, the algorithm can feel like an elusive beast to conquer.

Creators often feel like they’re playing a losing game against YouTube’s algorithm, pouring hours into content that barely gets seen. But what if the key to success isn't about chasing the algorithm at all? What if the secret lies in focusing on what you love and creating content that truly resonates with you?

, a creator who learned to beat the YouTube algorithm by ignoring it and, instead, building a channel that works for him on his own terms.

Mike’s strategy stands out in an algorithm-driven world. His journey teaches us how to grow authentically, stay motivated through challenges, and create content fueled by passion.

Mike’s journey began long before YouTube became the platform it is today. Inspired by a Lego stop-motion animation he stumbled upon as a child, Mike’s passion for storytelling and animation took root early. His father introduced him to the idea that stop-motion animation was simply a series of photos played back quickly, which sparked a creative flame in young Mike.

, Mike was ready to share his creations. Although his first channel, a collection of early Lego stop-motion videos, now feels like a cringe-worthy relic, it was a crucial step in his creative development. It’s a reminder that every creator has humble beginnings, and 

 or awkward content are just part of the growth process.

How Authentic Content Helps in Beating the YouTube Algorithm

One of the biggest lessons from Mike’s story is the importance of creating content that you love, rather than content designed solely to please the algorithm. He admits to cringing at his older videos because they lacked strategy and focus. But he also celebrates this as a sign of growth — if you’re not embarrassed by your old work, you’re probably not improving.

Mike’s unique niche is Lego stop-motion animated storytimes. He blends his love of 

 with his animation skills to create videos that stand out in a crowded space. This format is rare and distinct, which helps draw attention even without aggressive algorithm chasing.

But Mike doesn’t limit himself to stop-motion alone. His channel includes commentary videos, goofy sketches with friends, and casual “filler” content like watching bad movies or reacting to silly things. This variety keeps his channel fresh and prevents burnout, while still centering on what he enjoys.

 Write a one-sentence statement describing what you love most about creating content and revisit it before starting a new project.

Footage from Mike Crocker's YouTube Channel

Uniqueness Matters More Than Algorithm Hacks

the power of uniqueness in content creation

. When trying to get noticed by bigger creators like 

 or Scott Cramer, Mike pitched the value of his unique storytelling style: a chance for them to share personal stories in a new and artistic way. This helped him land interviews with channels far larger than his own, boosting his channel’s visibility without relying on typical algorithm tricks.

He wisely points out that many creators are drawn to unique content because it offers something fresh and engaging. While the algorithm favors watch time and engagement, it also responds well to originality and authenticity. This is a crucial insight for anyone wondering how to beat the YouTube algorithm: be yourself and bring something fresh to the table.

The Reality of Stop-Motion: Time and Patience

One of the most striking details Mike shared was the sheer amount of time required to produce his Lego stop-motion videos. For one interview video with Kurtis Connor, Mike clocked over 155 hours of work just on the stop-motion portion, not counting pre-production planning, recording, or editing.

Because stop-motion videos take so long to make, Mike balances his channel with quicker, more casual content. This strategy helps maintain a steady upload schedule and keeps his audience engaged. It also lets him explore other creative avenues like commentary and sketches, preventing creative stagnation.

This balance is a smart way to avoid burnout and keep a channel dynamic. It’s a practical lesson for creators who feel pressured to churn out high-effort content constantly but struggle to keep up.

 Create a production schedule that balances high-effort and low-effort videos to maintain consistency.

Networking and Collaborations: Landing Big Interviews

Mike’s channel has seen rapid growth, jumping from around 5,000 subscribers to nearly 7,000 in a short span. Recently, he even hit the milestone of monetization, becoming a YouTube Partner. This achievement brought new motivation but also new challenges.

One of the biggest hurdles Mike faces is balancing YouTube with financial realities. Like many creators, he juggles freelance work alongside his channel, trying to maintain a healthy work-life balance. The pressure of bills and rent is a constant reminder that passion alone doesn’t pay the bills.

, which means managing your time wisely and finding balance. He also refuses to isolate himself socially, recognizing that maintaining relationships and mental health is crucial for long-term success.

Not every video on Mike’s channel is a hit, and he’s honest about how that affects him. While a poorly performing video can bruise the ego, it doesn’t harm the channel’s overall health. Videos that don’t do well simply don’t move the needle forward, they don’t drag it down either.

