As the YouTube algorithm evolves, creators learn to prioritize different metrics on their channels. They might be interested in views, click-through rate, subscribers gained, and other markers of success. But did you know that the most obvious one, YouTube views, 

 the best catalyst for growth? In 2024, watch time and viewer satisfaction (also known as engagement) are clearly in the lead.

The truth is that it's hard to get more views without first satisfying your audience and making them watch longer. Only then does the YouTube algorithm recommend your content to more people!

Understanding the YouTube Algorithm in 2024

But, how do you strike the perfect balance between keeping your audience glued to the screen and ensuring they walk away fulfilled? Let's break it down.

Watch Time is often considered the holy grail of YouTube metrics. 

It indicates how long viewers stay on a platform and can impact a channel's ability to rank and gain suggested views. In many cases, watch time on YouTube is more important than the average viewer retention rate.

Of course, it is one of the essential factors for getting monetized, and for good reason. A high watch time for your channel would typically mean that viewers like to binge on your content and that’s one of the best signals to the algorithm!

YouTube has been increasingly focusing on viewer satisfaction, which encompasses likes, comments, and overall engagement. With the help of these indicators, the recommendation system on YouTube learns how to serve the viewer the best possible video every time.

More recently, YouTube has also used surveys to ask the viewers directly about their experience on the platform, which makes the viewers feel more included in the platform. The positive response has prompted YouTube to make viewer satisfaction the central aspect of the new and improved algorithm.

YouTube's 'Suggested Videos' Algorithm: How to Crack It

Ah, the age-old question. While views give you an overview of your content's reach, watch time offers a deeper look into viewer engagement. A video with fewer views but higher watch time often indicates content that resonates more deeply with your audience. So, if you're looking to build a loyal community around your channel, 

Striking a balance between watch time and viewer satisfaction is essential for long-term success on YouTube. While watch time can help you climb the algorithmic ladder, focusing solely on it can lead to short-term gains. On the other hand, viewer satisfaction is about building a lasting relationship with your audience, which is invaluable for any creator.

, Todd Beaupre, who leads YouTube's growth and discovery team, emphasizes focusing on long-term satisfaction rather than just maximizing watch time. Todd advises creators to think about what their audience wants and find the best fit, as the algorithm will then match that.

So how do you balance watch time with viewer satisfaction? Here are some tips:

In the age of pumping out content with AI, this advice seems counter-intuitive. But, instead of focusing solely on watch time, aim for content that provides real value. Whether it's a how-to guide or an in-depth review, make sure your videos offer something meaningful.

When viewers find value in your content, they're more likely to engage with it, binge it, share it, and discuss it with others. And soon enough, enable you to 

 satisfy viewers, make your content engaging from start to finish. Use

, and even interactive elements like polls to keep your audience invested.

Always keep an eye on the comments section and any feedback you receive through social media or direct messages. This real-time feedback is gold when it comes to gauging viewer satisfaction. It's also a good way to spot new video ideas!

How to Get Subscriber Feedback from a YouTube Analytics Deep Dive

Don't be afraid to experiment with different video formats and lengths. 

 to track how these changes affect both watch time and viewer satisfaction. 

For example, if you notice that shorter videos are being watched to completion but contribute less watch time than longer videos, that's a sign you're striking a good balance.

The YouTube algorithm is a complex beast that creators often find themselves trying to tame. It helps to keep an eye on your analytics to understand what's working and what needs improvement and act upon it. 

Watch Time and Viewer Satisfaction Go Hand-in-Hand

If you satisfy viewers with the right content, you’ll see results in the form of an improved retention rate, higher returning viewers, and hopefully, more watch time! The key takeaway is to find the right balance.

The YouTube algorithm is itself made up of several algorithms that work on different aspects of the platform. While we can talk about the algorithm from a wider overview, there are nitty-gritties we simply cannot go over in a single blog post. But worry not, we have for you the ultimate guide to the algorithm brought to you by our YouTube experts. Watch it right here: 

So, go ahead and experiment, analyze, and most importantly, create content that you're passionate about. The numbers will follow. If you're a small creator looking to improve, 

People in a circle watching videos using colorful phones

Everyone wants to get more views on YouTube, but watch time and engagement are more important to the YouTube algorithm. Here's how to balance the two!

