This post was originally written Nov 14, 2024 and has been updated with newer information.

Before you post a video on YouTube, it helps to do some 

. This task reveals essential things about your video, like the popularity of your topic and the words people use to find videos like yours.

Knowing these details will help you get more views, especially now that YouTube is bursting with competition. You can use specific keywords to attract the right audience and ensure you get thousands of relevant, long-term views. And those same keywords will tell 

 what your video is about, ensuring that it appears on the right search pages.

So if you want more views, set your camera down for a while (we’ll come back to it, I promise!). For now, let’s explore the power of YouTube keyword research.

You probably hear about keywords all the time. But what are they?

On YouTube, a keyword is any collection of words people use to search for videos.

You use keywords all the time if you watch YouTube often. In fact, anything you type into the search bar is a potential keyword that helps YouTube show you the right video.

Just look at how many searches pop up when we type “iced coffee recipe.” YouTube uses

 search term to pull additional yet relevant searches we might be interested in.

A list of suggested YouTube searches for the original term "iced coffee recipe"

YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world, and every day many people type in the same search phrases again and again. These are the most searched keywords on YouTube, and knowing them can give your channel an instant edge. While these terms often have high competition, they also reflect what’s trending and what viewers want most.

Autocomplete suggestions in the YouTube search bar

Google Trends (set the filter to YouTube)

, which shows search volume and competition for keywords

We’ll also share how to balance big, popular terms with more specific ones later in this guide.

As per their length and usage, keywords are primarily divided into 3 main categories:

 These are longer keywords that contain several words and target a specific type of query. They don't usually have a high search volume, but people using long-tail keywords know exactly what they want to watch. "

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" is a good example of a long-tail keyword.

 These keywords have a moderate search volume and may contain a group of words or a phrase. Many consider medium-tail keywords to be the best of both worlds because they aren't too hard to rank for. A good example here would be, "

How to Start a YouTube Channel: 10 Brilliant Tips.

 Short-tail keywords are often the most searched keywords on YouTube, like “YouTube Shorts,” “Minecraft,” or “MrBeast.” These are broad and competitive, but they reflect top YouTube searches that everyone is chasing.

Should I Target the Most Searched Keywords?

When you look at what people search on YouTube, you’ll see that the top keywords for YouTube usually bring massive traffic, but they’re also extremely competitive. Broad terms like "MrBeast", "Minecraft", or "music videos" are searched millions of times each month. The challenge is that big creators already dominate these searches on YouTube, making it tough for smaller or new channels to break through.

Instead, think of the most searched keywords as a starting point. Use them to understand what viewers care about, then layer on niche variations that give you a better chance of visibility. For example:

Instead of "Minecraft", try "Minecraft survival tips for beginners".

Instead of "music", try "best workout music 2025 playlist".

This balance lets you ride the wave of popular searches while still carving out your own space in YouTube results.

, to find the sweet spot of high search volume and low-to-medium competition. That’s where smaller creators can stand out.

Finding the best keywords on YouTube isn’t difficult, but sometimes the process can take a while. If you’re short on time, we recommend using a 

. It cuts your research time in half by showing detailed information about various keywords, including:

An overall keyword score, which assesses keyword volume and competitiveness

And guess what? You can get all this and more from vidIQ’s keyword research tool!

Check out how easy it is to use in this video.

 right now. Then come back to this article to learn how to use the tool and see the best YouTube keywords. 

Or, scroll down to see free research options!

It's important to have a clear topic for your YouTube video so you can focus your keyword research. Exploring one topic in depth allows you to target the right audience and discover the specific words they'll use to find your video.

So get clear on your purpose. Are you posting a Minecraft tutorial? A vlog at the Grand Canyon? Two baristas racing each other to make a Starbucks latte?

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No matter what you’re aiming for, try to summarize the video idea in 1-2 sentences. If you can do that successfully, you’re ready to move to the next step.

2. Create a List of Phrases to Describe Your Video

The next step is brainstorming a list of words to describe your video. This task is all about identifying what makes your video special, so consider the key talking points you'll discuss or unique details about the theme.

For example, let’s say your video is about buying dog food for senior dogs. Your list could look something like this:

Dog food for senior dogs with special needs

Dog food for senior dogs with dietary restrictions

Dog food for senior dogs with sensitive stomachs

Once you come up with a list of potential words, your research becomes ten times easier. You won’t have to wonder, “What should I type into the keyword tool?” because you’ve already covered that part!

 to discover relevant terms and drive traffic to your videos. All you have to do is place them in your titles and descriptions, then hit publish!

