 YouTube video for your channel? When you factor in all of the necessary tasks — finding a good idea, scripting, filming, editing, coming up with titles, designing a thumbnail — how do the hours stack up? Do you spend 10, 20, or more?

Whatever your number is, you can slash it in half with YouTube automation. This time-saving hack allows you to outsource parts of the creative process so everything doesn’t fall on your shoulders. 

No time to create a thumbnail? No problem. Don’t want to spend hours writing a YouTube script? Consider it handled!

In the past, automation largely meant outsourcing creative work to someone else. So, if you don’t have time to find video ideas, research trends, or do some other task, you could hire an agency or freelancer to do it for you. In fact, plenty of 

But it’s becoming less common to ask a human for help. Instead, people are using computers powered by artificial intelligence to get the answers they need or the assets they want. All of this is driving the rise of 

 — digital tools designed to make life easier for content creators.

5 vidIQ Tools for Automating YouTube Tasks

By now, you’re probably wondering how to do YouTube automation. Next up, we’ll share some vidIQ tools that can help you with that, from creating video titles to generating video descriptions on the fly. We’ll even share some 

When you’re struggling to come up with video titles, use the 

to get relevant, engaging suggestions. Like the name suggests, this tool uses AI to generate results in a matter of seconds. All you have to do is type in a basic keyword or title and click 

The phrase "popular youtube trends and memes for more videos" typed into the ai title generator

A collection of video titles in the vidIQ AI title generator 

This tool uses the same AI software, GPT-4, that powers the popular chatbot from OpenAI (ChatGPT). So, with this generator, you’ll see engaging titles that pair well with your topic.

How to Write Better YouTube Titles with AI Suggestions

Many a time while watching YouTube we come across video titles that look attractive and interesting and we are left wondering, "How can I replicate that?" Our 

 does exactly that for you! It takes the heavy lifting out of finding YouTube video ideas and crafting the perfect title. 

The tool is designed to help creators like you discover what’s already working in your niche and easily adapt those concepts to your style. Whether you’re looking to ride the wave of trending topics or repurpose a successful format, Remix provides a fast, simple way to do it.

 is a game changer for small creators, designed to take the pain out of thumbnail creation. With our tool, you can generate stunning thumbnails in minutes without any prior design skills. Whether you’re a seasoned YouTube creator or just getting started, we’ve made it easy for you to stand out from the crowd with clickable, high-converting thumbnails.

You can simply drag and drop a video, a subject, or a reference image to generate your customized thumbnail. You can also simply use the text box below to enter a descriptive prompt of what you're looking for. Try it yourself now for free!

write descriptions for every YouTube video

 so both viewers and the algorithm understand your content. The only problem? It’s a bit boring, if not tedious, to write a good description 

That’s where the AI Description Generator can help you out. All it needs is a few keywords related to your video to whip up an engaging description. Once you have a few phrases in mind, it’s as simple as typing them in and hitting 

The keywords "youtube trends," "youtube memes" and "youtube views" typed into the vidIQ AI description generator

And just like that, you have a few descriptions to choose from. You can hit the 

Example of a video description generated by the vidIQ description generator

This tool also uses GPT-4 to automate descriptions and explain the theme of your video in a captivating way.

If there’s one thing every creator needs, it’s more video ideas. With Daily Ideas from vidIQ, you can find exciting concepts that would make great YouTube videos for your audience. Best of all, you get new ideas daily!

, Daily Ideas will analyze the videos on your channel to suggest personalized and custom video ideas.

Personalized ideas are based on videos you’ve already posted, so they appear automatically. With custom ideas, you can type in any keyword to get new video suggestions!

Here’s an example of custom ideas based on the video game 

 for how well the video could perform, from “very high” to “low” views.

A list of customized video ideas from vidIQ

And here are the personalized ideas. They appear automatically based on the topics you create content on.

Like the other tools, Daily Ideas uses GPT-4 to share video ideas. So, if you’re feeling stuck, this AI assistant will light the way forward.

Daily Ideas from vidIQ – More Video Ideas to Spark Your YouTube Success

AI Coach is our newest tool that also uses GPT-4 to answer questions about YouTube. You can ask our coach anything about the creative journey, such as how often to post, what information should go in specific videos, and the best content ideas for your channel. It can even write basic video scripts.

Let’s say you want to make a video about finding Egyptian pyramids in 

 to sign up and start a conversation with the AI Coach. From there, you'll see an area to type questions and get responses from the chatbot.

