Any creator who knows about the YouTube algorithm has one goal, and that's getting their videos recommended to more people! They want YouTube to (finally) notice their content, identify the subject matter, and suggest it to thousands of like-minded viewers.

Your best plan of action, especially as a small creator, is to understand how YouTube recommends videos. You'll want to figure out why the algorithm promotes some content and, well...basically ignores others. Armed with this knowledge, you can answer the biggest question of all.

"Why is YouTube not suggesting my videos?"

If you're a new creator, think of your channel like a car and the YouTube algorithm like premium gasoline. Your videos are ready to be seen, but sadly, they can't reach viewers by themselves. Something has to "propel" them across YouTube. In this scenario, the energy you're looking for — or the gasoline you need — comes from the YouTube recommendation system.

But, like any car, you have to ignite the gas to start the engine. On YouTube, this kind of momentum occurs when you receive some initial views on a new video. So, as you enter a viewers' watch history, YouTube can begin to understand who your videos are for and make better recommendations. Cristos, VP of engineering at YouTube, says as much 

"The most important thing is trying to figure out which viewers would be interested in these videos. And that's something that's especially hard for new videos because we just don't have as much information about them," Cristos says.

So, don't be shy about promoting your videos

, even if you have no audience to speak of. Share them in relevant online communities, get those initial views, and train the algorithm on who your channel is for.

Promote Your YouTube Channel: 17 Tips for Small Creators

Another way to get YouTube to recommend your videos is by describing them accurately. So, think carefully about the 

 you write for your YouTube videos. That may seem like a small detail, but it helps the algorithm understand your videos and suggest them to the right viewers.

A YouTube video search result showing title and description

In fact, Todd Beaupre, head of discovery at YouTube, says that if a channel has no viewers, 

the algorithm relies on video titles and descriptions

. So, don't panic if your content has zero views. The algorithm can use and analyze metadata to place your video on a YouTube search page.

That leads to more clicks, more data for the algorithm to process, and eventually, more recommendations for your channel! Just remember to use 

 so you have a better chance of standing out.

Increasing your watch time on YouTube is the number one way to get your videos recommended. This ranking (and recommendation) signal tells the algorithm what viewers like to watch. And most of the time, 

YouTube uses watch time to make personalized suggestions

Simply put, you want viewers watching your videos for as long as possible.

5 Ways to Increase YouTube Watch Time on Any Video

Having high watch times and low drop-off rates signals to YouTube that your content is engaging, valuable, and worth recommending. So use strong, attention-grabbing hooks in the first 30 seconds to capture interest. Pace your video with frequent segmenting so the scenes fly by!

But more than that, always deliver on the promise or expectation that your title and thumbnail created.

A satisfied viewer is a happy viewer, and the algorithm knows this. So, to get your video recommended on YouTube, you need lots of engagement from your audience. After all, YouTube is looking at likes, dislikes, share rates, and survey responses when deciding which videos to suggest.

It never hurts to ask viewers to "like" and "share" your videos with a sincere call-to-action. But beyond that, how do you make satisfying content that people naturally engage with?

You want people to view your content as life-changing, sensational, inspiring, and other feel-good descriptors. That way, they will feel moved to give you a like or share your video.

mastering the art of YouTube storytelling

. Making viewers laugh or cry is an underrated way to create a suggested video on YouTube!

Other Ways to Get Your YouTube Videos Recommended

The tips above will help you appear on viewers' home pages and next to videos they're already watching. But there's more you can do to kick start the algorithm and grow your channel:

Make timely videos so YouTube can suggest yours when a hot topic is exploding.

Focus on audience retention (especially in the first 30 seconds) to boost your watch time.

Now that you understand YouTube's algorithm for suggested videos, here are 10 things every small YouTube channel can improve!

A phone showing the youtube logo next to the youtube homepage on a desktop computer

YouTube homepage displayed on laptop screen with YouTube app open on smartphone.

How does the YouTube algorithm work — specifically, the recommendation engine that promotes videos to billions of viewers? Keep reading to find out and grow your channel!

YouTube's 'Suggested Videos' Algorithm: How to Crack It

So, you’ve just joined the YouTube Partner Program, and your goal is to earn the highest payout on each video. It’s possible, but you’ll need to know two things first: which videos get monetized and which ones don’t!