This perspective is vital for creators learning how to beat the YouTube algorithm. It’s okay to experiment and fail sometimes. What matters is maintaining consistency and learning from each attempt. The algorithm isn’t a judge of your worth; it’s a tool that rewards engagement and viewer satisfaction.

 Start a “Lessons Learned” document for flops, noting what you can improve next time.

The Power of Community and Support Systems

One of Mike’s biggest sources of motivation is his support system. He’s part of a Discord community of small YouTubers who share ideas, analytics, and encouragement daily. This camaraderie helps him stay accountable and motivated, especially during tough times.

Mike’s advice is clear: Find people who believe in you and your vision. Avoid negative spaces that drain your energy or make you question your passion. 

 can make all the difference in sustaining motivation and creativity.

Building Your Brand Through Authenticity and Consistency

Mike’s channel showcases the importance of primal branding, 

that help viewers identify and connect with you.

For instance, Mike’s tiny blue microphone is more than just a prop; It’s a quirky signature that fans recognize and associate with his personality. Although some critics suggested removing it for being distracting, Mike held firm because it felt authentic and funny to him.

Branding doesn’t have to be complicated or overly strategic. Sometimes, it’s about embracing what makes you unique and letting that shine through consistently. Over time, these small quirks build a recognizable identity that helps attract and retain viewers.

The Changing Landscape of YouTube and Viewer Satisfaction

Mike and others have noticed that YouTube is shifting its focus from 

metrics like watch time to viewer satisfaction.

 This means the platform values how happy viewers are with the content they watch, regardless of length.

This shift has huge implications for creators. Instead of obsessing over hacks, the best strategy is to beat the YouTube algorithm by making satisfying, meaningful content that delivers a complete experience. Whether that’s a short video or a long one, what matters most is how viewers feel after watching.

Final Thoughts: How to Beat the YouTube Algorithm

Mike Crocker’s journey offers a compelling blueprint for creators wondering how to beat 

 without losing themselves in the process. Here are some key takeaways to apply to your own channel:

 Create content you love rather than chasing trends or algorithmic formulas.

 Find a niche or style that sets you apart and lean into it.

 Mix high-effort videos with quicker, casual content to maintain consistency.

 Offer clear value when reaching out to bigger creators for collaborations.

 Build a supportive community and surround yourself with people who believe in you.

 Develop authentic, consistent elements that make your channel memorable.

 Prioritize creating content that truly connects with your audience.

Remember, the algorithm is just one part of the YouTube ecosystem. By focusing on passion, authenticity, and community, you can build a channel that thrives on your own terms.

The Secret to Standing Out as a Small YouTube Creator

vidIQ playing a game of Chess against YouTube

Discover how to beat the YouTube algorithm by focusing on passion, authenticity, and unique content that resonates with viewers.

How to Beat the YouTube Algorithm

The YouTube algorithm exists to match viewers with the perfect video for their search, their interests, and their moment. Master how it works, and you control who sees your content.

Every minute, creators upload 500+ hours of video to YouTube. The algorithm's single job is to predict which videos will keep each viewer watching, clicking, and coming back for more.

Master this system, and you control your growth. Ignore it, and you're hoping for luck.

Here's exactly how the YouTube Algorithm decides what to recommend in 2026, and the specific changes you can make today to get more views.

(Note: The Shorts algorithm follows its own model. 

You can find our dedicated guide to the Shorts algorithm here

YouTube Algorithm Explained: What It Actually Does

The YouTube algorithm is a prediction engine powered by machine learning. It analyzes billions of data points every second to answer one question:

"Will this specific viewer enjoy this specific video right now?"

The algorithm isn't a gatekeeper, it's a matchmaker trying to connect your content with people who'll love it.

Watch this overview video to see how the algorithm chooses and ranks content.

 what each viewer will enjoy based on their history and behavior

 candidate videos that might match their interests

 those videos by predicted satisfaction and engagement

 Every viewer sees a personalized YouTube feed. Two people searching the same term will see different results based on what YouTube predicts they'll actually watch.

Why the YouTube Algorithm Matters for Creators

You don't need many subscribers to get recommended. You need to show the algorithm that your video satisfies a specific type of viewer. This helps small channels get discovered if they understand what the algorithm is looking for.

