In the video content sphere, the two unquestionable behemoths are YouTube and Instagram. Both offer real potential in terms of discoverability and growth, but today, we are going to talk about money.

In the video above, Dan breaks it all down for you to watch. From his breakdown, we can see that it's ultimately about the goal of the creator and what they want to achieve. 

This entire idea hinges on two simple ideas:

 – How deeply your audience connects with your content.

 – How quickly your content spreads and generates reactions.

YouTube gives you more paths to earn and more control over those paths. The key is retention and consistency.

YouTube logo on phone with currency in background

 This is the foundation. You earn based on watch time, not just views. Longer content equals more ad space, which equals more money. A 15-minute video can run multiple ad breaks, generating significantly more revenue than a 30-second clip.

 Fans pay a monthly fee for exclusive content, emojis, and perks. This creates predictable recurring revenue that grows with your subscriber base.

These are usually integrated naturally within the story of your video, not just slapped on. Audiences trust authentic recommendations, making these partnerships more valuable for brands.

 You can build external revenue streams off the attention you earn on YouTube. Many successful creators make more from their own products than from ad revenue.

 Live streaming features that let viewers pay to highlight their messages or show appreciation directly.

YouTube rewards creators who build a library of content. Your older videos still earn money. Viewers stick around, trust grows. And as your audience deepens, your monetization stacks.

A video you published two years ago can still generate revenue today. This evergreen potential means your earning capacity compounds over time. Compare this to Instagram, where posts quickly disappear from feeds and rarely generate long-term income.

 prioritizes watch time and session duration. This means the platform actively promotes content that keeps people engaged longer. When you create valuable, engaging content, YouTube becomes your distribution partner, not your obstacle.

The search functionality also works in your favor. People discover your content through search queries, making it easier to build an audience organically without relying solely on trends or hashtags.

Instagram: Monetization Powered by Velocity

Instagram is a speed game. The best monetization happens when you're riding a wave: viral Reels, trending audio, or a visual aesthetic that brands want to align with.

Instagram logo on phone with currency in background

 These are the bread and butter for many creators. Brands pay for product features in your photos or videos. Payment varies wildly based on follower count, engagement rate, and niche.

 Short-form videos with direct links can drive impulse purchases and fast conversions. The key is catching viewers in the moment of inspiration.

 Time-sensitive offers or brand shoutouts happen here, ideal for flash sales and promotions. Stories disappear after 24 hours, creating urgency.

 Direct integration with e-commerce platforms lets followers purchase products without leaving the app.

 Many early brand partnerships start with free products or co-created campaigns. While not direct payment, these relationships often lead to paid partnerships.

It's the dopamine hit. Quick validation. Fast numbers. Immediate sales. But that comes at a cost: low retention. Yesterday's viral Reel is tomorrow's scroll past.

Instagram excels at impulse purchases and visual inspiration. If you're selling lifestyle products, fashion, or anything visually appealing, Instagram's format naturally showcases your offerings.

The platform's algorithm changes frequently, and organic reach continues to decline. Many creators report needing to post multiple times daily just to maintain visibility. This creates a content treadmill that can be exhausting and unsustainable.

Additionally, Instagram's monetization heavily depends on brand partnerships. If brands cut their influencer budgets, creators have fewer alternatives compared to YouTube's diverse revenue streams.

Creator Strategy Breakdown: Three Approaches

Understanding which approach fits your goals can help focus your strategy. Below are three types of creators with different goals in content creation. Let's find out which platform suits whom.

This creator publishes 10 to 20-minute videos regularly, builds relationships rather than just reach, and stacks revenue from multiple streams. The focus is on watch time and loyalty.

Woman shooting content on high end camera

 Slow start, steady growth, high long-term potential.

 Educators, entertainers, reviewers, and anyone with expertise to share.

 Expect 6-12 months before significant income, but earnings can grow substantially over the years.

This creator focuses on trendy, visually appealing content, tracks analytics like reach, saves, and story taps, then pitches those numbers to brands.

 Faster initial returns, more volatile long-term income.

 Fashion, beauty, fitness, lifestyle, and visually-driven niches.

 Can monetize within weeks if content gains traction, but income fluctuates with trends.