The truth is that going viral doesn’t always mean 

. Some videos are partially monetized on YouTube, while others get demonetized for various reasons, such as violating 

. So, the first step in boosting your revenue (and becoming a full-time creator) is knowing the ins and outs of YouTube monetization.

Monetization Basics: What Is YouTube AdSense?

All monetized creators get paid through something called Google AdSense (some simply call it YouTube AdSense). 

When you monetize your videos through Google AdSense, you can earn money from the ads displayed on your content. Advertisers pay a specific rate each time an ad is shown on your video or someone clicks on an ad.

 (cost per mille). The CPM rate is what you, the creator, gets paid per 1,000 video views. 

The exact rate you’re paid depends on a few things, like the topic of your YouTube channel, audience demographics, seasonality, and more. However, the average CPM on YouTube is $1-5 for smaller channels and $5-20 for the top creators.

When your channel is monetized, you’ll also opt in to revenue sharing. This means the ad revenue you earn through the YouTube Partner Program is split between you and YouTube.

 You get 45% of the collective ad revenue generated by all Shorts creators, based on the views you get.

 You get 70% of the revenue from Super Chats, Super Thanks, and YouTube Channel Memberships.

And now that you know how AdSense works, here’s how to maximize your earnings!

1. Follow the Money (Using YouTube Analytics)

Have you noticed that some videos earn more money than others? This usually means the CPM rate was much higher for those lucky videos. Fortunately, you can see the CPM rate on each individual video in the YouTube Studio.

4. Find the “How much advertisers pay” panel, and click 

5. Scroll down and look at the list of videos you’ve published and their CPMs.

YouTube CPMs for a list of videos, ranging from 15 to 30

Notably, CPM rates on the vidIQ channel are all over the place. One video earned a whopping $31.28 per 1,000 views. Another earned just $15.11!

, we would make more content like the $31 video. Try doing the same investigative process on your own channel!

When seeking the highest revenue, it helps to know the rules for monetizing content on YouTube. The biggest rule is pretty straightforward: Make content for all ages, or in other words, make content that doesn’t scare advertisers away.

 won’t get you demonetized anymore. But you should avoid heavy swearing, hate speech, adult content, controversial issues, drugs, violence, and more. Videos with these elements aren't suitable for ads, so you might receive partial revenue or no revenue at all.

A list of content that is not suitable for YouTube ads

Remember, the more videos you’re able to place ads on, the more money you’ll make on YouTube!

3. Use Content You Own (Or Already Licensed)

Being original is the best way to make money on YouTube, because that shields you from unintentionally stealing another creator’s work. And if you do a little content-lifting, you can probably guess the consequence for such an act. YouTube may decide to partially monetize your video (and pay a percentage to the original asset owner) or completely demonetize your video.

So, overall, make sure you aren’t using copyrighted material, which is any creative work that belongs to someone else or is protected by copyright laws. That includes music, stock photos, sound effects, movie clips, and essentially, anything you didn’t create yourself. You should either have permission to use the material or have a license to use it through a third party, such as 

. You can also download royalty-free music and sound effects from the YouTube Audio library, which will keep you in the clear.

If you use someone else’s work, the copyright holder might file a complaint. This leads to a copyright strike,  and YouTube may terminate your channel if you collect three of those.

Copyright Claims vs. Copyright Strikes: Here's the Difference

4. Choose Evergreen Video Topics (Not Just Trends)

Before we dig into this tip, know that following a hot, trendy topic is how many creators get more views. In fact, we encourage it. It’s a great way to put your channel on the map, but sadly, trendy videos aren’t the highest drivers of revenue.

This is where it pays to think like an advertiser (no pun intended). Advertisers may pay a lower CPM for trend-focused content versus an evergreen video that keeps getting views over time. So, think about what your viewers want to watch year-round. That could be job-related content, finance, family topics, relationships, health, and more.

And Finally, Don’t Rely on YouTube AdSense

No matter what you do, the amount of money you make will always change if it’s coming from ad revenue. That might look like your CPM decreasing during a slow season. Or, it might be a global pandemic (looking at you, Covid-19), that makes advertisers shy away from spending on YouTube ads.

