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

Amidst the countless creators, getting verified is one of the best ways to distinguish yourself and set your channel apart. Creators that get verified on YouTube are basically recognized by the platform as trusted channels. This can help improve the channel’s visibility and bring various opportunities within and outside the platform.

This is why YouTube verification is highly sought-after status for creators, brands, and businesses alike. This post will delve into the YouTube verification process, explain the necessary steps to qualify, and explore how smaller creators can improve their chances of earning that prestigious checkmark.

What Is YouTube Verification and Why It Matters?

YouTube verification is a process that provides a gray checkmark next to your channel’s name. This symbol is more than just a badge—it indicates to your audience that your channel is authentic, trustworthy, and officially represents the creator, brand, or business it claims to be​.

The checkmark appears across YouTube, from search results to comment sections, making it easier for viewers to distinguish your official account from imposters.

 A verified channel appears more legitimate, making it easier for new viewers to trust and engage with your content​

Verification helps protect your brand from copycat channels and impersonators who may try to capitalize on your name

Verified channels often receive more visibility in search results, increasing the chances of growing your audience.

What are the Eligibility Requirements for YouTube Verification?

To get verified on YouTube, your channel must meet specific criteria. While these requirements may seem stringent, they’re essential for ensuring that only authentic and established channels are granted the checkmark.

For YouTube verification, a channel must meet a few essential criteria that demonstrate its authenticity and activity on the platform. YouTube requires channels to have a minimum of 100,000 subscribers, which shows a significant following and credibility. However, subscriber count alone isn't enough. Your channel must accurately represent the creator, business, or entity it claims to be. This involves having a complete profile, including a well-designed banner, recognizable profile picture, and an informative description that clearly reflects your brand or identity.

Beyond appearance, YouTube values consistent engagement. Channels that actively post content, interact with their audience, and follow community guidelines are much more likely to be approved for verification. In contrast, inactive or dormant channels, regardless of subscriber count, are often rejected. By maintaining both a professional profile and regular activity, your chances of getting verified increase significantly.

How to Get Verified on YouTube: Step-by-Step Process

Once you’ve met the basic requirements, you can apply for YouTube verification. Below is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process.

Ensure your channel meets YouTube’s subscriber and content standards before proceeding. Even if you haven’t hit 100,000 subscribers, building a strong community and consistently creating quality content can improve your chances of approval.

, where you’ll find the form to apply for verification. If your channel qualifies, you will be able to access the form.

You’ll need to input your channel name and ID. If you’re unsure of your Channel ID, you can find it by navigating to your YouTube settings under "View advanced settings."​

Advanced settings feature on YouTube account

Once you’ve filled in your information, submit your application. The review process can take several weeks, and YouTube may ask for additional documentation to confirm your identity​.

After submitting your application, YouTube will review several factors, including your channel’s age, activity, and authenticity. If everything checks out, your channel will receive the verification badge.

Can You Get Verified Without 100K Subscribers?

It’s widely known that you need at least 100,000 subscribers to apply for verification, but there are exceptions. Smaller channels may qualify if they have a substantial presence outside YouTube.

If your channel represents a well-known brand, celebrity, or entity, YouTube may consider verifying you even with fewer subscribers.​ Musicians can also apply for the Official Artist Channel badge, even with fewer than 100,000 subscribers. This requires having an official music video distributed on YouTube and being part of the YouTube Partner Program.

While it is rare, exceptions can occur, so if you believe you have a significant presence or impact outside YouTube, you can reach out to YouTube’s support team for consideration​.

How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Verified?

Even if your channel doesn’t yet qualify for verification, there are ways to boost your chances. Focus on building a robust channel, improving engagement, and increasing your subscriber base.

1. Create High-Quality, Consistent Content

YouTube prioritizes channels that post regularly and create valuable content. Focus on producing high-quality videos that engage your target audience. Having a consistent upload schedule helps, as it demonstrates your commitment to building your channel.

No More Scrambling: How to Craft a Foolproof YouTube Upload Schedule

Ensure that your profile is complete, professional, and aligned with your brand’s identity. This includes:

Choosing a clear, recognizable profile picture.