This approach cross-promotes between platforms, uses Instagram for reach and YouTube for depth, and funnels short-form viewers into long-form subscribers.

Woman filming content with both phone and camera

 Combines the speed of Instagram with the stability of YouTube.

 Creators with time and resources to maintain multiple platforms.

 Requires significant time investment but offers the highest earning potential.

This hybrid model is powerful but demanding. It requires a clear strategy, strong branding, and substantial content output.

YouTube vs Instagram: Monetization Breakdown

, you need 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours. However, you can start earning through affiliate links and sponsorships immediately.

 No official threshold for monetization, but most brands look for at least 1,000 followers for micro-influencer partnerships. Larger deals typically require 10,000+ followers.

 AdSense pays $1-5 per 1,000 views, depending on your niche and audience location. Add sponsorships ($1,000-10,000+ per 100,000 views), and successful creators can earn $2-15 per 1,000 views.

 Sponsored posts typically pay $10-100 per 1,000 followers for micro-influencers. Macro-influencers (100,000+ followers) can earn $500-5,000+ per post.

 More predictable due to diverse revenue streams and evergreen content.

 Less predictable, heavily dependent on trends, algorithm changes, and brand budgets.

Want to build long-term, sustainable income

Enjoy creating in-depth, valuable content

Prefer having control over multiple revenue streams

Can commit to consistent, quality video production

Excel at visual storytelling and aesthetics

Work in fashion, beauty, lifestyle, or visual niches

Enjoy staying current with trends and pop culture

Have time and resources for multiple platforms

Can create content suitable for both formats

Enjoy experimenting with different content types

So, both platforms have their place in the creator economy. But if you're serious about building a sustainable income from content creation, YouTube provides a better foundation.

As a creator in 2025, however, your goal is to get your content to as many viewers as you can. Becoming a hybrid creator is the ultimate goal, but start with one platform. Build momentum and consider expanding once you've established a strong foundation. 

Graphic showing a versus screen featuring YouTube and Instagram logos

Who pays creators more: YouTube or Instagram? Learn how each platform monetizes, what creators earn, and which one fits your long-term goals.

YouTube vs Instagram: Who Pays Creators More?

This post was originally written Feb 19, 2025 and has been updated with newer information.

Of all the metrics that are essential to measuring the quality of your content, views might be the most important one. First off, more views mean the YouTube algorithm becomes your best friend, pushing your content to even more eyeballs.

But it doesn’t end there. Views aren't just numbers but opportunities to make your brand shine and connect with potential lifelong fans. Sure, increasing your YouTube views may take a while, but think of it as laying the groundwork for your channel's long-term success.

If you've landed on this blog, you're probably on a quest to boost those YouTube views and take your channel to the next level. Well, guess what, you're in the perfect spot! We know the road to YouTube fame isn't a cakewalk, but we're here to make it smoother for you. So, buckle up as we share how to get more YouTube views!

Let's break down what "views" really mean on this platform. Every time someone clicks play on your video and sticks around for at least 30 seconds, that's a view in YouTube's eyes. Whether they're on a phone or a computer, it all counts! Even if they watch your video multiple times, each watch counts as a new view, but don't get any ideas about refreshing your video over and over — YouTube's smarter than that! Shares on social media like Facebook or embeds on other sites count too!

Now that we’ve understood what the technical details are, let’s find out how we can increase views on your videos.

First thing’s first: Who are you talking to on YouTube? Is your content for teens obsessed with the latest video games or adults on the hunt for the perfect lasagna recipe? Knowing your target audience is like having the key to the doors of the algorithm.

Views are great, but an engaged audience is the lifeblood of your channel. After all, you need a healthy number of 

, and not just vanity metrics, giving you real results when you're wondering how to get views on YouTube.

2. Boost YouTube Views with Better Titles and Descriptions

YouTube search results showing a youtube video title and description

Your title isn’t just a label, it’s a powerful way to capture attention and increase YouTube views. If you're trying to figure out how to boost YouTube videos, title clarity and curiosity are key.

11 Ways to Write Exciting YouTube Titles for Your Videos

Descriptions are also equally important. Well-optimized descriptions with relevant keywords can enhance a video‘s search visibility and attract organic traffic. By providing valuable insights and encouraging interaction, 

 play a crucial role in captivating audiences, promoting content effectively, and expanding a creator‘s reach and impact.

