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

When YouTube cut its subscriber requirement for early monetization from 

, it opened the door for more creators to earn money and build sustainable channels. 

three public uploads in the last 90 days

3,000 public watch hours in the past 12 months or 3 million Shorts views in 90 days

YouTube Relaxes its Monetization Rules: Only 500 Subscribers Needed!

There's one caveat, though. Hitting this new milestone doesn't mean you can monetize your content with ad revenue — only 

What Is Fan Funding and Why Should You Care?

 is YouTube’s way of letting viewers directly support creators they love. Instead of relying solely on ads or sponsorships, creators can earn tips and recurring payments from their audience. YouTube introduced fan‑funding in 2014 to give viewers a way to make voluntary donations.

This built‑in “tip jar” includes three major tools—

—each unlocking at 500 subscribers and allowing creators to monetize while still growing toward full ad revenue. 

 is a monetization feature introduced in 2017 that allows viewers to purchase a chat message that stays highlighted and pinned at the top of the live‑chat window. The more a viewer pays, the longer their message stays on screen. 

This gives fans a way to stand out in busy live chats and gives creators a direct revenue stream.

 Enable Super Chat in your channel’s monetization settings and remind viewers during live streams that they can support you. Celebrate their contributions on screen, call out their messages, and thank them personally—it’s a powerful way to encourage repeat support.

 lets viewers tip on regular videos, not just live streams. Fans can pay between $2–$50 to trigger a celebratory animation and leave a highlighted “Thanks” comment. It’s similar to Super Chat but works on any published video. Super Thanks is available to monetized channels that meet YouTube’s eligibility requirements and comply with all policies.

 Mention Super Thanks in your video descriptions or on end screens. Encourage viewers who found value in your content to show their appreciation. Since it’s passive income, Super Thanks can generate tips long after a video is uploaded.

 are paid subscriptions that offer exclusive perks such as badges, custom emojis, members‑only videos, live‑chat access and other benefits. Fans pay a monthly fee to access these perks, and the steady income helps creators sustain their channels.

 Once you qualify for the YouTube Partner Program and meet eligibility requirements (usually 30,000 subscribers for non‑gaming channels), set up membership tiers in YouTube Studio. Offer meaningful perks—think behind‑the‑scenes videos, members‑only live streams, or early access to new uploads. The more value you provide, the more likely fans are to join and stay.

Fan funding can be a gratifying way to make money consistently on YouTube. But to do that, you need quality subs who are open to supporting you financially!

Building a community of 500 people may feel daunting when you’re starting at zero, but it’s achievable. Here's how to get those natural, fan-level subs on your channel.

Woman looking at phone and surrounded by emojis

It's nice to have 500 subscribers (and unlock fan-funding), but that doesn't mean viewers will automatically send you money on YouTube. They must feel 

 to do it, which usually happens when they connect with your content.

 (that you didn't pay for). These viewers will show up to watch your videos and support your content with the occasional Super Chat or Super Thanks, to show their appreciation.

So, how do you build a real YouTube community? As soon as you have 30, 40, or 50 viewers on a steady basis, reply to their comments! 

Engage with them on the YouTube Community

 tab and ask them what they want to watch. Keep showing up, and they'll do the same!

2. Choose an Underserved Niche on YouTube

 What type of viewer will most likely send you a Super Thanks (aka, a monetary tip)? We already know that organic, engaged subscribers will do this. But can you think of anyone else?

Alright, we won't keep you in suspense. If you can find an underserved community on YouTube — like unicyclists who walk their dogs simultaneously — make videos for 

. Chances are, they're waiting for someone, 

, to show an interest in their hobbies. If you're that special creator, they'll appreciate you 10 times more and

Another way to lift your subscriber count is by paying attention to global trends. For example, which video games come out next month? Is there a new dance taking over TikTok? What's happening in sports, cinema, and music?

 aligns with your channel, don't let the moment slip away. Make a video about it! Our 

 will inform you when there's a popular trend ongoing at once!

vidIQ can help you with that, especially when using 

 our newest feature. This nifty tool shows you which topics are growing in popularity on YouTube, along with a keyword score, competition score, and the monthly search volume of the term.