Writing a compelling description that explains who you are and what content you create

Customizing your channel banner and organizing playlists to improve user experience.

Actively engaging with your audience through comments, likes, and discussions is a great way to show YouTube that you are dedicated to fostering a community. Encouraging viewers to subscribe and interact with your content signals that your channel is authentic and active​.

How to Use the YouTube Community Tab and Engage with Viewers

Optimizing your videos for YouTube search is crucial for increasing your visibility. By using relevant keywords in your video titles, descriptions, and tags, you can improve your chances of ranking higher in search results. High-performing videos help demonstrate your channel’s influence and authority.

YouTube SEO: How to Optimize Your Videos for Maximum Views

Approach your channel with a long-term strategy in mind. Focus on building a solid brand, setting goals for content creation, and using data analytics to improve your performance. Collaborating with other creators and being active in the YouTube community can also give your channel the boost it needs

If you thought the hard part was over, you were wrong. Once you’ve earned your verification badge, you must ensure that you remain compliant with YouTube’s rules to maintain it. Some key points to remember are:

Any breach of YouTube’s Community Guidelines or Terms of Service could result in your badge being revoked​.

Changing your channel’s name will automatically remove the verification badge. You’ll need to reapply under the new name, which could delay the process.

Keep posting content regularly and continue engaging with your audience to show YouTube that your channel is still relevant.

Getting verified on YouTube is a major milestone that can set your channel apart and boost your credibility. By focusing on growing your audience, optimizing your content, and adhering to YouTube’s guidelines, you can work toward achieving that coveted checkmark. Remember, success on YouTube takes time, patience, and dedication, but with consistency and effort, verification is within reach.

While verification is a worthy goal, it’s more important to build a loyal audience and create a sustainable channel. Verification will come as a natural consequence of your growth and impact on the platform​. If you’re just starting, focus on creating great content and engaging with your viewers. So, what are you waiting for? Get creating and 

Getting verified on YouTube is a dream for most small creators. Get a well-rounded understanding needed to achieve this goal through this post!

How to Get Verified on YouTube

Struggling to come up with video ideas and titles? The good news is you’re not alone!

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a blank screen, unsure of your next YouTube video, you’re at the right place. Whether you're just starting or you’ve been creating content for years, every YouTube creator faces the challenge of consistently coming up with fresh, engaging video ideas. Hence, we creators look to content that has already been successful on YouTube and use what’s relevant.

The biggest problem with drawing inspiration from click-worthy titles in any YouTube niche is the extensive research and hours of work required. That’s why we’re thrilled to announce a powerful new tool available in the vidIQ Chrome extension, designed to make your life a whole lot easier! Readers, say hello to 

In less than 120 seconds, Remix can take any successful video, from any niche and create video ideas for YouTube relevant to your channel and audience. Below, Rob will take you through how the tool works with real-life examples and demonstrate its true power:

Why Great Video Ideas and Titles Are Crucial for YouTube Success

Before diving into how Remix works, it’s important to understand why video ideas and titles are the foundation for YouTube success. The YouTube landscape is highly competitive, and with over 500 hours of content uploaded to the platform every minute, you need more than just great production quality. It starts with a solid video idea and an irresistible title.

A strong idea is the base of any great video. It has to be relevant to your niche, engage your audience, and be original enough to stand out. Not only does a great video idea improve your chances of getting clicks, but it also increases the likelihood that viewers will stick around for the full video and return for more content in the future.

Your video title is often the first thing a potential viewer will see, and it can make or break your chances of getting a click. A title needs to create curiosity and be keyword-optimized to perform well in YouTube’s search algorithm. A well-crafted title helps:

The better your title, the more likely people are to click on your video.

Optimized titles help your video appear in relevant searches, making it easier for new viewers to find your content.

A great title can build curiosity, urgency, or intrigue, making it hard for viewers to resist clicking.

But coming up with great ideas and titles can be time-consuming. That’s where Remix can help streamline the process.

