Reaction content has exploded on YouTube over the past 10 years. Today, almost anyone can watch a popular video, react to it, and bring in tons of views on their YouTube channel.

Best of all, reaction content works for most niches. You can react to your favorite sports matches, viral memes, or even news stories that align with your channel's focus. The opportunities are endless, and it's pretty hard to run out of ideas.

But people love reacting to videos on YouTube for more than just the flexibility. Creators can get personal, share honest opinions, and cover trending topics at the same time.

Whether you're reacting to classic movies or video game fails, this guide is your starting point. You'll learn how to create reaction videos that engage viewers while 

Before hitting the record button, decide how you want to do reaction videos on YouTube. There are plenty of ways to create engaging videos in this genre.

 Ideal for music enthusiasts, these videos attract fans of the artists you're reacting to.

 Capitalize on the hype of upcoming releases.

 These are universally relatable and can quickly attract views.

 Perfect for capturing genuine, in-the-moment emotions, especially during pivotal moments.

 Offer your perspective on current events, such as sports, politics, entertainment, and more.

 Give your reaction to another creator's reaction on YouTube.

Creators shoot most of their reaction videos in a "solo" format. This is where one creator reacts to one video at a time.

But there's also group reacting, where several people react to something together and take turns sharing their opinions. Solo reacting is more convenient and personal, but group reacting delivers the most entertainment value.

Solo reacting is easy to pull off, but assembling a group of people may be worth it if you have the time and resources.

First, a high-definition camera is a must.

 For good visuals, choose a DSLR, a reliable smartphone with a good camera, or a webcam.

After all, you're going to layer multiple video tracks in one project. You want it to look good!

 A good microphone is important for recording your voice, especially if you're reacting to sound-driven content. A lapel mic works well for this, but a condenser mic creates a more professional sound. You should also invest in a pair of headphones so you can hear everything clearly while reacting.

Also, you might need screen recording software 

to make quality reactions. This piece of equipment does exactly what it sounds like, which is to capture the audio and video playing on your screen. Try a free solution like OBS Studio to capture your reaction while watching video content simultaneously.

is another crucial element for condensing your reactions. As you react to something, there will be downtime or essentially "dead air" where you don't have much to say. Use a video editor like iMovie, Adobe Premiere Pro, or Final Cut Pro to remove uninteresting sections.

 Use something with a fast processor, ample RAM, and a robust graphics card. You need each one for a smooth production and editing process!

Picture-in-Picture mode (PiP) is the best way to record your reactions and make engaging content. For this format, there will be one video layered on top of another one. The smaller video frame will show you, the creator, nestled within the original video you're reacting to.

Or, you can make yourself larger while making the original video smaller, like this example from 

 a screenshot of funnylilgalreacts reacting to a movie trailer

This allows viewers to see both the original content and your reactions at the same time. Plus, PiP just makes the video easier to digest! Viewers are more engaged because they understand the context behind your reactions.

In reaction videos, your unique perspective is what sets you apart from other creators. Be authentic and share your genuine reactions and thoughts. Your commentary should go beyond what's happening on screen to provide insights, a little humor, or a gentle critique. Overall, your reaction should add value to the original video.

You can do this by drawing on personal experiences, sharing knowledge about the topic, or simply being humorous.

Remember, viewers come to reaction channels for the content and the personality of the reactor. Engage with viewers by asking questions and sharing personal stories.

Also, be open to exploring different types of content to react to. This not only keeps your channel fresh but also showcases the breadth of your interests and perspectives.

Reacting to other videos is a blast, but it does bring up the issue of using other people's content. For example, your channel may collect 

 if you use video content that doesn't belong to you.

A copyright claim means YouTube found copyrighted content (music, videos, images, etc.) in your video. A strike happens when a copyright owner asks YouTube to delete your video for using their work without permission. Claims reduce your revenue, but too many strikes will risk your entire channel.

The copyright takedown process on YouTube

That doesn't mean shouldn't make reaction videos. You just have to understand 

. Fair use allows you to use copyrighted material under certain conditions, like commentary, criticism, education, or parody.

But fair use is a legal grey area that's determined on a case-by-case basis. For the best outcome, make sure your reaction video adds original commentary or educational value. Keep the clips of the original content as short as possible and only use as much as necessary to convey your point. Also, avoid using copyrighted music in your reactions unless it's integral to the video.

