Ask any YouTuber and they will tell you that generating significant views and subscribers isn't easy. But with the right strategy and tools, any video creator can build an engaged subscriber base when they understand what those subscribers want to watch.

Appealing to an audience to watch content you are passionate about making is just the first step, you need to know how to reach them and get your videos discovered. Our guides to how to guide more views on YouTube will give you the best tips to succeed on the platform.

Getting Views

How To Get More Views on YouTube

Getting thousands or even millions of YouTube subscribers is a dream for most creators. In the articles below, we'll show you how to turn casual viewers into long-term fans. 

Subscribers

YouTube Subscribers

Do you want to make money on YouTube? Millions of creators are earning a very good living from monetizing the platform and uploading content that drives huge views and engagements. Whether that YouTube income is from advertising revenue, merchandise sales, or brand deals, or subscriptions, we keep you updated with best practices and ideas.

Monetization

How To Make Money on YouTube

Want to see how your channel is performing? Read these YouTube analytics articles to discover what's working and what isn't. You'll learn how to identify which videos have the most Watch Time, clicks, audience retention, revenue, and more.

Analytics

YouTube Analytics

Watch Time is arguably THE most important metric on YouTube right now, and creators won’t be able to monetize their content without 4000 hours of it. But what is it and how can creators increase the amount of Watch Time their videos attract? We keep you updated on the best practices around Watch Time, and how you can increase how much your video content generates.

Watch Time

YouTube Watch Time

YouTube Shorts content is set to explode! 

All the latest tips, tricks, and rock-solid advice you need for this new feature.

YouTube Shorts

Do you know how to do keyword research so you understand what videos people are actually searching for on YouTube? Do you know how to create a custom YouTube thumbnail? Do you know how to create a Playlist on YouTube?

vidIQ has a ton of tips that will help every creator maximise their video content. We publish content every week to keep you up to date with all the best practices.

Tips & Tricks

YouTube Tips & Tricks

At vidIQ we have incredible insights into what viewers are searching for on YouTube. Not only can we confirm the top keywords being searched for, we can also show you how you can leverage that interest to create content around trending topics and tentpole events. That's going to give you a clear edge over other creators!

Insights

YouTube Insights

Your In-Depth Guide to Building a Successful YouTube Channel

We analyzed data from 5.08 million YouTube channels and found a clear trend: 

The more content you post, the faster you grow. 

No matter your size, niche, or starting point.

If you are prioritizing growth, aim to post 

When it comes to YouTube growth, the advice is everywhere: 

Post once a week. Be consistent. Prioritize quality. Don’t burn out.

 But what does the data say about how often you should upload if you actually want to grow?

We studied 5.08 million YouTube channels using vidIQ data from June 2024 to June 2025 and looked at two metrics: 

, grouped by how many videos each channel uploaded per month.

Posting 12+ videos to YouTube per month gets 53% more views than uploading 1-3 times monthly.

YouTube channels posting 12+ videos monthly gain 66% more subscribers than those posting just 1-3 times.

each step up in posting frequency leads to faster view and subscriber growth.

How Often Should You Post on YouTube to Grow?

Based on this data, here’s the short answer:

To grow faster, aim to post more than once a week.

 (around 12+ times per month), even better.

 than those posting less than once a month.

This aligns with a key question we hear from creators all the time: 

If you can build a system that supports 3 or more videos per week, you’re setting your channel up for much stronger, sustained growth.

More frequent uploads don’t just accelerate momentum, they also create faster feedback loops. You’ll quickly spot what’s working (and what’s not), helping you improve the quality of your content with every post.

The Importance of Posting At Least Once a Week

Not ready to post three times a week? There’s still a key threshold that makes a huge difference:

 than those who post less than once a month.

active in YouTube’s recommendation system

trust, consistency, and a repeatable workflow,

Even one video a week is often enough to see steady gains in views, subscribers, and click-through rates.

And once that weekly cadence feels natural? That’s your signal to scale up and accelerate growth.

The Real Challenges of Posting Frequently

Posting 3x a week isn’t always easy, even when you 

 to grow faster. Most creators run into common roadblocks, like:

Juggling a full-time job, school, or family can leave little time to film, edit, and publish regularly.

Coming up with fresh ideas every week (or every day) can feel exhausting, especially without a system.