How Remix Simplifies Your Content Creation

Remix takes the heavy lifting out of finding YouTube video ideas and crafting the perfect title. The tool is designed to help creators like you discover what’s already working in your niche and easily adapt those concepts to your style. Whether you’re looking to ride the wave of trending topics or repurpose a successful format, Remix provides a fast, simple way to do it.

Quickly find successful video titles and formats that have already worked for other creators.

Easily adapt these winning ideas to create videos that resonate with your niche, channel, and viewers.

Create engaging, high-quality content that attracts more viewers, watch-time, and subscribers.

You can also change the chosen channel topic to any other niche and Remix will refresh the same video ideas for the new niche within seconds! And it’s not just about saving time—it’s about making smarter decisions with your content creation. Instead of guessing what might work, Remix helps you lean on data-driven insights.

Now that you know why Remix is a game-changer, let’s break down exactly how to use it. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned YouTube creator, these steps will help you use Remix to streamline your video ideation and title creation.

1. Go to YouTube and Find a Title That Works

Start by heading over to YouTube and looking for a video title in your niche that has performed exceptionally well. But how do you know which videos are outperforming others? That’s where the 

vidIQ extension features VPH and Outlier score on YouTube

With vidIQ’s Chrome extension, you can check key performance metrics such as the 

. These metrics help you identify videos that are currently getting a lot of traction and outperforming their peers. Look for videos with a high Outlier Score or a high VPH. This indicates that the title and format of the video are resonating with viewers.

Once you’ve found a video that’s performing well, it’s time to Remix it! Click on the Remix button, and the tool will allow you to customize the video title to fit your niche, audience, and style. This is your opportunity to take a proven concept and make it your own.

For example, if the trending title is “How to Lose Weight Fast,” you could Remix it to better suit your audience with a title like “How to Lose Weight Fast for Busy Professionals” or “How to Lose Weight Quickly Without Hitting the Gym.”

Once you’ve created a title you’re happy with, it’s time to move to the next step: content optimization. Right next to the awesome video ideas that Remix has produced for you, there’s a small button labeled “

Remix integrates seamlessly with vidIQ Generate, another powerful vidIQ tool that helps you:

 to make the video creation process smoother.

By using both Remix and Generate, you can quickly go from an idea to a fully optimized video ready to perform on YouTube.

After you’ve fine-tuned your video title, description, tags, and more, you’re ready to shoot and upload your video. With Remix and Generate handling most of the ideation and optimization work, you can focus on recording high-quality content and growing your audience. This is how our tools can ease you in your creative process reliably.

vidIQ Remix on different pages of YouTube

Once you've signed up for the vidIQ extension, you'll be able to see the Remix features on different parts of YouTube on hovering your cursor. You'll find it on the homepage of any channel, on the search results for any content, on channel pages, and even next to the subscribe button!

Crafting Titles That Drive Clicks: Best Practices

A title is a promise that you’re making to the viewer- and it needs to be fulfilled. Even though Remix helps you find and adapt successful video titles, it’s important to understand what makes a title truly effective. Here are a few best practices to keep in mind:

Your title should speak directly to your audience. Avoid jargon that might confuse new viewers, and instead use simple, clear language that resonates with your target audience. For example, if you’re in the fitness niche, instead of “HIIT Workouts Explained,” you might use “Simple HIIT Workouts to Burn Fat Fast.”

SEO matters. Your title should include keywords that people are actively searching for. vidIQ’s Keyword Research Tool can help you identify high-volume, low-competition keywords to include in your title.

Shorter titles tend to perform better because they display fully on all devices. Aim for around 60-70 characters. If your title is too long, it might get cut off, especially on mobile devices.

People love lists because they offer a sense of structure and predictability. Titles like “5 Ways to Grow Your YouTube Channel” or “Top 10 Travel Destinations in Europe” tend to attract clicks more easily.

Why Remix is Perfect for Both Beginners and Pros

Regardless of where you are in your YouTube journey, Remix can help streamline your content creation process. For beginners, it takes the guesswork out of what types of videos to make. Smaller creators already have a lot on their plate with filming, editing, and designing assets for videos. So any time saved is time earned!

