Ask any YouTuber and they will tell you that generating significant views and subscribers isn't easy. But with the right strategy and tools, any video creator can build an engaged subscriber base when they understand what those subscribers want to watch.

Appealing to an audience to watch content you are passionate about making is just the first step, you need to know how to reach them and get your videos discovered. Our guides to how to guide more views on YouTube will give you the best tips to succeed on the platform.

Getting Views

How To Get More Views on YouTube

Getting thousands or even millions of YouTube subscribers is a dream for most creators. In the articles below, we'll show you how to turn casual viewers into long-term fans. 

Subscribers

YouTube Subscribers

Do you want to make money on YouTube? Millions of creators are earning a very good living from monetizing the platform and uploading content that drives huge views and engagements. Whether that YouTube income is from advertising revenue, merchandise sales, or brand deals, or subscriptions, we keep you updated with best practices and ideas.

Monetization

How To Make Money on YouTube

Want to see how your channel is performing? Read these YouTube analytics articles to discover what's working and what isn't. You'll learn how to identify which videos have the most Watch Time, clicks, audience retention, revenue, and more.

Analytics

YouTube Analytics

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 content is set to explode! 

All the latest tips, tricks, and rock-solid advice you need for this new feature.

YouTube Shorts

Do you know how to do keyword research so you understand what videos people are actually searching for on YouTube? Do you know how to create a custom YouTube thumbnail? Do you know how to create a Playlist on YouTube?

vidIQ has a ton of tips that will help every creator maximise their video content. We publish content every week to keep you up to date with all the best practices.

Tips & Tricks

YouTube Tips & Tricks

At vidIQ we have incredible insights into what viewers are searching for on YouTube. Not only can we confirm the top keywords being searched for, we can also show you how you can leverage that interest to create content around trending topics and tentpole events. That's going to give you a clear edge over other creators!

Insights

YouTube Insights

Your In-Depth Guide to Building a Successful YouTube Channel

We’ve been hard at work refining our tools that help creators grow, and this summer’s drop is proof that vidIQ today isn’t what it was even three months ago.

a brand-new feature and other major updates

 - all built to help you stop the scroll, boost engagement, and turn casual viewers into loyal fans.

 you’ll want to experience the new power we’ve packed in.

One of the biggest struggles for creators is getting viewers to click on their content. With millions of videos out there, you need to stand out in a pool of endless scrolling.

Stopping the scroll is more of a science than an art. And like all sciences, you need tools to accomplish your goals. You haven’t seen vidIQ tools like this. Smarter AI. Faster workflows. Real results.

. This tool is like your own personal AI-powered design studio.

If you’ve been in the YouTube game for more than five minutes, you understand that 

 and best way to stop the scroll. A great thumbnail is clear, compelling, and makes viewers think, “I need to click this.”

Now it’s easier than ever to make thumbnails that 

. Whether you start with a prompt or upload your own assets, our AI builds out designs that look pro — without you needing any Photoshop skills.

 (we’ll remove backgrounds automatically)

 to match a visual style you love. Upload your own or choose from our library of top-performing YouTube templates. 

 to influence your thumbnail’s aesthetic

 with easy prompt tweaks, image edits, or by dropping in text

Thumbnails aren’t just art - they’re strategy. They’re decision points. The better your thumbnail, the higher your click-through rate. And a higher CTR means the algorithm actually works for you.

, you’re not just making something that 

 good — you’re making something that 

You stopped the scroll with killer thumbnails. Now keep them watching.

 helps you write stronger YouTube scripts in a fraction of the time, backed by real YouTube psychology.

: Continuously trained on what’s working 

: Include callback cues, pacing variations, and cliffhangers

: Adjust your scripts’ tone, add keywords, sound more like your favorite creator. All with one click.

 Automated research provides accurate and relevant information and stats.

 helps keep your message clear, your viewers hooked, and your content performing. And now, it doesn’t have to take days. With 

, you can go from idea to polished script in just 3 minutes - making it easier to publish consistently and keep your channel growing.

“I used to spend an hour and a half scripting videos that came out wordy and boring. Someone even commented saying my videos were 'so wordy' — that really stung. But vidIQ's Script Writer changed everything. Now I get organized, concise scripts in just 10–15 minutes.”

