As the new year arrives, we want to congratulate every creator who stuck beside their channel in 2024. For all of us, this year was full of ups and downs; now it's time to reflect on what worked and what didn’t, prepare for the coming year, and stay ahead of the game. A channel refresh will help you do that and more!

Gone are the days where formulaic content that doesn't invoke a personal connect can perform greatly. In the video above, Rob discusses these ideas in detail, so watch it now! Refreshing your channel doesn’t necessarily mean a complete overhaul of it. It also doesn't imply just keeping up with trends. It's about leveraging the power of 

 analytics to drive growth in a meaningful way. 

But how do you know if your channel needs updating? Here are some signs to watch out for:

It's clear-cut. If your views dropped in 2023, your channel is losing steam and needs a refresh.

Likes, shares, comments — they're the heartbeat of any YouTube channel. Are you seeing a dip in these areas? That's a major heads-up that your channel might need intervention.

A thriving YouTube channel is like a magnet, constantly attracting new subscribers. If your numbers are stuck or, even worse, dwindling, it's a signal to switch gears. 

Comments are a goldmine for engagement. If your videos are greeted with silence, it could mean your audience's interest is fading.

Watch time is a big deal for YouTube's algorithm. If yours is on a downward trend, it might be time to shake up your content approach.

This metric tells you how much of your video viewers are watching. If it's falling, it could mean your content isn't as gripping as it used to be.

How to Kickstart More YouTube Channel Growth

In 2025, growing a successful YouTube channel requires a blend of authenticity, emotional resonance, and understanding audience preferences. YouTube's latest report, "Why We Watch 2.0," sheds light on critical strategies that creators can implement to improve engagement and viewer retention.

The report highlights varying preferences based on viewer age like the following:

 Younger audiences value originality, creativity, and educational content. They seek creators who bring fresh perspectives and teach them something new. 

 Older viewers prioritize trustworthiness and storytelling. They are drawn to content that offers meaningful narratives and reflects the creator's values.

Contrary to traditional beliefs, high production quality is no longer the defining factor for success on YouTube. 

The competition is rising on YouTube, so you have to be surgical in your method of getting more 

. In this section, we'll show you how to refresh your channel from the inside out using pure data.

Do you have several videos that are struggling to get clicks? It’s safe to say the current video title isn't working and needs a meaningful update. Maybe it doesn't speak to your viewers' core desires, or perhaps it's lacking the right keywords. Either way, a new and improved title can boost your views, especially if the topic is still relevant.

11 Ways to Write Exciting YouTube Titles for Your Videos

Pull title inspiration from viral videos on the same topic.

Use language that appeals to deeper goals and desires (not just the topic at hand).

Aim for 60-70 characters so the full title is displayed.

Similar to refreshing your titles, you might need better thumbnails if people aren't clicking on your videos. The good news is that YouTube is rolling out 

. This means you can test up to three images with different audiences, and use the one that leads to higher watch time.

How To Make Attention Grabbing Custom Thumbnails on YouTube with vidIQ

But not everyone has this tool yet. So, in the meantime, it helps to know the 

 on your channel. That could be 4%, 5%, or even a whopping 10%. No matter the percentage, you want to create thumbnails that bring in a much higher CTR, and then add them to low-performing videos.

1. Go to the YouTube Studio, then select 

2. Underneath the dashboard showing views, subscribers, watch time, and revenue, click 

See More option below youtube analytics dashboard 

3. Next to the views by content filter, choose a second filtering option: 

impressions click-through rate filter option in youtube studio content graph

4. Change the time period to the last 365 days.

time period selector for youtube content graph showing last 365 days option

Next, you'll see a list of videos, along with your channel's average CTR at the top. For example, ours is 

Now, browse the list of videos, the thumbnails beside them, and their respective CTRs. Which videos are beating the overall CTR for your channel? 

Study those thumbnails, then use similar design elements to create new images for underperforming videos.

Building a series of playlists is an easy way to get more views in 2024. So, check your content inventory. Did any videos go viral or gain more views than expected? Consider adding these newer, more popular videos to existing playlists. If you don't have any playlists on your channel, it's time to build some and take your viewers on a binge-worthy adventure.

How to Grow Your Channel with YouTube Playlists

Do you have a bunch of underperforming videos on your channel? After you've given them new titles and thumbnails, add those videos to some of your existing end screens. 

