shortcuts you can use right now to grow faster and work smarter.

Quick Tips

YouTube Tips for Creators

The fastest way to grow on YouTube is to create content around trending topics while viewers are searching for them. 

With vidIQ’s data, we track the keywords, niches, and formats that are taking off across millions of channels. Here you’ll find insights into what’s working now, including creator case studies and examples, so you can publish videos that ride the wave of demand and stay ahead of competitors.

Trending Now

YouTube Trends and Insights

Your In-Depth Guide to Building a Successful YouTube Channel

 has one primary goal: to get their videos recommended to more people. They want YouTube to (finally) notice their content, identify the subject matter, and suggest it to thousands of like-minded viewers.

Your best plan of action, especially as a small creator, is to understand how YouTube recommends videos. You'll want to figure out why the algorithm promotes some content and, well...basically ignores others.

In truth, it's not that the algorithm doesn't favor you or is biased against your channel. 

YouTube doesn't hate small creators. It just doesn't know whom to recommend you to yet. 

In this blog, we'll learn how to fix that.

YouTube Recommendations Are Based on Viewer Behavior

Here's the first mindshift you need to make:

Every single video you upload is treated as a new test. 

YouTube doesn't care if you have 5 subscribers or 5 million. What it cares about is whether people are clicking on your video, sticking around to watch it, and coming back for more.

So even if your last 10 videos flopped, the next one still gets a shot. That's actually good news for small creators. But to pass the test, you've got to send YouTube the right signals about your content and your audience.

Graph showing typical video performance on YouTube

When someone watches your video and has a positive experience, YouTube starts looking for other people with similar viewing patterns and interests. The more positive signals you generate, the wider your reach becomes. This is why you'll sometimes see a small channel with 100 subscribers get a video that hits 50,000 views seemingly overnight.

YouTube’s 3-Tiered Recommendation System

Think of YouTube’s recommendation process like leveling up in a game. Every video is tested in a sequence of audiences:

Your subscribers and repeat viewers. This is your home base. If they enjoy the video, it moves to the next stage.

People in your niche who watch similar videos—maybe they follow your competitors or recently searched for the topic.

Complete strangers. If your video performs well in the first two groups, it “graduates” here and has a shot at virality.

The beauty of this system is that it rewards creators who truly serve their audience, not just those who game the algorithm. When you consistently deliver value to your core viewers, YouTube becomes more confident in recommending you to similar people.

Small creators often treat their channel like a digital diary. One day it's gaming, the next it's cooking, then it's a vlog with your dog. Creative freedom is great, but to the algorithm, it's pretty confusing.

Spoiler: If you make content for everyone, YouTube won't know who to recommend you to.

Think about it from YouTube's perspective. The platform serves billions of hours of content every day. Its job is to keep people watching by showing them exactly what they want to see. When your channel jumps between wildly different topics, YouTube can't build a 

clear picture of who your ideal viewer is.

This doesn't mean you can never evolve or try new things, but especially in your first 50-100 videos, consistency is your best friend.

Keep your thumbnails and titles visually consistent

Develop a recognizable content format or style

You're not just building videos. You're building a brand that YouTube can confidently recommend to the right people.

The biggest point of affirmation for the algorithm to determine whether your videos can be recommended or not is watch time. And the best way to do that is to improve the 

If someone watches your video and then watches another video (yours or someone else's), YouTube rewards you. If your video ends their session (they close the app or tab), that's a negative signal to YouTube recommendations. That's called 

5 Ways to Increase YouTube Watch Time on Any Video

Session time is arguably more important than individual video performance because it shows YouTube that your content fits into the broader viewing experience people want. 

When viewers stay on the platform after watching your video, you're contributing to YouTube's core business model. Here's how you can improve your session time:

Reference your other videos inside your current one

Use verbal handoffs: "Next, watch this…"

Create content series that naturally lead into each other

Use the "Hook – Hold – Handoff" Framework

This framework is used by some of the fastest-growing creators on YouTube. It's how you keep people watching—and signal to YouTube that your content is binge-worthy.

Grab attention in the first 5–10 seconds.

 "I cooked gourmet food for the most dangerous animals on Earth..."

The hook isn't just about being loud or shocking. It's about immediately communicating the value and intrigue of your video. Your hook should make viewers think: "I need to see how this plays out."

Progressive revelations, bigger stakes, deeper insights—whatever your video promises, you need to deliver it in a way that builds momentum rather than plateaus.

This is where pacing becomes crucial. Plan your content like a story with rising action. Each segment should feel more valuable or interesting than the last.

 "If you liked this one, just wait till you see what I did next…"

The result? Binge behavior. And binge behavior is the algorithm's rocket fuel.

A lot of small creators kill their videos with bad titles that are vague, boring, and generic. 