In that case, it’s time to diversify your income. There’s the wonderful option of fan-funding, which you need 

 and 3,000 watch hours to unlock. There’s also affiliate marketing, selling your own products, and many other paths to a stable income!

phone showing youtube logo and surrounded by money

Smartphone showing YouTube logo on screen over scattered hundred dollar bills background.

With YouTube monetization, it’s not about how many views you get — it’s about how many views you can monetize. Here's how to boost your AdSense revenue!

Just Got Monetized on YouTube? 4 Tips to Boost Your AdSense Revenue

Have you noticed how hard it is to make decent money from YouTube Shorts? For advertising revenue, the pay can be as low as $0.05 per 1,000 views, or in other words, $50 for a video reaching 1 million views. We’ve talked about this on the blog 

How do Shorts creators earn a decent wage?

Historically, the answer has been off-platform sales. Many creators try to grab viewers' attention on YouTube, then guide them to a site that offers courses, products, subscriptions, or even exclusive content. So, even if Shorts revenue was low, earning from other sources wasn’t too difficult — until now.

Beginning August 31, YouTube will make sure that links of any kind 

 within YouTube Shorts. That includes the comments section, the description section, and the livestream chat.

This means that, going forward, you won’t see blue hyperlinks you can simply tap to arrive on a webpage outside of YouTube. You’ll have to copy and paste the links into your web browser (and so will your viewers).

Why Is YouTube Disabling Clickable Links in Shorts?

Removing clickable links from Shorts may seem like a drastic change, but YouTube has a good reason for doing it. The platform released 

“Since introducing Shorts two years ago, the volume and speed of content published on YouTube has increased in fun and exciting ways. At the same time, this speed and level of engagement has made it easier for spammers and scammers to share links in Shorts comments and Shorts descriptions that harm the community — for example, 

clickable links that drive users to malware, phishing, or scam-related content

YouTube's update about clickable Shorts links

While it’s frustrating to lose a good feature, YouTube’s ultimate goal is protecting viewers from scam artists.

YouTube is ‘Moving’ Links to This Section of Your Channel

Ok, so losing clickable links isn’t the 

 news in YouTube Shorts development. But, you may be wondering if there’s a silver lining to the madness, and, yes, there is!

Remember that section of your homepage that used to have social media links?

vidIQ YouTube banner showing now disabled social media links

Well, YouTube is bringing a version of this back to your channel. In 2024, you’ll be able to add “

” under the about section, and they’ll appear on both desktop and mobile.

If you’re a creator who needs to push viewers off-platform for any reason, this will be the place to do it.

But don’t just rely on homepage links. You can also use end screens to show links at the end of a video, and that’s a much better way to sell stuff to your viewers.

By the way, do you need a refresher on end screens? Here’s how to use that awesome feature!

Smartphone showing YouTube logo lying on pile of money

Smartphone displaying YouTube logo on screen, surrounded by US $100 bills.

Say goodbye to clickable links in YouTube Shorts.

This Money-Making Feature Is Leaving YouTube Soon

Growing a small YouTube channel is tough, but not when you know 

 what to post to get more views in a short amount of time. But that begs the question: Should you scour the internet for 

Not quite! vidIQ is here to do the hard work for you. Every month, we collect  the 

best trending topics for small creators, 

ones that will help you get discovered and grow your channel fast! From video game releases to the latest obsession in pop culture, these topics are made for explosive growth.

To ensure your success, we’ve selected YouTube keywords that are not only interesting, but also small-channel friendly. They aren't too competitive, and people are using these phrases at a high rate within YouTube search. 

vidIQ's rising keywords tool with search volume, volume change, and competition

As you explore these topics, keep an eye on the

. The higher it is, the more views you can get!

The Osmo Action 4 is similar to the world-renowned GoPro camera. It captures sports or action shots impressively well, and it's trending because the camera is available to purchase 

Outside of that, people are talking about the Osmo Action 4 because it has better low light performance and improved waterproofing. If you have a tech channel, reviewing this camera could bring more views!

vidIQ shows a high keyword score of 82 for dji osmo action 4

 tournament where teams of four creators play mini-games to win. It's getting a lot of attention because the next game is on August 26. If you have a channel about 

, talking about this hot topic could help you stand out and get more views.

vidIQ shows a high keyword score of 80 for the topic MCC Rising

The Realme Pad 2, launched on July 26, is a straightforward tablet that's all about entertainment. It's not trying to be more than it is, with an 11.5-inch 2K display that's perfect for watching movies or shows.

