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

average video length on YouTube still hovers around 11.7 minutes

, even after the meteoric rise of YouTube Shorts and other forms of short-form content. The need for longer content is still quite high, and one of the best ways to capitalize on it is through video essays.

YouTube video essays have exploded in popularity over the past few years, with creators building massive audiences, diving deep into everything from film analysis to social commentary. Yet despite the high interest in becoming a video essayist, there's a surprising lack of real, actionable advice online about how to actually succeed in this space.

So, today, we'll explore how you can go about achieving this successfully as a YouTube creator. Let's get started!

How to Create a YouTube Tutorial Video: Full Guide

A video essay is an essay that is presented in a visual format instead of the conventional written method. It pretty has the same components as a standard essay, consisting of 

an introduction, a main body (which may be divided into sections), and a conclusion.

Walk through YouTube video essays, and you'll find countless videos rehashing the same tired takes. 

"The Last Jedi ruined Star Wars." "Marvel movies are formulaic."

The issue isn't having these opinions—it's presenting them as fresh insights when they're actually echo chamber repetitions. Viewers can sense when you're simply repackaging existing discourse rather than adding something new to the conversation.

But that doesn't mean your takes need to "stand out" just for the sake of it. Instead of trying to be different for the sake of being different, focus on finding a way of creating videos that only you can make. This isn't about being different—it's about being irreplaceably you.

The Secret to Standing Out as a Small YouTube Creator

Before diving into the how-to, let's clarify what we mean by "voice" in video essays. Your voice isn't about:

Copying another creator's presentation format

: Your authentic self coming through the screen

: The unique understanding you bring to topics

To develop your voice, you need to identify three core elements:

: Your areas of expertise or deep knowledge

: The unique perspective only you can provide

: Experiment with various approaches to see what feels natural. Some creators are naturally analytical, while others are more emotional; some are humorous, while others are serious.

: Initially, it's acceptable to incorporate small elements from creators you admire. Notice how they structure arguments, pace their videos, or present information. But avoid wholesale copying.

: After each video, ask yourself: "Did this feel like me? What parts felt forced? What came naturally?"

: Your voice will develop and change as you create more content. Embrace this evolution rather than trying to lock yourself into a rigid style.

Let's get on with the uncomfortable truth that many aspiring video essayists don't want to hear: 

You cannot provide insightful analysis when you have no insight.

Too many creators jump into making video essays about topics they understand only at a surface level. They watch a few other videos, read some Reddit threads, and think they're ready to contribute meaningfully to the discourse.

Before you make your first video essay, ask yourself:

Have I studied beyond surface-level takes?

Can I offer perspectives that aren't already widely available?

If the answer to any of these is "no," you're not ready to make that video yet—and that's okay.

Choosing Your Niche: Become a Student First

The path to becoming a respected video essayist starts with becoming a dedicated student. Here's how:

Choose a topic you're either deeply passionate about or willing to dedicate yourself to learning inside and out. This could be:

Film analysis (specific genres, directors, or eras)

Once you've chosen your focus, immerse yourself completely:

Take online courses from reputable institutions

Join communities of serious students and practitioners

Becoming truly knowledgeable enough to offer valuable insights takes time—often years. This isn't a shortcut to YouTube fame; it's a commitment to expertise.

The goal is to become someone with significantly more insight than the average person interested in your topic. Only then can you offer something genuinely valuable.

Your voice isn't something you can pick off a shelf or decide on in advance. As the saying goes about wands at Ollivander's, "the voice chooses the creator." Finding yours requires experimentation and patience.

The 54 Best YouTube Niches, According to Viewers

Step-by-Step: How to Make a Great Video Essay

If you've followed along so far, you now know the headspace needed to become a YouTube video essay creator. Now, let's get you ready for your first video upload!

Look at what’s already been said—and ask how you can go further

Clear structure (intro, body, conclusion)

Read it out loud—does it sound like you?

YouTube Skills: How to Become a Pro at Speaking on Camera

Get a decent mic (USB condenser mics are a good start)

Use visuals to support your points, not distract

Add transitions only where they make sense

4 Editing Hacks to Make Any YouTube Video Go Viral

What makes a good YouTube video essay? Here's everything you need to know about voice, research, scripting, editing, and building a lasting channel.