Sprinkle in some relevant keywords, and you're not just turning heads —you're also popping up more in search results. Using vidIQ tools like 

, you can make the process easier with the help of vidIQ’s YouTube expertise.

Yellow, white, and tan Minecraft thumbnail about growing youtube subscribers

When viewers are passively scrolling on YouTube, it’s an eye-catching thumbnail that grabs their attention the most. A killer thumbnail is the cherry on top of your video. It's what can tip the scales from a "maybe later" to an "I gotta watch this NOW."

12 Types of YouTube Thumbnails People Love to Click On

Spend some quality time crafting clickable thumbnails, and make sure they're a visual summary of what your video is all about. 

 and watch the click-through rate shoot up.

Woman planning youtube videos on her calendar

Something that every viewer has appreciated from their favorite creator is being consistent with their uploads, so it's something every new YouTuber should aim for. Imagine how you would feel if your favorite TV show aired episodes randomly. Annoying, right? 

Consistency isn't just a buzzword; it's what keeps your audience coming back for more. Create a posting schedule and stick to it.

How to Craft a Foolproof YouTube Upload Schedule

It’s not just about uploading videos, though. Everything else about your channel should also be consistent. Be it your niche, your thumbnails, your “About” section, or even your 

, viewers have an easier time coming on board when every element points in the same direction.

5. Get More Views Using Social Media Platforms

A phone showing social media icons on its screen

Why limit your awesomeness to just YouTube? Use every social media platform you can to amplify your reach. Spread the love (and your videos) across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and any other platform where people can't get enough of you.

If you’re a long-form creator, tease your content on other platforms and direct your viewers with embedded links to your video. If you’re mostly a 

, then you can repurpose those on other vertical video platforms.

Leveraging Instagram, TikTok, or forums doesn’t just help you share content, it’s how you get more YouTube views via external sources and organic outreach.

A video with over 2 billion views on youtube

Viral videos evoke strong emotions which compel viewers to share them with their own networks. They have the potential to reach a massive audience within hours or even minutes after being posted! And contrary to popular belief, it’s a skill that can be learned.

Once you know the formula, it becomes easier to

How to Get Your First Viral YouTube Video: The Blueprint

There are several strategies to look at to go viral, such as:

Make sure your material is engaging, shareable, and elicits powerful feelings like amazement or laughter. Aim to tell a gripping story that moves the audience; add plot twists for even more engagement. Keep it brief to hold viewers' interest, and be sure to 

Sharing your videos on the right platforms can increase visibility and attract engaging audiences who may not have come across your content.

Optimizing your videos for search engines can increase their visibility and improve their chances of going viral. Remember to use relevant keywords, write detailed descriptions, use engaging thumbnails, and add captions to your videos!

How to Optimize Your Videos for Maximum Views

But the fundamental idea is simple. Authenticity is the soul of what makes a video viral; it's what makes people relate to your content and share it with others. So, be yourself and let your unique personality shine through. 

And remember, one of the best ways to go viral is with an 

. So, try experimenting with brief, punchy videos!

This is something not everyone considers, but both end screens and well-designed playlists have a positive effect on your channel. 

YouTube wants its viewers to stick around, and 

 encourage them to do that. Instead of just pushing viewers to any other video, guide them to content that complements what they've just watched. The more specific your video, the higher the likelihood of your audience going on a binge session.

YouTube creator pointing to the end screen element in their video

Speaking of bingeing content, a good playlist will captivate viewers for hours upon hours. Figure out which topics they care about the most, then 

 that hold 10 or more videos. It's one of the easiest ways to increase your views!

A collection of youtube playlists on the vidIQ channel

Three women filming a trendy youtube short on a smartphone

In the YouTube ecosystem, trends act like rocket fuel for the algorithm. Catching a trend early can skyrocket your video's visibility, connect you with new audiences, and offer you insights into what 

makes your viewers click that "subscribe" button

. In short, it’s one of the fastest ways to increase YouTube views and grow your channel.