On YouTube, end screens appear in the last 5 to 20 seconds of a video, and you can use them to send viewers to more content on your channel. So, place those underperforming videos on the end screens of your 

. Just make sure the content you're recommending is relevant and make sense according to what the viewer just watched.

a youtuber pointing to an end screen element

Having done that with one of our videos, we can guarantee it works brilliantly if done correctly.

YouTube End Screens: How to Make Cool Video Outros

Preparing for YouTube growth isn't just about seeking more views. Sometimes, you only get more views when there's a high level of engagement within your wider community. And what better place to engage your fans than YouTube's own Community Tab?

To make this easy, create a bunch of posts this month and schedule them to release in January. You can post relevant memes for your audience, simple text messages, polls, GIFs, and even videos from your channel. Just be engaging, and always aim to start a conversation. In due time, this will bring 

. It got 2.3K likes and produced over 4.4k comments. That's a lot of attention!

A popular community tab post asking users how many subscribers they have

Growing your YouTube channel in 2024 isn't as hard as you think. More than anything, you just need to double down on video ideas that made people subscribe or return to your channel.

How to Get Subscriber Feedback from a YouTube Analytics Deep Dive

 in the YouTube Studio, then check the "videos growing your audience" panel. This will show you which videos are prompting viewers to return to your channel and watch more content.

Videos growing your audience tab in Creator Studio

Next, look at videos that brought in the most subscribers:

which is below the YouTube dashboard showing monthly views, subscribers, revenue, and watch time.

See more option below youtube analytics dashboard

Subscribers gained filter option on YouTube growth graph

5. See which videos attracted the most subscribers. Use those successful content buckets and storytelling formats to get more views in 2024.

A list of videos bringing in the most youtube subscribers

7. Know the Content Types that Grow Your Channel

Most creators want to know which video topics to post on their channel, but have you thought about content types? There's a panel in the YouTube Studio, "viewers across formats", that shows the percentage of viewers watching your Shorts, livestreams, and long-form videos. 

Go the Analytics section, then navigate to the 

 to see your viewership. This will help you decide which formats are worth pursuing in 2024.

viewer across formats panel in the youtube studio

Now that you have better titles, thumbnails, playlists, and an overall awareness of your best content, you can plan stunning videos for 2025. Start brainstorming ideas, using our 

 can offer more support. It plugs right into your channel, and uses your performance history to suggest video ideas and effective YouTube strategies. 

Sometimes, it's hard to move past the failures you face during content creation. But December is a time to reflect on everything that happened and seek every possible lesson to help you move forward. The content space will only get bigger and better in the following years, with 

YouTube’s brand value estimated to be around a whopping 29.71 billion USD right now.

So, capitalize on the opportunity! Use resources from this blog and the vidIQ channel to reach your goals. 



Speaking of YouTube growth, here's how to grow your channel in 2024!

YouTube video player graphic with red background

Get ahead of other creators by refreshing your YouTube channel right now. These are the best tips to enhance video titles, thumbnails, and attract more views and subscribers in 2024.

Your Channel Refresh: How to Prepare for YouTube Growth in 2025

The holiday season is nigh, and for content creators on YouTube, it’s a prime opportunity to captivate audiences searching for festive inspiration, entertainment, and ideas. Christmas is not just the most wonderful time of the year—it’s also one of the most searched seasons on YouTube.

Whether you’re planning to create holiday vlogs, DIY decor tutorials, gift guides, or festive recipes, knowing the top trending Christmas keywords can help your videos stand out in a crowded space and connect with the millions of viewers looking for holiday content. Let's dive into the most popular Christmas-related keywords on YouTube, giving you the insights you need to optimize your content and maximize your reach during this magical season.

How to Find YouTube Keywords that Grow Your Channel

 easily tell you about the topics around Christmas that have attracted the most interest over the last 30 days. Let's see what they are to capitalize the most on the biggest holiday season of 2024 on YouTube:

vidIQ keywords related to search term "Christmas"

When Are Viewers Searching for Christmas Content on YouTube?

YouTube is one of the go-to places for content during big events--and Christmas is one of the biggest of the year. But, like other seasonal events, viewer interest in Christmas-related topics seems to pick up around this time.

, interest from YouTube viewers in Christmas content starts to peak right around the middle of December and reaches the highest during the third week of the month. If you plan to post content on this topic, capitalize on the incoming traffic!