YouTube Ranking Formula showing engagement elements, satisfaction elements, and relevance elements pointing to a YouTube play button

How Does the YouTube Algorithm Work? The 3 Ranking Signals

Understanding how the YouTube algorithm works means focusing on these three signal types..

1. Engagement Signals (Does Your Video Hold Attention?)

These metrics show whether viewers find your video valuable:

 Percentage of people who click after seeing your thumbnail

 If your CTR is below 4%, your thumbnail or title isn't clear enough. 

Test a thumbnail with one bold visual idea and high contrast.

 Retention above 50% tells YouTube your video delivers on its promise

 Cut your intro to under 10 seconds, deliver value immediately

 Whether viewers keep watching YouTube after your video

 Videos that start viewing sessions get priority in recommendations

 Add end screens linking to related videos

 Likes, comments, shares, saves, subscribes

 Engagement after a complete watch signals high satisfaction

 Ask specific questions that help the next viewer (not "what did you think?")

illustration showing icons representing satisfaction signals on YouTube

2. Satisfaction Signals (Does Your Video Make Viewers Happy?)

The latest YouTube algorithm update prioritizes satisfaction over raw watch time tracks how viewers feel about your content:

 Do people come back for more of your videos?

 Does your video match what viewers expected?

 Are people actively avoiding your content?

 Do viewers watch more videos after yours, or leave YouTube?

 A viewer watches your video, engages with it, then watches 2-3 more videos.

 A viewer clicks, watches 20 seconds, and closes the app.

icons representing YouTube relevance signals

3. Relevance Signals (Does Your Video Match the Right Topic?)

YouTube needs to understand what your video is about to recommend it correctly.

 Include the exact phrase people search for in the first 40 characters

 Add context, keywords, and chapter timestamps

 Minor factor, but helpful for uncommon spellings or niche topics

 YouTube reads your transcript to understand content

Objects and scenes on screen (for visual context)

Text overlays and graphics (for additional cues)

Which audiences consistently engage with your content?

How consistently do you post in a specific niche?

The clearer your niche, the easier it is for YouTube to find your audience.

YouTube Algorithm Tips: Where Your Videos Get Recommended

Your video can appear in three main places. Each surface uses the algorithm differently.

Home Feed: The Biggest Growth Opportunity

 The personalized feed viewers see when they open YouTube

 Recommends videos based on broad interests and recent viewing behavior

Make your thumbnail readable on a phone screen

Front-load your title with the main benefit

Hook viewers in the first 5 seconds with your core promise

Create recognizable series so YouTube learns the pattern

New channels CAN appear on Home if packaging and retention are strong. You don't need 100K subscribers. See an example of 

how a brand new channel developed a niche and gained over 1,000 subscribers in just a few months

 Videos that appear next to or after the current video

 YouTube recommends videos that relate to what's currently being watched

Build a series with consistent thumbnail templates

Use end screens strategically to guide the next click

Create content that naturally follows other popular videos

Comment on and reference bigger creators (join the conversation)

Want to dive deeper into Suggested Videos specifically? 

complete guide to cracking YouTube's Suggested Videos algorithm

 Results when someone types a query into YouTube search

 Relevance comes first, then YouTube ranks by satisfaction

Put the exact search phrase in your title (naturally, not stuffed)

Deliver an answer or clear path to the answer in the first 30 seconds

Optimize description with related terms, not keyword spam

Small channels can outrank big channels in search if their videos better satisfy the query.

 Find trending searches within your niche using 

Magnified view of Safari browser window displaying YouTube homepage with navigation menu.

Learn how the YouTube algorithm works in 2026: Including CTR, watch time & satisfaction signals and how to get more views.

How the YouTube Algorithm Works in 2026: Updates & Tips

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. 

In the video above, we take a deep dive into our Keyword tool, so be sure to check it out! Now, 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 2025:

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 27th 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 they 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 with the perfect thumbnail for your video, 

Decorative pumpkins, corn, and autumn leaves with warm string lights background

It's nearly Thanksgiving time again in the US, and here are the most searched keywords on YouTube in 2025 around this national holiday.

Top 10 Thanksgiving Keywords on YouTube

In 2024, sales made on Black Friday and Cyber Monday generated $13.3 Billion in revenue 

for online retailers, an increase of 7.25% from the previous year. As e-commerce consumers are eager for bargains and deals with a similar intent to spend even more than last year, they are turning to platforms like YouTube to scope out reviews on products that want to snap up in the sale.