And, you can always reach out to creators and ask for permission to use their content. That way, you won't have as many copyright issues, and you might even make a friend or two!

Now that you know how to make reaction videos, learn how to create video tutorials on YouTube!

Man laughing while reacting to another video

Man wearing headphones and glasses smiling while gaming on a computer in low light.

Ready to start reacting on YouTube? This guide covers everything you need to know, from choosing the right equipment to avoiding copyright claims and strikes.

How to Make YouTube Reaction Videos

There are plenty of myths about YouTube, especially those that have to do with growing a channel. Some people believe they need expensive equipment to start recording videos. Others think it’s impossible to make money with a small YouTube channel.

Dan, our in-house YouTube connoisseur, recently posted a video about YouTube myths. He talked about why they don’t serve your channel and the correct way to make videos in 2024.

If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s definitely worth a watch:

But if you’re short on time (or just really into skim-reading), here are 12 things you shouldn’t believe about YouTube.

1. Longer YouTube Videos Rank Higher than Shorter Ones

This is one of the oldest myths about YouTube. But no matter how believable it is, the facts remain — longer videos aren’t the bridge to more views or higher rankings.

The truth is that a one-minute video can be just as viral as a 20-minute video. The most important thing creators need to remember here is to get your point across regardless of how long you think your videos should be.

 is filled with dozens of short videos. By short, we mean only a couple of minutes long! But each one has millions of views because the content is satisfying, binge-worthy, and creates a positive experience for viewers.

2. People Only Click on Thumbnails that Have Text

This a myth, mostly because there’s more than one way to 

 Deciding to put text on your graphics (or not) depends on the type of content you’re creating.

If you’re a vlogger, you might not always need thumbnail text. Your videos usually have a loose storyline, and viewers aren’t expecting an exact overview before clicking. They’re coming along for the ride because they like watching you, so an engaging image (without or without text) will do.

On the flip side, a how-to creator should probably use thumbnail text. If a viewer is learning to take photos, invest their money, or something else, a few words can help them notice the best tutorial for that goal.

Here’s a great example from the vidIQ channel. The words “apply,” “accept,” and “review” indicate that you’re about to learn the monetization process on YouTube.

3. YouTube Tags Will Help Your Video Rank Higher

It’s easy to look at tags and subconsciously think of them as keywords. But YouTube has debunked this myth plenty of times. So, now, it’s best to accept that video tags won’t help anyone discover your videos; in fact, they do something else entirely.

“Tags can be useful if the content of your video is commonly misspelled. Otherwise, tags play a minimal role in your video's discovery,” YouTube states on its 

That said, if you still want to add tags—for example, to cover common misspellings or variations—you can save time by using an AI tool like 

 to automatically generate relevant tags for your content.

If we've learned one thing from last year, it's that AI is here to stay. And this is not new in the content ecosystem anyway. 

 has been serving consumers for years now and has gotten eerily good at it. But the skepticism creators may have about using AI is justified, especially since things aren't still set in stone.

Plus, YouTube is releasing AI tools tool help creators edit faster, create green screen backgrounds, and more. So, AI won't exactly ruin your channel. What matters more is how you use the technology. 

Can YouTube Automation Ruin Your Channel?

Many channels have leveraged AI audio for their content. Using these apps can save you loads of time but can also compromise your quality. However, using AI for video is a whole different discussion, with 

. So, be careful and mindful of YouTube's policies.

5. YouTube Has Shadow Banned Your Channel 

Whether you’re a small or large creator, making bad videos is part of the journey. It happens when you’re just starting out and trying to learn how YouTube works. 

Sometimes, even your most loyal viewers might not be watching your latest uploads, and that can be confusing. Oftentimes, new creators think they've been "shadow-banned" by the platform, and most of the time it is a myth.

Remember the video at the beginning of this post? In it, Dan explains what shadow banning is (and isn't).

"Shadow banning doesn't mean that you're simply recommended less or shown less on YouTube. It means that your videos aren't seen by a single person on YouTube, it will no longer recommend them, and it will be a thing that the platform actively does to your videos," Dan says.

YouTube's complex algorithm considers everything: how many people are being shown your video, how many clicks it's receiving, and the watch time it's earning. So, if the numbers are low, it's usually explained by one of these metrics.