YouTube Algorithm Hack: Chase Watch Time and Engagement — Not Views

If you're reading this, you probably know that getting 

 is a critical checkpoint on the road to YouTube monetization. It's not easy, and many creators spend a year or more getting there, but it's ultimately worth it. Achieving this goal means you can monetize your videos with advertisements through the 

. It's a hands-off way to boost your income!

But first, what is watch time, and how is it calculated on YouTube?

Watch time is the cumulative duration that individuals spend watching a video. Each YouTube video has a watch time count, which contributes to your channel's overall count.

For your watch time to count toward monetization, you must gain 4,000 viewing hours in 12 consecutive months. The videos don't have to be published in the last 12 months, as long as viewers watched them over the previous year.

Also, only certain types of videos can collect watch time. Make sure you're getting 4,000 

 watch hours, as this is the main qualifier — so don't set your videos to private!

YouTube Monetization — Which Videos Count Toward 4,000 Hours of Watch Time?

Notably, you don't need 4,000 hours to get into the YPP. 

 and then monetize your videos through fan funding instead of ads. These include Super Chats, Super Thanks, channel memberships, and more. Below are the minimum requirements to join the YPP, but remember that 

you'll still need 4,000 hours to earn ad revenue

New requirements for joining the YouTube Partner Program

So, how many watch hours have you collected so far? Knowing this number is extremely helpful, especially when building a strategy to keep viewers' attention.

The Earn option on the YouTube Studio navigation bar

2. On the Become a Partner page, scroll down to 

. And there, you'll see how much watch time your channel has.

How to Get More Watch Time on YouTube: 9 Powerful Tips

Now that you know where you stand, use these powerful tips to increase your watch time on YouTube.

1. Master the Art of YouTube Storytelling

 is crucial for keeping viewers engaged, and thus, boosting your watch hours on YouTube. In every video, you want to grab viewers' attention, take them on a journey, and create emotional scenes that hook them along the way.

To do this effectively, master three areas of YouTube storytelling:

The title and thumbnail (convince people to click)

The video introduction (persuade people to keep watching)

Emotional connectivity (keep viewers invested in the story)

Your title and thumbnail are like two sides of the same coin. They should give viewers a snapshot of what the video is about and communicate how it will 

to watch it. For example, notice how the creator's dread in this thumbnail reinforces the video's title: "

Big Mistakes Small YouTubers Still Make."

Man looking devastated in YouTube thumbnail

get straight to the point by mentioning what viewers care about in the first three seconds. If you're struggling to 

, study the best–performing YouTube Shorts and the introductions they have. Introductory phrases like "They don't want you to know this secret" or "I never do this, and here's why" are effective curiosity drivers.

Emotion makes your content 10 times more relatable. Try using 

 like fear, nostalgia, novelty, and scarcity to make your videos seem urgent and relevant to the viewer's life.

2. Increase Engagement with Pattern Interrupters

A good story may pique viewers' interest, but knowing how to edit that story is the real watch-time booster.

 are your secret weapon for this. They turn a good video into a great one by adding variety to what's already there. On YouTube, a pattern interrupter is any visual or auditory element that changes someone's thought pattern. 

is one thought you want to interrupt in a viewer's mind!

Some examples of pattern interrupts include:

Getting someone to watch your video for longer is much easier 

. Think about it: "Reading along" takes pressure off of viewers who don't want to listen to a video or have some degree of hearing loss. Plus, viewers in crowded, noisy areas benefit from reading captions versus listening to audio.

Additionally, subtitles should be your go-to if you have a multicultural audience on YouTube. They translate your audio into multiple languages so people in faraway regions understand you better!

Filming a long outro feels natural, but did you know there are better ways to close out a video? Most viewers click away when they hear goodbye phrases, such as:

Instead of announcing the end of a video, leave before anyone knows what's happening. Your watch time will improve when you don't signal that a video is ending.

Evergreen content is popular year-round, so you need those types of videos to get watch time fast. Evergreen topics like how to change careers, how to cook brown rice, and tips for making friends in your 30s have a high search volume from January to December.

As you can see, many evergreen videos are 

and offer steady watch time through sheer popularity.

If you're struggling to find evergreen video ideas, ask yourself a question:

What do my viewers care about more than anything else?