The constant pressure to perform, edit, upload, and repeat takes a toll mentally and creatively.

Scripting, filming, editing, designing thumbnails… it all adds up, especially if you’re a solo creator.

Not knowing which ideas will actually perform can lead to overthinking and under-posting.

Even the most motivated creators can struggle to keep up. But with the right tools and smarter support, you can post more without working harder.

Here’s how vidIQ can help you get more done and grow faster:

 to break creative blocks and outline videos faster.

 help you design scroll-stopping visuals. No Photoshop needed.

 to see what’s working on other successful videos

. Whether it's a busy season at work, family obligations, travel, or unexpected curveballs, it's not always possible to stick to your ideal upload schedule.

When that happens, it’s okay to take a break, but it helps to have a plan.

Here’s how to pause without losing momentum:

Channels that go completely inactive (less than 1 video per month) see a steep drop in view growth from 9.9%+ down to just 1.9%. Staying minimally active keeps you in the algorithm’s good graces.

If you know a busy period is coming, create a few extra videos and queue them up. Even one scheduled video can help you maintain momentum.

Turn one long video into multiple Shorts.

Break your long-form content into bite-sized moments to create a steady stream of YouTube Shorts. Repurposing your best clips not only saves time, it keeps your channel active.

You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to stay present.

”. When life gets unpredictable, you can still step back while still moving forward.

We’re seeing similar trends when it comes to YouTube Shorts. While Shorts are typically easier to produce, the upload frequency still follows the same pattern of “

If you’re wondering how often to post on YouTube Shorts, the answer depends on your goals, but from our coaching experience, channels that post Shorts 

 And that’s true, but our data shows that 

That doesn’t mean you need to sacrifice quality or burn yourself out. It means building smart systems that help you scale.

Use AI tools to speed up scripting, titles, thumbnails

Keep posting. Keep growing. We’ll be right here with you.

A blurred graph of how often you should upload to youtube

We analyzed over 5M channels and the answer is clear that consistent posting is key to YouTube growth

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

This post was originally written Dec 27, 2021 and has been updated with newer information.

If you’re trying to improve CTR on YouTube, your thumbnail is the first place to start. Every thumbnail acts as mini-ads for your videos, and strong ones can dramatically increase your click-through rate. 

In this guide, we’ll show you how to create thumbnails that stop the scroll and support a good click through rate on YouTube.

12 Best YouTube Thumbnails Ideas People Love to Click On

What Is a Good Click-Through Rate on YouTube?

YouTube defines click-through rate as the percentage of people who saw your video's thumbnail and clicked to watch it.

CTR = (Number of clicks / Number of impressions) x 100

If 20,000 people see your video somewhere on YouTube (impressions), but only 400 people click, that’s a 2% click-through rate. In other words, 2% of people were interested enough to click on your video.

Based on our review of many channels, here’s how click-through rate benchmarks typically break down:

 Low. Likely needs a thumbnail or title refresh.

 Good. Shows strong performance and resonance.

 Excellent. Seen in high-performing, well-targeted content.

 Exceptional! Typically found in videos with strong hooks or early traction.

half of all channels and videos have a 2-10% CTR

YouTube analytics showing average CTR range of 2-10% for most channels

Keep in mind that CTR tends to drop as total impressions rise. A video with 1,000 views might have a high CTR of 12%, but when it reaches 100,000 views, the percentage might dip to around 5-6% as YouTube pushes it to a broader audience. That's normal.

Generally, a good click through rate on YouTube is any percentage that beats your channel average. If your videos average 4%, try pushing for 5-6% with upcoming thumbnails. Small, steady improvements can add up.

6 Powerful Tips to Get a Good Click-Through Rate on YouTube

Knowing what makes a viewer click is a key part of creating thumbnails that work. It creates curiosity, promises value, and visually explains why someone should click.

Successful YouTube creators know that a thumbnail isn’t just about looking good. It promises something interesting. It creates a gap that can only be filled by watching your video.

A good thumbnail must do these three things:

When people repeatedly spot your unique style in search results or suggestions, they begin to recognize it. Some studies even show that this consistency can boost click rates by up to 38%.

9 Ways to Boost CTR with Better Thumbnails

How do you create enticing images that viewers can’t resist? We have a few suggestions – nine to be exact – to get more clicks from your thumbnails.