“When I used it for my next tutorial, I was so impressed I printed it out to study it. For creators like me who tend to over-explain on camera, this tool does wonders.”

Shorts are still one of the fastest paths to YouTube growth - but understanding why one takes off while another flops? That used to be a mystery.

We built our Shorts tools to tell you exactly what’s working, what’s not, and how to make your next one blow up.

Think of it as your personal highlight reel, performance breakdown, and growth strategist all in one. Now you can discover when a video truly gained popularity and understand what made them successful. 

All of these statistics can be seen directly in-line without having to exit the Shorts view:

including views & views per hour, engagement rate, views history graph, and outlier score.

including channel subscriber count, monthly & total uploads, and subscriber and view growth graphs. 

 now supports YouTube Shorts, giving you even more insight into what’s trending and outperforming expectations across the platform. 

Instead of just surfacing the most-viewed content, Outliers identifies videos that are gaining momentum relative to the creator’s usual performance. That means you’re seeing videos that are beating the odds, not just riding on big subscriber counts. 

Now that this includes Shorts, it’s an incredibly powerful way to discover smart video ideas, fresh angles, and unexpected winners across any niche.

Let’s say you search for a keyword like “budget travel.” Outliers might surface a Short from a smaller creator that’s getting unusually high engagement and rapid growth, even outperforming videos from much larger channels. That’s your signal: something in that format, topic, or style is connecting. Use it to guide your next idea, ride the wave, and post with confidence.

 now works with YouTube Shorts, giving short-form creators the same data-backed recommendations long-form creators have used to increase views and visibility.

Optimize analyzes your video and delivers clear, actionable recommendations for improving your title and adding the right tags to your description. You’ll also get an overall optimization score, so you can instantly see how well your content is aligned with what’s working — and where there’s room to improve.

Most Shorts get lost in a sea of swipes. To rise to the top you need smart packaging. Optimize helps ensure your content gets the visibility it deserves, boosting your chances of landing on the Shorts feed, reaching new audiences, and turning quick views into long-term growth.

 can now submit a video for personalized feedback from one of our expert creator coaches.

A coach will watch your video and record a response, pausing at key moments to explain what’s working, what’s not, and what changes could help you get more views and subscribers. You’ll see the exact moment-by-moment breakdown behind every suggestion. No vague advice, just direct, actionable advice.


Our initial rollout supports Boost users in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, and New Zealand, for English language videos only.

__________________________________________________________________

If you’re looking for more than just one video review, you can work directly with a 

 who will take a deep dive into your entire channel and build a custom-tailored growth plan designed to break through the roadblocks holding you back. 

These aren’t cookie-cutter tips, they’re real, personalized strategies you can start applying immediately to unlock quick wins and build lasting momentum.

Want to see what’s possible with coaching?

. After joining vidIQ Coaching, they refined their content, followed their tailored plan, and watched their channel take off.

TL;DR: This Summer, You Grow or You Ghost

Here’s the latest features you get with the vidIQ Summer 2025 Drop:

 - Create high-impact, click-worthy thumbnails with AI and proven templates

 - Hook viewers and keep them watching with YouTube-optimized storytelling

 - Instantly spot top-performing Shorts and track breakout metrics

 - Discover overperforming videos across YouTube to inspire your next big hit

 - Find the best title and keywords to get your Shorts discovered

The Summer 2025 Drop is here: scroll-stopping science, smarter tools, and real coaching to help you grow on YouTube.

☀️ Welcome to the vidIQ Summer 2025 Drop!

Starting a YouTube channel is tough, but growing it to thousands of subscribers — or even millions — is  much harder to pull off. Some may wonder if it's even possible anymore.

But if you want to restore your faith, take a look around YouTube. There's 

 (12 million subscribers) and the infamous 

 (136 million subscribers). You might even run into 

, who has 33.1 million supporters. It becomes astonishingly clear that growing a large audience is not impossible.

So, how did they do it? What are the steps to grow a successful YouTube channel?

If you want to go from zero to content hero, keep scrolling until you reach the end. We're going to tell you the best ways to grow on YouTube!