A Minecraft video script generated by vidIQ's AI Coach.

It’s just like a normal conversation, so our AI Coach will remember what you’ve already said as you make more requests. You might want a script to be longer, have timestamps, or even come with title ideas.

Minecraft video titles generated by vidIQ's AI Coach.

Creator burnout on YouTube is real. When you’re feeling tired or uninspired, the best solution is to find ways to automate your channel’s content. Use the tools above to get video ideas, titles, descriptions, and even short scripts that get your creative juices flowing.

You can also save time on YouTube by knowing which trends will skyrocket your views. 

A man editing a Youtube video on a desktop computer

Video editor working on color grading using graphics tablet and dual monitors at desk

Looking for ways to automate your YouTube channel? These AI-powered tools will write titles, thumbnails, descriptions, and video scripts in seconds.

YouTube Automation: Get AI-Powered Titles, Thumbnails, Descriptions, and Video Ideas

If you're reading this, you probably know that getting 

 is a critical checkpoint on the road to YouTube monetization. It's not easy, and many creators spend a year or more getting there, but it's ultimately worth it. Achieving this goal means you can monetize your videos with advertisements through the 

. It's a hands-off way to boost your income!

Before we get into tactics, let’s explain what watch time means. It is also important to know how YouTube sums these hours for monetization.

Watch time is the cumulative duration that individuals spend watching a video. Each YouTube video has a watch time count, which contributes to your channel's overall count.

For your watch time to count toward monetization, you must gain 4,000 hours of video views in 12 consecutive months. The videos don't have to be published in the last 12 months, as long as viewers watched them over the previous year.

 add up to the 4,000-hour requirement. Watch time from private or unlisted videos is excluded. Keep your monetization-focused videos public to make every minute count.

Notably, you don't need 4,000 hours to get into the YPP. 

 and then monetize your videos through fan funding instead of ads. These include Super Chats, Super Thanks, channel memberships, and more. Below are the minimum requirements to join the YPP, but remember that 

you'll still need 4,000 hours to earn from YouTube ads

YouTube Partner Program requirements showing 3,000 watch hours option for monetization

So, how many watch hours have you collected so far? Knowing this number is extremely helpful, especially when building a strategy to keep viewers' attention.

How to find the Earn option in YouTube Studio to check watch time progress

2. On the Become a Partner page, scroll down to 

. And there, you'll see how much watch time your channel has.

YouTube Studio's monetization progress tracker showing watch hours accumulation

How to Get More Watch Time on YouTube: 10 Powerful Tips

Now that you know where you stand, use these powerful tips to increase your watch time on YouTube.

Content types and their watch time potential

1. Master the Art of YouTube Storytelling

 is crucial for keeping viewers engaged, and thus, boosting your watch hours on YouTube. In every video, you want to grab viewers' attention, take them on a journey, and create emotional scenes that hook them along the way.

To do this effectively, master three areas of YouTube storytelling:

The title and thumbnail (convince people to click)

The video introduction (persuade people to keep watching)

Emotional connectivity (keep viewers invested in the story)

Your title and thumbnail are like two sides of the same coin. They should give viewers a snapshot of what the video is about and communicate how it will 

to watch it. For example, notice how the creator's dread in this thumbnail reinforces the video's title: "

Big Mistakes Small YouTubers Still Make."

How To Make Attention Grabbing Custom Thumbnails on YouTube with vidIQ

Emotional thumbnail showing creator's reaction to YouTube mistakes that affect watch time

get straight to the point by mentioning what viewers care about in the first three seconds. If you're struggling to 

, study the best–performing YouTube Shorts and the introductions they have. Introductory phrases like "They don't want you to know this secret" or "I never do this, and here's why" are effective curiosity drivers.

Emotion makes your content 10 times more relatable. Try using 

 like fear, nostalgia, novelty, and scarcity to make your videos seem urgent and relevant to the viewer's life.

2. Increase Engagement with Pattern Interrupters

A good story may pique viewers' interest, but knowing how to edit that story is the real watch-time booster.

 are your secret weapon for this. They turn a good video into a great one by adding variety to what's already there. On YouTube, a pattern interrupter is any visual or auditory element that changes someone's thought pattern. 

is one thought you want to interrupt in a viewer's mind!

Some examples of pattern interrupts include:

YouTube video with captions to increase watch time and accessibility

Getting someone to watch your video for longer is much easier 

. Think about it: "Reading along" takes pressure off of viewers who don't want to listen to a video or have some degree of hearing loss. Plus, viewers in crowded, noisy areas benefit from reading captions versus listening to audio.