1. Use the Right YouTube Thumbnail Dimensions

Starting with the basics, YouTube’s thumbnail rules are pretty straightforward. 

To create the best image, stick YouTube's recommended specs:

Have you ever seen a grainy, pixelated thumbnail that made you cringe? You’re not alone in feeling that. No one wants to watch a video after seeing a confusing preview image.

That’s why you should use high-quality images for your thumbnails, like the one below.

High-quality YouTube thumbnail example with clear subject and bright colors

People watch YouTube on various devices, such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets. So whether your thumbnail is stretching across a widescreen or shrinking into a small one, it makes sense to use high-resolution images that look good on all screen sizes.

If your thumbnail has too many elements, people will keep scrolling. Nobody has the time or interest to study an overcomplicated thumbnail and determine if they'd like to watch it. 

Simplicity wins in convincing people to view your video. 

The key is to make attractive, uncluttered thumbnails.

simplifying your YouTube thumbnail background

 video, "Lighting for Youtube Videos in Small Rooms and Spaces."

YouTube thumbnail with clean background and good use of space by Ben Johnson

Notice how Ben removed the original background to insert a clean, colorful backdrop. He also made proper use of positive and negative space. 

Overall, the best thumbnail designs have elements that take up space without suffocating the entire image.

Nothing attracts people more than vibrant colors. We love the golden arches at McDonald’s as much as we love Christmas lights in December. Why should thumbnails be any different?

To make those images pop, create a bright design. Also, try to stick to three colors – two “contrasting” hues and one “base” color.

Contrasting colors appear on opposite sides of the color wheel and complement each other well: purple and yellow, blue and orange, red and green, etc.

Imagine this. You’ve filmed your dog jumping from couch to couch, and the thumbnail you want to use shows your dog soaring mid-flight. Did you know that adding even 

 word to the image will encourage clicks?

For example, why was the dog launching itself like a rocket? Did it make it to the other side? These are questions you can answer in a few words.

In response, you might type, “Ate lunch, got zoomies” on your thumbnail. That's similar to what the 

 channel did for the thumbnail below. As you can see, a little text makes the thumbnail relatable, clickable, and fun.

Pet Collective YouTube thumbnail with effective text overlay showing 'Zoomies!'

When you're picking a text font, make sure it's:

This tip is for all video creators but especially those making list content. If you film a video along the lines of "10 Ways to [Insert Action Here],” your thumbnail doesn’t need to represent 10 different tips, reasons, or strategies. That would make for a busy, confusing thumbnail.

Instead, choose one thing you want to express and build your thumbnail around that 

 emotion, benefit, or moment of your video.

What kind of thumbnails do competitors use in 

? If you’re not sure, it’s time to discover what those images look like and compare yours against theirs. Then, you can make thumbnail changes (if needed) to increase your CTR.

Trying out different thumbnail versions is a smart move if you want more clicks. YouTube's built-in tool in Studio allows you to 

.  Upload two different designs and see which one attracts more clicks and impressions.

To make the most of this tool, consider these steps:

Use two clearly different thumbnail designs

Run the test for at least 24 hours so you get enough data

Look at which features (colors, text spots, facial expressions) drive more clicks

vidIQ thumbnail preview tool showing competitor thumbnails for comparison

 to get real-time feedback on your thumbnails and also see the various versions of an existing video's thumbnail.

8. Create a Template to Build Brand Recognition

Branding your content doesn’t stop with 

 or YouTube banner. Each video and its thumbnail provide another chance to advertise your brand on YouTube. 

A consistent style helps viewers instantly recognize your content in a crowded feed. Creating a reusable thumbnail template can save you time and reinforce your identity on YouTube. Use the same fonts, colors, and layout so that over time, people start thinking, “Oh, that’s from a new video from (insert your channel's name)!”

Branding builds familiarity, and familiarity boosts clicks.

9. Adjust Your Thumbnail Based on Video Type

YouTube features a variety of content, and each type benefits from its own style of thumbnail. Adjust your approach based on what you’re showing:

 Use images that clearly show a before-and-after scenario or highlight the result. Adding text like 'Easy Method' or 'Quick Results' can make a big difference.

 Capture spontaneous moments with lively expressions. Genuine reactions often work better than overly posed images.