4. Target YouTube's Recommendation Algorithm

 watch videos that YouTube recommends? As a new creator, you have a tremendous opportunity here to reach new viewers. When seeking more subscribers, there's no better place for your content to surface than in someone's 

The YouTube video suggestions that appear beside a particular video

But which videos will YouTube recommend? Your best bet is filming something that 

 and likes. It should also mirror what people enjoy right now.

, look at your competitors — aka, channels that make similar content to yours. What are their most popular videos, and which videos are being recommended next to 

Study each recommendation. Write them down so you can make similar videos with your unique spin, flair, or perspective. After all, you now have 

 that YouTube recommends specific videos to your target audience. Use that info to grow your channel!

5. Make Search-Based Content at Least 30% of the Time

Standing out on YouTube is challenging, especially as a small creator. The good news is you have plenty of ways to get viewers' attention! You can make videos with a unique perspective or blend two niches to "wow" people. You can make the brightest, boldest thumbnails to get more clicks.

But no matter what, remember to make videos people are actually searching for. YouTube has many search pages; getting your content on just 

 could result in more views and even increase your subscriber count.

Channels that surfaced YouTube search for "start a youtube channel"

It all starts with optimizing your videos for YouTube search and doing something called 

Add relevant keywords to your video title, description, hashtags, and video chapters.

6. Borrow the 12 Most Popular Thumbnail Styles

Thumbnails are essential for getting your first 500 subscribers on YouTube. Most creators spend hours on those images, from developing an idea to ensuring the thumbnail matches the video title.

So, here's a neat shortcut to quicken the journey: Make thumbnails that are proven to work!

  How To Make Attention Grabbing Custom Thumbnails on YouTube with vidIQ

Show a final result (like the finished meal after a cooking tutorial)

7. Promote Your Videos Outside of YouTube

Woman holding a phone surrounded by social media icons

 so it pays attention to your channel. You do this by promoting your content 

According to Todd Beaupre, who leads the discovery product team at YouTube, sharing your videos in online communities is wise. You'll get your first video views much faster, enter viewers' watch history, and prompt the algorithm to share your content with similar audiences.

5 Secrets You Didn't Know About the YouTube Algorithm

So, think of all the Facebook groups, Discord servers, or forums that align with your channel's topic. Could you share your videos there? As long as you're a genuine member of the community — one who engages and brings value — it's OK to share content that adds to the conversation.

8. Use Links and Buttons to Help Viewers Subscribe

Sometimes, viewers need a little convincing before subscribing to your channel. And even then, they may only click the button if it's right in front of them!

 want to subscribe to your channel; you just have to make it easy for them.

That's where buttons and links come in handy on YouTube. You can add a YouTube subscribe button to the bottom of your videos, on your end screens, and on your website. You can also paste a subscribe link that adds people to your community once they click it.

8 Ways to Help Viewers Subscribe to Your YouTube Channel

9. Get Discovered with Viral YouTube Shorts

Did you know that creators are getting more subscribers with YouTube Shorts? We're seeing this happen monthly with vidIQ customers who reach 1,000, 10,000, or 100,000 subs in just a few weeks. Most of the time, they focus on short video content that ends up going viral.

How to Make a YouTube Short In 2025: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide

But how do you make a YouTube Short go viral? First, hook your viewers with 

 that gets their attention. Then, start analyzing the most popular Shorts. What do they have in common that other videos don't?

Generic advice will get you a long way, but never to the top. If you're starting from zero, getting a YouTube coach is the best thing you can do for your creator journey. However, you don't want just 

 coach. You want proven experts who give you personalized advice for your channel and content. 

And that's why here at vidIQ, we built the 

 where creators like you can grow with the help of  the best YouTube minds

So, sign up for the vidIQ coaching program and let your YouTube dreams come true!

Woman filming a youtube video on her phone

Smiling woman recording video with smartphone on tripod against pink background

Are you ready to monetize your channel? The first step is getting 500 subscribers on YouTube, so here are 10 ways to reach that magic number!