For more experienced creators, it provides a faster way to adapt successful content ideas without spending hours on research. Looking at well-performing videos through the Remix tool will give them more perspective on the type of content that might work better for their channel.

Remix is about working smarter, not harder. Instead of starting from scratch every time, you’re building on concepts that are already proven to work, and then tailoring them to your unique audience.

Supercharge Your YouTube Channel with Remix

YouTube content creation doesn’t have to be a guessing game. With Remix, you get instant access to video ideas for YouTube that have already proven themselves in other niches, and with the help of Generate, you can quickly create optimized titles, descriptions, and tags that boost your video’s performance.

If you’re ready to take the guesswork out of video creation and focus on what matters most—creating great content—

 for web browsers and give Remix a try today.

Take any video on YouTube and use it to create content for your channel! Learn more about vidIQ Remix here.

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

Every creator wants to know how to get brand deals. They want to know what it’s like to work on a lucrative campaign and why they haven’t reached that magical point. Until it happens, they imagine having an overflowing bank account and plenty of sponsors.

The Truth About Getting a Brand Deal on YouTube

 side – what brands wished creators knew. It’s a better approach, especially if you want to discover what makes a brand say, “You’re hired.”

, product marketing specialist at TCL Communication. As a public relations expert, Hornick works with influencers to make brand deals happen. Now he's helping creators understand what brands are truly looking for.

If you’re wondering how to get brands to sponsor you, here are five things to know before sending a pitch.

1. Brands Don’t Always Care About Subscriber/Follower Count

Did you know that selling products isn’t the goal of every campaign? Some brands want to raise awareness so people know they exist. They also want to collect content from creators and repurpose it on social media.

There are different campaign types, and brands need different kinds of creators to make them successful.

Someone with 500,000 subscribers can drive awareness, but what about other, more concrete goals? If we’re talking about email sign-ups and purchases, 

companies need the best creators for those outcomes

. And that’s not always a mega influencer.

Plus, brands are cautious when seeking prominent, successful creators.

“No shots intended, but there are plenty of people out there with [lots of followers], and I can tell you that 90% of them are all bots,” Hornick says.

It’s OK to start where you are with the subscribers you have. 

There will always be brand deals for small YouTubers and other creators.

To reach different campaign goals, brands look for:

Nano-influencers (1,000-10,000 followers)

Micro-influencers (10,000-50,000 followers)

Macro-influencers (100,000-1,000,000 followers)

2. Your Tweets Can Make or Break a Brand Deal

Most people don’t realize, but cringey tweets from the past are easy to find, Hornick says. All it takes is an advanced Twitter search and 

: Everyone knows your worst takes and opinions.

A non-creator doesn’t have to worry as much, but anyone building a brand on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram does. Creators get searched more because brands want to know who they’re sponsoring ahead of time.

“If we’re doing a deep dive on you, and you’re popping off and saying some pretty gnarly stuff – and I don’t mean having political opinions," Hornick says. "It doesn’t matter if you’re left, right, middle. I don’t really care in that regard. But if you’re dropping racist epitaphs and saying some really awful things, then….”

At that point, Hornick fell silent and sucked his teeth against the mic, as if to say, “No more sponsorship.”

3. You Can Be Honest About a Brand and its Products

Brands aren’t perfect, and neither are their products. It’s OK to give your honest review of something, 

even if you’re getting paid to make the company look good

. On YouTube, you are responsible to your audience first and brands second.

Admittedly, not all companies will understand. That’s why partnering with the right brands leads to better sponsorships. Your audience will appreciate you for sharing the truth, and the brand will improve through consumer feedback. Everyone wins.

“I ask for fairness, and I ask for honesty,” Hornick says. “That’s it. I want you to highlight the things we do well, and in fairness, you need to highlight the things we maybe don’t do well – maybe the areas we need to improve – and then be accurate and truthful.”

Public relations specialists get hundreds of emails.

