Have you ever wondered what goes through a viewer’s mind as they watch YouTube? 

 will give you a partial answer when you look at click-through rates, audience retention, and subscribers gained per video. This information is good to know, but it’s not the only path to understanding viewers.

. Asking questions like, “Why didn’t you watch my last video?” or “Why did you click away in the first 30 seconds?” provides an answer data won’t reveal.

, a YouTube fanatic who spends three hours a day on the app. As a public relations guy, he’s not on a quest to 

 and launch a video career. Instead, he uses his professional eye to critique content while enjoying tech, gaming, and anime videos.

To help creators understand viewers, Aydin and vidIQ executive producer Vyyyper play a game of 

. We totally made that up, but the game reveals why Aydin (and possibly other viewers) ignore some YouTube videos to watch others.

What makes you click on a YouTube thumbnail?

I look at a thumbnail, and if it looks relevant to something I’m looking for, I’ll click on it. If it seems unrelated to the content, I probably won’t click as quickly.

But I also don't think too much about it. I don’t look at a thumbnail and say, 

Oh, I’m not going to click on this because of the thumbnail

. That doesn’t deter me too much. It’s more of just, if I see three thumbnails, there might be one I click first. 

Is this the one that has the answer to my question?

 Is this the one that has the content I'm looking for?

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

One thing that makes me think twice before clicking on a title is 

, I’m going to get a little suspicious. I’m going to be thinking, 

Are you tossing every word in there to get me to click?

Which title would you click? 'Let’s Talk About the iPhone SE 3' or 'This iPhone Will Change the Way We Look at iPhones Forever.'

The first one. It might be because of my background in PR, comms, and messaging, and just seeing all the headlines. I’m not a fan of clickbait like that. 

The second title doesn’t really tell me anything.

That title can be applied to every year in the tech industry. Every year someone says product X is going to change the game – every iteration, whether it’s a Galaxy phone or it’s an iPhone.

, sure. I haven’t heard about that iPhone yet, or I don’t know much about it. 

So yeah, let’s talk about it. Teach me something.

How long do you watch a video before deciding if it’s worth your time?

I would probably watch for a minute and 30 seconds

. Before clicking out, I’ll fast-forward to see the rest of the video if the intro is taking too long.

, I 100% use them because it's easy to jump to a section and say, 

Let me try this part and see if it’s what I’m looking for.

YouTube Audience Retention - 3 Channel Boosting Secrets You Need to Know

What do you expect to see in the first 30-60 seconds of a video?

I like to see the creator get to the meat of the topic. Fancy intros are great. They’re cool. But after a while, if the opener is from someone I know, 

Where do you think creators should place ads in their videos?

At the beginning of a video. If you put an ad in the middle, there’s a 50% chance I’m going to click out.

How can creators make the viewing experience better on YouTube?

. I go there to see if the video topic is what I’m expecting. I might not read the whole description because some of them can get pretty long, but I check to see if it reaffirms the content itself.

Also, if you’re making a video with a long, drawn-out intro that has additional background and historical information – but the main goal is reviewing a product – make those extra details a separate video. I’m here for the review. 

 for where the review begins, or if you’re going to do that, add video chapters so I can skip ahead.

Did you learn something valuable from this interview? 

Here are more tips to make the exact videos people are looking for.

Young man holding a 2018 superhero race medal outdoors, Tube Talk logo beside him

If people abandon your videos or ignore them altogether, you need to know why. Here's what one viewer says about the content they click and ignore on YouTube.

A YouTube Viewer Describes Which Videos They Click, Ignore, or Flee


YouTube is a tough gig to balance with everyday life. It takes time to make quality videos, and that clashes with so many things: working full-time, going to school, connecting with family and friends. The list goes on.

Creators who last the longest always have a plan

. They audit their daily schedules to find pockets of free time for shooting and editing. Then they ask themselves, 

What kind of YouTube workflow fits my lifestyle?

, we speak with someone who has the answer: 

. He’s a tech creator who makes unboxing videos, gear reviews, and tech tutorials for more than 40,000 subscribers. He also has a traditional job and a family, so 

was necessary. Now he’s super productive, uploading content to his YouTube channel almost daily.