How to Create a YouTube Video Essay: Full Guide

This post was originally written June 15, 2021 and has been updated with newer information.

Getting a good click-through rate (CTR) on YouTube is a big deal. That helps you solve a major problem, which is getting YouTube to recommend your videos to viewers. 

If you’ve been on YouTube for a while, you know the algorithm won’t suggest any old video. It serves 

 with proven success. Creators who supply such content are likely to get more views and grow their channels.

Click-through rate is still one of the most important signals on YouTube. It tells the algorithm: 

. The higher your CTR, the more likely YouTube is to recommend your video to new audiences.

But here’s the nuance: CTR alone won’t get you growth. YouTube weighs CTR alongside 

watch time, retention, and satisfaction metrics

. In other words, getting the click is step one, keeping the viewer matters even more.

CTR is defined as “how often viewers watch video after seeing its thumbnail.”

Here’s the click-through rate formula: 

Number of clicks / Number of impressions x 100 = CTR

So if 1,000 people saw the thumbnail but only 30 people clicked on the video, you’d have a click-through rate of 30%.

How to See Your Click-Through Rate In the YouTube Studio

Before you try to increase your CTR, figure out what your current percentage is.

Next, you’ll see a graph showing impressions, impressions click-through rate, views, and unique viewers. Select 

Adjust the period selector (seven days, one month, three months, one year, or the lifetime of your channel).

Here’s what the CTR graph looks like. It shows your rate over time, and you can hover over the play buttons to see which videos produced certain rates:

The graph above is from the vidIQ channel. As you can see, our CTR is 5.1% for the last 28 days. 

Scrolling down further reveals a chart showing how many impressions we received in that period.

At one point, YouTube stated that “half of all channels and videos on YouTube have an impressions CTR that can range between 2% and 10%.” 

Is your CTR within this range? If so, don't set wild expectations for yourself. YouTube's general range for CTR is just extra information; if you're at 2%, don't fall in love with the idea of reaching 10% anytime soon. Slow and steady improvements will take you where you need to be.

Also, be careful about how you interpret YouTube's general CTR range. If you’re a small creator getting 100 impressions per video, it only takes a consistent 20 viewers for a 20% click-through rate. Compare that to a large channel with 150,000 impressions and 10,000 views. That’s a 6.6% click-through rate.

No matter what the numbers say, put your CTR into perspective:

 because YouTube is showing your content to 

 viewers? That could mean you have more impressions but fewer clicks as you reach a new audience. New viewers will need more convincing before they click.

Ready to get more video clicks? Here are six ways to boost your CTR on YouTube:

 (so YouTube can give you a realistic CTR).

 based on your current or all-time CTR. This is your starting point from which you'll slowly increase over time.

 YouTube is counting thumbnail views as impressions, but getting an actual “click” is important for your CTR. Make the thumbnail simple but interesting, with text that quickly explains the video’s value. Test with 

 Your video’s title is right next to the thumbnail, which gives you another chance to elicit a click. Do some keyword research to add relevant or trending phrases to your title. 

makes suggestions for you based on what is relevant and trending.

 Make sure it’s relevant and reinforces the title for search pages; descriptions are highly visible in this area.

 In some areas of YouTube, viewers can see the length of a video overlaid on its thumbnail. Imagine a viewer coming to YouTube for a quick answer to one question. Will they click your video if it's an hour long?

What Every YouTube Creator Needs to Know About Custom Thumbnails and Click Through Rate

A “good” CTR depends on your niche, audience size, and video type. The real growth lever in 2025 is 

, YouTube will do the heavy lifting of recommending your videos

A good click-through rate is ideal, but it’s not the only signal YouTube uses to grade your videos. Here’s a handy guide on 

how YouTube recommends your content to viewers.

Man using smartphone with finger tapping screen, holding phone in hand close-up

Wondering what is a good click through rate YouTube creators should aim for? Here’s how impressions click-through rate works, what counts as a “good” number in 2025, and six proven ways to boost your CTR in YouTube.

Getting a Good Click-Through Rate on YouTube: 6 Proven Tips

So, you're pouring your heart into your videos, hitting “publish,” and... the audience just isn’t sticking around. Quickly answer! What’s the most important part of a YouTube video? Is it the beginning, middle, or end?

