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

Today, we're celebrating 10 creators who hit 

 in just 30 days! Their channels, many of which grew from super small to breathtakingly big, cover interesting topics on YouTube, like gaming, tutorials, travel, and so much more. Plus, they managed to reel in 

As always, we define the vidIQ community as anyone using our growth tools to reach YouTube success. So if you've 

 to optimize your videos, find keywords, or even get video ideas, this roundup is for you. We're celebrating 

Ready to see who got the most subscribers? These were the fastest-growing YouTube channels last month.

Top Channels Passing 1,000 Subscribers in the Last 30 Days

 creates videos on all kinds of animals from the wild to the domesticated.

 explores travel destinations across the world with AI content.

 makes creative content based on the racing and obstacles game Teardown.

 shares financial advice, from budgeting to saving to making more money.

 provides information on headphones and auditory equipment.

 provides quick fixes and simplified technical tutorials.

 talks about lifestyle of popular models and actresses with the help of AI.

Infinity Tutorial provides several tips on android and windows devices.

Congrats to everyone who had amazing subscriber growth last month! 🥳 If you want to see your channel grow, don't forget to 

 and get robust tools, data, and video ideas.

Celebration graphic showing 1000 subscribers with stars and fireworks background

Which small YouTube channels grew the fastest in July? Get to know 10 rising creators who make videos about money, nutrition, the latest trends, and more.

10 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 1,000 Subs FAST [July]

For small YouTube channels, reaching 100,000 subscribers can often feel like an uphill battle. However, the joy of crossing this significant threshold is unmatched. Today, we're thrilled to celebrate 10 talented creators who have recently joined the ranks of the 100,000 club. Let's give them a well-deserved round of applause!

As always, we define the vidIQ community as anyone using our growth tools to reach YouTube success. So, if you've 

 to optimize your videos, find keywords, or even get video ideas, this roundup is for you. 

 is dedicated to sharing funny and endearing content on pets.

 makes creative content on various mobile games

 shares wisdom through narrative fiction.

 does react content, commentary videos, and personal vlogs.

 talks about mind-blowing facts about science.

 makes AI-based fictional content based on popular superheroes.

 makes aesthetically pleasing cooking content with unique recipes.

 uploads engaging edits based on popular anime and manga.

 talks about all things related to vehicles.

And that’s a wrap! Congrats to everyone who had amazing subscriber growth last month! 🥳 If you want to see your channel grow, don't forget to 

Plus, check out these top YouTube channels to discover even more creators:

100K subscribers celebration badge with stars and fireworks on dark background

Getting the Silver Play button is always a special feat and these creators have done it in record time! Discover who they are and how fast they grew.

10 YouTube Channels that Hit 100K Subs FAST! [June]

We’ve now hit the middle of the year in 2024 and the content world is growing faster than ever. While these rapid developments are fascinating, they can also be grueling as a new creator which might lead to burnout. So, we’re back with inspiration from real stories and creators just like you!

These creators successfully reached 10,000 subscribers in the last month and show no signs of slowing down. Let's celebrate their success and find insights from their journey so far!

Top Channels Passing 10,000 Subscribers in June

 is a group of creators who perform fun and entertaining challenges.

 creates guessing games and quizzes about countries around the world. 

 uploads Shorts and edits of popular soccer players.

 shares simple AI automation strategies for business growth.

 examines historical ideas and philosophies based on Stoicism.

 makes horror content based on Minecraft and other games.

 shares tips and insights on YouTube growth (much like us!).

 teaches people on how to be coaches in their fields of expertise.

10,000 subscribers milestone celebration graphic with stars on dark background

These phenomenal YouTubers got 10,000 subs in just 30 days! Meet 10 rising creators who talk about AI,personal development, philosophy, and more.

10 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 10K Subs [June]

Welcome to our celebration of the fastest-growing small channels in the vidIQ community! 

Last month, 10 creators did the impossible by passing 1,000 subscribers in just 30 days. Their most popular videos, which range from memes to quizzes, reeled in hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube. We're here to say 

and share the good news with other vidIQ-ers!

As always, we define the vidIQ community as anyone using our growth tools to reach success. So if you've 

 gives traveling tips and hacks through AI content.

 uploads spiritual content based on ancient divine Indian scriptures.

 does trivia on popular entertaining topics.

 makes creative edits on popular cartoon and TV shows.

 creates engaging Shorts on popular football players/

 talks about the evolution of popular memes.

 makes motivational and aspirational Shorts content.

 is a podcast that talks about the powers of masculine energy.

S1lence makes Shorts and edits on pro Armwrestling content.

Which small YouTube channels grew the fastest in June? Get to know 10 rising creators whose videos attracted viewers!

10 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 1,000 Subs FAST [June]

As the YouTube algorithm evolves, creators learn to prioritize different metrics on their channels. They might be interested in views, click-through rate, subscribers gained, and other markers of success. But did you know that the most obvious one, YouTube views, 

 the best catalyst for growth? In 2024, watch time and viewer satisfaction (also known as engagement) are clearly in the lead.

The truth is that it's hard to get more views without first satisfying your audience and making them watch longer. Only then does the YouTube algorithm recommend your content to more people!

