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Publishing a video on YouTube can be compared to starting a wildfire. The larger and more intense the fire, the more people it reaches. However, just like a fire starts small and needs fuel to spread, a video needs to capture initial interest and gain momentum to go viral. In this blog post, we'll explore the intricacies of the YouTube algorithm and how it determines the spread and success of videos.
The YouTube algorithm is a system that decides which videos to recommend to users, aiming to keep them engaged and on the platform for as long as possible. More engagement means more ad views, increasing YouTube's ad revenue. Since users have limited time and can't watch everything, videos compete for attention in a zero-sum game, meaning one video's gain is another's loss, as explained in this Twitter thread.
Source: Tasty Edits
When a video is first published, it is recommended to a small, targeted group of viewers to gauge their response. If these viewers engage positively with the content, the algorithm will expand its reach to larger and broader audiences. This process continues until the video starts to lose traction with new viewers, at which point its spread will plateau.
Just like a wildfire needs fuel to keep spreading, a video requires continuous engagement to expand its reach. When there is no more fuel (or interest) in a certain area, the fire (or video) stops spreading. However, it can still smolder and continue to attract views over time, much like how videos can gain new viewers months or even years after their initial release.
In an interview with Todd Sherman, the product lead for YouTube Shorts, Todd stated:
“What we try and do with a view is have it encode for your intent of watching that thing so that creators feel like that view has some meaningful threshold that the person decided to watch.”
Videos can experience a resurgence in popularity due to trending topics. For instance, a video about "The Life of Oppenheimer" might see a spike in views when a related movie is released, providing new fuel for the video to catch fire again.
💡Related read: YouTube Shorts vs TikTok: What’s Best for Short-Form Videos?
The YouTube algorithm doesn't randomly select viewers to recommend videos to. Instead, it follows a structured process to identify the broadest audience likely to enjoy the video.
The core audience consists of viewers who watch almost every video a creator publishes. This group is usually made up of subscribers, but dedicated viewers who haven't subscribed yet can also be part of this core group.
The casual audience includes viewers who occasionally watch the creator's videos but don't catch every upload. This group can include both subscribers and non-subscribers.
After testing the video with the casual audience, the algorithm will recommend it to viewers who watch videos within the same niche, such as photography.
Next, the algorithm will try recommending the video to audiences in related niches, like videography or graphic design, to see if it gains traction there.
The algorithm continues to test the video with increasingly distant niches until the video starts performing poorly. For instance, a photography video might eventually be shown to viewers interested in web design, coding, and even cybersecurity, but it won't perform well if the topic is too far removed from the core subject.
💡Related read: How to Build a Community on Youtube in 10 Easy Steps
If viewers frequently click on your video when it appears in their feed, it suggests strong interest and engagement. Additionally, the overall engagement rate, including likes, dislikes, comments, and the average survey rating, provides YouTube with clues about the content's quality.
Gaining traction on YouTube requires a significant number of views within a short timeframe. The algorithm ranks videos based on their performance relative to all other content on the platform, so achieving high view counts quickly is crucial.
The algorithm isn't a binary system; it's a ranking mechanism where videos compete for visibility. While short-term success can be achieved by chasing trends, long-term success requires patience, persistence, and a focus on a particular niche. Over time, the algorithm will start recommending a channel's older videos to the likely audience.
💡Related read: YouTube Channel Ideas That Can Make you Millions in 2024
The time of publication and seasonal trends can also affect a video's initial performance. If the core and returning viewers are less active on the platform during a particular period, the video might not receive as much engagement initially. Some topics are also seasonal and can perform better during specific times of the year.
Source: vidIQ
YouTube evaluates the quality of content based on several performance metrics. One of the primary indicators is watch time. How long do viewers stay engaged with your video? The average duration of views and the percentage of the video watched are critical factors. High watch time signals to YouTube that your content is engaging and worth recommending.
In the past, tags played a significant role in video discovery. However, their importance has diminished. Now, the YouTube algorithm relies heavily on thumbnails and titles to attract viewers. A compelling thumbnail and an intriguing title are crucial for catching a viewer's attention and encouraging them to click on the video.
YouTube's algorithm aims to present each viewer with their ideal mix of content by analyzing individual user behavior. This includes which videos users have watched, liked, or disliked, and the channels or topics they consistently return to. By understanding personal preferences, YouTube can tailor its recommendations to enhance user satisfaction.
Source: Backlinko
To generate a list of keyword ideas for YouTube, start by creating a comprehensive list of potential keywords:
Incorporate subtitles and closed captions in your videos using tools like vidyo.ai's AI subtitle generator. This not only makes your content more accessible but also improves SEO by providing more text for the algorithm to analyze.
