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.

YouTube Views

How To Get More Views on YouTube

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.

YouTube Monetization

How To Make Money 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. 

YouTube Subscribers

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.

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.

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

Why do YouTube videos get demonetized? It’s a valid question, especially when someone takes the time to film, edit, and upload a video. Most creators try their best to make positive, original content for viewers around the world. What are they doing wrong in terms of making money and staying monetized on YouTube?

Google AdSense 101 - How to Benefit from Ad Revenue on YouTube

Most of the time, it's a lack of information. Creators know the basics of YouTube's rules, but they don't always know the fine details. And overall, people are just ready to record!

: A set of rules to ensure everyone’s safety on YouTube

 An explanation of which videos are suitable for advertisers

: A set of terms and conditions for placing ads on YouTube videos

: A set of terms and conditions for how viewers and creators operate on YouTube

Violating any of the four could lead to demonetization. Here's how to avoid that outcome.

What Does ‘Demonetized’ Mean on YouTube?

If YouTube demonetized a video, that means it restricted 

 ads from appearing. That includes every type of ad available to creators: display ads, overlay ads, sponsored cards, and skippable and non-skippable video ads. You won’t earn Google AdSense revenue for demonetized content.

Turning off ads is just one form of demonetization.

. This option bars you from all the money-making features: Google AdSense, Super Chats and Stickers, Super Thanks, merchandise shelves, Channel Memberships, and YouTube Premium revenue. It’s like being kicked out of the 

How to Tell If a YouTube Video Is Demonetized

After uploading a video, you can see its monetization status in less than an hour. It takes a while because YouTube is making sure the video is suitable for ads.

In the YouTube Studio, there are seven monetization icons

. Each one tells you the status of a video’s earning power.

 YouTube is checking your video for ad suitability.

 Monetization is on, and your video is eligible for most ads.

 Monetization is on for a song cover, but a music publisher claimed the revenue.

 Monetization is on, but YouTube is still determining who will get paid.

 Monetization is on, but ads are limited.

 You turned on monetization for the video, but YouTube won’t show ads.

 You turned off monetization for the video.

 means your video is demonetized, as shown below.

How to Check a Video’s Monetization Status:

Log into YouTube and click your profile icon in the top right corner. Select 

Find the video in question using the search bar at the top of the page.

. You’ll see one of the seven icons (shown above) indicating your video’s status.

Videos that aren't advertiser-friendly won’t earn much revenue. Here are 14 ways to avoid demonetization on YouTube.

? One of the requirements for monetizing your content is to avoid being repetitious. That means you shouldn't post videos with no recognizable differences on your channel. Your content needs a healthy dose of variety, from the audio tracks you use to the topics you cover.

That doesn’t mean you can’t explore one topic in depth. You can create similar videos as long as the bulk of each one is different. Take a look at the 

, for example. We share tips for gaining 1,000 subscribers all the time. But the advice changes as we discover new methods, which means we’re always talking about something new within the context of gaining subscribers.

2. Add Something Valuable to Repurposed Content

Using another creator’s intellectual property, such as songs, video clips, and images, could lead to one or more 

 on your channel. You’ll get these alerts when your video contains media that doesn’t belong to you. Copyright claims aren’t the end of the world, but YouTube might demonetize the video(s) in question or only give you partial revenue.

Can I Still Monetize My YouTube Channel If I have a Copyright Claim?

 happens when you reuse someone’s content without adding something new or transformative. If you’re posting a reaction video, for example, add some commentary that brings a fresh perspective to the original event, opinion, or narrative.

YouTube says it's OK to monetize reused content when:

You’re using brief clips for a critical review.

You’re adding original commentary to an event (movies, sporting events, etc.).

You’re adding an original storyline to edited footage from other creators.

Your best bet, of course, is to use your own content. But at the same time, YouTube understands that there are thousands of reaction channels out there. And guess what? Lots of creators are making money with that format.

3. Don’t Be Spammy, Deceptive, or Participate In Scams

YouTube wants every viewer to have a positive experience. And no user can do that while being tricked or misled by deceptive videos and comments. If you’re on the platform for the wrong reasons – like running scams and leading people to shady websites – YouTube might demonetize your content.

To stay on YouTube’s good side, don’t:

Repeatedly post content about making fast cash.

Lead viewers to websites with harmful software (viruses, information theft, etc.)

Use misleading thumbnails, video descriptions, and titles to “trick” viewer into clicking.

