Not long ago, YouTube released a tool that shows 

. It was initially rolled out to YouTube Premium subscribers, but now it's available for all mobile and desktop viewers.

This feature is a huge step forward for 

. Instead of pressing play and not knowing what to expect, anyone can see the best part of a video and fast-forward to that scene.

So, what's the catch? Well, it's not exactly geared toward video creators. That same tool lets viewers skip around, see the good stuff, and leave your video prematurely.

upside. The most replayed tool shows you which scenes viewers loved the most. Studying those moments will help you understand what excites your audience and hopefully make better content.

YouTube's new tool shows more than just the popular parts of a video. In fact, the first thing you'll notice is a graph flowing up and down on your video's timeline. It shows the most 

 least popular moments within your content.

This graph only appears when a viewer seeks through your video to find different scenes. And as they do, they'll eventually reach a section where the graph peaks. This high point is called 

— the scene or collection of scenes viewers watched repeatedly.

At that moment, YouTube shows three things on the screen:

A thumbnail preview of the most replayed segment

How to Use 'Most Replayed' Insights to Make Better Content

After you identify popular segments, it's time to figure out why they're popular in the first place. What made people return to those scenes? Why were they more valuable than others?

Here are three questions to ask yourself:

Did people press rewind because something happened too quickly?

Did I introduce an interesting element, like a chart, graph, or cool editing sequence?

Number three has happened several times on the vidIQ channel. We've introduced a problem, offered a solution, and hoped that would be enough to satisfy viewers. But with the most replayed tool, we don't have to 

 something is working; we can confirm by hovering over the video's timeline!

For example, in our older video about how to get 1,000 subscribers, the most replayed scene offers a solution to that problem. We talked about a YouTube tool that shows which videos 

. Knowing this detail is the first step to gaining more subscribers, so it's an excellent solution for beginner creators.

Watch the segment below to see its value:

Why viewers loved this "most replayed" section:

Instead of us just talking about the tool, viewers get to see what it looks like and hear why they should use it.

It solves the never-ending problem of turning new viewers into subscribers. That creates a long-term impact.

Do this exercise on your channel and see what you come away with. Maybe you'll discover that viewers love comedic moments, rare insights, or crazy stunts. Whatever it is, be sure to add more of it to your content.

Will This Tool Affect Your Channel's Watch Time?

OK, it's time to address the elephant in the room. If viewers already know the best part of your video, why would they watch the entire thing? And will this tool slowly reduce 

Not quite. YouTube has been testing this tool for a while, and there are no issues so far.

"We heard concerns from creators that this feature would decrease watch time or negatively impact some content types. The good news is that in our experiment, we found that there's no statistically significant impact to watch time from showing these graphs," says Pierce (YouTube product manager) in a 

To learn more about the most replayed tool, watch the video below:

Is the most replayed tool a gift and a curse for creators? It could be. But knowing your audience through and through is one way to keep growing despite platform changes.

Here's a guide for creating the exact videos subscribers want to see.

Person watching a motorcycle video on smartphone while sitting on a purple blanket indoors

Which part of your video do viewers love the most? A new YouTube tool shows that exact moment, but there’s just one catch: Your audience can see it too.

How to See the Most Replayed Scenes from Your YouTube Video

If you do YouTube long enough, you begin to understand what makes viewers…well, view. A bold thumbnail with lots of shock value is bound to make people curious. A mysterious title with a hint of emotion does the trick too.

On YouTube, the worst thing you can do is be 

Writing video titles that are all "topic" and no emotion

Creating thumbnails with no glitz or glamour

You see, there has to be a little magic — a stretching of the truth. When viewers see your title and thumbnail, they should feel like a kid at Disney World: unable to look away.

And how do you do that? With clickbait, of course.

This strategy gets a bad rap on YouTube, but it's actually quite helpful when done tastefully. Most would agree that you need a little clickbait to pique viewers' interest, make them click, and have a real shot at satisfying their needs.

So here's why thoughtful clickbait is enjoyable for everyone (and boosts your views).

MrBeast's Bank Robbery Video: An Example of Good Clickbait

When you read this video title from MrBeast, you understand two things:

A group of people will try to rob a bank.

 stage a robbery? Probably not, but that's beside the point. What's appealing to viewers is the 

 it could happen. And if that chance is low already (because robbing a bank means real jail time), the next question is, what will the video actually show?

We see a bright pile of money, a bank vault, and MrBeast hanging from a stealth rope. This image, combined with the video title, creates a shock value that makes people click.

. MrBeast has designed a video set that 

 like a bank, and contestants are trying to win an organized competition. 

Does that mean the title and thumbnail are "bad" clickbait? Not quite. 

