Are you looking for Black Friday deals this week? As a content creator, this is a great time to look at your production equipment and see if anything needs upgrading. For example, it might be time to invest in a DSLR camera if you started your YouTube channel with a smartphone. Or maybe your microphone is a bit old and worn out!

No matter where you're starting from, one thing is true: 

Some YouTube equipment is more critical than others.

 Small creators can drastically improve their videos with better audio, lighting, and visuals before most other upgrades. 

Even still, you probably don't want to pay $1,000 for a camera that was marked down from $1,200. So, here's the best YouTube equipment available at an affordable price!

Looking for the best camera under $500? These four entry-level options will upgrade your videos by leaps and bounds! On the list, we have DSLR cameras, point-and-shoot options, and even action cams.

The Lumix G7 has everything you need to create aesthetically pleasing videos. It offers 4K recording, at 30 fps, with a maximum focal length of 84mm. If you have to film in various conditions, you'll also love the weather-resistant design. With a 3D Lens with a 16 micro four-thirds system, you'll never miss a shot in action! Overall, the Lumix G7 is a point-and-shoot camera that goes above and beyond.

Featuring a powerful 24.1 MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC 4+ image processor, this DSLR delivers sharp, vibrant photos and Full HD videos. Its 18-55mm lens offers versatility for everyday shooting, while built-in Wi-Fi makes sharing your creations seamless. Perfect for beginners and enthusiasts, the Rebel T7 combines quality, ease of use, and connectivity in one sleek package.

Action cameras pack a lot of power in a small package, and the Osmo Action 4 is no different. You get 4K video recording, a waterproof design, and a vivid touch screen for previewing your content. The camera also comes with RockSteady stabilization. Whether you're mountain biking, skateboarding, or capturing any high-movement activity, the footage looks incredibly smooth.

The GoPro HERO13 is an action camera with 5K recording and 27-megapixel resolution. It's famously small, a huge advantage for vloggers, sports enthusiasts, or anyone who needs light-weight equipment. And, if you're into water sports, the Hero12 has you covered with waterproofing technology. The camera also has HyperSmooth stabilization to smooth out bumpy rides on motorcycles, ATVs, and other wheeled vehicles.

Black Friday Microphone Deals (Under $250)

The best microphone for YouTube is one that fits your budget and produces clear audio. Start your search here with our list of Black Friday deals on microphones.

Looking for a quality microphone that fits a tighter budget? The Blue Snowball matches that description, especially for the current sale price of $39! But don't be fooled by its affordability; this is a plug-and-play mic that doesn't compromise on sound. The Blue Snowball is incredibly user-friendly, and you can use it for voiceovers, livestreaming, or basic music recordings.

This microphone is a favorite among content creators for its crisp sound quality and ease of use. It's a USB microphone that plugs right into your computer, which is pretty convenient. Best of all, Blue Yeti has several recording options, including cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional, and stereo. This means you can record just about anything, from solo podcasts to interviews, music, or even a roundtable discussion. Overall, the Blue Yeti is one of the best USB mics on the market.

Compatible with PC, PS4, PS5, and Mac, the HyperX Quad Cast features four selectable polar patterns for versatile recording, an anti-vibration shock mount, and an internal pop filter for crystal-clear audio. With built-in gain control, a stunning red LED indicator, and seamless performance on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Discord, the QuadCast elevates your voice to the next level.

The Shure MV88+ Video Kit is your ticket to quality sound, all for under $300. It features a smartphone condenser microphone, which works for Apple and Android users. The full kit includes a Manfrotto PIXI tripod, a clamp for your phone, a mount, plus iOS and USB-C cables. This is the perfect solution for hands-free recording!

What's the best lighting for YouTube videos? If you're on a budget, these four options will upgrade your visuals significantly!

The cheapest light source on our list, the Godox M1 is a compact LED panel. It features RGB color options, allowing you to choose from a spectrum of colors to set the perfect mood for your videos. The M1 also has multiple lighting modes, including standard bi-color options, such as red-green and yellow-green.

The Panel Go has a slim, lightweight design that fits into almost any camera bag. But what makes this panel stand out is the ability to adjust color temperature and brightness. With those features, you can easily tweak the lighting to match your environment. Additionally, the Panel GO comes with a built-in battery, which is rechargeable via USB-C.