“It took me about a year and a half [to figure it out] because I’ve been going hard like this for maybe about four, five months now,” TechnicallyTee says. “And that’s because I’ve found [this YouTube setup], and I’m taking advantage of the time I have with this workflow.”

Do you wish you were more organized as a YouTube creator? More consistent with your content? Here’s your roadmap to a better workflow, courtesy of TechnicallyTee.

Many people overlook the power of planning when they start a YouTube channel. It’s easier to do something more exciting, like shopping for cameras or researching the 

. But in reality, nothing is more important than brainstorming video ideas. It’s how you grow a thriving channel, so you’ll feel lost without frequent planning sessions.

7 Tips to Craft Irresistible Video Ideas on YouTube

TechnicallyTee recommends four steps to get started:

 of video ideas, preferably on a whiteboard.

 of which ideas you’ll film during the week.

For example, TechnicallyTee does all of his planning on Sundays. That’s when he sits down to brainstorm video ideas, write them on a whiteboard, and determine which videos get filmed that week.

When Monday arrives, he’s ready to produce a video. TechnicallyTee starts shooting at 7:30 a.m., and he spends the next three hours recording, editing, and 

. He finishes by 10:30 a.m. and prepares to start his regular job soon after – a schedule that repeats Monday through Friday.

If waking up at 6 a.m. isn’t your thing, that’s OK. But like TechnicallyTee, try to find your 

shooting videos, whether that’s the morning, afternoon, or evening.

To post as many YouTube videos as possible, you need a dedicated recording space. It should be large enough to fit all of your equipment – tripods, camera bodies, and microphones – and quiet enough to block out extra noise.

“The room itself [is] a tremendous help because there’s no way I would be able to pump out as many videos if I had to constantly put up equipment and take it down,”  TechnicallyTee says. “It would just be tiring.”

3. Buy YouTube Equipment That Saves You Time

We always say creators don’t need expensive gear to grow on YouTube, and that’s still true. 

Despite that, there are benefits to having 

For example, a fast laptop won’t freeze and shut down when you’re editing 4K videos. The right lighting saves you from having to do a color correction job on an otherwise perfect video. Even having multiple camera bodies – which TechnicallyTee swears by – saves time. You don’t need transitions because you have multiple angles in the video.

“Now I have so much gear – and I have the right gear – to where I can sit down, stuff is automated, and boom: It [turns] on…. For me, I feel like that’s where the gear does matter,” TechnicallyTee says.

productive on YouTube, you need a collection of gear: lights, audio, multiple cameras, tripods, etc. Nothing has to be expensive, but each purchase should enhance your workflow.

Batch-recording is the oldest trick in the YouTube book. Everyone swears by it because you end up with three or more videos in just a few hours of work. But it’s not for everyone, and that’s what many creators discover when they batch for a long time.

TechnicallyTee stopped batching when his videos lost their spunk. He could hear the fatigue in his voice while editing, and he didn’t want to release sub-par content.

“If I got a new iPhone or Samsung or something like that [to review], I would literally be batch recording for like three hours…. It got overwhelming, and I didn’t need to [do it],” he says.

 If you decide to batch record, make sure it’s the right method for your content and overall workflow. And remember to take plenty of breaks when you’re tired.

Want to perfect your workflow even more? Try these six digital tools that make YouTube so much easier.

If you aren’t as productive as you want to be on YouTube, it’s time to improve your content workflow. These four tips will help you create more videos in less time.

Create More YouTube Videos in Less Time With These 4 Productivity Tips

YouTube banners are a vital part of any creator’s channel. Size-wise, they’re bigger than 

That means people will notice your banner before seeing anything else on your channel homepage. If you want viewers to scroll down and click on your videos, you need a banner that entices them to do so.

What makes a good YouTube banner image? We believe the best ones are balanced, eye-catching, and complement the profile pictures beside them.

Here are five tips for creating a banner that intrigues anyone who lands on your channel.

