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

Why Is Marketing YouTube Videos Crucial for Brands?

Many brands think they’re “on YouTube” because they’ve uploaded a few videos or embedded them on their website. 

But being present on the platform isn’t the same as leveraging it

. Without a clear strategy, brands miss out on YouTube’s full potential to drive search visibility, community engagement, and long-term business growth.

Based on hundreds of channel audits and consulting sessions, these are the most common YouTube missed opportunities we see brands make, and how to fix them.

“If we use the right keywords, our audience will find us.”

Yes, YouTube is a search engine, but on average, only 20% of views come from Search. The other 80% are 

 to viewers. That means SEO alone isn’t enough. Your videos need to work within YouTube’s recommendation system, not just target the “best” keywords.

YouTube search bar with a magnifying glass. 80% of views coming from recommended, and text saying "Search is only 20%" of views

Titles and descriptions use brand language instead of audience language.

Keywords are “stuffed” without a clear promise in the title and thumbnail.

Search terms are treated like a magic switch instead of inputs to better content and packaging.

Start with the viewer’s problem, in their words.

 to find the exact terms your audience uses (intent, variants, difficulty), then save the winners to guide your programming.

 and Most Viewed to see how top videos package similar topics. Choose a differentiated hook that still matches audience phrasing.

 Write your title and description for humans first, clear at a glance, compelling to click, then refine with AI Title/Description suggestions and the 

 to ensure the right context without overloading keywords.

 Use vidIQ to validate your audience’s language and angles before you hit record. Then 

 to turn those insights into a repeatable content and testing cadence.

Even the best video content can go unwatched if the title and thumbnail don’t spark interest or clearly communicate value. On YouTube, these two elements are your first impression. If they miss the mark, your audience never clicks.

We regularly see brands using internal naming conventions like “XYZ Product Overview” or “Welcome Message from the CEO.” While these might make sense internally, they fail to tell a viewer why they should care. These titles lack clarity, curiosity, and often overlook keywords altogether.

The same problem shows up in thumbnails. Many are overloaded with text, feature generic visuals, or simply mirror the video’s title. Instead of stopping the scroll, they blend into the background. Viewers don’t get a reason to click, and the algorithm notices the low engagement.

Titles and thumbnails directly affect your 

, one of the most important metrics YouTube uses to evaluate your content. A low CTR signals to the platform that your video isn’t relevant or engaging, which means fewer impressions and fewer chances to grow.

 Craft titles that mix curiosity and clarity. Design thumbnails that grab attention and clearly communicate the value of the video. These two elements have the biggest impact on click-through rate.

 If your team needs a starting point, tools like 

 can help you test different angles using high-performing keywords and proven title structures and 

 lets you quickly create scroll-stopping visuals using simple prompts, no design experience required.

calendar showing regularly scheduled YouTube postings

3. Inconsistent Posting (or No Cadence at All)

Too many brands treat YouTube like a campaign platform. A few videos go live around a product launch, event, or announcement, and then the channel goes quiet for weeks or even months.

YouTube favors channels that post consistently. Regular publishing signals to the algorithm that your channel is active and dependable. It also sets clear expectations for your audience, encouraging them to return and engage.

 Create a posting schedule your team can stick to. It does not need to be frequent. What matters most is consistency.

to co-create it and design repeatable formats that make production easier.

Too many brands focus on video creation but forget to 

connect that content to broader marketing or business goals

A video may get views, but without a strategic next step, it becomes a dead end. Viewers finish watching and drop off instead of moving deeper into your brand experience.

Many brand videos end without a clear call to action. They don't ask viewers to subscribe, visit the website, join a newsletter, or watch another video.

 Start thinking in terms of viewer journeys. Each video should have a purpose, and every purpose should include a next step. This could be watching another video, visiting a landing page, subscribing to the channel, or signing up for a free resource.

youtube video on phone with comments underneath being liked

Brands often overlook YouTube’s community features. They fail to reply to comments, ask questions, or encourage discussion, and that silence is a missed signal to YouTube’s algorithm.

, in particular, is underused. This feature allows brands to post polls, images, and updates to stay top of mind between videos.

: Actively respond to comments. Post on your Community Tab regularly. Encourage viewer interaction since it boosts visibility and builds loyalty.

 Use end screens to recommend relevant videos or playlists. Add strong calls to action in your video descriptions and pinned comments. Mention next steps in your voiceover or on-screen text. The goal is to make the transition from passive viewer to active participant as easy and intuitive as possible.

One-off videos can perform well in the short term, especially if they align with a trending topic or campaign. But relying solely on standalone videos makes it difficult to grow a loyal audience or keep subscribers coming back.

Long-term success on YouTube often comes from creating structure and predictability. Just like with podcasts or TV shows, audiences are more likely to return when they know what kind of content to expect and when to expect it. Episodic content builds viewing habits. It gives your audience a reason to subscribe, not just because of one good video, but because they want to see what comes next.

 Develop a content series. Repeatable formats (like interviews, product breakdowns, or educational playlists) create habits. When viewers know what to expect, they’re more likely to subscribe and return.

Develop repeatable content formats that your team can execute on a regular basis. This could be a weekly product Q&A, a recurring customer story series, a behind-the-scenes look at your brand, or an educational playlist focused on your industry.