The BOLING Pocket LED is an excellent pick, especially if you want to light your videos for less than $100. Like other options on the list, it offers a full spectrum of colors, the ability to adjust color temperature, and a few brightness options. But this light stands out because it's specifically for 

 and has a 360-degree mount for that purpose.

We hope you found something on this list to enhance the visuals, audio, or lighting of your YouTube videos. After all, the more quality you put into your content, the more views you'll see in return!



Speaking of views, here's how to go insanely viral at the end of the year!

Cameras, lenses, and more equipment on a table

DSLR camera with lens and photography accessories on a flat surface in black and white.

Did you know there are tons of Black Friday deals for content creators? Here are the best YouTube cameras, mics, and lighting for a discount!

11 Pieces of YouTube Equipment on Sale for Black Friday

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"

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. "

How to Get 10 Million YouTube Shorts Views: A 90-Day Plan

" 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.

 These are the most searched terms, and they have a high search volume because everyone uses them. Short-tail keywords only contain a few words. Terms like, "youtube shorts", "algorithm", "youtube monetization", etc. are great examples.

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!

 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?

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

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 is 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 

 tab on the left. 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.

vidIQ keyword tool showing no questions found for the narrow topic 'dog food for older dogs'

Using a dedicated tool is the easiest way to research, but there are other ways to get keyword ideas on YouTube. Here's a quick list!

Find Keywords Using the YouTube Search Bar

Have you noticed that the YouTube search bar auto-completes every query? You could type the phrase "how to cook" — a basic search — and YouTube will share a list of relevant searches to explore. This is a fantastic observation to understand the intent behind the search for these keywords on YouTube.

YouTube search bar showing autocomplete suggestions for 'how to cook' revealing popular search queries

Pay attention to these suggestions. If YouTube is recommending them, it's because viewers are searching for them 

. You can use these "freebies" to kick off your research.

Want to make the suggestions more targeted for your niche? Make sure you're using the correct verbs. We used "cook" in the example above, which works well for a culinary channel. But there are plenty of words you can use to get better suggestions:

grow (gardening, finance, personal growth)

build (DIY, construction, personal growth)

Find the Related Google Searches Associated with Your Video

Have you heard of related Google searches? You’ll see them at the bottom of Google search pages, like these keywords for the popular search phrase “YouTube Shorts monetization.”

Google related searches for 'YouTube Shorts monetization' showing valuable keyword opportunities

So how do these keywords affect your content?

If you produce quality YouTube videos (that have keywords from related searches), Google might recommend your content at the top of search pages. Imagine all of that free traffic going straight to your videos!

vidIQ video ranking at the top of Google search results for 'YouTube Shorts monetization' keyword

Use Google Trends to Find Popular Topics/Keywords

Want to find popular keywords you can trust? Go to 

 and type in any phrase related to your content. Google will show you the relative popularity of that keyword over time, the regions people are searching from, related topics, and questions people ask.

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

Learn how to 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 YouTube Keywords that Grow Your Channel

Gaining your first 1,000 subscribers on YouTube

 is a common goal but often feels like an uphill battle, right? Even if you’re producing quality content, the initial struggle can feel endless. So, what’s the deal? Why does it seem so challenging to reach this milestone, even for creators who pour hours into their videos? What is the easiest way to get 1,000 subscribers on YouTube? Should you try to go viral with a trendy video that gets millions of views?

How to Get More YouTube Subscribers on a Small Channel

All these are valid questions and need to be inspected deeper. So, let’s dive into what might be holding you back—and, more importantly, what can propel you forward. Here’s a three-pillar strategy that simplifies the path to 1,000 subscribers, no matter what niche you're in.

But first, watch the video below to learn more about these pillars of YouTube growth from the main man Rob Wilson himself:

Why is it Hard to Reach 1,000 Subscribers?

Before we jump into strategies, knowing why this milestone can be tricky is helpful. Most creators face a few main challenges:

With millions of videos on YouTube, standing out is hard.

YouTube’s algorithm favors channels that keep viewers on the platform longer. If your videos aren’t connected, they may not keep viewers coming back.

Many creators start off strong but hit a wall when they realize it takes more than quality content to grow.

Sound familiar? These factors make gaining traction tough, but with the right strategy, you can set yourself up for quicker growth. Let’s explore a three-pillar strategy to get you there.