Standing out from the competition takes more than a good subject line. The body of the email has to be persuasive, too, because that’s where you’ll pitch brands.

 even for those just seeking products to review:

Not emailing the right person (find the press center or public relations specialist)

Not sharing important information, such as who you are, what you do, details about your audience, and your 

If you want to get a paid brand sponsorship

Ideas around how you’d center the brand in sponsored content

The value you bring by sharing the brand with your audience

Examples of past campaigns and how they performed

11 Companies Matching YouTubers with Amazing Brand Deals

5. Sometimes You’re Not the Best Fit for a Campaign. It’s Not Personal.

 who’s extremely vocal about hating Samsung Galaxy phones. You own plenty of iPhones, and most of your videos are about Apple technology, not Android. What are the chances you’ll get sponsored by Samsung?

A brand won’t contact you if your messaging doesn’t align with theirs; it just doesn’t make sense. Assuming your audience feels the same as you, the brand would be targeting the wrong consumers.

Of course, Hornick says there are more reasons people don’t get brand deals:

Their audience isn’t quite “there” yet in size and engagement.

There are limited samples to give creators for reviews.

The brand doesn't have the budget to pay certain rates.

No matter what, just keep networking. Show up in YouTube live streams, take the stage in Clubhouse rooms, and join conversations in Twitter Spaces.

After all, getting sponsored comes down to three things:

Being where brands and their representatives gather

You must be visible online to do all those things!

Want to know the top 10 mistakes people make when pitching brands? Read this post to increase your chances of becoming a paid influencer.

We know you want a brand sponsorship for your YouTube channel. But have you considered what brands want from the deal? 

Getting Sponsored by Brands: 5 Things Companies Wish Creators Knew

Which piece of content should you make first: the YouTube thumbnail or the YouTube video?

We pitched this question to creators on the YouTube Community tab a few weeks ago. Out of 19,000 responses, 

 chose “YouTube videos” first. Only 2,660 said they begin with a thumbnail.

That’s a big gap, but we’re not surprised. To many people, it makes sense to create a video first because 

You can’t upload a graphic without first uploading a video. Maybe that’s why the “thumbnail first” mentality feels odd, like introducing Robin before Batman.

But as our survey proves, some creators are doing just that. The real question is why?

1. Without the Right Thumbnail, No One Clicks Your Video Anyway

Technically, viewers don’t know a good video when they see one. They might 

 the video has what they’re looking for, but people don’t know until they click and watch.

The quality of your thumbnail helps viewers decide what to do. If something on the graphic resonates with them, they’ll click and give your video a chance. If the thumbnail is unappealing, the video gets an abysmal number of views.

YouTube Thumbnail Guide - 9 Ways to Boost Click-Through Rate

That means you could film the best YouTube video ever, but no one would know if the thumbnail is subpar.

That’s one benefit of creating the graphic first and video second. If you design a good preview image, you increase your chances of getting more views. But if the design fails, that's OK too. The video can wait until you improve the thumbnail.

2. A Thumbnail Helps You Brainstorm Video Titles

Do you struggle to write titles for your videos? If you’ve tried every hack imaginable, the next step is to give up for a while. Yes, you read that right. Take a break from organizing your words and craft visual concepts instead.

It’s easier to describe something when you can see it in real-time.

 Take the best parts of your video idea – the emotions you want to convey, the value you want to give – and create a thumbnail portraying those qualities. This visual aid helps you describe your content and write a better video title.

9 Ways to Write Exciting YouTube Titles for Your Videos

Ask yourself: Which emotions should people feel while watching?

Create a draft thumbnail portraying those emotions.

Pull inspiration from the graphic to describe your video emotionally.

Turn the description into a click-worthy title.

Getting people to click your videos is the ultimate YouTube goal. This method of creating thumbnails first and connecting them to your title is one way of doing that.

3. There’s Less Work to Do After Filming/Editing

Making a thumbnail before you record a video seems odd, but the practice benefits your YouTube channel. Here's how.

Your In-Depth Guide to Building a Successful YouTube Channel

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