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

The landscape of YouTube is shifting, and while 

 (like animation, voiceovers, or screen-recorded tutorials) can surely find its niche, there's something unmistakably compelling about vlogging. It's raw, and it's personal. If you do a good job of it, the audience feels seen and heard and finds value in spending time with you!

While we’re the last people to deny the benefits of AI

 and similar tools that can help streamline the content creation process for faceless channels, it’s still early. And, for some of you, perhaps even harder than you think. Here are 5 reasons why.

While automation and AI are rapidly advancing, there's an irreplaceable value in human connection. Our brains are wired to recognize and respond to faces. When viewers see your expressions, your gestures, and your real-life reactions, they establish a stronger connection with you than they could with a collection of 

Man doing the peace sign with fingers while vlogging

This isn’t just sentiment — it’s science! Ever heard of 

? They’re the little wonders in our brains that make us yawn when someone else yawns. By showing your face, you're giving your audience's mirror neurons a reason to fire, allowing them to literally feel more connected to you.

So, from a psychological perspective, viewers feel more involved in your content. This helps you 

If you’re using music, images, and stock videos from third-party platforms on the internet, then copyright strikes are a very real concern that you need to keep in mind. You may take a thousand precautions, but it can still be hard to save your channel from Content ID claims.

By definition, this problem is significantly more likely to happen to faceless channels. And if you’re not careful enough, it may result in the termination of your channel.

On the other hand, if you’re a blog channel, you can shoot your own b-rolls, and have more control over what you want to show and how you want to show it.

Copyright Claims vs. Copyright Strikes: Here's the Difference

3. You Can Easily Reinvent or Explore New Content

Faceless content can, at times, trap you in a specific genre or style. Vlogging, however, is as varied as the human experience.

One day you might be documenting a solo hike, and the next, you're diving into a DIY project or sharing a candid chat about mental health. Vlogging doesn’t box you in — it invites variety. It's like being given a blank canvas every time, allowing your content to be as multifaceted as you are.

Wait a second! Isn’t vlogging supposed to be complex with all the camera setups, and aren't faceless channels supposed to be automated?

Well, yes and no. When you vlog, you remove several layers of abstraction. You get to be the primary focus, and the world around you is your backdrop. With the rise of smartphones with impeccable camera quality, vlogging can be as simple as 'point, shoot, and share'. Plus, let’s be honest: Setting up a tripod and chatting feels way more organic and less staged.

On the other hand, automated content may look easy on paper, but it isn’t always correct. Since a lot of AI tools are still new, they cannot do the job alone. So, almost every instance of AI usage on your videos requires you to add finishing touches. This might result in you having to expand your skillset significantly or having to spend more on professional services.

Brands love faces. With vlogs, you become a recognizable personality, not just a channel. This opens doors to brand endorsements, collaborations, and other monetization opportunities that rely on personal influence.

Also, viewers are more likely to trust a product or service recommended by someone they ‘know’. By transitioning to vlogging, you’re essentially humanizing your brand, making endorsements and promotions feel more like friendly recommendations (instead of advertising).

The shift to vlogging is more than just a change in content format; it's a commitment to authenticity, growth, and building profound connections. 

And it seems like YouTube wants creators to prioritize that mindset.

So, why not give it a shot? Your future self, with a treasure trove of memories, stronger brand partnerships, and an engaged community of viewers, will thank you. Remember, on YouTube and in life, sometimes the best way to move forward is to step out from behind the curtain and let the world see you shine.

So, here's how to build the right mindset for YouTube success!

Young woman smiling and recording video with smartphone on tripod indoors at home

Explore why vlogging on YouTube trumps faceless content in human connection, personal growth, and branding potential and why you should make the switch!

5 Reasons to Start Vlogging on YouTube (and Quit Faceless Content)

So, you’ve just joined the YouTube Partner Program, and your goal is to earn the highest payout on each video. It’s possible, but you’ll need to know two things first: which videos get monetized and which ones don’t!

The truth is that going viral doesn’t always mean 

. Some videos are partially monetized on YouTube, while others get demonetized for various reasons, such as violating 

. So, the first step in boosting your revenue (and becoming a full-time creator) is knowing the ins and outs of YouTube monetization.