Promote “get rich quick” content or pyramid schemes.

Sell engagement metrics, like views, comments, and subscribers. That includes Sub4Sub, a type of spam where creators ask people to subscribe to their channels.

Post comments to gather information from viewers or drive them off of YouTube.

Live stream content that doesn’t belong to you.

Check out the image below to see an example of comment spam. Notice how the circled comment is impersonating the owner of the video, finance creator Graham Stephan. If you look closely, you can tell that “Replied_by Graham Stephan” is a bogus account.

This user is trying to drive people away from YouTube. Practices like this will get you demonetized.

Read more about spam, deception, and scams on YouTube’s support page

YouTube doesn’t tolerate hate speech of any kind. If you want to successfully monetize your videos, don't say (or type) harmful, offensive things. YouTube will demonetize your content if you're inciting violence or hate against specific groups.

Avoiding hate speech is easy. Think of all the ways people discriminate against others, and simply avoid saying those things in your videos. 

The most egregious hate speech revolves around age, sexual orientation, gender, race, disabilities, religion, immigration status, and veteran status.

Are there certain “demonetized words” on YouTube? Is it possible to say the wrong thing and lose all your ad revenue?

YouTube won’t demonetize a video for containing words like “hell” or “damn.” That’s considered light profanity, and most people aren’t offended by those terms. It’s the vulgar words that will get you into trouble, like repeatedly dropping F-bombs or constantly saying “b*tch.”

Can You Swear on YouTube and Still Make Money?

Here is a list of words that lead to demonetization:

Even when misspelled, adding these words to any element of a video (titles, thumbnails, etc.) is against the rules.

Our advice? Minimize the profanity in your videos. It's an easy way to get full monetization.

6. Don’t Show Dangerous or Illegal Activities

Want to make sure YouTube doesn’t demonetize your video? Avoid showing clips or images of bodily harm, gruesome injuries, and death. These themes are disturbing to viewers and scare advertisers away.

Logan Paul’s 2017 “suicide forest” video

. This was a huge scandal. Paul uploaded a YouTube video showing a dead body, and people around the world were deeply disturbed. He later shared a video of himself tasering dead rats. Eventually, 

YouTube temporarily demonetized his channel

Posting illegal activities is a bad idea too. You’ll have a better chance of monetizing your videos if you don't show:

glorifying dangerous acts results in demonetization or worse.

 If you can expect certain injury or death from an activity, it’s not suitable for YouTube.

7. Avoid Posting Sexually Explicit Content

YouTube will demonetize any video that gratifies sex. This type of content focuses on nudity, sex scenes, and pornography. If that’s the creator’s intent – indulging in sexual scenes – the next step is a no-brainer for YouTube. There will be no ads on the video, zero AdSense revenue, and (possibly) a channel termination.

Clothed or unclothed, YouTube states that showing genitals, breasts, or buttocks in an indulgent way violates its monetization policies. Also, sexual fetishes of any kind and in various formats (video, text, images, audio) are not allowed.

Read more about nudity and sexual content on YouTube’s support page.

8. Use Royalty-Free Music From the YouTube Library

Music copyright is a deep subject on YouTube. But for the purpose of monetizing videos, you only need to know two things:

Never use someone’s music without their written permission.

Did YouTube demonetize your video? Here are 14 ways to make positive content that stays monetized no matter what.

14 Ways to Avoid YouTube Demonetization

It couldn’t be easier to delete a video from your mobile device, you just need to make sure you have the YouTube app installed and you are signed in to your account.

From the main screen tap your profile image in the top right-hand corner and go to ‘Your Channel’

Click on ‘Videos’ in the top hand navigation bar to bring up a list of your content

Tap the three dots to the right of the thumbnail and title to see the ‘Delete’ option.

You can also delete videos via the official 

Tap the ‘Option’ button in the top left and go to ‘Videos’

Find the video you want to delete and then tap on it

This will take you to the videos edit page - there is a pencil icon at the top, tap on that

Then swipe to the advanced tab and then scroll all the way to the bottom of this screen and you should find the ‘Delete’ option.

Do You Really Need to Delete That YouTube Video?

YouTube clearly states that there is no way to undo this permanent action. So think very carefully about deleting any video as not only will you lose all of the comments and engagement from that video, but you will also lose all of the views and Watch Time too.

 because you want to monetize your content, really think about what effect deleting a video might have if it has contributed in any way towards that goal.