This pad is generating some buzz because of its solid display and the fact that the front camera is better than most laptop webcams for video calls. Fire up those tech reviews!

vidIQ shows a high keyword score of 75 for the topic Realme Pad 2

Realme Pad 2 full review & unboxing 🇮🇳

 is a horror movie about a group of friends who accidentally release evil spirits on Earth. It's produced by a film company known for telling shocking stories (A24), and that has spawned hundreds of movie reviews. But, don't worry: "

vidIQ shows a high keyword score of 76 for the topic Talk to Me review

It's sung by Ava Max, a singer-songwriter who creates dance and pop music. The song is trending on TikTok right now, which means it's also trending on every corner of YouTube! Try using it in one of your YouTube Shorts to reach viewers around the world.

vidIQ shows a high keyword score of 74 for the song Choose Your Fighter by Ava Max

 It's an open-world game where players deal with spontaneous human combustion, a problem the 'Fire Force' in the show works to prevent. Some characters even have pyrokinetic abilities they can use for good or evil.

 because of its engaging gameplay and connection to the popular anime. Give it a try if you have a gaming channel!

vidIQ shows a keyword score of 79 for the topic Fire Force Online

 is a horror game that makes you escape from a sinister granny. It's available on Steam and challenges you to find your way out of a dark, barricaded room within a limited time (in the beginning). You'll explore the house, solve puzzles, and gather clues to escape. Lots of people are playing this game, and that's why it's trending strongly!

vidIQ shows a keyword score of 74 for the topic Granny Remake

3D screen with red YouTube play button icon on gray background, video streaming concept

Discover the best trending topics to grow a small YouTube channel in record time.

10 Trending Topics to Grow a Small YouTube Channel [August 2023]

"Why am I not getting views?" is a common question among YouTube creators. If you wonder the same thing, we understand your frustration in trying to 

 that just won't budge. The road gets rocky, and seeing your views go completely stagnant is no fun.

. There are ways to revive a YouTube channel, and each one brings enormous benefits, including:

Getting views on videos that never took off

The first step to reviving your channel is understanding why your content doesn't get views. And there could be 

 many reasons, from targeting the wrong audience to neglecting 

In most cases, a YouTube channel audit will sort things out. This is a lengthy process where you analyze thumbnails, video titles, visual storytelling, and countless other assets surrounding your content. From there, you can determine what's working and what isn't.

How to Do a YouTube Channel Audit: A 10-Step Checklist

On the flip side, we wouldn't be good educators without giving you a little head's up: YouTube audits are time-consuming! That's why we created AI Coach, a friendly co-pilot that does the auditing 

 uses your channel's data to suggest a range of YouTube strategies for massive growth. It does this by first analyzing your popular content. Within seconds, you'll receive a list of ideas and clean-up strategies to improve your channel.

Ask AI Coach a simple question about your channel, such as:

AI Coach from vidIQ thinking about a YouTube creator's question

When we asked this question, we got a 5-point plan to improve the vidIQ channel:

AI Coach's response while analyzing a YouTube channel: cater to your target audience

2. Make more videos that mirror your best: 

"Small Channels: DO THIS to DOUBLE YOUR Subscribers in 5 Minutes!"

AI Coach's response to a creator's question: Double down on successful videos

10 Essential Tips for Small YouTubers to Boost Their Channel

How to Create Eye-Catching Thumbnails That Drive Clicks

The Ultimate Guide to YouTube SEO for Small Channels

AI Coach's responds to a creator's question with videos ideas

AI Coach tells a creator to engage with their audience via polls and comments.

AI Coach suggests to a creator that they make shorter videos

Do you want the AI Coach to analyze your channel? 

Click here to sign up for free and get the answers you need!

2. Update Your Video Titles and Thumbnails

If you're a regular here, you know first impressions are everything on YouTube. Managing this side of creator life isn't difficult, though; just update your titles and thumbnails so viewers can think good thoughts about your content.

For example, tweaking a thumbnail even slightly changes viewers' perception of a video. In fact, MrBeast uses this trick to breathe new life into older videos, helping them get more views in the future.