Standing out on YouTube is tough, but anything's possible if you focus on making unique, high-quality videos. By high quality, we don't mean having the best camera, lighting, or video backdrop. The best videos come from creators who study their audience 

This skill doesn't come overnight, but you'll know it's there when you can make viewers feel something at the end of a video — inspired, motivated, curious, slightly tickled. Shifting their mood from one state to another means you're wielding true influence (the kind that makes people hit subscribe and turn on post notifications).

So how do you pull this off? You can start by learning what makes a video engaging, such as:

"Hooking" viewers with a brief, punchy intro.

Holding viewers' attention with pattern interrupters, like text, music, images, and multiple camera angles.

Developing an interesting storyline (you can borrow common plot devices from movies and TV shows).

2. Optimize Your Content for Search Engines

YouTube is the second-largest search engine

 behind Google? Creators upload over 500 hours of video daily, and YouTube tries to deliver it all to the right viewers.

 videos to more people? Help them out by optimizing your content for maximum reach!

Here's the only checklist you'll ever need when it comes to 

Add the target keyword (plus related keywords) to your video title and description.

Use relevant hashtags to reach more viewers.

Organize your videos into YouTube playlists.

Promote your videos using cards and end screens.

When you use the right keywords, you can also show up on Google search pages. That's a lot of free promotion for your channel!

Woman designing YouTube thumbnail with drawing pad on computer

If you want to grow on YouTube, don't underestimate the power of custom thumbnails. Each one is like a colorful billboard advertising your video's "juicier" parts. The more intriguing those images look, the more inclined viewers are to click on your content!

There are plenty of ways to create good thumbnails, such as:

Using the right thumbnail dimensions (16:9 aspect ratio, 1280x720 pixels)

Taking clear, high-resolution photos for the background or other elements

Creating harmony between the title and thumbnail

Here are 12 thumbnails people love to click on YouTube.

4. Write Engaging YouTube Titles and Descriptions

With YouTube titles, you want to get in the habit of writing for emotion and not just describing the video. This is important because viewers are interested in more than "the topic" at hand. Plenty of videos on YouTube cover the same theme; the real question is, why should people care about 

 taps into the viewer's deepest fears and desires. It promises to change your life in 30 days with a new workout routine, or it scares you into pulling all your money out of the stock market. Either way, an enticing title makes you want to click it.

But if you need inspiration (and a nice break), 

And once you have a good title, focus on the video description. There are no tricks here because, at minimum, all you have to do is describe the video accurately.

Of course, you can take it to another level by ensuring your description has these 10 ingredients.

Adding hashtags to your YouTube video helps more people discover it, so tagging your content is always a good idea. Like most social media sites, the hashtags on YouTube are 100% clickable. That means a viewer can tap any hashtag and find themselves on a page showing thousands of videos related to a topic.

As you can imagine, getting featured on a hashtag page leads to more exposure for your channel! If you spend some time researching the best hashtag pages — ones that are popular but not flooded with millions of videos — you can grow your YouTube channel by attracting more clicks.

When you're ready, go to your video title or description. Type the # symbol followed by the descriptor of your choice!

6. Boost Your Engagement with a Call to Action

All of this engagement leads to more channel growth, but most viewers don't think about completing those actions. After all, they're too busy watching videos and exploring new content! To keep building your fanbase, ask viewers to like, comment, and subscribe at the end of every video.

7. Build a Strong Relationship with Your Audience

It's hard to grow a channel if you aren't connecting with your viewers, so always find time to be social on YouTube. You can start by responding to video comments or take it up a notch by hosting live stream Q&A's. Creating polls on the YouTube Community tab will also help you learn viewers' likes, dislikes, and behaviors.

Engaging with your audience isn't too different from hanging out with a friend. All you have to do is get to know who they are!

Two YouTubers collaborating while one holds the camera

 are a brilliant way to grow your channel by introducing new viewers to your content. But of course, not all collabs are successful. You have to find the right partners, make sure your audiences overlap, and do other things to make the project work.

Here are a few ways to execute the best YouTube collab:

Brainstorm video ideas before you reach out to collaborators.

Pick a video collab style (in-person, remote, video takeover, etc.).

Promote the collaboration to boost its reach.

9. Capitalize on YouTube Trends and Challenges

A woman filming a challenge video on her phone

To speed up your channel's growth, why not participate in YouTube challenges or a couple of social media trends? This approach works for small YouTube creators — especially those looking to grow sooner rather than later.