Additionally, subtitles should be your go-to if you have a multicultural audience on YouTube. They translate your audio into multiple languages so people in faraway regions understand you better!

Filming a long outro feels natural, but did you know there are better ways to close out a video? Most viewers click away when they hear goodbye phrases, such as:

Instead of announcing the end of a video, leave before anyone knows what's happening. Your video views and watch time will improve when you don't signal that a video is ending.

Evergreen content is popular year-round, so you need those types of videos to get watch time fast. Evergreen topics like how to change careers, how to cook brown rice, and tips for making friends in your 30s have a high search volume from January to December.

As you can see, many evergreen videos are 

and offer steady watch time through sheer popularity.

If you're struggling to find evergreen video ideas, ask yourself a question:

What do my viewers care about more than anything else?

For example, vidIQ subscribers love to hear growth tips for small channels. One of our videos on the subject has over 78,000 watch hours since it was published six months ago. And the hours are 

YouTube analytics showing high watch time accumulation from an evergreen video

Live streaming is a smart way to boost your watch time. Every minute your viewers spend on a live session counts toward those 4,000 hours. Even a two-hour stream with a small audience can make a big difference. It’s a straightforward method to build up your hours quickly.

When we started our live stream journey, 50-100 people showed up. Now we get hundreds of concurrent viewers, and with that boost in viewership comes plenty of additional watch time.

For example, check out the watch time from this two-hour live stream:

YouTube analytics showing substantial watch hours gained from a single live stream

Give streaming a chance when you have about 12 months of YouTube experience. By then you should have 100 or more subscribers who may show up to watch your streams.

Why do people binge videos for hours on Netflix? Simply put, it's because their shows are organized with the help of 

. Viewers don't have to keep selecting episodes when they want to watch a romantic comedy or learn about nature through a documentary. They click on a show, and Netflix plays the episodes automatically.

Using this method on your channel can boost your watch hours fast. Serialized content is expected to be a top performer soon. Pick topics your viewers love and create playlists with 10 or more videos on each one. When one video ends, the next starts automatically, multiplying your total watch time.

How to Grow Your Channel with YouTube Playlists

In the current age becoming a successful creator often indicates holistic growth in the content ecosystem. While some social media platforms might appeal to you more than others, it is important to spread your content as far as possible.

Cross-platform promotion strategy showing YouTube content being shared across multiple social media platforms

Some of the best places to promote your YouTube channel are outside the platform itself. A few of those apps and websites include:

These are the best apps to promote a YouTube channel, but it helps to know the flavor of each community. What type of discussions do they have there, and better yet, how do the conversations take shape? Once you know that, you can create content in the best style for those users. Eventually, some of these viewers might trickle into your YouTube channel and consistently give you watch time!

 Promote Your YouTube Channel: 17 Tips for Small Creators

YouTube end screens are interactive outros that appear in the last 5-20 seconds of a video. You can add all sorts of clickable elements to them, such as website links, a subscribe button, or even a YouTube channel you want to promote. But it's wise to "send" viewers to the rest of your content if you want more watch hours.

So, instead of creating an "outro," make your last point, then quickly transition to an end screen. Now you can recommend one more video to viewers!

YouTube End Screens — How to Make Cool Video Outros

YouTube's recommendation system has one job, but it's a pretty big one. It has to suggest the right content to viewers based on their watch history and other factors.

YouTube can do this faster and easier if you're always making videos. After all, how can the algorithm rely on any channel for quality recommendations if there isn't much content?

You don't have to upload every day but stick to a schedule that keeps viewers engaged and doesn't burn you out.

Getting to Know YouTube's Watch Time Metrics

YouTube's watch time metric has more layers than many expect. Total hours matter, but there's more at play. The platform looks at how much of each video people actually watch. For instance, a 5-minute video with 80% average retention could beat a 20-minute video at only 20% retention. 

YouTube Studio gives you both total watch time and details like average view duration and retention rate. Focus on making content that holds attention. Higher retention sends a clear signal to YouTube, making your videos more likely to appear in recommendations.

Are you tired of digging through the YouTube Studio to see your watch time? If so, 

 for FREE. In addition to watch time, it also tracks views per hour and subscribers gained.

vidIQ's Real-Time Stats Bar tracking YouTube watch time, views, and subscribers

What's an underrated way to increase my watch time?

