The best way to get more views on YouTube is to optimize your videos so they show up in search and recommendations
— and keep viewers engaged once they click. That means mastering clickable thumbnails, compelling titles, and content that delivers on its promise.


With 10+ billion views tracked through coaching and tools, vidIQ provides data-backed insights into what drives video discovery.


In this section, we will break down strategies, examples, and case studies so you can consistently grow your views.

More Views

How To Get More Views on YouTube

The fastest way to get more YouTube subscribers is to publish videos that keep viewers watching and make it easy for them to subscribe.
That means using strong titles and thumbnails, clear calls to action, and building content around topics people are already searching for.


At vidIQ, we analyze millions of channels to see what actually drives subscriber growth, from doubling down on high-retention videos
to packaging content in ways that hook new audiences. Explore our guides and case studies to learn proven tactics that will
help you grow your subscribers faster.

Get Subscribers

How to Get More YouTube Subscribers

To make money on YouTube, creators start by qualifying for the YouTube Partner Program and enabling ads, but that’s just the beginning. Real income comes from combining multiple streams: sponsorships, channel memberships, affiliate marketing, and selling your own products or services. 

At vidIQ, we’ve studied how creators unlock monetization
milestones and scale beyond ad revenue. Here you will learn practical strategies to diversify income and build
a sustainable business from your YouTube channel.

Make Money

How To Make Money on YouTube

YouTube Analytics reveal which videos are working and why, but not all metrics matter equally. Watch time, retention, CTR, and revenue are the numbers that drive real growth. 

At vidIQ, we break down these metrics with examples so you can spot trends, identify weak points, and make smarter decisions for your channel. Here you’ll learn how to use analytics as a growth engine, not just a dashboard.

Data Insights

YouTube Analytics Explained: Metrics That Matter

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 are one of the fastest ways to reach new viewers and grow your channel.


With millions of Shorts analyzed, vidIQ has tracked the formats and strategies that help creators break through. Here you’ll learn how to make Shorts that stand out, and how to use them to boost your long-form videos.

YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts: Tips and Strategies

The best YouTube tips save time and make your videos perform better. From thumbnail tweaks to hidden features in YouTube Studio, small changes can drive big results. 

At vidIQ, we’ve tested countless tactics across millions of videos to see what really works. Here you’ll find quick wins and practical shortcuts you can use right now to grow faster and work smarter.

Quick Tips

YouTube Tips for Creators

The fastest way to grow on YouTube is to create content around trending topics while viewers are searching for them. 

With vidIQ’s data, we track the keywords, niches, and formats that are taking off across millions of channels. Here you’ll find insights into what’s working now, including creator case studies and examples, so you can publish videos that ride the wave of demand and stay ahead of competitors.

Trending Now

YouTube Trends and Insights

Your In-Depth Guide to Building a Successful YouTube Channel

Writing great YouTube titles is one of the highest-leverage skills you can develop as a creator.

, your title is the entry point for new viewers and plays a key role in whether your content gets discovered, clicked, and watched. Titles influence click-through rate, impact YouTube’s recommendation system, and shape viewer expectations - all of which directly affect your watch time and channel growth.

But even amazing videos can go unwatched if the title doesn’t spark interest or clearly communicate value. High-performing titles aren’t optional, they’re essential.

70% of YouTube traffic coming from Browse and Suggested feeds

70% of YouTube views come from Browse and Suggested feeds

SEO-optimized videos tend to drive longer-term, evergreen traffic

Which means most video titles fall into one of two categories:

 that get clicks early, but fizzle out over time

 that help videos rank, but feel generic or dry

So it’s no surprise that we often get asked the questions, “

How do I write a title that works for both search and suggested feeds?

Here’s the truth: Your title has to do double duty.

And we’ve built a simple YouTube Title Framework to help you do exactly that.

Watch the vidIQ Title Flip framework video here:


But First: The Problem with Hybrid Titles

It’s obvious to try and balance curiosity and keywords in one title, what we call the hybrid approach, and it sometimes works. Like this title example:

“Sourdough Recipe from ANCIENT EGYPT!”

This title has intrigue and includes a keyword (“sourdough recipe”), making it a strong contender for both clicks and long-term search.

Again, this strategy can work and often performs well for bigger channels or well-known brands. But for smaller or growing creators facing stiff competition, we’ve seen better and more consistent results with a two-phase approach.

“There’s always a bit of tension between writing titles for search versus writing them to spark curiosity. Since most traffic comes from Browse and Suggested, curiosity-driven titles tend to perform better at first. But once that initial push slows down, updating your title (and thumbnail) to be more SEO-friendly can give the video a second life and help it show up in search for the long haul.”

 is built around that approach. Instead of trying to do everything in one title, you let each title do what it’s best at: 

curiosity for early clicks, SEO for lasting growth

Start with a curiosity-driven title that grabs attention in Browse and Suggested feeds. Your goal here is to earn the click and spark engagement right out of the gate.

Once the video’s initial performance levels off (typically after 48–72 hours), swap in a more keyword-focused title. This helps your content rank in Search and stay discoverable for months to come.