However, exercise caution when choosing different trends to hop on. Some will be a poor match for your channel's focus, making it difficult to turn casual viewers into devoted followers. Additionally, some challenges may risk your safety, like the viral yet highly dangerous 

But everyone has to start somewhere, right? 

Use this guide to find trending topics for your videos

, then ask yourself one question before settling on an idea: Does this help or hurt my channel long-term?

10. Build a 'Bridge' Between Short and Long-Form Content

Last year, YouTube announced it would build a bridge between YouTube Shorts and traditional, long-form videos. Notably, the platform vowed to change how it recommends content, making sure that longer videos are suggested alongside Shorts.

In other words, YouTube is analyzing Shorts viewership on all channels. Suppose a particular Short is getting massive views or engagement. In that case, the platform may recommend long-form content from the same creator!

So what does that mean for your channel's growth? Overall, it proves that YouTube Shorts are now a bridge connecting some viewers to your long-form videos. So by posting Shorts, you have a real shot at promoting the rest of your content!

Of course, this all depends on how your Shorts perform. 

So here's a helpful guide for increasing the Shorts views on your channel.

Promoting videos on YouTube is not difficult at all, so you should definitely do it to grow your YouTube channel quickly. There are plenty of ways to promote your videos, such as:

Using YouTube cards within a video to recommend other ccontent on your channel

Using YouTube end screens to suggest more content to watch at the end of a video

Pasting a link to a related video in the description section of your content

If you aren't familiar with cards and end screens, the main distinction is that one appears during a YouTube video, and one shows up at the end. You can place cards throughout a video to suggest additional content, but end screens are only active in the last 5-20 seconds. If you're using an end screen, try to suggest one video only (not two or three) so viewers don't spend too much time making a decision (and give up from being overwhelmed).

For a full guide, read our 17-step checklist for promoting your YouTube channel.

YouTube video player graphic that a man is tapping

When it comes to growing a YouTube channel fast, many content creators overlook the power of playlists. Many see them as a "holding place" for multiple videos, but it's much deeper than that.

YouTube playlists bring a sense of order to your channel. They organize your content so it's easier for viewers to browse your videos and find something interesting. On top of that, they encourage people to binge your content and bring more watch time to your channel.

And if you didn't know already, videos with high watch time have a better chance of being promoted by YouTube's algorithm (among other factors).

Do you need help creating or promoting your playlists on YouTube? This guide has you covered!

Earlier, we mentioned live streaming when we talked about building a relationship with viewers. So you already know that live streaming helps you connect with them through Q&A's, interactive games, and more.

But did you know that YouTube promotes live streams significantly? There's a section on the platform just for live videos, and getting featured there may not be as challenging as you think. We've seen streams with a modest number of viewers (5,000 or less) featured in the gaming section.

It's also worth noting that your live streams don't have to be flawless. You can cultivate a strong viewership by being friendly, interactive, and captivating.

Man wearing headphones recording video podcast with smartphone and microphone at home.

What does it take a grow a YouTube channel in 2025? Learn how to make better content, get more subscribers, grow your views, and more.

How to Grow Your YouTube Channel in 2025: The Ultimate Guide

In this article, we won’t be answering your YouTube questions — not that we don’t want to 😉! 

It’s just that this time, we’re letting our 

 take the lead. This is one of our newer YouTube tools, and it exists primarily to answer all of your questions about growing a channel. It can also fix your video titles, write short video scripts, and help you flesh out your content strategy. All you have to do is ask!

The vidIQ AI Coach shares 5 video ideas in response to a creator asking for them

So what are people asking our AI Coach? What questions (and answers) can you expect from a machine that “lives” to help you 

. We’ll show you the most popular questions asked by creators and how our AI Coach responded. You’re about to learn 

1. “What type of YouTube channel should I create?”

 The type of channel you should create depends on what you're passionate about and what content you will enjoy creating and sharing. Think about what topics you're interested in and would enjoy learning more about or talking about. 

Additionally, consider what type of content you would like to make and what value it can give to your audience. Once you have an idea about the focus of your channel, consider the types of content you can create, like tutorials, reviews, interviews, vlogs, tips & tricks, and how-to videos.

How to Choose the Best Niche for Your YouTube Channel

2. “Should I cover multiple topics on one channel or explore each topic on separate channels?”