If you've already made videos previously that you think are still relevant in 2024, make sure to update the title and description of your video. 

If you're looking for some last-minute thumbnail solutions, we've got you covered!

From the entire vidIQ community, we wish you a merry Christmas and wish you all the best with your content creation journey ahead and onto the new year! And we're here to help you with every aspect of YouTube content. 

YouTube logo covered in Christmas decorations

Christmas is a global tentpole event for YouTube, and here are the top 10 keywords viewers are searching for about it!

Top 10 Christmas Keywords on YouTube

Uploading videos to YouTube is one of the most exciting steps in sharing your creativity, knowledge, or entertainment with the world. The butterflies, the nerves, and the seconds leading up to the final click--it's what YouTubers live and breathe for!

In the video above, Rob talks about the entire process in detail. Whether you’re a beginner or just getting back into the swing of content creation, understanding the ins and outs of uploading can set you on the path to success. 

Today, we’ll walk you through the essential steps, tips, and tools to help you confidently upload your videos to YouTube.

How to Find Winning YouTube Video Ideas in Minutes with vidIQ Remix

Before diving into video creation, let’s focus on the logistics of uploading your content. YouTube’s upload process is user-friendly, designed to cater to creators of all skill levels.

: Ensure you’re signed in with the correct account, especially if you manage multiple channels.

: On the top-right corner of your YouTube dashboard, click the camera icon with a plus sign (often labeled "Create"). Select "Upload video."

: Choose between dragging your video file into the upload window or manually browsing and selecting it.

YouTube supports a variety of video formats, including MP4, MOV, and AVI, but MP4 is generally recommended for quality and file size.

When the upload begins, YouTube processes your video in the background, but a few important initial settings need attention:

: Start by setting your video visibility to "Private" or "Unlisted." This step ensures you have time to make necessary adjustments before your audience sees the content.

: Add a working title and draft description while the upload progresses. These placeholders can be polished later.

Choosing the right visibility option ensures your video is shared appropriately:

: Ideal for drafts or testing. Only you can view the video.

: Accessible only via direct link. Perfect for sharing with collaborators before public release.

: Visible to all YouTube users. Use this option only when you’re confident the video is ready.

You should wait until the video is fully processed before making it public ensures viewers experience optimal playback quality.

As part of YouTube’s compliance with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), you’ll need to specify whether your content is “Made for Kids.” Here’s what you need to know:

: Includes videos specifically targeting children under 13. Examples include cartoons, educational content for young audiences, or toy reviews.

: Selecting this option limits certain features, like personalized ads and comments, but ensures compliance with legal requirements.

Your title is the first thing viewers notice. A well-crafted title can significantly impact your video’s performance:

: Titles should clearly reflect the content of the video. For example, "How to Make a Perfect Cup of Coffee" is better than "Coffee Tips."

Search-Based vs. Entertainment-Based Content

: If your video is educational, include specific keywords viewers might search for. For entertainment, focus on intrigue or humor.

Thumbnails play a vital role in attracting clicks. Here’s how to design a compelling one:

: Avoid cluttered designs. A single focal point works best.

: Bold, contrasting colors catch the eye.

: Include short, readable text to reinforce the title.

Video chapters improve navigation and retention by breaking your content into easily accessible segments. Here’s how to add them:

: List key moments in your description with timestamps. This helps viewers to navigate your content better and get maximum value out of it.

: Ensure each timestamp clearly reflects its segment.

Effective descriptions can boost your video’s discoverability:

: Include important keywords naturally in the first two sentences.

: Add links to related content, sources, or your social media profiles.

YouTube SEO: How to Optimize Your Videos for Maximum Views

If you're eligible for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), monetization can generate revenue from your videos. Here’s how to get started:

: Choose the types of ads (e.g., skippable, non-skippable) to enable on your video.

: YouTube provides a checklist to ensure your content complies with advertiser-friendly guidelines.

Transparency is key to maintaining trust:

: You can block ads from categories or websites that may conflict with your brand values.

: If your video includes sponsored content, enable the “Paid Promotion” tag to comply with disclosure requirements.

End screens guide viewers to their next destination, keeping them on your channel longer:

: Recommend one or two specific videos or playlists.

: Make it easy for viewers to subscribe to your channel.