Your title is competing with hundreds of other videos for attention. Generic titles get ignored because they don't create any emotional investment. Specific titles with clear benefits cut through the noise.

Consider the psychology of your viewer when they're scrolling. They're asking themselves: "Is this worth my time?" Your title needs to answer that question with a clear "yes" and a compelling reason why.

In case of thumbnails, make sure to focus on clarity. If your thumbnails look like a chaotic Canva explosion... It's time to clean up. 

Expression that matches the video's emotion

You get 2 seconds on the homepage. Make them count. Your thumbnail needs to generate curiosity and be readable at the size of a postage stamp. If you can't tell what your thumbnail is about when it's tiny, neither can your potential viewers.

How To Create Scroll-Stopping YouTube Thumbnails Faster with AI

Here's a fatal mistake a lot of creators make: You have an awesome title and a killer thumbnail… but your video intro is a snooze fest.

"Hey guys, welcome back to the channel! So glad you're here…"

…you've already lost half your audience. Instead, do this:

Reinforce the promise of the video immediately

If the title is "How YouTube Deleted My Channel," say it right away in the video: "Three days ago, YouTube deleted my channel, and here's exactly what happened…"

The first 15 seconds of your video are crucial for YouTube recommendations. This is where the algorithm decides whether your content is engaging enough to show to more people. A slow start signals that viewers might click away, which hurts your recommendation potential.

This one's sneaky. YouTube transcribes your entire video. Every word.

So, if your video is about YouTube recommendations but you never actually say "YouTube recommendations," the algorithm may not be confident in what your video is about.

Say your main keyword early and naturally

 ("YouTube algorithm," "getting recommended," etc.)

YouTube's automatic captions and transcription feed directly into their understanding of your content. This semantic understanding helps the algorithm match your video with relevant searches and recommend it alongside similar content.

Don't stuff keywords awkwardly, but make sure you're naturally using the language your audience uses when searching for your type of content.

YouTube favors videos that are relevant right now. This is called 

. Your chances of getting recommended skyrocket if you time your video with:

A phone showing the youtube logo next to the youtube homepage on a desktop computer

How does the YouTube algorithm work — specifically, the recommendation engine that promotes videos to billions of viewers? Keep reading to find out and grow your channel!

YouTube's 'Suggested Videos' Algorithm: How to Crack It

YouTube Shorts monetization has quickly become one of the most important topics for creators in 2025. With billions of daily views, Shorts aren’t just a way to grow your audience, they’re a real income stream when you meet the requirements.

The YouTube Shorts monetization requirements for 2025 make it clear what creators need to do to qualify, from subscriber milestones to Shorts view thresholds. In this guide, we’ll break down how to monetize YouTube Shorts, what the current criteria look like, and how much YouTube Shorts can pay once you’re approved.

Meeting the YouTube monetization requirements for Shorts is the first step toward earning, and it all starts with qualifying for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). Upon joining, you have access to all of YouTube's money-making tools, like the ability to place ads on videos or monetize your audience directly through fan-funding.

There are two ways to enter the YPP (you only need to choose one!).

Upload 3 public videos in the last 90 days.

Get 3,000 public watch hours in the last 365 days or 3 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days.

 from long-form videos in the last 365 days or 

If you mainly produce Shorts or a mix of long and short videos, aiming for 1,000 subscribers plus either 10 million Shorts views or 4,000 watch hours is the path to join the YPP.

That’s a high bar, but the YouTube Shorts monetization criteria are built to reward creators who consistently deliver strong engagement.

 If you create both long and short videos, 

 helps creators make multiple Shorts from long form videos, helping to increase Shorts watch time and further engage your audience.

 will earn advertising revenue. So, do these four things to stay in the clear:

YouTube's Advertiser-Friendly Content Guidelines

Avoid using unedited clips from movies and TV shows that you don't have rights to use.

Avoid uploading another creator's content without adding a new perspective or transforming the content.

Monetizing YouTube Shorts Through Ads: A Quick Rundown

 is a bit different from monetizing a regular YouTube video. Notably, all Shorts revenue is split between different parties, including the creators who make them and the music publishers who provide songs for those videos.

The four steps of YouTube Shorts monetization 

 all of the Shorts ad revenue on its platform.

 how much money goes to the creator pool, which depends on views and music usage across all Shorts. If creators use no music in their Shorts, they retain all of the revenue at this point. If they use music, the revenue is split between the creator pool and music publishers.

 the ad revenue to monetized Shorts creators. This is based on a creator's total share of Shorts views on the platform, whether that's 5%, 10%, 15%, etc.

Can You Monetize YouTube Shorts Without 1,000 Subscribers?