Here, we use the phrase "YouTube Short" to generate related keywords.

vidIQ AI YouTube keyword generator tool showing search results for 'YouTube Short'

After clicking on "generate", the tool will provide a list of related keywords and a score to prioritize their use.

vidIQ keyword generator results showing relevant YouTube keywords with priority scores

3. Paste Those Descriptors into vidIQ’s Keyword Tool

Now it's time to take your word list for a spin. If you’ve signed up for vidIQ, then head to 

. You can also find it lower on the dashboard screen.

vidIQ dashboard showing the Keywords tab location for YouTube keyword research

Go to the search bar and paste in a phrase from your keyword list. Then hit enter!

vidIQ keyword tool search bar with the phrase 'dog food for older dogs' ready for analysis

Next, let’s see how the tool analyzes monthly search volume, competitiveness, related terms, and additional questions people ask.

After hitting enter on your search, look directly below the search bar; you'll notice a 

 for the term you just typed. This number represents the quality of your keyword in terms of search volume and competition.

vidIQ keyword analysis showing 'dog food for older dogs' with a keyword score of 65 indicating good search potential

Generally, you want to use high-volume, low-competition keywords on YouTube. For example, “dog food for older dogs” has a medium search volume and low competition overall — not bad for a few seconds’ work!

Now we know the search volume for this topic is high enough to get views without facing too much competition. That's a great sign because it’s not easy finding low-competition keywords (

Want to see other versions of the keyword you're exploring? Take a look at the 

 panel, which is right below the keyword score.

vidIQ matching terms panel showing keyword variations for 'dog food for older dogs' with search volume data

As you can see, the tool shares additional keywords we should consider. You might find some that describe your video better or have a higher keyword score, so take advantage of this panel.

With related keywords, you can explore how people search for the smaller details related to your topic, which is always good to know.

But even better, related keywords can expose the 

 in other YouTube videos — the "subtopics" viewers care about but don't get to see because they're missing from a video. So, you can use related keywords to fortify your content with information people are looking for.

 section on the right side of the screen. Click 

vidIQ related keywords panel showing expanded keyword ideas for 'dog food for older dogs' to enhance content

When we expand the list, we get more related keywords, including:

People are searching for these related topics, so it makes sense to cover them in the video.

Imagine that viewers are asking questions about a topic on YouTube. In that case, you can make your video 10 times more valuable by providing a clear, helpful answer.

 panel in the bottom right corner of the screen.

Sometimes you won’t see any questions if your topic is narrow, like the one we've chosen (dog food for older dogs). When that happens, try expanding your search to a broader term.

A magnifying glass hovering over a phone screen showing the YouTube app.

Magnified YouTube logo on smartphone screen with pink background and video thumbnail visible

The most common things people search on YouTube are music, gaming, tutorials, and trending pop culture topics. These searches on YouTube often include short, high-volume terms like 

. While these top keywords for YouTube bring huge traffic, they’re also competitive. Smaller creators should look for niche variations to stand out.

Find powerful YouTube keywords that boost views and subscribers. Our research guide helps creators build channel keywords lists that rank higher in search.

How to Find the Most Searched Keywords on YouTube for Your Niche

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

Starting a YouTube channel without showing your face in 2025 is not only feasible but rapidly becoming a popular trend as creators leverage privacy and innovative content strategies. Whether for privacy reasons, access to quality automation, discomfort in front of the camera, or simply because the content doesn’t require a visible host, faceless YouTube channels offer creators a path to success.

By combining consistent content creation with diverse monetization strategies such as ads, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and emerging subscription options, faceless creators can achieve significant and sustainable income. Here, we’ll explain how you can do it for your channel!

40 Awesome YouTube Channel Ideas (Without Showing Your Face)

A faceless YouTube channel is a type of channel where the content creators don’t appear on camera. These channels focus on delivering value through other means like voiceovers, stock footage, animations, or simply visuals that don’t require the creator’s presence.

Illustration showcasing the concept of a faceless YouTube channel

There could be many reasons why creators choose this path. Some content is better delivered without a visual personality, such as channels focused on commentary, documentaries, or storytelling. Including a face might take away from the actual focus of the content that the creators want to put out.