If you know the answer, that means you understand the power of audience retention on YouTube. If you’re unsure or don’t know much about this channel-boosting metric, that’s OK. We’re seconds away from sharing the answer.

Why does audience retention matter so much on YouTube? Aren’t video views the supreme metric for growing a channel?

Audience retention measures how entertaining a video is. 

More than anything, that’s the key to unlocking more views.

How to Increase Audience Retention on Every YouTube Video

The YouTube Studio has a detailed audience retention report. It shows a video's average view duration, which is how many minutes viewers watched on average. In a hypothetical scenario, you might have a 10-minute video that people watch for four minutes.

And then there’s the average percentage viewed, which is also known as 

. Here's how YouTube calculates it: Average view duration / length of video x 100 = audience retention rate.

“A good example would be, let’s say your video is five minutes and the average view duration is two and a half minutes,” Rob says. “That would be exactly 50% audience retention.”

screenshot denoting audience retention rate for a vidiq video

And guess what? The higher your audience retention rate climbs, the easier it is to succeed on YouTube.

 Getting people to watch for longer means they might view/click more ads. And who 

 Videos with higher retention send a positive signal to YouTube’s recommendation system. The video has a higher chance of being recommended to viewers, especially if there are other positive signals (high 

, lots of likes, positive survey responses, etc.)

Understanding the YouTube Algorithm in 2025

You’ve probably heard that you need to hook your viewers at the start of the video. Great. But here’s where most creators go wrong — 

. It’s the secret sauce of real retention.

Every time you deliver a point, immediately follow it up with another compelling reason to stick around. Think of it like this: you’re not just telling a story, you’re 

 every step of the way. Hook. Payoff. New hook. Payoff. Repeat.

 talks about when planning your video, don’t just think about the topic or information you’re sharing — think about the 

 of what’s happening — not a fly on the wall. If your content feels like it’s ignoring the viewer or doesn’t invite them in, they’ll bounce. Period.

This means asking yourself while filming: “Am I making the viewer feel like they’re here with me, involved in this moment?”
Or are you giving off “awkward guy at the edge of the party” vibes?

Don’t start your video with “Hey guys, today I’m going to show you how to…” Just 

. Get into something juicy within seconds. Throw them into the fire — then explain what’s going on after they’re hooked.

An example from the video? A recipe video that starts mid-sentence with “Squeeze the blueberries into the…” and you’re like 

You can still get to the “Hey guys,” but not until you’ve already earned their attention.

3. The Most Crucial Part of a Video Is the First 30 Seconds

What happens in the first 30 seconds of your video is critical. Many creators focus on the meat of their content – the sections where they give the most value to viewers. But if people aren’t satisfied at the beginning of the video, they will click away to watch something else. And if they click away, your audience retention rate takes a massive hit.

Understanding YouTube Average View Duration

“When you look at your retention graph, it starts at 100% and rapidly drops down until it stabilizes a little bit,” Dan says. “On a lot of graphs I’ve seen, it’s this steady trickling down as the video goes on. We know if people are leaving in less than one second of a video, there’s a good chance we’re never getting them back.”

So what’s happening in the first 30 seconds? More than anything, viewers are deciding if they’re in the right corner of YouTube. 

They’re determining whether the video matches what they saw in the title and thumbnail.

viewer engaging with content on the phone

Viewer drop-off is unavoidable, but there are plenty of ways to decrease it. You can practice getting to the point of your video faster or using pattern interrupters, like images, audio, and different camera angles.

Want more tips to keep viewers engaged? Here is a strategical way to improve every video.

Knowing your audience retention rate is one of the first steps to making better videos. Here are three secrets to unlock the full power of this YouTube metric.

3 Secrets to Improve YouTube Audience Retention

This post was originally written Mar 10, 2020 and has been updated with newer information.

In 2025, custom thumbnails are still one of the most powerful ways to get noticed on YouTube.

Just as readers judge books by their covers, viewers judge videos by their thumbnails. It's unavoidable. You have just a tiny window of opportunity to grab that person's attention and draw them into your video. So let's jump into how to make custom thumbnails that do just that.

Custom Thumbnails on YouTube: Your Winning Feature

When you upload a video to YouTube, the platform automatically selects a few thumbnail options from your video. But chances are, those auto-generated frames selected will be off the mark and tell the viewer absolutely nothing about your content. 