 That's an interesting question! It really depends on what your overall goal is. For example, if your goal is to grow a broad audience and have a variety of topics covered in your content, then it may help to cover multiple niche markets in one channel. If you want to focus on a specific market and build a strong brand presence, then creating branded channels for your content might be the better route.

Having a separate channel gives you the opportunity to create a clear brand identity and focus on the niche audience you are catering to. Additionally, you can use cross-promotion to draw viewers from one channel to the other and vice versa. However, it will be up to you to experiment and see which strategy works best for your channel.

3. “What are YouTube keywords? Why do I need them?”

YouTube keywords are words and phrases related to your content that viewers are using to find your videos. It's important to find the right keywords and to include them throughout your video titles, descriptions, tags, and other metadata so that your videos show up in the right searches.

How to Find YouTube Keywords that Grow Your Channel

4. “Do keywords matter for YouTube Shorts?”

 Absolutely. Just like any other type of video, keywords play an important role in YouTube Shorts discovery. Optimizing your keywords will make sure that your videos appear in the right search results, allowing you to reach more viewers and build your channel. To get the most out of keywords, choose ones that are related to the topic of your video and use them throughout the video title, description, and tags.

5. “Tell me some tricks about the YouTube algorithm?”

 A few tips on understanding the YouTube algorithm:

Likes, comments, and views are the three most important signals for the algorithm to decide which videos to prioritize.

Content that is generated almost daily, or at least on a regular basis, will help create a schedule for subscribers, which the algorithm will recognize.

Watch time is also a major factor. The longer a user stays on your video, the more it will be shown in the future, so make sure to keep your viewers engaged.

Interacting with other creators will help create more exposure for your channel as well.

Check your video analytics to get an understanding of how your content is performing so you can adjust and optimize your strategy.

5 Secrets You Didn’t Know About the YouTube Algorithm

6. “My videos used to get thousands of views and now they don't. Why?”

 It's possible that your videos no longer get thousands of views because the landscape of YouTube has changed. Over time, YouTube's algorithms have become increasingly sophisticated, meaning that viewers are now seeing more personalized recommendations based on their interests and past viewing history.

In order to increase the number of views your videos are getting, it's important to stay on top of trends and create content that is relevant to what's popular right now. Additionally, optimizing your titles, thumbnails, descriptions, and tags can help ensure that your videos are being recommended to the right viewers.

How to Grow Your YouTube Channel - The Ultimate Guide

7. "Will I get more views by uploading more videos?"

: Absolutely! Creating regularly scheduled videos can help you gain more reach by providing consistent content for viewers, which can increase your subscribers. It will also help you maximize your discoverability on YouTube, as the algorithm favors channels that upload frequently and have a large selection of videos.

Additionally, creating regularly scheduled videos will help you build an audience since viewers will know when to expect your content.

8. “How do I make my YouTube Shorts go viral?”

 To make a YouTube Short go viral, you need to focus on creating a video that is engaging and attention-grabbing for viewers. Make sure you start your video with an interesting hook that will make viewers want to watch more. Optimize your video by using the right keywords in your title and description so viewers can easily find it. Share your video on other social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, and also consider 

What does an AI Coach have to say about growing a YouTube channel? Spoiler alert: almost anything you want to know!

Your In-Depth Guide to Building a Successful YouTube Channel

☀️ Welcome to the vidIQ Summer 2025 Drop!

How to Grow Your YouTube Channel in 2025: The Ultimate Guide

Ask an AI Coach: 19 Popular Questions (and Answers) About Growing on YouTube

5 Tools You Need to Improve Your YouTube Livestreams Today

No More Scrambling: How to Craft a Foolproof YouTube Upload Schedule

4 Common YouTube Mistakes (and How to Fix Them for Good)

YouTube SEO: How to Optimize Your Videos for Maximum Views

9 Video Ideas to Go Viral with YouTube Shorts

6 Golden Rules for Responding to YouTube Comments

Promote Your YouTube Channel: 17 Tips for Small Creators

How to Grow Your Channel with YouTube Playlists

5 Tips to Make a Fascinating YouTube Channel Trailer

New YPP Terms: Accept Them Now to Keep Monetizing on YouTube [2023]