We also know that not everyone is comfortable being on camera, and many creators prefer to remain anonymous. It could be because they want to protect themselves from online bullying or refrain from letting people know in real life.

Whatever the reason may be, faceless channels can be a profitable venture in many lucrative niches on YouTube and help you build a sustainable presence on the platform.

From what we’ve seen so far, there are two broad categories of faceless channels:

These are channels where the creator chooses not to show their face but still uses their voice or other unique elements to engage viewers.

These channels rely heavily on AI tools, stock footage, and outsourcing. Many automated channels use AI-generated voices and pre-existing visuals to create content quickly and at scale.

To help creators like you get started with their faceless YouTube journey, our in-house expert, Rob Wilson, made an intensive guide. Watch the video below:

So, let’s break this content creation process down:

Choosing a niche is crucial. You want a topic that has a large audience but isn’t overly saturated. Popular niches for faceless channels include:

How-to videos, tutorials, and explainer videos.

Conduct thorough research of existing channels in your niche to identify topics with high viewership; use advanced analytics to uncover actionable data for your content strategy. This will guide your content strategy.

The list is not all-inclusive by any means, but it provides an idea of what works among faceless and automated channels. You can use this information to

 that’ll give you a deeper understanding of these niches and find you topics with high search volume and lower competition.

This strategy applies to all creators, emphasizing the importance of analyzing successful channels to understand what drives engagement, regardless of on-camera presence. Modeling after channels that have already achieved success in your niche can fast-track your growth. By analyzing successful strategies and understanding audience behavior, you can build a channel that is both innovative and highly effective. Try to learn the reasoning behind the important elements like the title and thumbnail. Identify what grabs your attention and learn how they’ve kept their viewers engaged.

Hands-on experience in video creation—from scripting and editing to publishing and analysis—is invaluable for mastering YouTube's dynamic environment. You need to learn how to write scripts, the basics of editing, and other related skills. Here’s why:

Your script is the backbone of your video. Write engaging, informative scripts that keep your audience hooked.

Even if you plan to outsource or automate it eventually, understanding the basics of video editing will help you maintain quality control.

If you choose to use your voice, practice delivering it clearly and with the right tone for your content.

Visual representation of video creation without appearing on camera

Essential Tools for Running a Faceless Channel

Running a faceless YouTube channel isn’t just about creative ideas—it’s also about using the right tools to streamline production and boost growth. There is a range of essential tools, from advanced keyword research and content planning platforms to modern video editing software and AI-powered automation. These resources help optimize every stage of video creation, ensuring that your content is engaging, well-structured, and SEO friendly. 

 that not only boost productivity but also allow you to focus on crafting compelling narratives that resonate with your target audience.

Faceless YouTube channels have unique monetization avenues compared to traditional channels. While traditional channels have an element of personal branding that drives much of the revenue, faceless channels can pursue other forms of monetization. Selling digital products and sponsored content opportunities are massive here because of a wider reach of faceless content. 

By focusing on content rather than personality, creators can use AI tools and automation to churn out more videos.

Certain niches, like educational content or motivational videos, don’t require a face but thrive on well-researched, high-quality content.

Spending money on lights and camera equipment becomes unnecessary, which might be easy on many new creators.

Starting a faceless channel has challenges that might sometimes cause serious harm. A lot of channels get demonetized, or worse, terminated, as they fail to adhere to certain responsibilities as creators. Some of these problems are:

Learn how to start a faceless YouTube channel and leverage AI and automation to scale your growth. Discover niche strategies, monetization tips, and effective SEO insights.

YouTube Tips for Creators

How to Find the Most Searched Keywords on YouTube for Your Niche

How to Get More Views on YouTube: 12 Powerful Tips

How to Start a Faceless YouTube Channel in 2025

How to Start a YouTube Channel in 2025: Step-by-step guide

Understanding the YouTube Algorithm in 2025

YouTube Thumbnail Design Tips: Best Practices for 2025

How To Get Serious About YouTube

The Best YouTube Thumbnail Size and Dimensions for 2025

How to Create a YouTube Video Essay: Full Guide

How to See Your Subscribers on YouTube

25 Reasons Why Viewers Are Not Watching Your Videos (And How to Fix Them)

The YouTuber’s Guide to Consistency Without Creative Burnout