Make Strategic Fixes, See Scalable Results

You don’t have to overhaul your channel overnight. In fact, most of the 

 comes from consistent, strategic improvements and not massive reinventions.

Why is marketing YouTube videos crucial for brands?

Because without it, your channel stays passive. With it, your channel becomes an always-on growth engine; driving leads, building community, and reinforcing your brand message at scale.

If you're serious about making YouTube a core part of your marketing strategy, the first step is simple: 

. Find what’s working. Fix what’s not. And if you want expert help along the way, we’re ready when you are.

Learn how vidIQ supports brands like yours

a leaky marketing funnel with youtube play buttons spilling out. many views are lost in the crack of the funnel.

Over-relying on search instead of optimizing for recommendations.

Using poor titles and thumbnails that fail to attract clicks.

Posting inconsistently or without a clear cadence.

Ignoring community engagement and funnel strategy.

Relying on one-off videos instead of creating series or episodic content.

These gaps leave significant growth potential untapped.

Discover 6 common YouTube mistakes brands make and how to turn them into growth opportunities.

Top 6 Missed YouTube Opportunities for Brands We See (and Fix)

One of the most common misconceptions is that YouTube is just another social channel or simply an extension of Google. In reality, a brand’s YouTube channel has the potential to become a 

While YouTube for brands does require a different strategy than YouTube for creators, the gap is smaller than you might think.

People come to YouTube to watch stories, and many brands already have great stories to tell.

When brands commit to storytelling and community-building, their YouTube channel becomes more than a video library. It becomes a platform for connection, trust, and long-term business growth.


Why Outdated YouTube Strategies Hold Brands Back

One of the biggest challenges facing many enterprise teams is a mindset problem: many still treat YouTube like a traditional social feed or assume its algorithm works exactly like Google Search.


Those assumptions limit results and keep their channels stuck.

YouTube is More Than Just Another Social Channel

Most social platforms are designed for speed, virality, and short-lived visibility. You post, get a spike in impressions, and then your content fades into the feed.

 with over 122 million active daily users. YouTube users come with intent. Not just passively scrolling. They’re actively searching for answers, inspiration, and solutions.

And because YouTube videos appear in Google search results, your reach extends beyond the platform itself and into the wider search landscape.

Stylized illustration of a search bar with 'YouTube SEO' typed in, surrounded by video thumbnails, bar charts, and upward arrows symbolizing growth

Another common mistake brands make is applying the same SEO playbook they use for Google, expecting keywords and tags to drive all the growth.

Yes, YouTube is owned by Google. Yes, it’s the second-largest search engine. But the way videos are ranked and recommended content is fundamentally different. YouTube prioritizes viewer behavior over keyword structure.

Here’s what many brands overlook: YouTube search traffic only accounts for about 20 percent of total views. The other 80 percent comes from browsing features, suggested videos, and the homepage.

To succeed, you need to optimize for both 

YouTube SEO vs Google SEO: What Brands Need to Know

YouTube ranks videos based on engagement. 

, average view duration, and session time are more important than keyword repetition.

Google relies on text-based signals. YouTube content lives or dies by how well the title and thumbnail earn the click and keep viewers watching.

Optimize for recommendations, not just queries 

Google responds to direct queries. YouTube anticipates what viewers want next, based on past behavior and interest patterns.

To unlock YouTube’s full potential, brands need to treat it as both a search platform and a social platform, with its own unique algorithm and viewer psychology.

, one based on how people actually watch, click, and engage on the platform.

While paid ads stop delivering results the moment you pause spending, well-made YouTube videos provide continuous, long-term value.

When your brand invests in creating and optimizing evergreen video content, each piece becomes a lasting marketing asset. A single video published today can continuously attract viewers, capture leads, and generate sales for years to come, 

effectively compounding your initial investment over time

Compare this to paid advertising, which provides short bursts of visibility and traffic but requires constant spending to sustain results. Original YouTube content, however, grows stronger as it accumulates views, engagement, and authority, increasing your ROI over time.

Why Original Content Outperforms Paid Ads Over Time

Let's break down the difference between paid visibility and earned attention:

Requires continuous spending to maintain results

Doesn’t build long-term audience loyalty or brand equity

Evergreen visibility that continues long after publishing

ROI compounds over time as videos rank and gain traction

Builds trust, authority, and lasting customer relationships

Requires upfront effort, but minimal cost to sustain

Turn your brand’s YouTube channel into a powerful growth engine with long-term ROI and inbound lead generation.

Your In-Depth Guide to Building a Successful YouTube Channel

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

Top 6 Missed YouTube Opportunities for Brands We See (and Fix)

YouTube for Brands: How to Build a Business Growth Engine

YouTube Shorts Thumbnails: How to Customize Them for More Views

The 12 Best YouTube Thumbnails People Love to Click On

How to Use the YouTube Thumbnail Tester to Boost Views

What is the YouTube Monthly Audience Metric?

6 Ways to Make YouTube Thumbnails in Record Time

Find the Best YouTube Thumbnail Styles for Your Channel

Why You Should Make YouTube Thumbnails Before You Record

How to Improve Your YouTube CTR with Better Thumbnails

How to See Your Subscribers on YouTube

How Often to Post on YouTube? We Analyzed 5 Million Channels to Find Out