1. Start with the Correct YouTube Banner Size

Good YouTube banners look sharp no matter where you view them: mobile devices, laptops, tablets, and even giant computer monitors.

To make a sharp banner image for your channel:

YouTube banner dimensions: 2048 x 1152 pixels.

Place banner text within the pixel area of 1235 x 338. That's the safe area where text doesn't get cut off.

2. Create a Banner That Matches Your YouTube Niche

Whether you’re into Minecraft gaming or finding lost puppies (yes, it’s a thing), your YouTube channel banner should reflect that. Viewers should look at your banner and think, 

It looks like this channel is about [insert topic here]. I’m in the right place.

If someone wants to learn Microsoft Excel, for example, the imagery in your banner has to match that desire. You might add a tiny spreadsheet to the design or make the banner forest green to match the Excel colors.

Some viewers will understand your banner without text, but others won’t be as fortunate.

That’s why it’s best to add a few words to the design. If someone doesn’t realize you’re a 

 after seeing your banner, they won’t spend more than a second guessing. They’ll see the answer on your YouTube header: 

add your channel’s value proposition to the banner too

. It’s an easy way to show people what your channel is about and what they’ll gain from being there. Our value proposition at vidIQ is “creator obsessed YouTube education,” and you know that instantly by reading our banner.

The typical advice we give for YouTube channel art is to keep it simple. Just like YouTube thumbnails, you want your banner to be understandable within seconds. That means adding just enough design elements to get your point across – some text, 1-2 images representing your niche, and a robust background. Stay away from designs that look congested or have too many colors for someone to process.

Banners are fun and artsy, but they’re more than a stylish billboard for your channel. They’re also a place to 

, from Twitter to Facebook to Instagram. You can display 

 on a banner, so use those spots wisely. We recommend putting the most important link in position one.

Also, consider placing a call to action on your banner. It could be an arrow pointing to the first banner link or a glowing box that encapsulates all links. Test different strategies to see what brings in the most clicks.

It’s easy to come up with YouTube banner ideas once you’ve seen a few examples. Here are five good ones to inspire your YouTube banner design.

Now that you’ve seen some quality banners, you’re probably wondering 

. After all, a good graphic is nothing without attractive imagery. If you’re going to design something that truly stands out, you’ll need quality banner images for YouTube.

Don’t worry: You don’t need to pay for a Shutterstock account or anything like that.

Plenty of websites will supply both the channel art and the editing tools you need to build a banner:

Do you have an old banner you’re dying to switch out? Here’s a step-by-step guide to upload your fresh header:

Scroll down to the banner section and click 

Select a new banner image, crop it, and click 

Are you ready to take your channel art to the next level? 

Learn how to make YouTube end screens and increase your video views

Every channel needs a stylish YouTube banner to attract new viewers. Here are five tips to make the best header possible for your channel.

How to Make a YouTube Banner That Attracts New Viewers


Few YouTube creators have embraced LinkedIn. The overwhelming majority haven’t started profiles, shared their videos, or networked with anyone on the platform.

Why? It doesn’t feel like “the place to be” for video creators. People imagine office jobs and resumes when they think of LinkedIn.

They’re not entirely wrong because 9-to-5ers have always dominated the platform. But look closer. You’ll find that creators are making extra money when they network on LinkedIn.

, content creators use LinkedIn to get brand deals, podcast interviews, and speaking engagements.

“We forget that we’re humans talking to other humans across all platforms now, and we put up walls when we limit why a platform exists,” Fox says. “All of these platforms are tools.”

, Fox explains how to leverage LinkedIn for better opportunities. Professionals have done that for years, but these new tips are directed at YouTube creatives.

1. Turn on LinkedIn Creator Mode to Promote Your Content

Did you hear the news? LinkedIn is launching 

, a new profile type that offers content creation tools and advanced features. It’s rolling out slowly, so check your LinkedIn dashboard to see if you have access to creator mode.

Creator mode has several perks, including:

A follower count displayed on your profile

A section for displaying the topics you talk about on LinkedIn

The ability to be featured as a suggested creator

Turning on creator mode is step one when you join LinkedIn. You get to position yourself as an expert and get more eyeballs on your content, YouTube videos included.