While there's not a specific time to upload on YouTube, your channel and your audience activity has its highs and lows over the day. Here's what you need to consider getting the most out of it:

: Use YouTube Analytics to identify when your audience is most active on the platform.

: Select the "Schedule" option to publish your video automatically at an optimal time.

How to Find Out the Best Time to Publish a Video on YouTube

Now, keeping up with this checklist might look fairly tiring, especially spending excessive time on minor settings can detract from more impactful areas. And we at vidIQ believe in making the creative process simpler, so you can deliver on what's most important--making quality content. With a single subscription, vidIQ can help you with thumbnail design, generating ideas, and get personalized coaching for your growth. 

 and take your content journey to new heights! 

Before making your video public, run through this quick checklist:

 While tags were once essential, their impact has diminished. Use the

 to auto-fill the section with relevant tags.

: Check for any errors or issues in playback, audio, or visuals.

: Double-check visibility, description, and monetization settings.

: Decide whether to publish immediately or schedule for later.

Uploading a video to YouTube is more than just a technical process—it’s an opportunity to showcase your creativity to the world. If you've got an idea and you believe in it, it's time to get it out to the world and let the journey begin. Do you want to 

make your first YouTube video stand out from the rest?

In this post, you'll learn how to upload videos on YouTube studio, regardless of if you're a newbie or a veteran!

How To Upload Videos to YouTube Creator Studio in 2025

Thanksgiving is a beloved holiday in the US, and a hugely important occasion for friends and family to come together to indulge in food, fun, gratitude, and football. Hundreds of thousands of creators have already been publishing content around the topic on YouTube, but there are still big opportunities to create new videos around the tentpole event or rank again for content created in previous years. 

Let's take a look at the top keywords that YouTube viewers have been searching for in the last 30 days.

If you plan on publishing Thanksgiving content, you need to know what keywords YouTube viewers are searching for right now. It is just as important when they are searching for that content so you can maximize your ability to rank on YouTube. Running the keyword 'Thanksgiving' through the invaluable 

, we can confirm that the following are the most searched-for Thanksgiving keywords and phrases on YouTube in 2024:

Related keywords for the term "Thanksgiving" on vidIQ tool

When Are Viewers Searching for Thanksgiving Content on YouTube?

Over the past few years, YouTube has become one of the go-to resources for almost any and every topic you can think of. However, viewer interest in that content is often seasonal, particularly when it comes to annual events.

, interest from YouTube viewers in Thanksgiving starts to peak about a week before Halloween and lasts right through to the end of December. No big surprises there of course but a good strategy would be to publish ahead of November 28th to attract those views and engagements.

Don’t forget that engaging tentpole content is typically evergreen so if you’ve published any Thanksgiving clips on YouTube in the past, and you believe the videos are still relevant, 

update your titles and custom thumbnails to see if can leverage the interest in the content that always comes this way this time of year.

Google trends result on the term "thanksgiving"

Finding Opportunities to Create Thanksgiving Content on YouTube

When viewers are searching for content on YouTube, it’s usually with a clear intent to get an answer to a particular query. Those searching will often use a baseline keyword to start and then build off that search to find the best videos.

Top 5 Thanksgiving Food Keywords on YouTube

A look at the topmost searched-for keywords for Thanksgiving shows that users are most interested in content around traditional Thanksgiving food, especially the old favorites, turkey & stuffing. Let’s take a deeper dive into what viewers are interested in around this category:

Related keywords for "thanksgiving food" in vidIQ tool

Top 5 Thanksgiving Decor Keywords on YouTube

Apart from the glorious food, Thanksgiving is also a time when homes and offices are decked out in a wonderful array of festive decor. Video content around table decorations, and Thanksgiving DIY decor is incredibly popular with viewers as they turn to YouTube for inspiration. Here are the top 5 keywords in this category:

Related keywords for "thanksgiving decor" on vidIQ tool

So, get your Thanksgiving vibes up and start preparing your content with the help of these ideas and suggestions. If you're set on your upload but still struggling on the perfect thumbnail for your video, 

It's nearly Thanksgiving time again in the US, and here are the most searched keywords on YouTube in 2024 around this national holiday.

Top 10 Thanksgiving Keywords on YouTube

If you're a content creator, especially on YouTube, you already know that thumbnails are one of the most crucial elements of your video’s success. It’s often said that a video’s thumbnail acts like the storefront window—your one chance to grab a viewer’s attention as they scroll through endless video options. But let’s be honest: not everyone has the time, skill, or resources to make high-quality, professional thumbnails.