As a quick test, watch the video below and ask yourself, 

If this were bad clickbait, you would feel those effects.

The video is close to the original topic in the title and thumbnail. There's a robbery of some kind, even if it's technically fake.

No one feels misled. In fact, viewers are leaving positive comments.

The video has 7 million views and counting; the clickbait is working.

So, yes, the bank is fictional, but millions of viewers are satisfied nonetheless. That's a sign of good clickbait.

If good clickbait matches viewers' expectations, bad clickbait does the opposite. It makes a video seem wildly inaccurate or deeply unsatisfying for what was promised.

The video doesn't match its title at all.

The title and thumbnail allude to something that happens for mere seconds in the video.

The title has sensational phrases like, "you won't believe this" or "will make you cry," as if ALL viewers have similar emotions/reactions.

Dozens of comments calling the video what it is: clickbait.

Think of all the YouTube couples filming "we broke up" videos. If that's what's promised in the title and thumbnail, there should be a breakup of some kind in the video — even if it's just a prank. But if the couple spends two minutes joking about breaking up (and the video is 20 minutes long), that's a bit misleading.

Good or Bad Clickbait? That's for Your Audience to Decide

We can share what we think is good or lousy clickbait, but it's not our opinion that matters. It's truly up to your audience.

If viewers feel like you've click-baited them too often, they'll speak out. It's nothing to worry about if a few people say something. But if dozens or even hundreds of people feel the same way, you have to wonder if they're 

Remember, you're making content for others to watch and enjoy, not yourself. So some of those opinions do matter in the long run.

How Do You Know When You've Made Good Clickbait?

Bad clickbait is easy to make, but good clickbait is a carefully crafted art form. How do you know when you've crossed over to the good side?

First, you'll get more views in general because the title and thumbnail tell a compelling story. Next, 

 because no one's been misled. And finally, you'll get more likes and positive comments thanking you for your work instead of complaining about clickbait.

Want more examples of good clickbait? The video below has more success stories.

Regardless of how you feel about clickbait, you need good titles and thumbnails to grow your channel. So here are two resources to help you out:

YouTube thumbnail guide for boosting clicks

YouTube title guide for grabbing viewers' attention

YouTube logo with text "Clickbait is good!" and a clicking hand cursor icon.

Not all clickbait is terrible on YouTube. If you're meeting viewers' expectations and satisfying their needs, what some call clickbait is just good marketing.

Why Clickbait Is Actually Good for Your YouTube Channel

One of the most popular channels to start on YouTube is a gaming channel, and it’s not hard to see why. In 2020, viewers watched 

 of gaming content. Titles like Roblox, Minecraft, and Fortnite entertained viewers worldwide and continue to make the genre popular.

But if gaming is in-demand, why do some gamers fail on YouTube? And more importantly, what should you do if you fall into that category?

Instead of talking about views and subscribers, we’ll share a different perspective. Today, we’ll address the hidden, unexpected reasons your gaming channel isn’t growing.

1. Treating Your Gaming Channel Like a Hobby

If your gaming channel isn’t growing as quickly as you’d like, reflect on the 

 you bring to content creation. Do you think of gaming as a hobby, or are you treating YouTube like the business it is? Because once you reach a certain level of success, you can earn a 

Gamers who do well on YouTube accept this fact early on. They treat their channel like a business so that one day, it will actually become one. They get serious about posting schedules, sticking to their niche, and testing content to see what performs best.

One mistake gamers make is thinking they can grow their channel by buying equipment. They’ll spend thousands of dollars on a gaming computer, microphone, top-of-the-line camera, or fancy lighting.

But all along, they forgot to develop fundamental YouTube skills:

These skills will take you far on YouTube – not your gaming setup. So if your channel seems to be suffering, spend a little time sharpening your YouTube skills.

, you probably played video games for fun. Those were simpler times, where instead of making content 

 a game, you used the game to unwind after a long day.

Does that change when you're playing for an audience? It just might.

Instead of immersing yourself in the experience, you now have YouTube on the brain. And when you finally decide to play a game for fun – no streaming or uploading – a tiny voice whispers, 

In reality, turning every session into a video 

. You’ll have no choice but to take extended breaks from YouTube and risk the growth of your channel.

is so important as a gamer. Here are some tips to do it the right way:

 on your channel, and save the others for when you want to relax or unwind.

Decide when you’ll make YouTube content and when you’ll play games for fun.

To sum it all up, your gaming channel will thrive if you treat it like a business, become an expert at content creation, and work smarter instead of harder.

You can learn more by watching the video below:

Want to grow your gaming channel in 2022?

This one mistake ruins your chances, so avoid it at all costs.

Frustrated gamer wearing headset resting forehead in front of gaming PC and keyboard.