LinkedIn is backing some creators financially

. In September 2021, the company launched a 

 to support creators and their businesses.

there’s never been a better time to share content on LinkedIn

2. Get Your Content Discovered with LinkedIn Articles and Newsletters

When you join LinkedIn, don’t just turn on creator mode and call it a day. Take advantage of its most important offering: 

For years, experts have written LinkedIn articles to build credibility and grow their audiences. But that was never enough on its own. Even the best articles underperform when they aren’t promoted to the right readers.

That’s why LinkedIn Newsletters are a game-changer. Imagine writing an article about something in your niche – how to sell fine art in 2022, for example. You could include a video from your YouTube channel to complement that information, which increases your views. Then you get to market the whole thing – the article 

 the video inside of it – in your LinkedIn newsletter.

“That is what Gary Vaynerchuk is doing,” Fox says. “He’s making a micro piece of content from an hour-long video on YouTube. He’s timestamping a few moments and making the video play in the LinkedIn article.”

This drives traffic to your YouTube channel and expands your LinkedIn network at the same time.

3. Use LinkedIn Audio Live to Connect with Brands

If you’re struggling to get brand deals on YouTube, LinkedIn is the place for you. Think of all the companies that have a presence there, such as Disney, Skillshare, and 

, and you’re bound to find corporate contacts from each company. That will probably happen via 

, a social audio platform that’s similar to Clubhouse.

, who tested the feature a few weeks ago. It’s still in beta, but anyone with creator mode enabled will get LinkedIn Audio Live eventually.

Fox says there are benefits to using social audio. For one, people feel comfortable working with someone they’ve already spoken to. This is especially true for marketers who want to work with influencers for a campaign. They get to hear voices in real-time and form better connections. 

Because of that, brand managers are eager to 

. Even if you're following up with a pitch email, your message is less likely to be ignored.

Getting a Brand Deal on YouTube - 10 Terrible Mistakes to Avoid

Of course, you have to be vocal in audio rooms to get those meetings.

“The best advice I can give anyone who’s thinking about LinkedIn or any social audio: Be the show,” Fox says. “Don't just go and think, ‘Oh, I wouldn’t use it. I’m not a consumer [of that]'. Stop thinking about what you would do and realize that there's a place for you to be a show on all these channels.”

LinkedIn is investing in the creator economy, but it’s not the only platform to look out for. 

Check out these 11 companies that match creators with lucrative brand deals.

LinkedIn is filled with opportunities, but many YouTube creators aren’t taking advantage. Here’s why you should network on LinkedIn, plus clear steps to boost your income as a creator.

How to Use LinkedIn to Boost Your YouTube Revenue


Growing a YouTube channel is no joke. While making videos is a fun hobby, it takes more than filming, editing, and uploading to reach the biggest YouTube milestones:

A trophy case filled with YouTube plaques

What you truly need is an understanding of YouTube analytics.

That means you’ll need to get cozy with the YouTube Studio. In it, you’ll find metrics for analyzing and growing your channel, from video views to click-through rate.

There’s a lot to explore when you first dive in, so here are the most important analytics on YouTube.

Click-through rate (CTR) is the percentage of people who click on a video after seeing the thumbnail.

If 10,000 people see a video’s thumbnail, but only 500 people click it, that’s a 5% CTR. In other words, 5% of people who saw the thumbnail decided to watch the video.

There’s an easy formula for calculating CTR: number of clicks / number of impressions x 100 = CTR.

You’ll never have to calculate it, though. YouTube’s channel dashboard shows your CTR for multiple time periods. 

Simply go to YouTube Studio > Analytics > Reach to see your channel’s CTR.

Why should you care about click-through rates when there are other things to analyze? It’s the only YouTube metric that opens 

. People have to click on a thumbnail before giving your video some Watch Time, a like, or a comment. Plus, viewers tend to subscribe after watching good videos.