The longer people watch your videos, the more watch time you'll receive. How many people are still watching after the 30-second mark? Are viewers watching until the end, or do they watch 50% of a video on average? These are questions you should ask to create better content.

Woman filming vlog holding fan of hundred-dollar bills outdoors with camera on tripod

Learn how to reach 4,000 YouTube watch hours with proven strategies including live streams, storytelling, and evergreen content to monetize your channel faster.

How to Get 4,000 YouTube Watch Hours: 10 Proven Strategies

As a short-form creator, you're probably wondering if you can monetize your YouTube Shorts like long-form creators monetize their videos. 

YouTube has several paths for monetizing short content, and this guide explains all of your options.

One of the best ways to monetize your Shorts is through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). Upon joining, you have access to all of YouTube's money-making tools, like the ability to place ads on videos or monetize your audience directly through fan-funding.

There are two ways to enter the YPP (you only need to choose one!).

Upload 3 public videos in the last 90 days.

Get 3,000 public watch hours in the last 365 days or 3 million public Shorts views in the last 90 days.

 from long-form videos in the last 365 days or 

If you mainly produce Shorts or a mix of long and short videos, aiming for 1,000 subscribers plus either 10 million Shorts views or 4,000 watch hours is a smart path to join the YPP.

 will earn advertising revenue. So, do these four things to stay in the clear:

YouTube's Advertiser-Friendly Content Guidelines

Avoid using unedited clips from movies and TV shows that you don't have rights to.

Avoid uploading another creator's content without adding a new perspective or transforming the content.

Monetizing YouTube Shorts Through Ads: A Quick Rundown

 is a bit different from monetizing a regular YouTube video. Notably, all Shorts revenue is split between different parties, including the creators who make them and the music publishers who provide songs for those videos.

The four steps of YouTube Shorts monetization 

 all of the Shorts ad revenue on its platform.

 how much money goes to the creator pool, which depends on views and music usage across all Shorts. If creators use no music in their Shorts, they retain all of the revenue at this point. If they use music, the revenue is split between the creator pool and music publishers.

 the ad revenue to monetized Shorts creators. This is based on a creator's total share of Shorts views on the platform, whether that's 5%, 10%, 15%, etc.

Can You Monetize YouTube Shorts Without 1,000 Subscribers?

If you're just starting out on YouTube, getting 500 subscribers is a quick way to join the YPP and monetize your Shorts. You won't earn ad revenue, but you can monetize most of your content — Shorts included — through fan-funding tools.

For example, with just 500 subs, you can collect 

 revenue on your YouTube Shorts. These are "video tips" ranging from $2 to $50 that your fans can send to support individual videos.

 are an option as well, especially if you love streaming on YouTube.

When you host a vertical or horizontal live stream, viewers in the live chat can reward you with monetary donations ranging from $1 to $500. These can appear as Super Chats — colorful comments pinned to the top of the live chat — or as Super Stickers, which are fun, digital animations that appear on the screen.

Channel Memberships offer exclusive perks, such as members-only videos, badges, Community posts, emojis, and livestreams, to a creators' super fans. It's a great way to make money, but did you know that you can get your YouTube Shorts monetized through channel memberships? 

After all, Shorts count as videos too! You can make these exclusive to your members just like regular, horizontal content.

How Much Money Will You Earn from Shorts?

Are YouTube Shorts monetized in a sustainable way? Can they become a side hustle or help you quit your day job?

YouTube Shorts monetization options comparison

We'd have said it's hard to make decent money from Shorts only a year ago, barring times when you get a nice chunk of revenue. For example, we got 

 for a vidIQ Short that got 468,500 views.

The content performance dashboard showing we earned $16.61 from YouTube Shorts

With recent updates on advertisements, RPM on our Shorts has seen an impressive 150% increase. So, for every 1000 views we are getting $0.10 revenue, without any external changes like location of viewers, topic of videos, etc.

This hasn't happened overnight. YouTube has steadily increased Shorts revenue on the vidIQ channel throughout the year. It seems like advertisers have finally found the sweet spot for their products in the Shorts ecosystem as other creators have also talked about experiencing similar surges on their channel. Watch Rob discuss all of that in the video below!

It's easier than ever to become a monetized Shorts creator, but you'll need 

Getting to Know the Shorts Monetization Module

If you want to earn from YouTube Shorts, start by approving the Shorts Monetization Module in your YouTube Studio. This agreement lets you earn money from ads and YouTube Premium in the Shorts Feed. Even if you’re part of the YouTube Partner Program, you won’t see any earnings from Shorts until you agree to these terms.