6. You Need Expensive Equipment to Make Viral Videos

This is a myth, especially when it's applied to every YouTube channel. The truth is that most channels can grow with basic smartphone footage. When you’re speaking to an audience that loves technology, 

It’s only natural that a cinematographer has crystal-clear footage from a high-end camera. It makes sense that a photographer shoots better photos with advanced technology.

So, rest assured. Unless you’re doing something technical, upgrading your equipment is an option, not a rule.

First, let’s reimagine the word clickbait. Many people think it’s a bad practice, but not all clickbait makes people feel cheated, played, or upset. Just like there’s bad clickbait on YouTube, 

 that delivers on the general promise or theme of a video.

: Promising something that never happens in the video. It essentially lies to the viewer.

t: Teasing something that does happen in the video, but with an exciting twist. That could mean reading a title that says "I Robbed a Bank," but the video itself is a robbery-themed challenge with a fake bank and fake props.

8. Posting YouTube Shorts Can Hurt Your Channel

This myth seems logical at first glance. If people came to see long-form videos, why would they suddenly watch your Shorts? And if they do, does it hurt your long-form audience?  

Well, we’re happy to reveal that Shorts will not hurt your channel. In fact, they could help you get more views on long-form videos, with the help of 

The important thing is to understand what you are actually getting from Shorts. Through YouTube Shorts, your content might reach viewers that it otherwise wouldn't have. They might not turn into dedicated viewers, but more eyeballs can improve your presence on the platform as a whole!

4 Tips to Grow Your Channel with YouTube Shorts

9. All YouTube Revenue Comes from Video Views

, and not all of them have to do with collecting advertising revenue through views.

: Selling exclusive content to super fans every month.

: Collecting revenue when a YouTube Premium subscriber watches your content.

Merchandise Shelf: Selling branded merchandise from your channel profile and watch pages.

: Collecting money from viewers when you go live.

: Accepting small “tips” on regular videos.

: Having brands pay you to advertise their services in your content.

Affiliate revenue: Receiving a sales commission when viewers make a purchase using your affiliate link.

10. Subscriber Count Has a Significant Impact on YouTube Revenue

make more money, it’s not always because they have more subscribers. What matters most is the topic someone covers on their channel — their 

Just like in the business world, certain industries command more money than others. Those areas tend to be investing, real estate, online marketing, health, insurance, business, and similar industries. Not much is different on YouTube.

 (cost per mille) and how it affects your revenue.

11. Small Channels Can’t Make Money on YouTube

This couldn’t be further from the truth.

, you can start making money right now. You don’t have to wait until you have 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time to qualify. There’s still the option to get brand deals, collect affiliate revenue, sell products outside of YouTube, and more.

You might make more money outside of the Partner Program anyway!

12. To Get on the YouTube Trending List, You Must Post at a Specific Time

This myth is harmful because it focuses on an imaginary concept. Realistically, there’s no set “window of time” where videos start trending. Fortunately, YouTube is savvier than that. 

The platform isn't looking at the video content once every 24 hours; it's more like every 15 minutes. So, you could post your video at any point in the day, and if it’s being picked up by a large audience, it could start to trend.

Let your audience be your north star, not the YouTube trending list. That way, you’ll post videos when your

subscribers are online and ready to watch videos.

Grow Your Channel by Serving Your Audience

How does it feel to know that one bad video won’t ruin your channel? Or that video length isn’t as critical as you once thought?

Ultimately, viewers just want the content they’re looking for. So, hopefully, you feel lighter after learning 12 myths you don’t need to focus on! 



And, here are four mistakes to avoid if you have a small YouTube channel.

A bunch of YouTube icons clustered together

Pile of white square blocks with red YouTube play button icons on a white background

YouTube advice typically falls into three categories: Great suggestions, OK suggestions, and flat-out myths. Of all the myths that could hurt your channel, these 12 have the most impact — in a negative way.

12 YouTube Myths that Distract You from Getting More Views

As a small creator, you’ll quickly learn that 

. At this point, you’re probably facing the biggest challenge, which is struggling to get views when no one knows who you are.