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

Having conducted hundreds of YouTube Channel Audits, we get to see a helicopter view of what Content Creators are doing right and what they are doing wrong.

Today on TubeTalk, Travis McPherson and I share these mistakes with you so that you can fix these on your channel and set yourself up for YouTube success!

If you want to level up your YouTube channel, get more subscribers, and more views, this episode is absolutely critical!

Listen to this episode which is about the 

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 foprget to 

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

You can also find the complete list of all the 

Man making a thinking gesture next to blue background with TubeTalk logo text.

On this week's TubeTalk podcast, we discuss the critical mistakes YouTubers make that are keeping them from success.

5 Critical Mistakes Revealed From Hundreds of YouTube Channel Audits

Now a couple of things to say before we jump into this video, we apologize if there are any adverts - that doesn't usually happen with vidIQ but you're going to find out why very soon and we do apologize to our audience in Australia and New Zealand who might not be able to see this video above at all.

YouTube Content ID: Copyright Limitations

Now of course you may recognize this very inspiring and popular piece of music we are using in this video - ‘Wake Up’ from Arcade Fire, but the question is why are we using it right now? Well I'm going to show you how. If you point your web browser to 

 you can find out what will happen if you use music that is searchable in the music policy directory. In this example, when we search for ‘Wake Up’, it says the following:

If you use this song on a YouTube video, it will be viewable everywhere save for two countries. Those being Australia and New Zealand, hence my apology earlier on. I am not allowed to monetize the video, however. But if I wanted to do a cover version of this song, the video would be viewable in all countries on YouTube and I might be able to monetize the video and share the income with the copyright owner of the song.

This is Content ID in action. When YouTube can automatically detect a song, it treats it as copyright content and it can apply the specific policy as defined in the music directory. For a lot of creators, this usually happens when you try and sneak in a tiny snippet of a song or use what you thought was royalty-free music.

What often happens in this case is that the copyright claimant will monetize your content and since you use their material, (usually without their permission), there isn't much you can do about it. That's simply the way YouTube currently works.

Using Copyright Content on YouTube: The Consequences

Now as exciting as this may sound, using copyright content without the fear of getting copyright strike, it is in actual fact a very dangerous game. For the vast majority of popular music, recent music, or music you're just desperate to use, the usage policy will be a flat out no. Your video may be blocked, or muted, and you may even get a copyright strike. And in pretty much every single circumstance you won't be able to monetize your content. At best you may be able to share the revenue if you do a cover version.

You also have to consider this, just because you used copyrighted music in a video at a time when YouTube said it was safe to do so through their music policies, doesn't mean that that video is protected from copyright issues in the future. On YouTube's dedicated support page on usage restriction and claimed music, they say that copyright holders can change their policies and issue copyright takedown notices under certain circumstances. You video's status could change in the future and may even be removed from YouTube if a copyright owner makes a different decision in your individual case and changes the policies that apply to the music in your video.

All of which comes back to the question as to why are we using ‘Wake Up’ by Arcade Fire in this video. Well I checked on YouTube and there are other videos that have used this song that have been on YouTube for more than ten years - so we think we're relatively safe with this one.

This is also very much an educational video, which we think is pretty safe, and of course we don't monetize our content here on vidIQ so we don't have to worry about losing income from this particular video. This is all about helping you and providing value to you as video creators.

And this is what happened when we uploaded the video onto our channel, YouTube did identify the copyrighted music and by clicking into the claim, we can see that the video was blocked in Australia and New Zealand, it's not eligible for monetization, but it has not impacted the channel as regard to a copyright strike.

Using Copyrighted Music in Your YouTube Video

So to answer those two questions, can you use copyrighted music in your videos? Yes as long as you check but you're probably very limited with what you can do.

And if you want to monetize your content, can you use copyright music in those videos? In almost all circumstances, certainly not, unless you're doing a cover version of the music, in which case you may be able to share half of the revenue.

Ultimately if your strategy is to profit from other people's work on YouTube, I'm afraid you've got this all wrong. Now absolutely there is the strong argument of fair use and we are not lawyers, this is not legal advice.

