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

So, you're a YouTube creator who has listened to all the advice but your channel is still not attracting the views and subscribers you'd hoped it would. What are you doing wrong?

This is a really common question for vidIQ, so in this episode of TubeTalk we address this very issue. I'm joined by my fellow vidIQ experts, Rob Wilson and Dan Carson as we discuss why your channel still isn't growing. In this podcast you will learn:

What it takes to be a successful creator on YouTube

How to Encourage YouTube Subscribers to Watch Your Videos!

It can be a struggle to get your subscribers to watch more of your video content. So join the vidIQ team as they bring you the best strategy for bringing those 

TubeTalk has been informing video creators and marketers since 2014, and is one of the most respected and listened to podcasts in the online video industry. Don't forget to 

 on your favorite podcast application so you never miss an episode!

You can also find the complete list of all the 

TubeTalk logo with three men promoting YouTube growth and video marketing tips.

Are you doing all the right things but your YouTube channel has stalled? Find out how to kickstart it again in this week's episode of TubeTalk.

How to Kickstart Your YouTube Channel Right Now

Considering how long YouTube and other social platforms have been up and running, there's a surprising lack of research on treating the effects of online harassment - as devastating as that is to the person on the receiving end. Therapists and psychologists are conducting 

, but for many of them, the findings haven’t resulted in a widespread treatment plan that’s officially medically approved.

This poses a problem for YouTubers, Instagram influencers, and any public figure on the web. These creatives earn a living from their work online, and harassment often comes with the territory. While casual users have the privilege of simply logging off, internet influencers can’t do the same. Because of the nature of their work, they’ll eventually have to show up again - to YouTube, Instagram, Twitch, or whichever app they’re using to earn a living.

As a result, social media platforms are enforcing anti-harassment policies. YouTube, for example, has a wonderful collection of 

 to promote a hate-free experience for all users.

Even still, there’s more to the conversation than what platforms can do to help. At some point, creators will need more powerful ways to look after their mental health - especially if they must be online to earn an income.

To understand what creators go through, we asked the vidIQ community to share their experiences with harassment and bullying. Here’s what four anonymous creators had to say:

"People Left Threatening Remarks Simply Because I Was Young"

“I started YouTube at the age of 13, and my first videos were very bad. However, I was good at SEO, and these videos racked up hundreds of thousands of views. People left hate comments and threatening remarks, simply because I was young and the quality of my videos was not very good. Fast-forward three years, and some of those same people continue to write hate comments. I have blocked and hidden such users, however, some have even gone to the extent to create new accounts just to annoy me.”

Fighting the Stigma of Mental Health Conditions

“I make video content related to schizophrenia and mental health. Over the years, most commenters support my work and celebrate my content. However, there is a slow, steady strain of commenters I must mute. Some of them are delusional people, some seem more violent or mal-intended, and some seek to confuse and torment people with lies and blame. Some are religious ‘fanatic’ types, claiming I need to ‘see it their way’ and it's a kind of cognitive harassment. They seem to do it on purpose to agitate and derail my intended conversations.”

“When I first started YouTube in 2018, this group of smalltime YouTubers in the same genre created a short series of them cyberbullying me and falsely reporting me on YouTube. This went on for about three months until YouTube deleted my account because of the spammed reports. About 4-5 months later, I restarted my current channel and started uploading videos with my friends for fun. Its been a while since I've seen the YouTubers who cyberbullied me for views, but from what I remember, they stopped uploading videos. Unfortunately, the ‘series’ is still up, but I've gotten past it.”

Overcoming Sexism, Political Differences, and More

“My niche is very male-dominated. I have literally made videos on topics male colleagues have made, I have been called names and bullied into oblivion despite always providing valid bibliography to everything I cite. I had to eventually hold all comments on my videos by default. The commenters went from insulting my looks to questioning my heritage and origin, all stuff that has nothing to do with my niche.