But creators can easily go wrong in following trends if they don’t put their audience first. Make sure you can incorporate the trends in your videos without ruining the essence of your channel. Identifying a trend is one thing, but capitalizing on it is a whole different ball game. You've got to bring something unique to the table. Whether it's a fresh perspective, a comedic twist, or an in-depth analysis, make sure your video adds value to the ongoing conversation

6 Places to Find Trending YouTube Topics for Your Videos

As a YouTuber, staying ahead of the curve isn't just a nice-to-have; it's your lifeline! While some trends can be accidental, others are seasonal and happen every year — for example, popular holidays and festivals. So, planning accordingly is a good practice.

Two creators smiling while filming a vlog together

Two (or more) heads are always better than one, especially when it comes to reaching new audiences. That’s why collaborations are a great way to expand your reach. They are refreshing for your audience as well because they get to see new content from you.

YouTube Collabs: 6 Tips for an Awesome Video Project

Working together with another YouTuber to produce original material has a lot of advantages. Along with increasing interactions, boosting views, and getting more subscribers, you'll also produce more engaging material. So, slide into the DMs of potential collab partners you’ve always wanted to team up with.

Two coffee cups sitting on a table and a TV showing media captions

When you get a chance to provide more information on your videos while enhancing the viewing experience at the same time, you should take it! Adding accurate captions to your videos is one of the simplest ways to increase traffic and interaction on your channel. They also improve viewing duration and the likelihood that people will watch your videos all the way through.

4 Reasons to Start Adding YouTube Captions to Your Videos

By incorporating them, you’ll be able to open your videos up to a larger audience, especially those who have hearing impairments. With the help of subtitles, you can translate your content into various languages and attract more viewers. So, if you haven’t already, don’t forget to add captions and subtitles to your videos.

YouTube analytics dashboard on a mobile phone

 has analytics for everything you need, and YouTube views are no exception to that. Two important things to look for are Audience Retention and Average View Duration. These metrics show you how long your viewers are staying on a video to watch what you've posted. They fall under the umbrella of 

, which is the cumulative duration that individuals spend watching a video.

Returning vs new viewers show you which videos appeal to specific types of viewers, which can help you make informed decisions on how to attract different audiences. Paying attention to these insights is one of the best ways to increase views on YouTube, since you’ll know exactly what type of content keeps people coming back. In the YouTube Studio, you can also see when your audience is most active on YouTube, which helps you choose the best time to upload new content!

12) Promote Your YouTube Channel on the Community Tab

A red arrow pointing the commuhe co,mnity tab on a youtube creator's homepage

This is perhaps one of the most underused features on your YouTube channel. Not only does it keep your viewers engaged, but the community tab also comes with quizzes, image polls, videos, and other creative ways to start a conversation with your audience. It's the perfect tool for small channels on the rise.

How to Use the YouTube Community Tab and Engage with Viewers

For years, the community tab has helped creators stay in touch with their audience, especially when only publishing one or two videos each week. So, if you haven’t already, start using the community tab! Challenge yourself to post something every day for the next three to six months — polls, animated GIFs, or anything that brings you closer to your audience.

Boosting your YouTube views isn't a sprint; it's more like a marathon with hurdles, pit stops, and occasional rain showers. So keep creating, keep leveling up, and most importantly, keep that self-belief burning bright. 

If you’re ever wondering exactly how to get more YouTube views, just remember the strategies we’ve covered here, they’re proven, creator-friendly, and built for long-term growth.

A youtube video showing over 2 billion views

Magnified YouTube video views over 2.2 billion with 9 million likes and 1.1 million dislikes

Are you ready to boost your YouTube views as quickly as possible? Use these proven strategies to make engaging, trend-worthy videos (and go viral!).

How to Get More Views on YouTube: 12 Powerful Tips

If you’re a new YouTube creator grinding out long-form videos hoping one will pop off, you’re leaving views on the table, sometimes in the millions. Smart creators aren't just uploading full videos; they're building clip farms - the strategy that's revolutionizing how creators think about content distribution in 2025.

 isn’t a trend- it’s how modern content ecosystems are built. If you’re asking yourself, "

, the real answer is leverage. You’re taking the hard work you already did and multiplying its impact efficiently. 