But don’t worry: You can beat the odds with a little advice and hard work. The first step is understanding the most common YouTube mistakes. With that information, you can fix costly errors and focus on 

Fortunately, Dan Carson, senior executive producer at vidIQ, knows how to grow a small channel. In the video below, he lists the top mistakes holding creators back (and how to fix them).

But if you want a quick summary of all the tips, keep reading to see what’s stalling your progress.

1. Believing YouTube Owes You Views and Subscribers

Wouldn’t it be great if YouTube rewarded every channel equally? In that case, you could relax while collecting hundreds of views and subscribers, even if your videos don’t engage anyone. You would simply press publish and wait for good things to happen.

That’s not how YouTube works, of course. But many creators wish it 

 is believing YouTube owes you any form of success. While it’s time-consuming to research, 

, shoot videos, and edit a bunch of clips together, Dan says that’s the cost of becoming a successful YouTuber. All of that experience builds you up to make better content!

“Before you can take that footage, put it onto YouTube, and expect a bunch of views and subscribers, you need to first provide value — value to viewers and value to YouTube as a platform,” he says.

2. Ignoring the Power of First Impressions

They say first impressions are everything, and that’s also true for YouTube videos. After all, viewers don't click on the first video they see; 

 before finding something interesting to watch. And there's a lot competition!

For example, what happens when you compare these thumbnails for 

 Which of the two is more appealing, and which one is easier to understand?

Now imagine that each viewer is going through

 How would you tweak your thumbnails to help them notice your content first?

12 Types of YouTube Thumbnails People Love to Click On

“Try to keep them from being too complex,” Dan says. “Use minimal, clear, and readable text. Use bright colors. The foreground should be brighter than the background so everything stands out a lot nicer…. The thumbnail should relate to the content you made and the people who see it.”

Overall, whatever time you spend on titles and thumbnails, 

, but you can grow it by “decorating” your videos and attracting more viewers.

3. Not Enhancing the First 30 Seconds of a Video

After the first 30 seconds, many people abandon the video they’re watching in search of a new one. But don’t panic! 

This is a common and well-known habit on YouTube.

Just look at the retention graph for most YouTube videos. You’ll notice the viewership line falls sharply after 30 seconds and keeps declining.

Audience retention graph for a YouTube video

You can’t stop this 100%, but you can slow it down by getting to the point faster. Think about it this way: You’ve already sold viewers on the value of your content with a compelling title and thumbnail. Now all you need to do is 

“Jump right into the topic,” Dan says. “Give them 

, and then maybe ask an intriguing question that encourages them to engage with you in the comments.”

But the other stuff — asking viewers to subscribe, introducing yourself — should come at the end, not the beginning, Dan clarifies. This allows you to give people what they want up-front, which is whatever you promised in the title and thumbnail.

Giving people what they want ASAP typically leads to 

. That sends a positive signal to the YouTube algorithm, which means the system could 

 to more people. Eventually, that gives you a shot at more YouTube views!

From the start, creators are trained to focus on specific metrics if they want to enter the YouTube Partner Program, such as:

But these numbers take time to reach, and this is where smaller creators lose heart. So, try to look at these metric in a new light.

Consider a new channel that has only uploaded a couple of videos. Because YouTube doesn’t know much about the channel or the content, the videos will probably have low impressions on the platform, which might result in fewer views. But if the video has a high click-through rate, it’s capable of generating enough 

in the first place — and that is a huge positive for a small creator. So, depending on how you look at it, metrics can inform you differently.

Narrow it down to the things that matter. Make sure your average view duration and audience retention are steadily increasing with each upload. Keep an eye out for returning viewers and the videos that keep bringing them back. Following this data over time will give you actionable areas to work on.

How to Get Subscriber Feedback from a YouTube Analytics Deep Dive

If you’ve made a few mistakes on your channel, remember that it’s never too late to turn things around. Embrace the lessons, then chart a new course of action!

Here are five things you can do right now:

Instead of focusing on views and subscribers, 

. Find your target audience and cater to their specific interests.

Don’t prioritize video tags and descriptions before everything else; put your time, energy, and resources into 

Create titles and thumbnails that complement one another instead of copying each other. For example, don’t turn the video title into thumbnail text; choose unique words that add context to the video.

 to include a quick hook and your video’s main topic.

To sum it all up in a single word, the differentiating factor that your channel needs is 

 Maybe the content you want to upload has already been done by larger creators, but that's OK. Tap into your creativity and find a way to stand out or add something new to the conversation.