That's why custom thumbnails remain one of the most important toolkit. With the help of a well-designed thumbnail, you can tell a much more colorful, intriguing, and direct visual story that might just earn your video an extra click.

Not sure how to enable custom thumbnails? 

minimum recommended resolution is 1280 by 720 pixels

. If you go any higher you might run into two problems. 

Shrinking down really high resolution images to thumbnail preview size can distort them and make them look a little weird. 

YouTube has a very restrictive 2MB file size limit. Keep that in mind if you intend to create really complex images. 

And finally, make sure to save your thumbnails in one of the following file formats: JPEG, GIF, BMP, or PNG.

Another advantage of creating thumbnails in 1280 X 720 resolution is that it matches the 16:9 aspect ratio of how 99.9% of your potential audience will see them. Stick to these basic YouTube thumbnail principles and you are off to a good start.

Here’s one of the most important tips in this entire guide.

When you design your thumbnail, you're looking at it full-size. Bust most viewers will see it much smaller on YouTube's homepage, especially on mobile and we like to call it the 10% rule. 

So here's the test: shrink your custom thumbnail down to 10% of its size. Can you still clearly see what's going on? Can you make out the subject, emotion, or action?

If not, simplify. Cut the clutter. Stick to a few bold elements which are usually a face, an object, and clean background.

Great Custom Thumbnails = Higher Click-Through Rates

Hopefully every YouTube content creator is aware of their 

. Every time a viewer sees one of your thumbnails, that counts as 

. Every time somebody clicks on one of those thumbnails, that is 

. And you can calculate the click-through rate from that. For example, let's say your thumbnail is shown 100 times, and it's clicked on 10 times, that's 10% click-through rate. CTR is a representation of how powerful and effective your titles and your thumbnails are together.

A question that's often asked at this point is, what is a good click-through rate? YouTube's answer is between 2% and 10%, but that depends on your niche, channel size, and your content style. 

benchmark your own CTR and aim to improve it

. Competing with yourself is way more productive and exciting as you see your CTR go up. Competing with somebody else's CTR is going to be frustrating and can lead to burnout.

Custom Thumbnails and YouTube's Safety System

Here’s a lesser known but important point: YouTube uses machine learning to scan your custom thumbnails and assess whether they’re safe for the platform.

A great tool for checking a thumbnail is safe is 

. It's free to use and unnervingly accurate. Just upload a thumbnail and it will:

Identify potentially unsafe or inappropriate content

Highlight whether your thumbnail might trigger YouTube's safety filters

So if you do create a thumbnail that is a little edgy, it might be a good idea to run it through Cloud Vision first. It is certainly an impressive glance into the world of artificial intelligence.

In a sea of videos, your custom thumbnail is your first impression. It’s your best chance to stop the scroll, spark curiosity, and earn that all-important click.

The good news? You don’t need to be a professional designer to create effective thumbnails. With tools like vidIQ’s 

, you can craft bold, high-performing thumbnails that follow all the best practices.

And keep in mind, the best thumbnails don’t work alone. A 

 working together with a great custom thumbnail grabs attention and sets clear expectations.

So don’t treat your thumbnail as an afterthought. Give it the attention it deserves, and watch what happens with your CTR.

If you want to take your YouTube channel to the next level then make sure to download vidIQ. It will help you research YouTube, analyze videos, audit your own channel, and take actionable steps 

Man pointing at YouTube custom thumbnail size limit text with vidIQ logo on blue background

Beyond the video content itself, custom thumbnails are probably the most important YouTube tool you have in your arsenal. Take a look at our essential guide and get it right every time.

Your In-Depth Guide to Building a Successful YouTube Channel

How to Create a YouTube Video Essay: Full Guide

Getting a Good Click-Through Rate on YouTube: 6 Proven Tips

3 Secrets to Improve YouTube Audience Retention

How to Make Custom Thumbnails - The Essential Guide!

Has YouTube Become Saturated?

Why YouTube Custom Thumbnails Should NEVER Be an Afterthought: 5 Expert Tips

How to Download a YouTube Thumbnail (Fast, Easy & Free)

How to Make YouTube Vlogs

The 12 Best YouTube Thumbnails People Love to Click On

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