By the way, vidyo.ai is more than just an auto subtitle generator. It’s a full-featured social media suite which helps you run your YouTube channel on autopilot. Packed with AI features like Video Clipping, Animated Captions, Virality Score, Hashtag Generator, Social Post Scheduler and a Content Assistant, you can grow your YouTube channel in 2x less time with our trusty social autopilot. Sign up today to grow your presence on YT!
💡Related read: How to Add Subtitles/Captions to YouTube Shorts With vidyo.ai
Your video intro is vital for retaining viewers. Ensure the first few seconds are engaging and clearly communicate that the video will deliver on its promises, as indicated by the title and thumbnail. You can check vidyo.ai’s YouTube channel for more great hook ideas.
Enhance viewer interaction by incorporating features like cards and end screens, which can guide viewers to additional content. Adding subscription watermarks can also encourage viewers to subscribe to your channel. You can do this and more within vidyo.ai, your all-in-one social media management tool!
Organizing your content into series and playlists helps improve viewer retention and watch time. It encourages viewers to continue watching related videos, boosting overall engagement.
Bottom line: Analyze what your competitors are doing. Identify successful strategies they employ and consider how you can adapt these tactics to improve your content and engagement.
Identify the best times to post your YouTube videos for maximum visibility. This can vary depending on your target audience and niche, so read our post linked above to determine optimal posting schedules for your niche or industry.
Regularly review your YouTube analytics to track performance metrics such as watch time, engagement rates, and viewer demographics. This data can help you make informed decisions and adjust your content strategy.
YouTube is committed to removing content that violates its policies, ensuring a safer platform for users.
The platform aims to reduce the spread of false information by limiting the reach of misleading content.
YouTube prioritizes content from authoritative sources, especially for news and information.
Creators who consistently produce high-quality, trustworthy content are rewarded with better visibility and engagement.
Understanding how the algorithm spreads videos highlights the importance of uploading content within a specific niche. By consistently publishing videos on related topics, creators can ensure their core audience will enjoy each new upload. This consistency is crucial for the algorithm to continue recommending the videos to broader audiences.
Uploading content outside of the established niche can result in poor performance because the core audience may not be interested. Even if the video is well-made, it won't spread if it doesn't appeal to the core viewers.
When conducting experiments with your YouTube content, avoid comparing them to your flagship videos, especially in the first few days. As Paddy Galloway in this Twitter thread explains:
💡Related read: How to Start a Podcast Channel on YouTube for Free
Creating viral content is more strategic than luck. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making a viral video:
Like a sniper calculates their shot, you need to gather data before creating your video. Before launching your YouTube channel, conduct thorough research. Study the structure and presentation of recent viral videos within your niche. Don't strive to be original initially; instead, refine what's already working by adding your personal touch.
A well-structured script is crucial. Divide your video into three parts: the hook, the value, and the outro. The hook should grab attention immediately, the body should deliver the promised value, and the outro should leave viewers satisfied and motivated to engage further.
You don't need the most expensive equipment. Clear audio, good lighting, and effective use of B-roll can significantly enhance your video's quality.
Fast-paced editing, captions, and appropriate music can keep viewers engaged. Edit your videos to maintain a high energy level and keep the audience's attention.
Invest in vidyo.ai to enhance the quality and engagement of your videos. More videos mean more opportunities for testing and growth.
If you're finding that your YouTube recommendations are not aligned with your interests, you can follow these steps to retrain your home screen algorithm effectively.
Your watch history significantly influences the videos that YouTube recommends. To start fresh, delete your watch history. This step is crucial as it removes the data that the algorithm heavily relies on.
Next, mark at least a handful of videos from each topic you don't want to see as "Recommend less like this." You can expedite this process by using a script to add overlay buttons for quicker marking. Additionally, consider unfollowing channels that frequently pop up but do not interest you.
Search for and watch several videos on topics that interest you. Like these videos and let them run in the background; you don't have to watch the entire video. This activity signals to YouTube what content you prefer and helps replace unwanted recommendations with more relevant ones. Simply marking videos as "Recommend less like this" isn't sufficient; the algorithm needs positive indicators of your interests.
By leveraging performance and personal preference signals, optimizing for SEO, utilizing YouTube marketing tools like vidyo.ai, and maintaining genuine engagement, you can enhance your YouTube channel's visibility and growth. Remember, YouTube algorithm rewards persistence, so keep refining your approach based on performance data.