Clip YouTube Videos: From Long Video to Short Video

 is the systematic process of extracting multiple short-form clips from your existing long-form content and strategically distributing them across platforms like YouTube Shorts, TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Twitter to maximize your reach and drive traffic back to your main channel.

 isn’t about bots, clickbait, or some shady growth hack. It's a legit method of content distribution. The beauty of understanding what is clip farming lies in its simplicity: you're not creating more content from scratch; you're being smarter about how you distribute what you've already made.

6 Popular Apps to Promote Your YouTube Channel

The algorithm landscape has fundamentally shifted. Short-form content isn't just preferred by viewers; it's actively promoted by every major platform.

, you’re giving each idea you talk about more chances to break through. One hour-long podcast can be cut into 20 clips. Each clip is a potential hit. Each one links back to your main content, your channel, or your offer. Clips go viral more easily than long-form videos. Here’s why:

Short-form platforms reward volume and frequency.

 — sometimes within minutes of posting.

Clip farming = multiplying your visibility without multiplying your workload.

How To Clip Farm: A Beginner-Friendly Breakdown

 isn’t some massive operation, at least not at the start. It’s a system. There are 3 main aspects to making your own clip farm.

Start by reviewing your existing long-form content with fresh eyes. You're looking for moments that:

Deliver complete thoughts or insights within 15-90 seconds

Contain emotional peaks (excitement, surprise, strong opinions)

Answer specific questions your audience commonly asks

Include actionable tips or quick tutorials

The key to successful clip farming is recognizing that not every moment in your long-form content is clip-worthy. Quality over quantity will always win. Thankfully,

 takes the guesswork out of the way and selects the most engaging moments from your videos to automatically create Shorts!

 properly, you realize each clip needs to work as a standalone piece of content. Here's your creation framework:

: Your clip needs to signal value immediately. 

: Ensure each clip delivers a complete idea. Viewers should feel satisfied, not confused or left hanging.

: Maintain visual and tonal consistency across all clips. They should feel like they belong to your content ecosystem.

: Subtly guide viewers toward your main content without being overly promotional.

Yet again, vidIQ has you covered. From a single video, the clipping and editing tool can generate over 10 short-form videos. The 

 tool also automatically cuts, crops, and captions the clips, so you don't have to.

Phase 3: Multi-Platform Distribution Strategy

 isn't just about creating clips—it's about strategic distribution. Each platform has unique characteristics:

: Focus on educational and how-to clips. The audience here is often looking to learn something specific.

: Embrace trending sounds and formats. Your clips can be more experimental and personality-driven here.

: Visual storytelling works best. Use clips that showcase processes or before/after transformations.

: Quick insights and hot takes perform well. These clips can be more opinion-based.

, these advanced strategies will accelerate your results:

Instead of creating random clips, develop themed series from single long-form videos. For example, if you have a podcast about entrepreneurship, create a series called "Startup Mistakes" with 5-7 related clips released over consecutive days.

Don't just repost the same clip everywhere. Adapt the format, caption style, and even the actual content slightly to match each platform's culture and expectations.

Track which clips perform best and reverse-engineer the success factors. Is it the topic, the format, the length, or the delivery style? Use this data to inform both your clipping strategy and your future long-form content.

Use your best-performing clips as conversation starters in community posts, email newsletters, or social media discussions. This extends the life and impact of each piece of content.

Even creators who understand clip farming often make critical errors that limit their success:

: Creating too many clips from a single video can lead to audience fatigue and diminished impact per clip.

: Clips that require too much context from the original video will confuse new viewers and reduce conversion rates.

: Posting identical content across all platforms ignores each platform's unique audience preferences and algorithm requirements.

: Focusing solely on view counts rather than engagement rates and conversion to your main channel can lead to empty vanity metrics.

It might sound complicated to keep track of at all times, and frankly, you're not the only one thinking like this. This is where 

vidIQ clipping can help you get on top of your clip farming strategy.

You don't need to go viral with every short. When you commit to clip farming as a core content strategy, you're building more than just making hits, you're creating a comprehensive audience development engine.

If you want to stay relevant in a world where attention spans are shrinking and algorithms favor short, punchy content, 

How Does the YouTube Shorts Algorithm Work in 2025?

Screen showing multiple clips being edited

Grow smarter with clip farming. Find out what it is and how to clip farm to multiply your YouTube views

Uttaran Samaddar

Posts Written By Uttaran Samaddar

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