For example, vidIQ subscribers love to hear growth tips for small channels. One of our videos on the subject has over 78,000 watch hours since it was published six months ago. And the hours are 

Watch time from streaming will always count toward your 4,000-hour goal, so bond with viewers in real time. It's the perfect way to 

When we started our live stream journey, 50-100 people showed up. Now we get hundreds of concurrent viewers, and with that boost in viewership comes plenty of additional watch time.

For example, check out the watch time from this two-hour live stream:

Give streaming a chance when you have about 12 months of YouTube experience. By then you should have 100 or more subscribers who may show up to watch your streams.

Why do people binge videos for hours on Netflix? Simply put, it's because their shows are organized with the help of 

. Viewers don't have to keep selecting episodes when they want to watch a romantic comedy or learn about nature through a documentary. They click on a show, and Netflix plays the episodes automatically.

This is an excellent strategy to bring to your YouTube channel. Figure out which topics viewers care about the most, then create YouTube playlists that hold 10 or more videos. It's one of the easiest ways to increase your watch hours!

How to Grow Your Channel with YouTube Playlists

In the current age becoming a successful creator often indicates holistic growth in the content ecosystem. While some social media platforms might appeal to you more than others, it is important to spread your content as far as possible.

Graphic of many people interacting with various forms of social media

Some of the best places to promote your YouTube channel are outside the platform itself. A few of those apps and websites include:

These are the best apps to promote a YouTube channel, but it helps to know the flavor of each community. What type of discussions do they have there, and better yet, how do the conversations take shape? Once you know that, you can create content in the best style for those users. Eventually, some of these viewers might trickle into your YouTube channel and consistently give you watch time!

 Promote Your YouTube Channel: 17 Tips for Small Creators

YouTube end screens are interactive outros that appear in the last 5-20 seconds of a video. You can add all sorts of clickable elements to them, such as website links, a subscribe button, or even a YouTube channel you want to promote. But it's wise to "send" viewers to the rest of your content if you want more watch hours.

So, instead of creating an "outro," make your last point, then quickly transition to an end screen. Now you can recommend one more video to viewers!

YouTube End Screens — How to Make Cool Video Outros

YouTube's recommendation system has one job, but it's a pretty big one. It has to suggest the right content to viewers based on their watch history and other factors.

YouTube can do this faster and easier if you're always making videos. After all, how can the algorithm rely on any channel for quality recommendations if there isn't much content?

You don't have to upload every day, but stick to a schedule that keeps viewers engaged and doesn't burn you out.

Are you tired of digging through the YouTube Studio to see your watch time? If so, 

 for FREE. In addition to watch time, it also tracks views per hour and subscribers gained.

Image of vidIQ's Real-Time Stats Bar for YouTube channels

FAQ: More Details About YouTube Watch Time

A group of people looking at their phones

Can I watch my own YouTube videos for more watch time?

You can press play on your own videos, but doing so to increase your watch time isn’t a good idea. According to 

, the platform “doesn’t allow anything that artificially increases the number of views, likes, comments, or other metrics.” Plus, many creators have found that 

 coming from their own browser after 48 hours.

Unfortunately, watch time from Shorts does not count toward the 4,000 hours you need to join the YouTube Partner Program. Those hours must come from regular videos. An alternative route is getting 1,000 subscribers plus 

10 million public Shorts views in 90 days

How Long Should It Take to Get 4000 Hours of Watch Time?

Ready to reach 4,000 watch hours and make money on YouTube? Keep reading for 9 solid strategies.

YouTube Watch Time: 10 Ways to Reach 4,000 Hours and Monetize Your Channel

Even as a small creator, there's a good chance you've seen all the tips and tricks for 

. So today, we're sharing a different perspective. Instead of telling you how to build watch more hours, we're going to reveal the types of videos that get watched 

Why does this matter? We know most creators want to reach 3,000-4,000 hours of watch time on their channels. Achieving this milestone puts you in the running to join the 

 and make money from your content. After all, who doesn't want some extra cash on the side?

These 10, highly-watched videos will help you do just that!

Podcasts are the unsung heroes of YouTube. They're mostly listened to rather than viewed, which means you don't have to worry about keeping viewers' attention 

. If the topic is interesting and the conversation flows, podcasting is a powerful way to rack up those watch time minutes.

Plus, YouTube is the number one place to listen to podcasts, according to a 

 of 3,000 U.S. listeners. The same report lists true crime, comedy, news, and politics as the top genres. Perhaps that's why the 

a leading show, has been popular for so long; it explores a mix of topics and interests!