Monetization Basics: What Is YouTube AdSense?

All monetized creators get paid through something called Google AdSense (some simply call it YouTube AdSense). 

When you monetize your videos through Google AdSense, you can earn money from the ads displayed on your content. Advertisers pay a specific rate each time an ad is shown on your video or someone clicks on an ad.

 (cost per mille). The CPM rate is what you, the creator, gets paid per 1,000 video views. 

The exact rate you’re paid depends on a few things, like the topic of your YouTube channel, audience demographics, seasonality, and more. However, the average CPM on YouTube is $1-5 for smaller channels and $5-20 for the top creators.

When your channel is monetized, you’ll also opt in to revenue sharing. This means the ad revenue you earn through the YouTube Partner Program is split between you and YouTube.

 You get 45% of the collective ad revenue generated by all Shorts creators, based on the views you get.

 You get 70% of the revenue from Super Chats, Super Thanks, and YouTube Channel Memberships.

And now that you know how AdSense works, here’s how to maximize your earnings!

1. Follow the Money (Using YouTube Analytics)

Have you noticed that some videos earn more money than others? This usually means the CPM rate was much higher for those lucky videos. Fortunately, you can see the CPM rate on each individual video in the YouTube Studio.

4. Find the “How much advertisers pay” panel, and click 

5. Scroll down and look at the list of videos you’ve published and their CPMs.

YouTube CPMs for a list of videos, ranging from 15 to 30

Notably, CPM rates on the vidIQ channel are all over the place. One video earned a whopping $31.28 per 1,000 views. Another earned just $15.11!

, we would make more content like the $31 video. Try doing the same investigative process on your own channel!

When seeking the highest revenue, it helps to know the rules for monetizing content on YouTube. The biggest rule is pretty straightforward: Make content for all ages, or in other words, make content that doesn’t scare advertisers away.

 won’t get you demonetized anymore. But you should avoid heavy swearing, hate speech, adult content, controversial issues, drugs, violence, and more. Videos with these elements aren't suitable for ads, so you might receive partial revenue or no revenue at all.

A list of content that is not suitable for YouTube ads

Remember, the more videos you’re able to place ads on, the more money you’ll make on YouTube!

3. Use Content You Own (Or Already Licensed)

Being original is the best way to make money on YouTube, because that shields you from unintentionally stealing another creator’s work. And if you do a little content-lifting, you can probably guess the consequence for such an act. YouTube may decide to partially monetize your video (and pay a percentage to the original asset owner) or completely demonetize your video.

So, overall, make sure you aren’t using copyrighted material, which is any creative work that belongs to someone else or is protected by copyright laws. That includes music, stock photos, sound effects, movie clips, and essentially, anything you didn’t create yourself. You should either have permission to use the material or have a license to use it through a third party, such as 

. You can also download royalty-free music and sound effects from the YouTube Audio library, which will keep you in the clear.

If you use someone else’s work, the copyright holder might file a complaint. This leads to a copyright strike,  and YouTube may terminate your channel if you collect three of those.

4. Choose Evergreen Video Topics (Not Just Trends)

Before we dig into this tip, know that following a hot, trendy topic is how many creators get more views. In fact, we encourage it. It’s a great way to put your channel on the map, but sadly, trendy videos aren’t the highest drivers of revenue.

This is where it pays to think like an advertiser (no pun intended). Advertisers may pay a lower CPM for trend-focused content versus an evergreen video that keeps getting views over time. So, think about what your viewers want to watch year-round. That could be job-related content, finance, family topics, relationships, health, and more.

And Finally, Don’t Rely on YouTube AdSense

No matter what you do, the amount of money you make will always change if it’s coming from ad revenue. That might look like your CPM decreasing during a slow season. Or, it might be a global pandemic (looking at you, Covid-19), that makes advertisers shy away from spending on YouTube ads.

In that case, it’s time to diversify your income. There’s the wonderful option of fan-funding, which you need 

 and 3,000 watch hours to unlock. There’s also affiliate marketing, selling your own products, and many other paths to a stable income!

phone showing youtube logo and surrounded by money

Smartphone showing YouTube logo on screen over scattered hundred dollar bills background.