How to Get 1,000 Subscribers on YouTube (Fast and Free)

1. Identify Your Top ‘Suggested’ Videos and Make ‘Linked’ Videos 

Think of your videos as a connected series rather than standalone content. When each video naturally links to the next, viewers are more likely to stay on your channel and watch multiple videos—this improves watch time, viewer retention, and eventually, subscriber count.

OK, here’s where the fun starts. Now that you have dozens of videos to analyze, you can go into the YouTube Studio and see which ones perform well. This is crucial to gaining 1,000 subscribers; your absolute best videos – not the average performers – are more likely to make people subscribe.

 These are the videos YouTube recommends to viewers based on what they’ve already watched or what they might watch next. So essentially, YouTube will “pair” one video with another if people frequently watch them “together” on the platform.

Understanding the YouTube Algorithm in 2024

If someone watches a video about how to get more subscribers on YouTube, they might see some of the suggested videos below. These could appear as a “watch next” prompt within the video, on the right side of the screen (pictured below, as seen on desktop), or below the video being watched (mobile).

Follow these steps to see your top five suggested videos:

Make sure you’re on the Overview tab, then click 

 below the graph that shows views, Watch Time, estimated revenue, and subscribers.

From the list of secondary metrics, select 

 (in the top right corner) to make sure you get enough data.

Your suggested videos list should look something like this:

Top suggested videos from vidIQ's channel

Write down the top five videos on your list, and for each one, film a companion video on the same topic. As YouTube suggests "pairs" of videos to viewers, you'll give the algorithm popular but similar content to pull from.

: If each of your videos feels random or disconnected, you risk losing viewer interest after just one. Ask yourself: 

How can I connect this video to the previous one?

: Staying within a niche builds a recognizable brand and helps YouTube understand where to categorize your content. Think of a mini-series approach to keep the audience engaged and the algorithm in your favor.

When your content is interconnected, it’s easier to build a dedicated audience who keep coming back--and it's something we witnessed first-hand in the vidIQ YouTube channel itself. 

2. Use Shock Value for Clickable Titles and Thumbnails

Why it Works: People are busy, and you’ve got a fraction of a second to grab their attention. Titles and thumbnails are often the deciding factor on whether someone clicks on your video or scrolls past. Add a bit of “shock value” to make them stop, look, and click.

This doesn’t mean over-the-top clickbait but something that piques curiosity. Could you make the viewer wonder, How did they do that? Or why did they say that?

Use elements of surprise or contrast in your titles and thumbnails. For example, instead of “Easy Pasta Recipe,” try something like, “How to Make Restaurant-Quality Pasta in 3 Minutes.”

1. What would make your title more clickable without being misleading? Would adding a time constraint (e.g., “in 3 minutes”) make it more intriguing?

2. Can you include a surprise element in your thumbnail? For example, if you’re showing a recipe, maybe a “before” and “after” shot could create curiosity.

Ask yourself, “What will make someone do a double-take on my thumbnail or title?” Sometimes, the simplest tweaks (like “fastest,” “weirdest,” or “easiest”) can make a huge difference.

If your thumbnails are too “safe,” consider adding bold text, split screens, or emojis to create a visual contrast that draws in the eye.

Think of your titles and thumbnails as the first impression of your video—make sure they grab attention without losing credibility. Don’t leave these crucial elements as an afterthought. Plan your titles and thumbnails before filming to ensure you deliver what’s promised and keep your content focused.

3. Identify Your Top 5 ‘Search’ Topics. Make Similar Content

Out of all the videos you’ve made, how many of them are searchable? Do they address problems people are always trying to solve? If so, find out which video topics are most helpful to viewers.

You can do this by identifying the top five search terms on your channel. These are video topics that perform well in the 

. Getting views in this area means people are clicking on your videos after searching a specific term or phrase.

YouTube SERP for "how to get 1000 subscribers"

Here’s how to find your most popular search topics:

From the list of traffic sources, select 

Next, you’ll see a list of your channel's popular search content.

Traffic source from YouTube search on vidIQ's channel

 Then make additional content using the same topics. If things work out, you’ll reach new viewers who are constantly searching for such videos. That creates an opportunity to snag more subscribers.

4. Figure Out Which Videos Attract the Most Subscribers

This might be the most straightforward tip on our list. When viewers hit subscribe, they probably watched an awesome video beforehand. But not every video convinces people to join your community. That’s why our next strategy is pure gold: Go into the YouTube Studio and identify which videos bring in the most subscribers.