In one of our recent videos, popular personal finance YouTuber 

 describes how he achieved this exact feat despite being a small creator in a competitive niche. Watch his journey below and maybe you'll find inspiration to do the same!

Have you fixed these basic mistakes on your channel? That means you're ready for the next step: 

using emotional triggers to get more views

YouTube logo with a muted or disabled sound icon on a dark digital background

Do you need help growing a small YouTube channel? Here's some advice to get you back on track while avoiding the most common YouTube mistakes.

4 Mistakes to Avoid if You Have a Small YouTube Channel

Getting 10,000 YouTube subscribers is an impressive feat, so we're thrilled to celebrate 10 creators who did it remarkably fast! They found a way to make interesting videos while attracting tons of viewers and turning those people into loyal subscribers.

Again, congratulations to these skilled YouTubers. They've officially joined the 10K Subs Club!

Remember, being part of the vidIQ community means you're on a journey to stardom using 

. Whether you've hopped aboard to jazz up your videos, hunt down the perfect keywords, or spark fresh video ideas, this celebration is all about you. Here's to every victory, big and small! 🎈🎊

Top Channels Passing 10,000 Subscribers in January

This channel narrates entertaining stories in a range of genres.

"Scambaiting" is the focus of this channel. The creator pranks people who try to scam others!

This is a unique channel that does split-screen videos; the top half is a viral clip, and the bottom half is the creator doing arts and crafts.

The Analytic Ape makes videos filled with wisdom and philosophical insights.

This channel creates videos filled with inspirational quotes.

The Mick & Pat Show is a podcast about music, politics, literature, technology, film, and TV.

This channel shows the drawing, coloring, and painting process.

FEY is a commentary channel that tackles many topics, such as social media, music, and the job market.

FOX_TM does commentary reactions to viral clips online.

Medya Football creates short videos about soccer players around the world. 

Congrats to everyone who had amazing subscriber growth last month! 🥳 If you want to see your channel grow, don't forget to 

 and get robust tools, data, and video ideas.

A graphic showing the words 10,000 subscribers 

10,000 subscribers milestone badge with stars on dark background celebrating growth

These phenomenal YouTubers got 10,000 subs in just 30 days! Meet 10 rising creators who talk about philosophy, sports, dangerous scams, and more.

10 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 10K Subs [January]

Creating tutorials is an awesome (yet sneaky) way to grow a YouTube channel. For one, it makes you look more authoritative because you're solving problems for viewers, one video at a time. Not to mention, teaching what you know is a whole lot easier now that 

The only question is, how do you make a YouTube tutorial? First, know that instructional content, no matter how cut and dry, is still 

. Tutorials are fiercely competing with each other just like pranks and memes face off on YouTube.

That means every tutorial could use a little razzle-dazzle to stand out. You need to get viewers' attention, solve their problems, and make sure they leave the video feeling satisfied. It's art, science, and personal flair.

Whether you're into cooking, tech tips, or DIY projects, here's how to film the best YouTube tutorial.

The main purpose of a video tutorial is to teach viewers how to do something. These videos explain how to perform a task, use a product, or understand a concept. Tutorials are popular because they help people accomplish their goals, like training a young puppy or building a bookcase. Also, YouTube says 

"how to" videos are the most attention-grabbing format

Best of all, most channels will benefit from having a few tutorials. That's because any tutorial you make will involve your channel's main topic — nothing more, nothing less.

What makes a good video tutorial? Here's everything you need to know, from choosing a topic to adding the best visual elements for instruction.

Lydia Sweatt

Posts Written By Lydia Sweatt

How to Make YouTube Reaction Videos

12 YouTube Myths that Distract You from Getting More Views

4 Mistakes to Avoid if You Have a Small YouTube Channel

10 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 10K Subs [January]

How to Create a YouTube Tutorial Video: Full Guide

Starting a YouTube Channel? 9 Videos to Make Right Now

How to Pick a Good YouTube Channel Name

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

YouTube Skills: How to Become a Pro at Speaking on Camera

6 Popular Apps to Promote Your YouTube Channel

10 Small YouTube Channels that Hit 10K Subs [December]

YouTube Launches New Thumbnail Testing Tool to Boost Your Views