This simple flip is a small change that can deliver long-term results, especially for evergreen content.


Step-by-Step: How to Apply the Title Flip Framework

Here’s how to apply the Title Flip Framework to your next video:

Before publishing, draft a solid title option for each phase:

"Is This The World’s Fastest Sourdough Recipe?"

Writing these variations forces you to think from both the viewer’s perspective and the algorithm’s.

Need help brainstorming curiosity-driven or keyword-focused titles? Try our 

 to identify high-performing keywords that fit your niche.


Step 2: Lead with Curiosity and Monitor Performance

Use the curiosity-first title at launch to maximize clicks from the Browse and Suggested feeds.

graphic highlighting a 48 to 72 hour waiting period before reviewing performance

. Pay close attention to your impressions, CTR, and watch time.

If your traffic is still holding strong, great, leave it as is.

If your traffic is declining, or if your CTR is lower than expected, it’s time for Phase 2.


Update your title with the keyword-focused version to support long-term discoverability.

Wait another 48-72 hours and once again review your impressions, CTR, and watch time.

Ideally you will see an increase in all of your key metrics.

If impressions are low, your title might lack keyword strength. Try another keyword focused title.

If impressions are high but CTR is low, your title might lack clarity.

A well-timed flip can give your video a second wave of life, helping it move from a short burst of views to evergreen traffic.

Metaphor image of butter spreading on toast, labeled as title and thumbnail working together


Bonus Tip: Make Sure Your Title and Thumbnail Work Together

Your title and thumbnail should feel like a matched set, each one making the other stronger.

Think of them like butter on toast. Dry toast is boring. Butter on its own? A little weird. The magic only happens when they’re together.

, use the title to pose a question or spark curiosity 

Title: “This Mistake Ruined My Bread… Don’t Make It”

, your title needs to provide clarity or context 

Thumbnail: a surprised face + loaf of bread

Title: “The One Ingredient That Changed Everything”

Together, your title and thumbnail should build curiosity, communicate value, and set clear expectations.


Seeing what title changes other real-world creators use helps you understand what works and what doesn’t. With the free 

, you can track how other creators update their titles and thumbnails over time. Browse YouTube with vidIQ active, study the changes top creators make, and apply those insights to your own video titles to grow faster.

Your title is not just a headline, it’s your first and most important growth lever.

Drive more clicks from Suggested and Browse

Extend your video’s life with long-term search traffic

Build a repeatable, testable title strategy you can rely on


Let your next title do more than describe your video.

Let it spark curiosity, get the click, and grow your channel.

Looking for more tips on writing great titles?

11 Ways to Write Exciting YouTube Titles for Your Videos

3 Secrets for Writing Click-Worthy YouTube Titles

How to Write the Best Titles for YouTube Shorts

Line graph showing flat and then a sharp upward trend after a title flip adjustment

Your title is one of the most important tools for growing your channel. It directly impacts:

Whether people click—Titles influence your click-through rate (CTR)

Whether YouTube recommends your video—Strong titles help you show up in Browse and Suggested feeds

Whether people keep watching—Titles set expectations, and if your content doesn’t deliver, viewers bounce

Nail your title, and you’ll boost clicks, retention, and long-term discoverability.

Start with a clear goal. Use a mix of curiosity and SEO. The best YouTube titles do three things:

Include a relevant keyword so YouTube knows what your video is about.

Set clear expectations so viewers don’t bounce and kill your watch time.

Miss any one of these, and even great content might not get traction.

You can update your title anytime in YouTube Studio:

Hover over your video and click the pencil icon (Details)

Edit the title field, then click ‘Save’

We recommend waiting at least 48–72 hours after publishing before retitling, this gives YouTube time to test the original version. Use your updated title to better target SEO or boost curiosity based on how the video is performing.

Write YouTube titles that rank and get clicks with this proven curiosity + SEO framework from vidIQ.

vidIQ’s Title Flip Framework: Write Titles That Get Clicks & Rank

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Autocomplete suggestions in the YouTube search bar

Google Trends (set the filter to YouTube)

, which shows search volume and competition for keywords

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

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

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

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.

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

Should I Target the Most Searched Keywords?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

An overall keyword score, which assesses keyword volume and competitiveness

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

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

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

Or, scroll down to see free research options!

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

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

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 them in your titles and descriptions, then hit publish!

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

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

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

vidIQ keyword generator results showing relevant YouTube keywords with priority scores

3. Paste Those Descriptors into vidIQ’s Keyword Tool

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

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

vidIQ dashboard showing the Keywords tab location for YouTube keyword research

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 panel, which is right below the keyword score.

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

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

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

But even better, related keywords can expose the 

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

 section on the right side of the screen. Click 

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

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

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

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

 panel in the bottom right corner of the screen.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Your In-Depth Guide to Building a Successful YouTube Channel

vidIQ’s Title Flip Framework: Write Titles That Get Clicks & Rank

vidIQ’s Title Flip Framework: Write Titles That Get Clicks & Rank

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