Source of subscribers from YouTube watch page in vidIQ's channel.

Take a look at your top five videos; this is the content that convinces viewers to hit subscribe.

Pick one video from your list and make an additional video about the same topic. If the original video is working for you, a follow-up could potentially increase your subscribers.

Viewer retention, or how long people watch your videos, is a key metric that YouTube’s algorithm uses to recommend your content. Viewers who stay engaged signal to YouTube that your video is worth promoting.

: The longer people watch, the better your video will rank and be recommended. Hook viewers in from the beginning and keep them watching till the end.

: Try mini hooks at various points in your video, like posing a question or offering an incentive (e.g., a downloadable guide at the end).

What can you do in the first 10 seconds to make viewers stay? Could you ask a question or share an interesting fact?

Are there spots in your video where viewer interest may dip? Can you add a teaser or “re-hook” at these points?

: Drop hints about what’s coming up later in the video to keep curiosity high. For example, “Stay tuned to find out the one trick that saved me $100…”

: If your video is a tutorial, promise a free checklist or resource at the end to motivate viewers to stick around.

When you prioritize retention, you’re more likely to see organic growth through YouTube’s recommendations. And you don't have to accept the claim just because we say it. From our channel analytics, we found out that videos optimized for retention saw an improved view count compared to others. 

Reaching 1,000 subscribers doesn’t have to be an endless grind. With a strategic approach that focuses on linked videos, eye-catching thumbnails, and retention-boosting tactics, you can simplify the process. And if you're in need of more motivation, check out 

how much money you can expect to earn once you reach 1,000 subscribers!

Orange play button with vidIQ logo, green vines, and upward trending arrow on orange background

Is there a foolproof way to get 1,000 subscribers on YouTube? Yes! Here are five amazing tips to reach that big goal.

The Easiest Way to Get 1,000 Subscribers on YouTube

Content creators must determine the best strategies to attract viewers as YouTube continues to dominate social media. Fortunately, 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.

A caption is a brief description or summary of any visual. On YouTube, we most commonly associate it with the button on the bottom right side of the video player, labeled “CC.”

Captioning your content is an extra step in the editing or upload process, but it's worth the effort. Here's why!

More than 400 million individuals are deaf or hearing impaired and cannot consume video content without captions or transcripts. Equipping your video with written text helps you reach a broader audience and share your message with a larger number of people.

As mobile devices become more popular for media consumption, the number of people watching YouTube while in transit or in public will grow. We know they aren’t turning on the speakers!

Online viewers have grown accustomed to closed captions, and for good reason. In a national research study conducted with Oregon State University, it was reported that 

 as a learning aid by improving comprehension.

But do videos with captions really do better on YouTube? What’s in it for creators? According to Meta, captioned videos (ads specifically) 

increase viewing time by an average of 12%

. But even if you aren't making ads, providing captions on 

Even a 30-second YouTube Short can feel more informational than a standard video just by adding captions!

A YouTube video with captions makes it easier for users to search for information within a piece of content. They can quickly find where particular things were stated, and timestamps indicate where they may find related information in the video.

Search engine algorithms may utilize your transcriptions to locate keywords and search terms in the video, so that's another reason to caption your content. Over time, this practice can improve your SEO and make your video rank higher on YouTube.

Plus, according to one study by Discovery Digital Networks, captioned videos had a

 in views in the first two weeks after being published. The numbers say it all: Captions do get you more views on YouTube!

By adding captions to your videos, you’re also opening the door to subtitles. With the help of subtitles, you can translate your content into various languages and attract more viewers. As stated in the beginning, this is where the bigger pool of audience is, and it only makes sense to make your channel inclusive towards all.

Content creators use recorded video or audio to generate clips, reels, and montages across other platforms, which improves discoverability. And adding captions can make that much easier.

While YouTube does provide its own tool to create and add real-time captions, the result is usually riddled with errors. The same issue also exists in the case of the live captioning feature. But this issue can be resolved very easily with a few hours of manual editing.

Did you know that adding captions might bring you more views? Read on to learn more advantages of using YouTube captions.

YouTube Tips & Tricks

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How to Find YouTube Keywords that Grow Your Channel

The Easiest Way to Get 1,000 Subscribers on YouTube

4 Reasons to Start Adding YouTube Captions to Your Videos

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How to Turn Off Age Restriction on YouTube

How to Effectively Write a YouTube CTA

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