Also, if you’re thinking of deleting a video just because it has a copyright or community strike against it, know that it won't get rid of that strike. If you have a 

, you're much better off using one of YouTube's official tools. There's a full tutorial on how to use it here (only via desktop though):

And finally, if you are embarrassed by your older videos, then watch the videos we first published on the 

. They're not fantastic, but we're proud of them because they're all part of our YouTube journey to where we are now.

Now, if you're much more interested in creating new content and growing your channel, then make sure to grab vidIQ for either your iPhone or Android device. It is free so just search for “vidIQ” on the Apple app and Google Play store.

If you want more insights into YouTube 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. 

And 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.

Have you ever wanted to delete a YouTube video quickly but only have access to a mobile device? If the answer is yes, we show you how!

How To Delete a YouTube Video On a Mobile Device (Android or iOS)

Most Youtube creators know that analytics are a critical part of growing your YouTube channel. We tend to focus on real-time views, watch time, retention but is that enough?

 shares with us 5 Advance Analytics that every YouTube Creator should be focused on in order to really take the channel to the next level!

End screen elements clicked (Bonus: Playlists Strategy)

, has been featured by FOX, Forbes, BBC even YouTube themselves as his team trains other creators and business leaders to master the YouTube platform and use it as a place to spread messages that change lives. Their clients have organically grown by over 14 billion views and 61 millions subscribers under their guidance. Today he lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with his wife and seven children

Make sure you follow Tim for more YouTube insights here:

https://www.youtube.com/user/videocreatorstv

Listen to this episode which is about the 

5 Critical Mistakes Revealed From Hundreds of YouTube Channel Audits

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 

Besides the basic YouTube Analytics, what should every creator focus on in order to get more views and more subscribers? All is revealed on this week's TubeTalk:

5 Advanced Analytics EVERY YouTuber Should Know From Tim Schmoyer

The key to success on YouTube is to niche down so you dominate that topic on the platform. If you can provide golden content around a particular subject that viewers are looking for, perhaps even providing information they cannot get elsewhere, you are quickly going to build an engaged and loyal community around your channel.

, and he's done just that by publishing video content for newly injured wheelchair users. His channel, 

, is so inspirational and informative, he's just won a prestigious 

 in recognition of his work. So he's kind of a big deal as a creator.

Not only does Richard have an incredibly inspirational story, but he's got some amazing tips and tricks to share with us about creating content for YouTube. In this podcast you will learn:

How circumstances can lead to inspiration

How to focus on your audience and deal with haters

Click on the podcast links above to listen

 to Richard's advice, and don't forget to give his social channels a follow!

Want Even More YouTube OPTIMIZATION Tips?

How do you dominate your niche on YouTube? In this week's episode of TubeTalk, we talk to a creator who's done just that!

How to Dominate Your Niche on YouTube [Expert Advice]

Social distancing and lockdowns brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic have millions of people succumbing to another (albeit far less deadly) disease - cabin fever. To make matters worse, one of the common cures for this illness—live broadcasts of major sports leagues—is nowhere to be found.

But all is not lost! Major League Baseball (MLB) is running tests on a couple of brand-new virtual solutions on 

, and the results are extremely promising.

MLB: Live Streaming Fan Favorites During Lockdown

To fill the void left by an indefinitely delayed season, MLB is turning to streaming video game versions of America’s favorite pastime. This action has created a positive trickle-down effect in the industry ecosystem, giving sports fans something to bet on, and sports media outlets games to cover.

The most engaging online content MLB has produced so far comes from the '

'. Representatives from each of the 30 MLB organizations are managing the controllers for their respective virtual teams, battling hard for the championship.

The impromptu league is livestreaming contests (and trash talk) on Twitch and YouTube.

While enjoying the baseball action they crave, fans are also receiving added comedic value from emerging personalities like New York Yankees reliever Tommy Kahnle and young San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr.

The broadcast format could use some fine-tuning. For example, the MLB Network commentators will need more practice to avoid cutting off the athletes’ excited outbursts. Still, it’s easy to see how the Players League could stick around even when on-field baseball returns.

Baseball on Twitch: MLB's Dream Bracket Win

Another way the MLB is reaching out to its fans during the COVID-19 pandemic is with a 

 simulation tournament. Using renowned simulation platform 'Out of the Park Baseball 21' (OOTP), MLB put together all-time great rosters for each team, as well as a Negro Leagues All- Star team and a squad of the best current players who are 25 years old and below. (Twitch video now deleted).