 Focus on exciting moments from gameplay. Show clear, dramatic scenes and add text that points out interesting details like 'Hidden Easter Eggs' or 'Secret Ending.'

 Display the product clearly, along with your reaction. Strong color contrasts help the product pop, and simple graphics like star ratings or percentage scores add context.

 Use bold text headlines that build a sense of urgency or curiosity. Pair them with relevant images while keeping a consistent look for your channel.

Changing your thumbnail style based on the video type sends the right signals to your viewers. This approach makes your visual cues more direct, helping to boost clicks and keep viewers watching longer.

Tools to Help You Improve CTR with Better Thumbnails

Here are some of the best tools in 2025 to help you design effective thumbnails:

 - Built specifically for YouTube creators.

 - Great for beginners with solid templates.

, you can also view the thumbnail history of top-performing videos to see what other creators are testing and changing.

If you want to improve CTR on YouTube, your thumbnail is the first and best place to start.

A well-designed thumbnail can capture attention, spark curiosity, and drive more clicks, all before a single second of your video is watched. With consistent testing and a strong visual style, you can turn casual scrollers into loyal viewers and take your channel to the next level.

Need help crafting thumbnails that actually get clicked? Try the free 

graphic denoting good youtube thumbnail ctr​

YouTube best thumbnails concept with play button, thumbs up, and green checkmark icon

Learn what is a good CTR on YouTube and how to improve it with better thumbnails. 

How to Improve Your YouTube CTR with Better Thumbnails

It's a fantastic feeling when somebody subscribes to your channel. But which viewers hit that big, black button? And do they have large, popular channels of their own?

Follow these steps to see a list of recent YouTube subscribers:

1. Log into YouTube, click your profile icon, and go to the 

3. On clicking the "See all subscribers" button below, a pop-up window will appear showing your recent subscribers. Adjust the date range at the top to see who subscribed in the last seven days, month, 90 days, year, or the life of your channel.

Subscribers that recently subscribed to your channel

On this panel, you will see a recent subscribers:

Creators with the most subscribers appear at the top of the list. But you can click the 

 tabs to filter the list as you please.  You can see 

your channel's live, real-time subscriber count

Want to visit a subscriber's channel? The profile icons are clickable, so simply click one to go to that creator's homepage. If you already know the creator, there's an option to subscribe to their channel, which is a nice short cut. 

Bear in mind that new subscribers will only be displayed here 

 So, you probably have more subscribers than this panel will show.

Need more information about your subscribers? 

Download vidIQ and sign up to get a full Channel Audit

 for your content. This will give you deeper insights on your channel, including more robust information on your subscribers' behaviors.

How many subscribers a commenter (underneath any video) has gained on their channel.

How many subscribers a channel has, when viewed in YouTube search results.

 to pick out channels with a certain number of subscribers.

Want to take things to the next level? Our 

 tells you which videos your subscribers watch on YouTube and the channels they're subscribed to. This gives you more data about the type of content your audience likes so you can make better videos.

Here's how you can get more subscribers as a small YouTube channel!

how to check who subscribed to your YouTube channel

Silhouette with question mark and green arrow pointing to "Who Subscribed" text in bold letters

Curious who's subscribing to your YouTube channel? Learn how to view recent subscribers and gain insights to grow your audience.

How to See Your Subscribers on YouTube | vidIQ

If you’re like most creators, you have a goal to get more YouTube subscribers

and monetize your channel. You want to attract real viewers, make them fans, and earn lots of money from the video ads on your channel. The only question is, "How?"

 subscribers to get paid on YouTube in a sustainable way — 1,000 to be exact. 

Reaching this goal is one part of the recipe when it comes to joining the 

Gaining 1,000 subscribers on YouTube just got easier. Here's how to attract viewers and encourage them to subscribe in 13 powerful steps.

Your In-Depth Guide to Building a Successful YouTube Channel

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

How to Improve Your YouTube CTR with Better Thumbnails

How to See Your Subscribers on YouTube | vidIQ

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

13 Ways to Get 1,000 YouTube Subscribers, Fast and Free

How to Get 500 Subscribers on YouTube & Unlock Fan Funding | vidIQ

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The YouTuber’s Guide to Consistency Without Creative Burnout

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