Select Get Started for each available module

Read and agree to the Base Terms and the Shorts Monetization Module

Keep in mind that views accumulated before accepting won’t earn revenue. Your earnings start only after you agree. This makes it a smart move to opt in as soon as you meet the requirements.

OK, so getting into the YPP to monetize your Shorts is a real challenge. You either have to go viral a lot or face the difficult task of earning 1,000 subscribers plus thousands of hours of watch time.

. There are other ways to make money from Shorts, and one of those golden opportunities is through

When a brand sponsors you, they’re paying you to advertise a product or service in one of your videos. That could be a new line of laptops, the latest leggings from Lululemon, or even a squeegee that removes pet hair from dirty carpet.

Here’s an example of a sponsored Short. In this video, actress Eliana Ghen advertises Vita, a mobile video editing app.

If you’re looking at this video and thinking, 

You don’t need millions of views and subscribers to 

 —just the right audience and a strong YouTube resume.

 said they plan to invest in short-form content more than they did in 2024.

Brands are excited to partner with short-form creators, who bring 

2.5 times more engagement than long-form videos.

As for that last detail, don’t just take our word for it. 

“At the end of the day, most brands don’t want to partner with you and feel like the only thing you’re good at is long-form video,” Moore says. “They want to feel that you may have some flexibility to create different types of content.”

Read this post to avoid the common mistakes YouTubers make while pitching brands

Not every Short qualifies for earning revenue. YouTube has clear rules on which videos can make money. For example, clips taken from movies or TV shows, repeated content from others, or compilations without any new spin won’t earn revenue.

Also, Shorts longer than one minute with claimed content are off the list for monetization. This is a key point if you plan to use material from other sources.

If your Short includes third-party material or is remixed, views could be shared with the rights owners when calculating revenue. As of now, only music content changes this share; other types do not affect it.

Keep your Shorts eligible by creating original work or by adding enough new elements and always following copyright guidelines.

There are a few mountains to climb when monetizing short-form content, but don't worry! 

 Our blog has many tips and tricks to help you get 500 subscribers, 

 Just click the hyperlinks throughout this post to get a winning plan for YouTube success!

Now that you know how to monetize YouTube Shorts, let's take things up a notch and show you how to increase your views!

A smartphone displaying "Shorts Feed Ads" on its screen

Smartphone screen displaying Shorts Feed Ads page on keyboard background for marketing.

Learn how to monetize YouTube Shorts through the Creator Pool, fan funding, and more. Discover the requirements and strategies to profit from your short videos.

YouTube Shorts Monetization: How to Profit from Short Videos

We’re finally in the new year, and for many of you, that means setting bigger goals for your YouTube channel. While it’s nice to collect more views or even monetize your videos, we know you want something else too: more YouTube subscribers.

No matter what number you’re striving for, you’ll reach it faster if you set a 

. The SMART method is a proven way to set meaningful goals, and it stands for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. These are the five key elements of a wise goal — one that’s realistic and more likely to be achieved.

Not to mention, a SMART goal brings more focus to your YouTube journey. It helps you understand 

 you need to make it happen. So whether you’re looking to hit 1,000; 10,000; or even 100,000 subscribers, here’s how to set a SMART goal.

First up, your goal needs to be as specific as possible. Instead of saying you want to get more subscribers, which is a bit vague, name a real number. It’s not just about having a figure to chase; setting a clear goal helps you understand what you need to bring your dreams to life.

Want more YouTube subscribers in 2025? Don't skip the most crucial step in the creator journey: setting a SMART goal to achieve your dreams!

Lydia Sweatt

Posts Written By Lydia Sweatt

YouTube Automation: Get AI-Powered Titles, Thumbnails, Descriptions, and Vide...

How to Get 4,000 YouTube Watch Hours: 10 Proven Strategies

YouTube Shorts Monetization: How to Profit from Short Videos

Kickstarting 2025: How to Set the Perfect YouTube Subscriber Goal

12 Tips for Starting a YouTube Gaming Channel in 2025

How to Get Monetized on YouTube

11 Pieces of YouTube Equipment on Sale for Black Friday

How to Find YouTube Keywords that Grow Your Channel

4 Tips to Grow Your Channel with YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts Thumbnail: How to Upload Them for More Views

10 YouTube Channels that Hit 100K Subs FAST! [August]

6 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 10K Subs [August]