Hypothetical teams competed in seven-game series, which streamed live on Twitch and MLB.com. The finals took place on May 4 and 5, in the wake of the Players League championship. That made the first week of May 2020 a content bonanza for MLB enthusiasts.

Some of the games even had live commentators (journalist Jon Morosi and broadcaster Scott Braun). It’s surreal to see legendary players like Babe Ruth step up to the plate against star pitchers today’s fans grew up watching. Plus, OOTP’s algorithms make this tournament possibly the most legitimate test to date for proving which MLB team has the greatest all-time roster.

OOTP’s graphics aren’t ideal for viewing, but the unpredictability makes the games exciting nonetheless. Who knows, maybe the Dream Bracket’s success will lead to a deep-fake simulation league with visuals that rival live-action broadcasts.

The Players League and Dream Bracket simulations are more than placeholders for sports fans.

recent episode of the Joe Rogan Experience

, comedian Tom Green reminded viewers that one of the greatest periods in history, the Renaissance, immediately followed the bubonic plague.

MLB’s online streaming efforts provide hope that something similar will occur after COVID-19.

 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 

The COVID-19 crisis has ravaged the sporting world, but MLB is adapting with Twitch and YouTube streams that could live long after the pandemic ends.

How MLB Is Using Live Streaming to Combat COVID-19

Creators can run into all sorts of problems regarding copyright issues on YouTube if they don't fully understand the licensing rules behind using audio, images, or other video content created by others.

There a million reasons why YouTubers shouldn't use ANY content that wasn't created by themselves or their teams or wasn't properly licensed through the official channels. And no, '

' isn't always a viable defense, and neither is pasting a 'this content doesn't belong to me' disclaimer into your YouTube description. If you're using content for your own videos and haven't obtained permission from the rightful owner you are in for a world of pain.

Repeat offenders (those with three copyright strikes) face the termination of their channel, a catastrophic blow for any creator who has put the time and effort into building YouTube views, engagement, and subscriber growth.

For every creator who deliberately uploads content that either doesn’t belong to them or isn’t properly licensed, there are, of course, other creators who believe they are acting in good faith. The good news is that YouTube recognizes that and alongside the 

, the platform is introducing an awesome new tool to the new Studio dashboard.

New YouTube Copyright Tool: Assisted Trim

In an update to the new YouTube Studio, the platform has rolled out a tool called 

, which aims at providing creators with a quick and easy solution to a copyright claim. In a 

, YouTube confirmed the tool will allow creators to remove a copyrighted section of a video without having to take the whole video down. That's awesome news for anyone who has received a claim because of music or a TV show playing in the background, or because they used a small clip of media that wasn't actually theirs to use.

This new feature will highlight the segment of the video directly relating to the claim, offering the creator the opportunity to remove it and release the claim against that segment.

YouTube also provided a handy visual clue as to the three ways creators can remove any copyright-claimed segments. You'll have the choice of trimming the offending clip, muting any audio that is in dispute, or replacing the audio portion entirely with a new (licensed or license-free) song or backing track:

Of course, trimming a segment out of a video can lead to nasty-looking edit, but YouTube confirmed it's working on "adjustable endpoints" for claimed content within the Assisted Trim tool. This feature should give the creator the means to provide a much more polished final product once the claimed content has been removed.

Alongside this nifty new tool, YouTube also confirmed other changes to how creators can manage copyright claims in the New Studio. Channel owners will be able to access more information about any copyright strikes straight from the YouTube Studio dashboard, including:

Which party submitted the copyright takedown notice

The actions you need to take to resolve the strike

YouTube will also provide the creator with the specific description of the copyrighted work as provided by the claimant of that work. The platform also promises many more updates to come in 2020 regarding copyright claims and how to resolve (and avoid) them.

Want to know more? Take a look at the video below:

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 

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.

YouTube has a new tool that allows creators to quickly remove any content that's subject to a copyright claim without having to take their whole video down.

How to Manage Copyright Claims in the New YouTube Studio

It’s been an incredibly disruptive and turbulent past few months, what with the 

, and the coronavirus pandemic. But at last, we have some great news: Firing someone for being gay or transgender is now officially illegal in the U.S.

On June 15th 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that the 

 totally protects workers against this type of discrimination. It’s a decision that couldn’t have come at a better time because right now, it’s 

Pride Month is a celebration of LGBTG+ voices and communities across the U.S. Let's take a look at some of the top LGBTG creators on YouTube.