How to Find YouTube Keywords that Grow Your Channel

While hundreds of thousands of creators have already been publishing content on YouTube about the topic, particularly tech and other consumer electronics, there are still gaps in the market for creating new videos around the tentpole event. Let's take a look at the top 10 keywords that YouTube viewers have been searching for on YouTube:

If you're a YouTube creator and are scheduling posts around Black Friday 2025 you need to be up to speed on which keywords viewers are searching for on YouTube right now. 

vidIQ related keywords tool search results for "Black Friday"

Running the keyword 'Black Friday' through the invaluable 

, confirms that the following are the most searched for Black Friday keywords and phrases on YouTube for 2025:

When are Viewers Searching for Black Friday Content on YouTube?

Black Friday happens once a year in the US (and increasingly in other countries for the past few years). Hence, creators need to know when to publish content around the tentpole event to leverage ranking and visibility on YouTube.

, interest from YouTube viewers in the US in Black Friday starts to peak around mid-November and lasts around a month.

Google Trends graph on "Black Friday" over 5 years

With any tentpole or seasonal event, it pays to remember that any video content you've uploaded before on the topic can still be maximized for extra views and engagement. 

Evergreen content is the key to more views on YouTube

revisit past Black Friday videos and update your titles and custom thumbnails to see if you can leverage the seasonal interest in the content.

Right after the Black Friday weekend comes another period of commerce and sales in the calendar year, that is, Cyber Monday. Creators who might feel lost in the high volume of videos under the Black Friday keyword can look at this one as an area of opportunity.

vidIQ related keywords tool search results for "Cyber Monday"

, we see that the following are the most searched for Cyber Monday keywords and phrases on YouTube for 2025:

Finding Opportunities to Create Black Friday Content on YouTube

Viewers searching for Black Friday on YouTube do so with a particular aim in mind. They may be searching for the best deals retailers have to offer, or reviews for a piece of tech or gadget they have their eye on. Your focus should be on answering those queries with your content, and for an event like this, you can do so in a number of ways.

Keyword research is vital for this, as we talked about before. Starting with the keyword set above, plus an eye on the focus of your channel, start thinking of ideas for your Black Friday uploads.

, you can get customized ideas for your channel to capitalize on this seasonal event. And, if you're still unsure of the ideas, you can use the 

 to turn a successful Black Friday video into your niche!

Black Friday neon sign on brick wall with shopping icons and sale symbols background.

No. In fact, last year, brick-and-mortar stores

Although it originally is an American celebration of consumption, 

Black Friday discounts are being observed increasingly more by countries around the world!

Are you planning to publish video content about Black Friday? We found the most searched keywords on YouTube around this annual shopping bonanza.

Top 10 Black Friday Keywords on YouTube

If you’ve ever wondered if you should use emojis in your YouTube titles, you’re asking a good question. Thousands of creators experiment with emojis to grab attention, but the question remains: do emojis in YouTube titles actually help or hurt your video performance?

 to find out. The data reveals a clear, and surprising, pattern: emojis can 

 your visibility in YouTube Shorts but may 

In this guide, we’ll break down the numbers, explain why emojis work differently across content types, which emojis work best, and share 

 you can apply right now to increase your views.


What Our YouTube Title Optimization Data Revealed

We analyzed 128M YouTube videos to see if emojis in titles help or hurt. Result: +49% views for Shorts, but long-form videos trade reach for engagement.

YouTube Trends and Insights

How to Beat the YouTube Algorithm

How the YouTube Algorithm Works in 2026: Updates & Tips

Top 10 Thanksgiving Keywords on YouTube

Top 10 Black Friday Keywords on YouTube

Do Emojis in YouTube Titles Help or Hurt Your Views? (Data from 128M Videos)

Top 15 Halloween Keywords on YouTube

See How You Compare: YouTube Subscriber Growth Statistics Revealed

Are Viewbots Ruining Fair Discovery on YouTube?

54 YouTube Niches for 2025: How to Pick the Best Niche for YouTube Success

How Often to Post on YouTube? We Analyzed 5 Million Channels to Find Out

Has YouTube Become Saturated?

Best Games to Play on YouTube: A Guide for Gaming Creators