Gaming is a competitive YouTube niche, but it’s also popular with viewers. So why do gamers struggle to grow on YouTube?

Why Do Thousands of Gaming Channels Fail on YouTube?

Do your YouTube videos earn enough watch time? It's not an easy question to answer, but it's one you should ask often.

. It represents the total amount of time people spend watching your videos, so it's in your best interest to increase that number. The more watch time you have, the easier it is to monetize your channel and get more video views.

 to qualify for the YouTube Partner Program (along with 1,000 subscribers). Once you're in, you can make money through video advertisements and hopefully earn a full-time income.

Plus, videos with high watch time – among other things – send a positive signal to YouTube's algorithm. So as you improve that metric, YouTube might 

But if you're struggling to get YouTube watch hours, don't worry. Here's how to increase the amount of time people spend watching your videos.

1. Start with an Attractive Title and Thumbnail

Imagine what it's like to browse the YouTube homepage. There are dozens of videos to look at, with bold, colorful thumbnails. If you want to earn any watch time to begin with, you need a graphic that stands out and encourages viewers to click.

YouTube Thumbnail Guide: 9 Ways to Boost Click-Through Rate

Take a look at the vidIQ thumbnail below. It's paired with one of our popular videos, "How To Check Who Has Subscribed to Your YouTube Channel (New Method)."

Viewers responded so well to this thumbnail that the video has:

In other words, 15% of people who saw the thumbnail decided to click on the video – which is pretty good! And once viewers clicked, we gave them a fantastic video that has collected 

Thumbnails pop out at viewers first, but titles play a role too. Make sure yours are better than the standard YouTube title, which has relevant keywords and a clear topic. 

 have all of that, plus a mysterious aura that whispers, "Click me."

Your video needs more than a basic introduction if you want to increase your watch hours. It's best to create a 

 that reels viewers in and keeps them watching past the 30-second mark, where most people click away.

To see what we mean, go to your YouTube analytics and look at the 

Finally, click on any video and scroll down to 

Take a look at the audience retention graph for the video you selected. More than likely, it has a line trending downward after 30 seconds. That line is shaped like a hockey stick, and the first "bend" is where people stopped watching your video.

The right video hook should do four things to combat this:

Do all of the above in less than 30 seconds

Need an example? The video below checks all four boxes. The hook is only 20 seconds long, and Rob Wilson (our expert YouTuber) is having fun. He's teasing valuable parts of the video, being playful, and making us chuckle at a few memes.

Thanks to our hook, 71% of viewers were still watching at the 30-second mark. That's better than our typical performance.

Over time, little victories like these increase your watch hours on YouTube.

Have you ever watched a YouTube video with long, never-ending scenes? How did it make you feel inside?

If words like "bored" or "disinterested" come to mind, you can guarantee your viewers feel the same way. No one wants to see the same thing for several minutes, especially if nothing new pops onto the screen. That's the fastest way to kill your watch time as people exit the video.

The solution? Use the almighty jump cut. It's a video editing technique that breaks longer scenes into two or more clips to 

, arguably the best YouTuber ever, does it. He's the jump-cut king, so there's never a dull moment in his videos.

As mentioned before, hundreds of people leave videos at the 30-second mark. They either get bored, look for better videos, or leave to do non-YouTube-related things. It's normal and to be expected.

But if you want to squeeze in some extra watch time, place 

 is anything that changes a person's behavior or thinking process for a short while. On YouTube, the best pattern interrupters stop viewers from thinking, "I should leave this video."

If your content has any of these elements, you're already using pattern interrupters:

These elements break up the monotony of previous scenes, so viewers stay engaged.

5. Don't Announce the End of a Video – Just Leave

This might be an unpopular opinion, but most videos don't need outros. If the viewer already got what they came for – entertainment, instruction, etc. – there's no incentive to keep watching beyond that.

So instead of doing an outro, just end the video without warning. Otherwise, people will look for the X button when you say things like, "That's about it" and "Those are all of my tips." 

And when they leave, they'll take extra watch time with them.

Want more tips for boosting your watch time on YouTube? 

Learn which videos don't count toward the 4,000 hours you need to monetize your channel.

Young woman smiling while playing mobile games on blue smartphone outdoors

Are you wondering how to get watch time on YouTube? Minute by minute, here’s how to hold viewers’ attention on any video.

5 Ways to Increase YouTube Watch Time on Any Video

Did you hear the news? YouTube released a 

 to help you make better videos. It's located in the YouTube Studio – as most tools are – and tries to improve your content in three ways:

Reveal what viewers are searching for on YouTube

Display what your specific audience is searching for

Suggest content you should make in the future

 keywords for your channel? After all, keyword research should help you target the right audience and 

 show words and phrases your viewers are searching for. And that's worth knowing.