Kids can't get enough of YouTube, and they're known for watching videos on repeat. Whether it's nursery rhymes or educational content, children's videos are a goldmine for collecting YouTube watch hours. 

Need an example of just how dominant a kids channel can be? Look no further the viral song, "Baby Shark" by Pinkfong. It's the most-watched video in YouTube history, and it's the first video to hit 

"How-to" videos aim to guide viewers through a process, so they can potentially gain higher watch time on YouTube. 

But many minutes and hours can one expect in the education space? That depends on what you're teaching and 

For example, a how-to guide on making friends is useful, but whether you need a 

 for that is debatable. Technically, you could read a short article and get all the information you need.

Fixing a car engine is more complex and time consuming. That might require a visual guide, written instructions, 

 audio cues to make the task a bit easier. So, starting a how-to channel is smart if you're teaching something few people understand!

YouTube pranks, parodies, and goofy skits have a lot going for themselves. They keep viewers engaged and watching until the end, which is the best way to stack more watch hours. Plus, comedic videos are relatable enough to get shared across internet and even 

. This is especially true if the punchline is worth the wait and there's a storyline to follow.

And besides, who doesn't love a good laugh? Google lists comedy as one of the 

 alongside music videos, how-to content, and pop culture. Check out 

to see what people love about this genre.

Music videos (or even audio tracks) collect a lot of watch time on YouTube, especially if they're catchy. Just think of all the "internet songs" inspired by viral memes. Some are still getting 

 today and building extra watch time by the minute!

For example, have you listened to the meme-ified song 

by Songify This, Tariq, and Recess Therapy? The YouTube video has 34 million views and counting, which is impressive for just one year of viewership. The trend may die, but the song lives on forever!

So, here's the real question: Are you musically inclined? Use your talents to songify a meme, and you might get more watch time!

Documentaries explore one topic topic in depth through a mix of education, entertainment, and sometimes 

 So, don't think of them as long, boring YouTube videos. If there's some controversy or tension driving the story forward, you have the perfect recipe for keeping viewers' attention.

The Genius Within: Extraordinary Gifted People

Live content allows for real-time interaction between creators and their viewers. These broadcasts 

 short, either; many streams will range from a few minutes to

 on YouTube. Considering that, it's no wonder streaming pulls in so much watch time!

Not only that, it's easy to convert livestreams to regular YouTube content when the broadcast is over. So you'll gain watch hours during the livestream 

One example is the rise of Fortnite livestreams. They're popular, engaging, and lengthy, all of which leads to more viewing minutes.

ASMR stands for autonomous sensory meridian response. It refers to the tingling sensation running from scalp to spine that a listener feels in response to soothing noises.

 ASMR videos on YouTube? We'll never know for sure. What we 

 is that videos with great audio get tons of watch time on YouTube.

Like podcasts, viewers don't have to see the screen to enjoy ASMR. It's an auditory experience, so they're listening to rain sounds, gentle wind, cooking noises, and more. Check out this ASMR cooking video from Men With The Pot to see what we mean!

 Viewers are there to see someone beat a tricky level, build something complicated, explore glitches in a game, and countless other quests. They're learning something new while also being entertained, and that's a sure-fire way to get anyone's attention!

11 Killer Tips for Starting a YouTube Gaming Channel in 2023



It's one of the reasons Minecraft is so popular on YouTube and why viewers show up to watch those videos!

Compilation videos offer a variety of content in one package, keeping viewers engaged for a long time. Best of all, there's a compilation video for almost anything you can think of — funny pet moments, gaming fails, spooky pranks,  silly bloopers, and more. The more entertaining the content, the more watch time you can earn!

If you need some inspiration, check out FailArmy to see how addicting these videos can be!

From the list above, it's easy to see what leads to more watch time on YouTube. Many of these videos seem to have:

A desire to teach, entertain, and satisfy all at once

Take a look at these qualities and try to add them your next batch of videos. Before you know it, you'll have enough watch time to get monetized on YouTube.

By the way, here's your official guide to monetizing a YouTube channel

Do you need more watch hours for your channel? Here are 10 types of videos that attract high watch time on YouTube!

10 Types of Videos that Attract More YouTube Watch Time

Earning 4,000 hours of Watch Time is the dream for most creators, but it isn’t easy. Gaining 100 hours, sure. But thousands? That’ll test your determination to keep going on YouTube. Essentially, you have to post multiple videos and hope people watch them for long enough.