With YouTube monetization, it’s not about how many views you get — it’s about how many views you can monetize. Here's how to boost your AdSense revenue!

Just Got Monetized on YouTube? 4 Tips to Boost Your AdSense Revenue

We know that viewers have always flocked to gaming content on YouTube, be it for the community, the entertainment, or to simply get better themselves. In fact, there are over 

1,000 gaming channels on YouTube with over a million subscribers

, and that's only going to increase. Why? Because it's exciting when new games are released, and most live streams on YouTube are actually gaming content!

This might lead you to believe that gaming is an oversaturated niche with no opportunity to stand out. But, in our experience, that is not true at all. So, here are 15 gaming creators from the vidIQ community who’ve nailed it in the last 30 days. Let's celebrate them!

The 37 Best YouTube Niches, According to Viewers

is an FPS gamer (first-person shooter) who mainly plays 

 uploads videos about different mobile games.

 also plays FPS games, the primary choice being 

 makes funny gaming edits through YouTube Shorts.

 makes well-edited videos playing different games across genres.

 makes YouTube Shorts playing mobile games.

 is a MOBA player (multiplayer online battle arena) posting gameplay videos.

 video creator who plays other games too.

Hands holding a white gaming controller playing a racing game on a TV screen.

Saluting gaming's newest YouTube stars! This list showcases 10 creators from the vidIQ community who defied the 'saturated niche' myth to grow their channels!

15 Fastest-Growing Gaming Channels on YouTube [August]

Have you noticed how hard it is to make decent money from YouTube Shorts? For advertising revenue, the pay can be as low as $0.05 per 1,000 views, or in other words, $50 for a video reaching 1 million views. We’ve talked about this on the blog 

How do Shorts creators earn a decent wage?

Historically, the answer has been off-platform sales. Many creators try to grab viewers' attention on YouTube, then guide them to a site that offers courses, products, subscriptions, or even exclusive content. So, even if Shorts revenue was low, earning from other sources wasn’t too difficult — until now.

Beginning August 31, YouTube will make sure that links of any kind 

 within YouTube Shorts. That includes the comments section, the description section, and the livestream chat.

This means that, going forward, you won’t see blue hyperlinks you can simply tap to arrive on a webpage outside of YouTube. You’ll have to copy and paste the links into your web browser (and so will your viewers).

Why Is YouTube Disabling Clickable Links in Shorts?

Removing clickable links from Shorts may seem like a drastic change, but YouTube has a good reason for doing it. The platform released 

“Since introducing Shorts two years ago, the volume and speed of content published on YouTube has increased in fun and exciting ways. At the same time, this speed and level of engagement has made it easier for spammers and scammers to share links in Shorts comments and Shorts descriptions that harm the community — for example, 

clickable links that drive users to malware, phishing, or scam-related content

YouTube's update about clickable Shorts links

While it’s frustrating to lose a good feature, YouTube’s ultimate goal is protecting viewers from scam artists.

YouTube is ‘Moving’ Links to This Section of Your Channel

Ok, so losing clickable links isn’t the 

 news in YouTube Shorts development. But, you may be wondering if there’s a silver lining to the madness, and, yes, there is!

Remember that section of your homepage that used to have social media links?

vidIQ YouTube banner showing now disabled social media links

Say goodbye to clickable links in YouTube Shorts.

Your In-Depth Guide to Building a Successful YouTube Channel

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

5 Reasons to Start Vlogging on YouTube (and Quit Faceless Content)

Just Got Monetized on YouTube? 4 Tips to Boost Your AdSense Revenue

15 Fastest-Growing Gaming Channels on YouTube [August]

This Money-Making Feature Is Leaving YouTube Soon

10 Trending Topics to Grow a Small YouTube Channel [August 2023]

10 Things Every Small YouTube Channel Can Improve

4 Steps to Revive a Stagnant YouTube Channel

From Viewer to YouTube Creator: How to Make the Switch

3 Ways to Discover Viral YouTube Video Ideas

4 Editing Hacks to Make Any YouTube Video Go Viral

Creating Global Content: 4 Tips to Get YouTube Views Worldwide

How to Get Subscriber Feedback from a YouTube Analytics Deep Dive