6 Popular Apps to Promote Your YouTube Channel

Imagine that you just created a YouTube channel after months of researching how to become a content creator. You followed all the practical advice, like using the right keywords, designing great thumbnails, and focusing on storytelling. But two weeks into the journey, you have a troubling realization: No one is watching your videos.

The solution? Don't wait for YouTube to notice your content. Share your videos on apps like Instagram and Snapchat to gain initial views and get the algorithm's attention! Then you can start building more watch time, all from sharing high-quality video content.

The best social networks for promoting a YouTube channel have three things in common:

1. Millions of active users
2. A culture of visual content
3. Tools that guide users back to YouTube

Ready to get your channel promoted? These apps are fantastic for boosting video views on YouTube.

1. Instagram

Monthly Active Users: Over 2 billion

Instagram is the place to share dynamic photos and videos, but of course, we'll focus on videos for now. You can use the app to show snippets of your YouTube content, tease your latest video, or even share behind-the-scenes footage.

Handy features:

• Instagram Stories: Photos and videos shared to a user's story that disappear after 24 hours.
• Clickable bio links in Instagram profiles.

Strategy: Create a series of Instagram Stories that build anticipation for your upcoming YouTube video. Start with a teaser Story, revealing just enough to pique your followers' interest. After that, follow up with a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of your video. When the video is live on YouTube, post one last teaser as an IG Story, offering a link to the watch page.

2. Snapchat

Active Users: Over 400 million daily

Snapchat is a messaging app with short-lived content, including photos and videos. It's the perfect place to offer a glimpse into your daily life and build a relationship with viewers.

Handy features:

• Snapchat Stories: Snaps that play in chronological order and can be viewed for 24 hours.
• Snapcodes: Scannable images that prompt different functions, like adding new friends, unlocking filters, linking to websites (YouTube!), etc.
• Clickable links in individual Snaps and user profiles.

Strategy: Use Snapchat's Story feature to create a narrative around your YouTube video. Post the most engaging clips throughout the day, building excitement for the story. In one last Snap, direct viewers to your YouTube video (with a link) so they can enjoy the full production.

3. TikTok

Monthly Active Users: Over 1 billion

TikTok is for creating, sharing, and discovering short videos that are sound-driven (music, soundbites, natural noises, etc.). The algorithm favors engaging content, so this is the place to make quirky videos related to your YouTube channel.

Handy features:

• Duets: Collaborate with other TikTokers by posting two videos in one that play side-by-side simultaneously.
• Stitches: Combine your video with another TikTok to share a response or a new perspective.
• Clickable links in TikTok profiles.

Strategy: Find a popular TikTok trend that's related to your niche. For example, imagine that "'90s video games" is a trending hashtag. If you're a gamer, you could make a TikTok about the best game from that era plus a YouTube video exploring the game in detail. Mention the YouTube video in the caption of your TikTok, letting viewers know that the link to watch is in your bio.

4. Twitch

Monthly Active Users: 140 million

Twitch is a livestreaming app with a large gaming presence, but it attracts other niches too. It's a great place to host live Q&A sessions, gaming streams, or real-time discussions about your YouTube content.

Handy features:

• Twitch Panels: A collection of custom panels below your stream, where you can add links and other assets. This makes it easy for viewers to find and subscribe to your YouTube channel.
• Video on Demand: Twitch lets you save past broadcasts as VODs, which you can use to guide viewers to your YouTube content.

Strategy: Create Twitch streams that complement your YouTube videos. For instance, if you post gaming compilations on YouTube, you could stream the full gameplay sessions on Twitch. This creates a seamless experience for viewers who follow you on both platforms. Don't forget to direct Twitch viewers to your YouTube channel for exclusive yet relevant content!

5. X (Formerly Twitter)

Monthly Active Users: 556 million

Traditionally, X is a microblogging app for text conversations, although videos and images are popular too. The app is filled with breaking news, discussion threads, memes, and more. Ultimately, you can use X to tease new content, share clips, and link back to your YouTube videos.

Handy features:

• Threads: A series of connected posts that tell one story.
• Pinned posts: Important posts or threads highlighted at the top of a user's profile.

Strategy: Start a thread that covers a topic related to your video. Each post should offer valuable information and build up to a final post that carries the link to your YouTube video. Engage with users who reply to your thread, and pin the thread to your profile to maximize visibility. Use relevant hashtags to reach a broader audience.

6. Pinterest

Monthly Active Users: 482 million

Pinterest is a visual discovery engine for new ideas. People use it to explore recipes, fashion, DIY projects, cities, and more. Pinterest users are hungry for knowledge, so it's a great option for expanding your YouTube reach.

Handy features:

• Video Pins: Pins that contain video content (uploaded to the app natively).
• Boards: An area for displaying saved Pins by category.

Strategy: Create Pinterest boards dedicated to the topics on your YouTube channel. Inside these boards, add Video Pins that tease your YouTube content while providing a link to the full video. Write compelling pin descriptions and use keywords for better discoverability.

Promote Your Channel Inside YouTube Too

As you can see, these are the best apps to get your videos noticed outside of YouTube. But did you know that YouTube has a social network of its own, and you can use it to promote your channel millions of times over?

Here's how to use the YouTube Community Tab!