But once you have 4,000 hours, everything gets easier. You’ll be one step closer to applying to the YouTube Partner Program, which lets you monetize your channel with advertisements. Having those valuable hours allows you to focus on other things, too, like 

. That’s the second  requirement for earning ad revenue.

YouTube Partner Program – How to Monetize Your Channel

When you’re collecting watch time hours, it’s easy to overlook certain parts of the process. The biggest, most understated part, is that 

These 5 Videos Aren’t Eligible for YPP Watch Time

Before you start earning watch time, know which videos are in your best interest to create. There are five videos that make it hard — in most cases, impossible — to reach 4,000 hours.

Years ago, private and unlisted videos counted toward YPP watch time. 

 when YouTube decided that public videos, not partially viewable content, could accumulate watch hours.

prioritize public videos over private or unlisted ones.

 Unlisted videos can only be watched if certain people have the link. This privacy option benefits creators with specific content plans. They may want to send videos to friends and family or create a webinar for a limited audience.

But if you’re trying to monetize your channel, unlisted and private videos aren’t helpful. Make sure videos that need to be public are, in fact, set to public. That’ll help you reach 4,000 hours and apply to the YPP.

How to set private or unlisted videos to public on YouTube

YouTube Studio option is below the Your Channel option

Content option is below the Dashboard option

3. Find the video you want to make public, then go to the 

 column. Click the eyeball symbol to reveal a menu of options: private, unlisted, members only, and public. Choose 

 from your total count. For example, imagine your channel has 2,000 watch hours. If you delete a video that contributed 500 of those hours, you’ll be left with 1,500. Before you delete anything, check to see how many watch hours your content has earned.

Sometimes deleting a video is inevitable. Maybe you’ve grown as a person since it was first published and want to clean up your image. Or perhaps someone appeared in your video without prior consent, and they want you to take it down. Whatever the reason, make sure it’s worth deleting a video and losing precious watch hours.

Have you created video ads for YouTube? If you were hoping these would help you apply to the YPP, unfortunately, they won’t. Watch hours from advertising campaigns don’t count toward YouTube monetization. Even if you’ve earned 10,000 hours, none of it will go toward the 4,000 hours you need.

This seems fair because ads can get millions of views. If YouTube counts them for YPP acceptance, that’ll create a shortcut to monetization.

 contribute to a creator’s 4,000-hour goal, so rely on long-form videos when you're racking up those hours!

Live streams are a great way to increase your watch time. These videos are usually lengthy, and if people stick around until the end, you can add several hours to your overall count.

According to YouTube, live streams that aren’t converted to video-on-demand content won’t earn YPP watch hours. The information around this is pretty vague, so we'd suggest making sure your live streams are public when they've ended. Don't archive a live stream by setting it to unlisted or private. 

Just to be sure, we asked YouTube if this advice made sense for creators. 

We didn't get a straightforward answer, but creators chimed in with their personal experience. A few of them said they earn watch time both during and after a live stream, which includes video-on-demand viewing.

Whether these hours were recorded for YPP watch time is another story. That's why, as soon as possible, we'd recommend checking to see if your live stream is public after it ends. If it's unlisted or private, switch it to public.

How to Get 4,000 Hours of YouTube Watch Time

To reach 4,000 hours of watch time, create a diverse set of content. Be intentional with the videos you upload, and go for quality over quantity. Once you've covered those areas, the six tips above will help you maximize your watch hours.

Make Money on YouTube – How to Get 4000 Hours Watch Time

But don’t stop there. Your next goal should be applying to the YPP, which you can learn how to do 

A phone showing the YouTube logo while positioned next to money

You need 4,000 hours of watch time to monetize your YouTube channel with ads. But did you know these 5 videos will slow you down?

YouTube Monetization: Which Videos Count Toward 4,000 Hours of Watch Time?

If you want people to listen, tell them a story. That much has always been clear, from the early days of hieroglyphics to the rise of books, movies, and TV.

Today, it seems like YouTube is the best place to share those real, authentic stories — and for good reason. YouTube viewers watch over 

 each day. To meet this demand, creators are posting over 500 hours of content 

Want to get more watch time on every YouTube video? Use this storytelling secret to captivate viewers and keep them engaged.

YouTube Watch Time

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