Also, remember to rewrite your video titles now and then. That's a 

 when it comes to re-engaging viewers and winning more clicks after years of stagnation. It never hurts to test new titles on an older video, especially one that's flatlining!

While we're on the subject of "first impressions," here's another way to bring your channel back to life: Update the homepage!

Try to focus on high-value areas, like featured sections that not only explain your channel's purpose, but also drive visitors to your best content.

The featured section on YouTube is basically a holding place for 

 — and for good reason! Clicking on a playlist can start a binge session, and you need that extra watch time to 

send positive signals to the YouTube algorithm

. That way, YouTube will know your channel is active again or at least catching viewers' attention, prompting the algorithm to recommend your videos.

An arrow pointing to a playlist in vidIQ's featured section

Want a quick tip? Make playlists that align with your viewers' interests. As YouTube educators, we focus on channel growth when building a featured playlist:

YouTube monetization and the Partner Program

If none of these steps work for you, it's time to consider rebranding your channel.

Maybe your niche is so narrow that viewers just aren't interested in the topic. Or maybe your niche is so broad that you're getting crushed by competition from thousands of creators.

Either way, you can fix it with a channel rebrand. 

Changing the name of your YouTube channel

Person holding a DSLR camera by a calm lake, ready for outdoor photography session

Whether you've taken a long break or struggled to get views, you can always revive your YouTube channel. Here are 4 simple steps!

4 Steps to Revive a Stagnant YouTube Channel

 exist on YouTube, and for once, we aren't talking about MrBeast!

, a YouTube creator and strategist. He started his channel with a friend back in 2018 (

) and was tasked with brainstorming viral, must-see videos. But where others may have taken years, Jamie only needed days. His second idea, "We Entered the World's Strangest Sport," got 

That sparked four years of fame, success, and virality. In fact, the channel is still thriving with over 1 million subscribers and 180 million views.

So, how does Jamie create viral ideas? He does a little something called 

. It's the art of finding patterns and trends within a successful video, then using them to brainstorm 

According to Jamie, there are three ways to extrapolate great ideas:

 Tweak an idea that's already working on YouTube.

 Build an idea around the emotional triggers in popular content.

The last thing you want to do is copy another creator's work, so try to pull inspiration from your own channel. Jamie recommends finding a video idea that performed well, then tweaking one thing about it to develop a new concept.

We use this strategy often at vidIQ, and it definitely works. For example, one of our videos — "Small Channels: Do This to Double Your Views in 5 Minutes" — got over 700,000 views. We wanted to 

 on that brilliance, so we remixed the idea using direct extrapolation.

To shake things up, we tweaked the concept to emphasize 

 rather than views. Our new title, "Small Channels: Do This to Double Your 

Combining two ideas is an easy way to make a popular video. With such a dynamic approach, your content is sure to stand out on YouTube and 

bring in hundreds or even thousands of views

Again, let's use the vidIQ channel as an example. Our viewers love watching videos about YouTube growth, but more specifically, they flock to these video titles:

"This Is the Biggest YouTube Update in Years": 67,000 views

"YouTubers, Do This and The Algorithm Will Love You": 232,000 views

When we blended these ideas, we created a video titled "Algorithm Update: Did This Stop You from Getting Views?" It did even better than the first two, raking in 

Before you can go viral on YouTube, you need an idea that appeals to the masses. Here are 3 ways to build that winning concept and snag a viral video!

Lydia Sweatt

Posts Written By Lydia Sweatt

YouTube's 'Suggested Videos' Algorithm: How to Crack It

Just Got Monetized on YouTube? 4 Tips to Boost Your AdSense Revenue

This Money-Making Feature Is Leaving YouTube Soon

10 Trending Topics to Grow a Small YouTube Channel [August 2023]

4 Steps to Revive a Stagnant YouTube Channel

3 Ways to Discover Viral YouTube Video Ideas

Creating Global Content: 4 Tips to Get YouTube Views Worldwide

10 Trending Topics to Grow a Small YouTube Channel [July 2023]

The Secret to Standing Out as a Small YouTube Creator

Automate Your YouTube Channel Fast with AI Content Generator

The Truth About AI: Can YouTube Automation Ruin Your Channel?

Shorts, Longs, and Lives: How to Compare YouTube Views from All 3