If you want to take your YouTube channel to the next level and 

 then make sure to download vidIQ. Join over 1 million other users and use vidIQ to help you research YouTube, analyze videos, audit your own channel, and take actionable steps 

Eight colorful retro vinyl records with music labels on varied bright backgrounds

Can you use copyrighted music in your YouTube videos without getting a copyright strike, and can you monetize that content? We give you the info you need.

Can You Use Copyrighted Music For Your YouTube Videos?

How did you promote your YouTube videos? Did you know there’s a tool that you probably never even used for this? Did you know you can drive views to an unlisted YouTube video just by promoting it with a direct link?

One way to do that is through the YouTube Community Tab.

Now, I am fully aware that not all of you will have access to the Community Tab right now. To do so, you’ll need 1000 YouTube subscribers, but we've got a video on how you can get to that number 

If you have the ability to access the Community Tab, you’ll know that it actually has a built-in function for selecting any video on YouTube, including your own, as well as unlisted videos to promote to your community. Of course, you can use it to post any message you like:

Now, the really cool thing about the Community Tab is that these posts don't just reach your subscribers, they can reach anybody on YouTube who may be interested in your content.

We've actually already done a really interesting video about this when lots of people were getting really annoyed because they were seeing lots of Pewdiepie versus T series posts on our Community Tab. You can watch that here:

How to Use YouTube’s Community Tab the Right Way

Having just told you to use the Community Tab to promote a video, I have a sneaky suspicion that YouTube may suppress reach for that type of content. And this is my investigation into whether or not that is true.

YouTube doesn't provide any data for views or impressions for a community post, but you can judge performance via engagement.

For vidIQ, we find that, on average, community posts will get 500 or so likes and at least 100 comments. However, every time we publish a community post using the YouTube video link tool, we'll get just 15% of the engagement we usually would do. 🤔

So, here's what I decided to do. Instead of posting a video on the Community Tab, the way YouTube wants me to do it, I used an alternative strategy. And this is what I found out.

So, first of all we did a control test. This community posts use the conventional-video link style, YouTube offers. The video was unlisted at the time so I knew that most, if not all of the views coming into this video were from this community post promotion only.

The results were 288 views over a 48 hour period. The traffic sources confirmed that most of these views came from channel pages, which is where community posts and video links fall under.

Now for my next test - again, with an unlisted video, I shared the link to the video directly in the community post and offered people the chance to rate the video for a voting poll.

In the same period, around 48 hours, this community post got nearly four times as many likes. So, a lot more engagement already. The voting poll style post also had more video views than the conventional-video link community post.

Clearly, more people love voting poll posts than the dedicated video link posts, and as a result, more people watched the video from the voting poll post.

What I also learned is that, people just like voting on stuff even if they don't read instructions. Look! I told people to watch a video and give it a star rating. At the time of recording the video above, 650 people did watch the video, but 1400 people gave it a rating. Figure that one out!

I wanted you to do one more test using a different community post strategy. It was an unlisted video with a video link added directly into the community post. But this time I used an image instead of a voting poll - 

In its first 48 hours, it got 1700 views. We left it unlisted for a week and it still got 3000 views from that one community post.

Winning Strategies for Promotion With YouTube’s Community Tab

First of all, if you have access to the Community Tab on YouTube, you should be using it to promote your video. However, what you shouldn't do is promote your videos using YouTube conventional-video sharing link, because it seems to suppress those posts and nobody watches the videos.

What you should do is think of inventive ways to make your community feel valued and part of the process. That's why I teased our community posts with exclusive access, and it's why I set up a voting poll to get people to interact with the post itself.

However, you also need to consider this. In order to get some raw numbers, I had to post a list of videos in the Community Tab. And what I may have done is damaged the potential of those videos when they go live to the public.

For example, those 3,000 views from that unlisted video I posted in the community didn’t send YouTube any positive signals in terms of click-through rates and impressions.

When I launched that video, some of our community has already seen it, so they were less likely to watch it again.