—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.

For a deeper look at how our tool works and how it can make your thumbnail creation easier than ever, 

. See for yourself how our AI-driven tool helps you create professional-grade thumbnails in minutes:

Why YouTube Thumbnails Matter More Than You Think

There’s no denying the role that thumbnails play in driving your video’s success. 90% of top-performing YouTube videos have custom thumbnails, and that’s no coincidence. Thumbnails are the first thing viewers see, and they can make or break your click-through rate (CTR). An eye-catching thumbnail could be the biggest differentiating factor in your video’s performance.

A well-designed thumbnail draws attention and encourages users to click

Thumbnails give viewers an instant idea of what your video is about.

Engage Audiences Before the Video Even Starts:

 You can intrigue, entertain, or captivate audiences simply with your thumbnail, setting the stage for higher engagement.

But what if you’re not a designer? That’s where our tool comes in—eliminating the need for graphic design skills while delivering professional results.

For most creators, designing custom thumbnails can be a frustrating process. Here are a few of the biggest hurdles:

Tools like Photoshop or even Canva often require design knowledge, and learning to use them can be time-consuming.

Manually creating thumbnails for every video might result in inconsistent branding, which can confuse your audience.

Creating a single thumbnail can take up to an hour or more, depending on the complexity of the design.

The last thing you want is to waste time struggling with design when you could be creating more content. That’s why we developed a solution that automates the entire process—AI-powered thumbnail generation that’s quick, effective, and customizable.

Introducing vidIQ Thumbnail Tool: AI-Driven, Fast, and Foolproof

Imagine this: You’ve just finished creating a fantastic YouTube video, and now you need a thumbnail that stands out. What if you could generate a professional-quality thumbnail in less than a minute?

With our AI-powered tool, that’s exactly what you can do. From selecting the best frames of your video to adding text and visual elements, our tool makes the process seamless. Here’s how it works:

Creating thumbnails has never been easier. You only need to drag and drop your video into the tool. The AI analyzes your video content and automatically selects a few frames to generate multiple thumbnail options.

Drag and drop feature in vidIQ thumbnail tool

If your video is not ready yet, you can use the text box to describe the thumbnail you want and vidIQ's thumbnail tool will generate some great options for you!

Step 2: AI-Generated Thumbnails in Seconds

Once you upload the video, our AI gets to work. It intelligently scans the content to identify the best frames that capture the essence of your video. You’ll be presented with several thumbnail options—each tailored to draw viewers in.

Step 3: Make Changes with a Simple Command

If you want to tweak the design, it’s super easy. You can ask the AI to make specific changes, like adjusting colors, adding visual effects, or even changing the layout—all by typing simple commands. You don’t need to know anything about design. Just tell the AI what you want, and it will do the rest.

Text changes on output in vidIQ thumbnail tool

Customization is paramount when it comes to branding, and with our tool, you can easily add text, images, or stickers to make your thumbnail stand out even more. Drag and drop additional elements to finalize your design; you’re good to go!

Why Our AI-Powered Thumbnail Tool is a Game-Changer

Our thumbnail tool isn’t just another design tool. It’s built with content creators in mind and designed to save you time while maximizing the effectiveness of your thumbnails. Here’s why it stands out from the competition:

Thumbnails are generated in seconds, not minutes or hours.

Create eye-catching YouTube thumbnails in minutes without learning any designing skills. Learn more about the ultimate thumbnail maker brought to you by vidIQ!


Posts Written By Uttaran Samaddar

Your Channel Refresh: How to Prepare for YouTube Growth in 2025

Top 10 Christmas Keywords on YouTube

How To Upload Videos to YouTube Creator Studio in 2025

Top 10 Thanksgiving Keywords on YouTube

How To Make Attention Grabbing Custom Thumbnails on YouTube with vidIQ

Top 10 Black Friday Keywords on YouTube

The 54 Best YouTube Niches, According to Viewers

The Easiest Way to Get 1,000 Subscribers on YouTube

How to Get More YouTube Subscribers on a Small Channel

Quality Watch Time: How Viewers Define It

Top 15 Halloween Keywords on YouTube

4 Reasons to Start Adding YouTube Captions to Your Videos