Recently the alt-right must have really not liked me speaking up and supporting Black Lives Matter because rape threats have started coming in too. All those comments get blocked at the entrance, but gosh, it takes a toll to see how vehemently complete strangers can just hate me.”

YouTubers Speak Out Against Online Harassment

As you probably know, creators in the vidIQ community aren’t the only victims of cyberbullying - it can happen to anyone on the web. For two creators specifically, things got so bad that they shared their harassment stories on YouTube to raise awareness.

 shares a story about how she was harassed online and the steps she took to make it stop:

In this next video, an animation critic shares his experience with online harassment. Click 

Remember how we said there’s a gap in research (and treatments) for cyberbullying? Well, some medical professionals are trying to fix that, and we couldn’t be happier to share their names with you.

, an expert in female adolescent sexuality. She’s also president of the American Psychological Association’s 

Society for Media Psychology and Technology

. Luckily, this organization is writing guidelines to help therapists treat victims of online abuse. Be sure to follow both Stamoulis and the APA for more updates.

The next person you might want to follow is 

. She’s a professor of psychology at Clemson University and is currently researching the effects of cyberbullying among youth and adults.

. She’s a licensed therapist who educates viewers on mental health and psychology topics, like this one:

To all creators out there, remember to stay safe, be positive, and always look after your mental health. Harassment and bullying may be rampant online, but help is on the way.

Close-up of a computer keyboard with a key labeled "Hate" replacing the Enter key.

We know harassment is an issue for many video creators, but what we don't know is the full extent of the psychological damage it’s causing.

Why Online Harassment May Be Even More Devastating Than We Thought

YouTube cards are in-video notifications that help promote your brand and other videos on your channel. If you haven’t used this feature before, here’s how it works for the viewer:

In the upper-right corner of the frame, a teaser box appears during a video.

The teaser box shows a message preview, which you can designate in the YouTube Studio.

When the teaser is clicked, the box expands to show a ‘card’. These can feature a video, playlist, channel, or outside link.

Finally, viewers click/tap on one of these elements to view the content.

As a YouTube creator, this process for showcasing your work is invaluable. Informational cards can boost views on older videos and help you cross-promote different parts of your brand, such as a website that houses all your content.

If that sounds good to you, let’s explore how this brand-boosting, cross-promotion magic happens. There are two ways to add YouTube cards to your videos, and we’re going to show you each method, step-by-step.

The first chance you’ll get to add cards to your videos is when you upload them. To kick off the process, go ahead and upload a video as you normally would.

As you move through the workflow, you’ll eventually reach an uppermost menu in the upload panel. From the options listed there, click ‘Video Elements’. A new page will open, and you’ll see an ‘Add Cards’ section near the bottom of the screen. This is where you can add new cards that send viewers to other videos and playlists you’ve created, as shown below:

Alternatively, you can add cards to videos you’ve already uploaded to YouTube. Here are the steps:

Click your profile image in the top-right corner and go to the YouTube Studio.

Click ‘Videos’ in the left navigation menu.

Hover your mouse over the video you want to add cards to and click the ‘Details’ button (pencil icon).

About halfway down this page and on the right side, you’ll see a ‘Cards’ section. Click the pencil icon to open the video-editing window.

You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the screen below:

To add a card, go to the video timeline. Move the horizontal bar, which marks where you are in the video, to the point where you want to add the card. Next, you’ll go to the top left corner of the editing window to select the type of card you want to add: video, playlist, channel, or link. Finally, make your selection by clicking the blue plus sign next to either option.

Additionally, you can achieve the same thing by clicking the ‘i’ symbol in the bottom left corner of the editing window. This will display the same card options mentioned above, and you can add one anywhere in the video timeline.

If you’re adding a video or playlist card, YouTube will display a search window where you can find and select the content of your choice. Once you’ve made your selection, this is how the info card will look:

When a card pops up, the viewer will see it for about five seconds before it shrinks to a clickable “i” symbol.