If you're just starting out on YouTube, getting 500 subscribers is a quick way to join the YPP and monetize your Shorts. You won't earn ad revenue, but you can monetize most of your content, Shorts included, through fan-funding tools.

For example, with just 500 subs, you can collect 

 revenue on your YouTube Shorts. These are "video tips" ranging from $2 to $50 that your fans can send to support individual videos.

 are an option as well, especially if you love streaming on YouTube.

When you host a vertical or horizontal live stream, viewers in the live chat can reward you with monetary donations ranging from $1 to $500. These can appear as Super Chats, colorful comments pinned to the top of the live chat, or as Super Stickers, which are fun, digital animations that appear on the screen.

Channel Memberships offer exclusive perks, such as members-only videos, badges, Community posts, emojis, and livestreams, to a creators' super fans. It's a great way to make money, but did you know that you can get your YouTube Shorts monetized through channel memberships? 

After all, Shorts count as videos too! You can make these exclusive to your members just like regular, horizontal content.

Are YouTube Shorts monetized in a sustainable way? Can they become a side hustle or help you quit your day job?

While YouTube shorts revenue rates vary, many creators track their YouTube Shorts per view income to understand how each viral hit contributes to overall revenue.

YouTube Shorts monetization options comparison

We'd have said it's hard to make decent money from Shorts only a year ago, barring times when you get a nice chunk of revenue. For example, we got 

 for a vidIQ Short that got 468,500 views.

The content performance dashboard showing we earned $16.61 from YouTube Shorts

With recent updates on advertisements, RPM on our Shorts has seen an impressive 150% increase. So, for every 1000 views we are getting $0.10 revenue, without any external changes like location of viewers, topic of videos, etc.

This hasn't happened overnight. YouTube has steadily increased Shorts revenue on the vidIQ channel throughout the year. It seems like advertisers have finally found the sweet spot for their products in the Shorts ecosystem as other creators have also talked about experiencing similar surges on their channel. Watch Rob discuss all of that in the video below!

It's easier than ever to become a monetized Shorts creator, but you'll need 

Getting to Know the Shorts Monetization Module

If you want to earn from YouTube Shorts, start by approving the Shorts Monetization Module in your YouTube Studio. This agreement lets you earn money from ads and YouTube Premium in the Shorts Feed. Even if you’re part of the YouTube Partner Program, you won’t see any earnings from Shorts until you agree to these terms.

Select Get Started for each available module

Read and agree to the Base Terms and the Shorts Monetization Module

Keep in mind that views accumulated before accepting won’t earn revenue. Your earnings start only after you agree. This makes it a smart move to opt in as soon as you meet the requirements.

OK, so getting into the YPP to monetize your Shorts is a real challenge. You either have to go viral a lot or face the difficult task of earning 1,000 subscribers plus thousands of hours of watch time.

But guess what? You don’t have to join that race. There are other ways to make money from Shorts, and one of those golden opportunities is through

When a brand sponsors you, they’re paying you to advertise a product or service in one of your videos. That could be a new line of laptops, the latest leggings from Lululemon, or even a squeegee that removes pet hair from dirty carpet.

Here’s an example of a sponsored Short. In this video, actress Eliana Ghen advertises Vita, a mobile video editing app.

If you’re looking at this video and thinking, 

You don’t need millions of views and subscribers to 

 —just the right audience and a strong YouTube resume.

 said they plan to invest in short-form content more than they did in 2024.

Brands are excited to partner with short-form creators, who bring 

2.5 times more engagement than long-form videos.

As for that last detail, don’t just take our word for it. 

“At the end of the day, most brands don’t want to partner with you and feel like the only thing you’re good at is long-form video,” Moore says. “They want to feel that you may have some flexibility to create different types of content.”

Read this post to avoid the common mistakes YouTubers make while pitching brands

YouTube Shorts earnings aren’t always a given. YouTube has clear rules on which videos can make money. For example, clips taken from movies or TV shows, repeated content from others, or compilations without any new spin won’t earn revenue.

Also, Shorts longer than one minute with claimed content are off the list for monetization. This is a key point if you plan to use material from other sources.

If your Short includes third-party material or is remixed, views could be shared with the rights owners when calculating revenue. As of now, only music content changes this share; other types do not affect it.

Keep your Shorts eligible by creating original work or by adding enough new elements and always following copyright guidelines.

Overall, Shorts monetization offers a faster growth path for new creators than traditional long-form content.

There are a few mountains to climb when monetizing short-form content, but don't worry! You got this. Our blog has many tips and tricks to help you get 500 subscribers, 

 Just click the hyperlinks throughout this post to get a winning plan for YouTube success!

Now that you know how to monetize YouTube Shorts, let's take things up a notch and show you how to increase your views!