Understanding the YouTube Algorithm in 2024

But, how do you strike the perfect balance between keeping your audience glued to the screen and ensuring they walk away fulfilled? Let's break it down.

Watch Time is often considered the holy grail of YouTube metrics. 

It indicates how long viewers stay on a platform and can impact a channel's ability to rank and gain suggested views. In many cases, watch time on YouTube is more important than the average viewer retention rate.

Of course, it is one of the essential factors for getting monetized, and for good reason. A high watch time for your channel would typically mean that viewers like to binge on your content and that’s one of the best signals to the algorithm!

YouTube has been increasingly focusing on viewer satisfaction, which encompasses likes, comments, and overall engagement. With the help of these indicators, the recommendation system on YouTube learns how to serve the viewer the best possible video every time.

More recently, YouTube has also used surveys to ask the viewers directly about their experience on the platform, which makes the viewers feel more included in the platform. The positive response has prompted YouTube to make viewer satisfaction the central aspect of the new and improved algorithm.

Ah, the age-old question. While views give you an overview of your content's reach, watch time offers a deeper look into viewer engagement. A video with fewer views but higher watch time often indicates content that resonates more deeply with your audience. So, if you're looking to build a loyal community around your channel, 

Striking a balance between watch time and viewer satisfaction is essential for long-term success on YouTube. While watch time can help you climb the algorithmic ladder, focusing solely on it can lead to short-term gains. On the other hand, viewer satisfaction is about building a lasting relationship with your audience, which is invaluable for any creator.

, Todd Beaupre, who leads YouTube's growth and discovery team, emphasizes focusing on long-term satisfaction rather than just maximizing watch time. Todd advises creators to think about what their audience wants and find the best fit, as the algorithm will then match that.

So how do you balance watch time with viewer satisfaction? Here are some tips:

In the age of pumping out content with AI, this advice seems counter-intuitive. But, instead of focusing solely on watch time, aim for content that provides real value. Whether it's a how-to guide or an in-depth review, make sure your videos offer something meaningful.

When viewers find value in your content, they're more likely to engage with it, binge it, share it, and discuss it with others. And soon enough, enable you to 

 satisfy viewers, make your content engaging from start to finish. Use

, and even interactive elements like polls to keep your audience invested.

Always keep an eye on the comments section and any feedback you receive through social media or direct messages. This real-time feedback is gold when it comes to gauging viewer satisfaction. It's also a good way to spot new video ideas!

How to Get Subscriber Feedback from a YouTube Analytics Deep Dive

Don't be afraid to experiment with different video formats and lengths. 

 to track how these changes affect both watch time and viewer satisfaction. 

For example, if you notice that shorter videos are being watched to completion but contribute less watch time than longer videos, that's a sign you're striking a good balance.

The YouTube algorithm is a complex beast that creators often find themselves trying to tame. It helps to keep an eye on your analytics to understand what's working and what needs improvement and act upon it. 

Watch Time and Viewer Satisfaction Go Hand-in-Hand

If you satisfy viewers with the right content, you’ll see results in the form of an improved retention rate, higher returning viewers, and hopefully, more watch time! The key takeaway is to find the right balance.

The YouTube algorithm is itself made up of several algorithms that work on different aspects of the platform. While we can talk about the algorithm from a wider overview, there are nitty-gritties we simply cannot go over in a single blog post. But worry not, we have for you the ultimate guide to the algorithm brought to you by our YouTube experts. Watch it right here: 

So, go ahead and experiment, analyze, and most importantly, create content that you're passionate about. The numbers will follow. If you're a small creator looking to improve, 

People in a circle watching videos using colorful phones

Group of diverse people holding smartphones in colorful cases outdoors with blue sky

Everyone wants to get more views on YouTube, but watch time and engagement are more important to the YouTube algorithm. Here's how to balance the two!

YouTube Algorithm Hack: Chase Watch Time and Engagement — Not Views

Amidst the hustle of YouTube, we often forget to take a step back from the grind and relish what we've achieved. And today, we’re celebrating creators who have recently completed as big a milestone as it gets—the silver play button. Our heartiest congratulations to all these creators from the vidIQ community for reaching 100,000 subscribers in the last 30 days!

 to optimize your videos, find keywords, or even get video ideas, this roundup is for you. We're celebrating your wins.

Top Channels Passing 100,000 Subscribers in May

 makes entertaining, animated fictional Shorts with popular football players.

Reaching 100,000 subscribers is no easy feat, but these 10 creators did it in a flash! Discover who they are and how quickly they grew!

Your In-Depth Guide to Building a Successful YouTube Channel

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

10 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 1,000 Subs FAST [July]

10 YouTube Channels that Hit 100K Subs FAST! [June]

10 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 10K Subs [June]

10 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 1,000 Subs FAST [June]

YouTube Algorithm Hack: Chase Watch Time and Engagement — Not Views

10 YouTube Channels that Hit 100K Subs FAST! [May]

How To Win on YouTube Without Fancy Equipment

10 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 10K Subs [May]

10 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 1,000 Subs FAST [May]

When to Delete Those Old, Embarrassing Videos on Your YouTube Channel

10 YouTube Channels that Hit 100K Subs FAST! [April]

Best Time to Post on YouTube: How to Maximize Your Video Performance