Need to see the instructions in real-time? Watch our tutorial about how to add YouTube info cards to your videos:

If you want to change a card’s display text, you can do that in the same video-editing window. Find the box labeled ‘Teaser Text’ and type in the phrase you want viewers to see. It’s best to keep your message short and sweet in this section, as you only have 30 characters to play with. To see what teaser text looks like, check out the previous screenshot above this section.

Next, let’s add a custom message to your card. These are optional, but you can add one if you want another message to appear when viewers click your teaser. Here’s what looks custom messages look like in action:

To add one, simply navigate to the ‘Custom Message’ box and type in the text of your choice.

Keep in mind that for longer videos, the video-editing timeline compresses like a tightly-bound slinky toy. That makes it hard to see the blue markers indicating where your cards are positioned, and that can lead to tons of errors. To work around this, use the zoom feature to expand the timeline and get to the exact timestamp you need to edit.

Once you make that simple adjustment, everything gets easier. With fewer errors, you can quickly drag and drop cards into new positions on the timeline.

However, if you do make a mistake, there are undo and redo buttons on the left side of the timeline. If in the end, you decide an info card isn’t needed, delete it using the bin icon at the top of the edit window.

Important Things to Know About YouTube Cards

While YouTube allows you to add videos, playlists, channels, and outside links to your cards, there are some extra details to be aware of. Here are the most important things to know:

You can add any public playlist to a card, even if you didn’t create the playlist.

You have to add both teaser and custom text to YouTube channel cards.

To add website links to cards, you need to be part of the 

Only approved links can appear on cards. These include crowdfunding, merchandising, and brand-specific sites associated with your channel.

To take advantage of that last part, navigate to the advanced tab of your channel settings. In that window, you can add the website of your choice, a card title, a call to action message, and some teaser text. Additionally, you’ll need to upload a custom image.

Now that you know how to add cards, let’s address the elephant in the room: Watch Time. While cards are great for promotion, you may be wondering if they’re actually worth the effort. After all, when a viewer clicks a card, they’re abandoning the current video to view other content.

When it comes down to it, you’ll have to define the longterm goal of your videos. Ask yourself which videos need to have your audience’s full attention and which ones are beneficial for cross-promotion.

If you choose the cross-promotion route, here are some best practices for when and where to add cards in your videos:

Save info cards for the second half of the video, after you’ve already provided some value to the viewer.

Use info cards sparingly in longer content, as you can only add five per video.

In shorter videos, avoid stacking cards on top of each other. Create a 20- to 30-second gap between each one.

Use This vidIQ Tool to Automate Card Management

Want to automate the management of your video cards? If so, we've got just the tool for you.

When you install vidIQ, you’ll see a button with our logo next to each video. Click that, and from the options displayed, click the ‘Copy Cards’ feature. From here, you’ll be taken to a window where you can copy info cards from one video to the next.

If you're new to vidIQ, our creator-obsessed goal is to educate you on your YouTube journey. We help you 

 and create an outstanding career on YouTube, one you can be proud of. For competitor research tools, video analysis, and helpful channel audits, 

And if you’re really serious about growing your YouTube views and subscribers, sign up for exclusive access to the 

 and learn how to launch a successful YouTube Channel in just 30 days.

Man pointing at YouTube play button with text "Make This Now" on blue background

Info cards allow YouTube creators to add an extra layer of interactivity to their videos. Here's how to set them up.

How to Add Info Cards to Your YouTube Video

When you’re building a YouTube audience, getting your viewers to engage with you can be tough. Across the board, most of them just want to watch your videos, get their entertainment fix, and close the app.

Any YouTuber who has been filming for a while knows this and can anticipate it ahead of time. While some engagement tactics are more effective than others, they always do the standard community-building tasks: asking viewers to like, comment, subscribe, and turn on post notifications.

But once you finally have your audience’s attention, what then? How do you convince them to tune in for the long haul, and in turn, start making more money from your efforts?

To answer that question, I’ve got two words for you: Super Chat.