A smartphone displaying "Shorts Feed Ads" on its screen

Smartphone screen displaying Shorts Feed Ads page on keyboard background for marketing.

Learn how to monetize YouTube Shorts through the Creator Pool, fan funding, and more. Discover the requirements and strategies to profit from your short videos.

YouTube Shorts Monetization Requirements (Updated for 2025)

Starting a gaming YouTube channel is no easy feat. Millions of people play video games in their free time, so naturally, the competition is stiff.

 dominating the space with billions of YouTube views. The 

 channel has over 46 million subscribers. Beyond that, you have thousands of small channels worldwide to compete with!

Coupled with gaming being one of the most attractive universal activities in the world, this makes it difficult for new creators to stand out, let alone go viral. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

Starting fresh? Here’s a practical guide on how to start a gaming YouTube channel best practices and take your first steps toward becoming a creator.

Think about the biggest gaming channels, and you'll be able to remember a unique feature that helps you recall them. That's what Dan, our YouTube expert, calls a "hallmark." To develop this unique identifier for your channel, you must think of your identity as a creator as a whole. 

In the video above, Dan also talks about different strategies you can adopt to reach levels of success in the gaming niche, supported by real life examples. So, check it out now!

Before uploading your first video, think about how to make a gaming YouTube channel that viewers will want to subscribe to. That means choosing a niche, setting up channel art, and writing a clear description for a gaming channel that explains who you are and what type of content you’ll post.

 Even if you’re brand new and just learning how to be a gamer on YouTube, a strong setup helps you look professional from day one.

1. Focus On Your Target Audience, Not a Particular Game

If you want to grow your gaming channel, don't focus on playing one title. Centering your content around a single game is not only a serious commitment but also a limiting one.

For example, you don't have to commit to playing or talking about 

It might be smarter to chase the target audience behind that series: people who love '90s video games.

Discover the Top YouTube Gaming Niches for 2024

Two channels that have done this pretty well are 

. While both of them do have a main game that they upload content for, they aren't shy about venturing out to try new titles (while never forgetting their core audience).  

In the hustle of going after views and subscribers, it's easy to forget the mother metric that covers all: 

. Having decent watch time on your channel usually indicates that all bases are covered, and people are enjoying your content.

One of the biggest insights from the past year is that viewers have a massive appetite for lengthy videos. We interviewed a small channel called 


, which gained over 100,000 views on a two-hour video essay about a game called 

. Watch the full video below to know how he did it!

 takes it a step further by compiling several of his long-form videos into 10-plus-hour marathons. These videos rack up hundreds of thousands of views in an era where bite-sized content is king. The videos are binge-able and seamless for the viewer, who receives a better experience than what they get through 

3. Get the Right Equipment for Your Gaming Channel

One thing to keep in mind is that you do not need a pro-level setup from day one. Expensive equipment is not needed to get started and many successful channels began with the basics.

Don’t overthink how to make a gaming video, start simple with free screen recorders, your built-in mic, and basic editing tools. Focus on your commentary, pacing, and personality first.

Over time, as your channel grows, you’ll want to invest in better tools. And a list of items that will add to your production value include:

: Many gamers add voiceovers to their videos, especially when actively playing a game. Invest in quality audio so viewers can follow the action.

: As you play games, you need software to capture the action on your console's screen (PS5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, etc.).

: This can be a DSLR camera, mirrorless camera, or webcam. You’ll need one to record yourself playing games.

: Don’t leave viewers in the dark. Create a well-lit shot if you plan to show your face!

: Lots of gamers use a green screen for live streaming. It removes the background behind the streamer so only their body shows up against the gameplay.

A man playing a video game with lots of equipment like lighting, a gaming computer, and more

4. Choose the Right Name for Your Gaming Channel

Gaming is a competitive YouTube niche, but there's still room (and time) for new creators to grow successful channels. All it takes is 12 powerful steps.

Your In-Depth Guide to Building a Successful YouTube Channel

YouTube's 'Suggested Videos' Algorithm: How to Crack It

YouTube Shorts Monetization Requirements (Updated for 2025)

How to Start a Gaming YouTube Channel in 2025

How to Start a YouTube Channel in 2025: Step-by-step guide

54 YouTube Niches for 2025: How to Pick the Best Niche for YouTube Success

YouTube's 'Suggested Videos' Algorithm: How to Crack It

The Beginner's Guide to the YouTube Studio

How to Use YouTube Clips

vidIQ’s Title Flip Framework: Write Titles That Get Clicks & Rank

How to Find the Most Searched Keywords on YouTube for Your Niche

YouTube Watch Time: How to Reach 4,000 Hours and Monetize Your YouTube Channel

YouTube vs Instagram: Who Pays Creators More?

13 Ways to Get 1,000 YouTube Subscribers, Fast and Free