6 Tips to Get a Good Click-Through Rate on YouTube

Want to grow your YouTube channel faster? Take a look at the audience retention on individual videos.

You’ll want to pay attention to the average percentage viewed (APV), which is how much of the video viewers watched.

For example, here’s a screenshot of our audience retention for a 10-minute video. As you can see, most people watched 33% of it.

YouTube recommends videos to viewers based on Watch Time metrics like APV. Try to boost yours to at least 50% so you can get more views.

How to Increase Audience Retention on Every YouTube Video

3. Traffic From Recommended YouTube Videos

“YouTube recommendations” is a critical traffic source on YouTube. As we mentioned above, having YouTube suggest your content to viewers is a massive help. You don’t have to do anything because the algorithm does the work for you.

By the way, YouTube shows a list of traffic sources for every video. 

Simply go to YouTube Studio > Content (pick a video to analyze) > Analytics > Overview

. Then scroll down to see where traffic is coming from for that particular video.

Keep an eye on this traffic source to see which videos get suggested the most, then make similar content for your audience.

YouTube Algorithm Guide - How Your Videos Are Recommended to Viewers

4. Subscribers Gained from Each YouTube Video

With its flashy, ego-boosting ways, subscriber count isn’t a useful YouTube stat. It doesn’t affect your views, and it doesn’t change your favor with the YouTube algorithm. 

The only way to get more views is to make good videos.

identify videos that bring in subscribers

 – not to track the overall count but to discover what’s growing your community. This is the only YouTube subscriber analytic you need.

. You’ll see a dashboard showing how many people subscribed after watching a particular video.

6 Honest Reasons You Might Be Losing YouTube Subscribers

5. YouTube Engagement (Comments, Likes, Video Shares)

Likes, comments, and video shares aren’t popular like other YouTube channel statistics. Many creators think video views are the thing to pay attention to, and hey, maybe they’re right.

But we can’t ignore the little things. Most viewers are passive on YouTube, so it 

 a triumph convincing them to do anything: liking, sharing, typing a comment. Even getting them to click on an end screen or info card is a win.

 You’re building a real community on YouTube when people start engaging with your content.

Are you obsessed with YouTube channel views? Well, don’t limit yourself to tracking video views only.

 metric, and you need it to grow your channel.

To see new versus returning viewers for any video, go to

 YouTube > Content (pick a video to analyze) > Analytics > Audience.

It’s a genius metric because it reflects every YouTube creator’s goal: growing an audience while satisfying current viewers.

How to Track Returning Viewers on Your Channel

Every Creator Needs These YouTube Analytics Tools

Are you ready to track your YouTube channel stats? Here are some tools to analyze your progress:

: A real-time stats bar that lets you see specific metrics without opening the YouTube Studio. See video views in the last 60 minutes, 48 hours, and seven days – or view the YouTube Watch Time tracker for monetization.

: Too busy to audit your channel? This tool does the hard work for you, identifying your best content and suggesting improvements to your channel.

: Want a YouTube growth tool that plugs into your channel? Download vidIQ to see channel stats, YouTube keywords, and video ideas.

Which video metrics are important for growing on YouTube? There’s a lot to explore with YouTube channel analytics, but here are six that lead to better videos.

Lydia Sweatt

Posts Written By Lydia Sweatt

A YouTube Viewer Describes Which Videos They Click, Ignore, or Flee

Create More YouTube Videos in Less Time With These 4 Productivity Tips

How to Make a YouTube Banner That Attracts New Viewers

How to Use LinkedIn to Boost Your YouTube Revenue

YouTube Channel Analytics: The 6 Most Important Video Metrics

What the YouTube Algorithm Likes to See on Creators' Videos

11 Companies Matching YouTubers with Amazing Brand Deals

Creator Economy Cash: 3 Unique Ways to Repurpose YouTube Content

Is Your YouTube Channel on Track to Become a Business? Here are 5 Positive Signs

How to Choose the Best Niche for Your YouTube Channel

How to Reach 1 Million YouTube Subscribers In 5 Years or Less

5 Things to Remember When Your YouTube Channel Isn’t Growing