If you haven’t heard of this feature that was 

, let’s talk about how amazing it is and why you’d want to activate it on your channel.

Super Chats are a fun way to monetize your YouTube Channel and connect with your audience. When you host a live stream or schedule a video premiere, viewers in the live chat can reward you with monetary donations ranging from $1 to $500.

To make sure everyone can see them, Super Chats are highlighted and pinned to the top of the video’s live chat. They also display the contributor’s name plus the amount of money they donated.

When it comes to building a community on YouTube, this recognition system is why Super Chats are so valuable for creators. They gamify the live chat section, allowing you to flaunt your biggest fans as they compete for your attention.

Need an example of how Super Chats boost engagement? It all starts with the pinned comment.

The more money a Super Chat contains, the longer the donator’s comment is pinned in live chat. So for example, if someone were to donate $500, their Super Chat would be visible for five hours. That’s the maximum amount anyone can spend on one Super Chat and the maximum amount of time a Super Chat can be visible.

From there, a comment’s exposure time decreases as viewers donate less money ($100 = one hour; $200 = two hours; etc.). It’s almost as if your fans are placing bets on who can get your attention the fastest.

If friendly bidding wars aren’t your thing, that’s okay. Maybe instead you can appreciate how beautiful Super Chats look? They come in a rainbow of colors, so thankfully, no one’s going to miss them in the live chat. Depending on how much money a viewer sends, their Super Chat could be red, green, blue, or another vibrant color.

Want to see what they look like in real-time? Check out this video from the YouTube Creator Academy, which shows examples of Super Chats and how to respond when you get one:

Which Channels Have Access to Super Chats?

Before you go looking for the Super Chat feature, take a moment to find out if your channel is eligible to collect them. To meet the requirements, every creator needs:

A monetized channel with at least 500 subscribers

Even if you have those three things, Super Chats may not be available to you all the time. To troubleshoot, start by viewing your live stream settings. Make sure you’ve activated the live chat feature because right now, that’s the only way to view, send, and receive Super Chats.

Additionally, you won’t be able to earn Super Chats if you have a ‘made for kids’ channel or post age-restricted content.

Once you’ve determined your eligibility, the only thing left to do is active Super Chats! Here’s how to do that:

In the left navigation menu, click Monetization.

At the top of the ‘Channel Monetization’ dashboard, click ‘Supers’.

On the right side of the screen, you can disable or enable Super Chats or Super Stickers ( similar to Super Chats, but are animated graphics viewers can buy to display in streams/premieres).

When you want to see all of your Super Chats in one place, stay in this dashboard. Right below the ‘on’ and ‘off’ dial, you’ll find a list of all your recent donations and who sent them. As an example, here’s what our dashboard looks like for the vidIQ YouTube Channel:

While Super Chats can earn you money and engagement, there are a few fine-print rules to pay attention to, such as:

YouTube takes a percentage of every Super Chat - 

In case someone asks, Super Chats are non-refundable. Donators get a receipt via email for each payment, and YouTube only gives 

Users can spend $500 per day and $2,000 per week on Super Chats.

You’ll need to connect an AdSense account to your YouTube Channel to collect the funds.

Now that you know everything about Super Chats, it’s time to host a few live streams and test it out for yourself! Show your audience some love, and they might thank you with a kind, monetary reward.

YouTube video icon with arrow pointing to dollar sign symbolizing video monetization process

Are you a YouTuber who wants to earn extra money? Find out why Super Chats are a great way of doing that!

Your In-Depth Guide to Building a Successful YouTube Channel

How to Create a YouTube Video Essay: Full Guide

How to Kickstart Your YouTube Channel Right Now

Why Online Harassment May Be Even More Devastating Than We Thought

How to Add Info Cards to Your YouTube Video

What Are YouTube Super Chats?

YouTube Updates Mid-Roll Ad Rules to Benefit Creators

How Big YouTube Channels Develop Winning Strategies for Success

TikTok Drama: What Now for Creators on the Platform?

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