How to Find YouTube's Keyword Research Tool

Here, you can "research some of the top searches from viewers on your channel and across YouTube in the last 28 days."

How to Use YouTube's Keyword Research Tool

The tool itself is divided into three tabs:

Want to see the search volume for any YouTube keyword? Here's how to do that:

, then type any word or phrase into the search bar. We'll use "dogs" as an example.

Here, you'll see variations of the original word or phrase you typed in. For example, our query for "dogs" returned phrases like "who let the dogs out" and "cute dogs." Each term is labeled as having low, medium, or high search volume.

You can display all keywords at once or just your "content gaps" – video topics  that currently have 

 results on YouTube. A geography setting also shows keywords people use in specific locations.

Finally, click the three dots on the far right

 to save a keyword, remove it, report it, or analyze it on Google Trends.

On this tab, YouTube shows the topics your audience is searching for. The terms should look familiar, as they're all related to your YouTube niche – which is extremely helpful.

 to see your viewers' searches on YouTube, plus search volume.

This tab is similar to the "Searches Across YouTube" one. You can access the same options as before: filtering for content gaps, browsing keywords from specific locations, saving or removing terms, etc.

Check the previous section (Searches Across YouTube) for all filtering/saving instructions.

The last tab shows the keywords you saved from previous searches. Here's how to use it:

click the three dots on the far right or click the bookmark icon.

Does YouTube's Research Tool Help You Get Views?

? Will the recommended keywords produce 

 do, but it has a long way to go in terms of providing 

Here's an example of what we mean: While using the tool, YouTube tells us that the phrase "how to change YouTube channel name" is a content gap for vidIQ.

We made a video on that topic two years ago, and it has more than 600,000 views. Since then, we've posted two updated videos, and each one got significantly fewer views – 138,000, then 34,000.

 video, but is it worth our time if we're getting fewer views already? Probably not.

And it's not just us. We made a video reviewing the new research tool, and 

"Yes, that happened to me. My old video continues to be preferred over my new video that's nearly identical for the title and description."

To be fair, this may happen for a couple of reasons:

Competitors are making better videos on the same topic (fair enough).

Search-based videos take a while to get views, but once they do, they rank highly for a long time – which is rough for those looking to add new videos to the pile.

Despite that, we expected the tool to give us 

But if you want to know the search volume for different keywords and which ones your viewers use, the research tool from YouTube does just that – in a basic way.

Watch this video to see a full review of the tool.

A Better Option for YouTube Keyword Research

Overall, the research tool from YouTube shows related keywords, search volume, and content gaps.

But if you need a more detailed view, try 

The exact number of searches per month for any keyword (not just low, medium, or high)

A keyword score that measures competition and search volume

Check out the example below. We typed "copyright claim" into vidIQ's keyword explorer, and the 

That's a medium score, as 100 is considered "perfect" for lowest competition and highest search volume. Also, "copyright claim" is searched 36,000 times per month. We'd pull in some decent traffic from that keyword.

Suggestions like "remove copyright claim" or "how to remove copyright claims on YouTube" give us more options for brainstorming video titles.

These questions are great for building video ideas that solve specific problems. The tool shows us questions like "how to use NCS music without copyright claim" and "how to give a copyright claim."

OK – that's a lot of information. But truthfully, you need as many details as possible to find suitable keywords for your content.

For even more advanced keyword suggestions tailored to your niche, explore our 

 and take your SEO strategy to the next level.

Want to use all of the features above? Here's how:

 to access keyword scores, related keywords, monthly search volume, and more.

And if you really want to grow your views, here's a guide for finding the best YouTube keywords for your channel.

YouTube has a new keyword research tool, but will it help you get more views? Here’s how to use the feature, plus an honest review of its usefulness.

Lydia Sweatt

Posts Written By Lydia Sweatt

How to See the Most Replayed Scenes from Your YouTube Video

Why Clickbait Is Actually Good for Your YouTube Channel

Why Do Thousands of Gaming Channels Fail on YouTube?

5 Ways to Increase YouTube Watch Time on Any Video

YouTube's New Keyword Research Tool: Will It Boost Your Views?

How to Make a Stunning Influencer Media Kit for Brand Deals

YouTube Super Thanks: How to Enable Them and Make More Money

How to Join the YouTube Partner Program and Monetize Your Channel in 2025

YouTube Play Button: Complete Guide to Getting Creator Awards

Want to Reach 10k YouTube Subscribers? Show Your Personality

7 Ways to Build a Strong Personal Brand on YouTube

This YouTube Mystery Brought 100k Subscribers to a New Channel