So, use these Community Tab strategies to promote content that's already published on your channel. Whether it's a video you posted a few days ago, and you want to remind people through the Community Tab that you have new content, or you go into your back catalog and find videos that were popular six months ago and reintroduce them to a brand new audience on your channel.

 then make sure to download vidIQ. Over 1 million creators use vidIQ to help with keyword and competitor research, channel audits, and so much more. 

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

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

YouTube promotion comparison showing strategy 1 with red X and strategy 2 with green check mark

YouTube's Community Tab is a fantastic way to promote your videos - but are you using this feature the right way? We tested the best strategies so you don't have to.

YouTube’s Community Tab: Winning Strategies for Promoting Your Videos

There is nothing I love more than attending YouTuber events around the world. This is not only a superb place to create network opportunities, but a space to learn from the best-of-the-best!

One event I always look forward to is VidCon, a global content creator event that really does expose how creators are able to grow their audiences and monetize their various platforms.

Of course, Check these out and BUT make sure you pick the right service for you and your channel.

Also don't forget to check out more info about 

Next up listen to this episode which is about 

Man sitting in recording studio next to audio mixing equipment with TubeTalk logo on blue background

YouTubers can earn money both on and off the platform - find out how!

5 YouTube Monetization Services You've NEVER heard of with Jim Louderback, VidCon GM

There is so much information about YouTube and its algorithms. But what info is correct and what is false?

, one of the very first SEO industry leaders to go all-in on digital video and the first to coin the phrase “social video marketing.”

With over 2 decades of experience in digital media, Mark is a pioneer, and a digital marketing expert who really understands that ins and out of the YouTube system.

Does changing the video metadata after a video is published good or bad?

Do descriptions, tags, and titles matter, or is YouTube AI smart enough?

Do likes, dislikes, and comment help or hinder your video?

Should you or should you not link to external websites off YouTube?

If you finally want know what is FACT and what is FICTION and how it impacts your video performance, THIS is the episode for you!

Man with beard and short hair next to blue background with "TubeTalk" text logo

Let's BUST some YouTube Algorithm misconceptions!

5 YouTube Algorithm Myths YouTubers NEED to Know With Mark Robertson

YouTube Stories are an incredible way to connect with your community, but did you also know the feature can be absolutely invaluable when it comes to managing any kind of negative feedback?

As a YouTuber, creating content that is authentic to your brand can feel not only stressful but precarious. The task of being true to yourself and original while constantly watching everything you say is a difficult one.

Many YouTubers have had unintentional PR blunders, but successful creators take proper and prompt action to mitigate them. Accidents happen, but here’s how YouTube’s Story feature can help with audience retention after social backlash from viewers.

How YouTube Stories Help You Connect to Your Community

YouTube stories are clips that last for 15 seconds and expire after 7 days. It is a mobile-only feature which is beneficial since 

70% of YouTube views come from mobile devices

. As soon as a subscriber accesses your channel or opens the YouTube app, they can immediately see your Story, which makes the feature a casual and quick way for content creators to connect to their audiences without taking the time to create a video.

YouTube Stories is such a powerful tool for building community engagement that vidIQ highlighted the feature earlier this year:

Between scripting, editing, filming, audio mixing, and more, 

the average time it takes to make a video is 7 hours

YouTube Stories is a fantastic tool for helping creators communicate directly to subscribers. Find out how it can be your greatest public relations asset too.

Your In-Depth Guide to Building a Successful YouTube Channel

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

5 Critical Mistakes Revealed From Hundreds of YouTube Channel Audits

Can You Use Copyrighted Music For Your YouTube Videos?

YouTube’s Community Tab: Winning Strategies for Promoting Your Videos

5 YouTube Monetization Services You've NEVER heard of with Jim Louderback, Vi...

5 YouTube Algorithm Myths YouTubers NEED to Know With Mark Robertson

YouTube Stories: The Best Way to Quickly Engage With Your Subscribers

How to Find Success as a Travel Channel on YouTube

How to Stand Out in a World Where Everyone’s a Creator

4 Awesome Lessons Every YouTube Creator Can Learn from Joe Wicks

How to Get a 'Support a Creator' Code for Fortnite

How Educators and Teachers Can Make a Living from YouTube

The Secrets to Going Viral on YouTube [Expert Insights]