In the fast-paced world of YouTube, it’s easy to get caught up in the latest trends and tactics for growing your channel. However, it's important to remember that what works today may not necessarily work in the future. With that in mind, here are ten pieces of YouTube advice to ignore.
From the outside, this looks like good advice for creators of all sizes. After all, more videos mean more opportunities to get those numbers up. But is it applicable to everyone?
If you're primarily a Shorts creator and do not require long hours for each video, putting out content daily might be doable. But, for creators who are primarily focused on long-form videos, it does not seem feasible. If you're trying to give your audience the highest-quality videos, posting every day stands contrary to that. So, depending on the type of creator you are, you can choose your strategy accordingly.
Alright, this might sound controversial right off the bat, given that we've encouraged new creators to follow this advice in the past. And it does make sense to do so. But not everyone has the same creative style or is inspired by the same kind of content.
A more attuned way would be to follow the type of content that draws you in, not the creator. Simply put, make the kind of videos you would want to watch and try to give your best shot at it.
Some creators worry that mixing long videos with shorter ones will hurt their channel. It makes sense when you’re following the most crucial rule of YouTube growth: Make videos for your audience and no one else.
That begs the question: If viewers support your Shorts, why would they suddenly want longs? And if they currently like your longs, why would they want Shorts?
Fortunately, that’s a problem you no longer have to worry about. YouTube has bridged the gap between longs and Shorts so they can exist on the same channel. The platform will recommend your longs as people watch your Shorts, allowing you to grow your channel with both content types.
Read More: YouTube Will Recommend Long-Form Videos to Shorts Viewers [Algorithm Update]
There’s nothing wrong with saying “hello” at the start of a video, but try not to introduce yourself, your channel, and your niche every time. Once a viewer knows this information, repeating it is pointless.
Instead, lead with the value you promised viewers before they clicked on the video. That could be the main idea or storyline they saw in your title, thumbnail, or video description. After all, that’s what they came to see!
Read More: YouTube Intros - 8 Ways to Hook Viewers In the First 8 Seconds
Many people think they get more views by adding tags to a video, but that’s not how they work. Tags help people find your content, especially if the topic is frequently misspelled.
“Tomatoes” is a good example. Many people leave the E out by typing “tomatos,” so if you’re video is about growing that vegetable, you can add the common misspelling (tomatos) as a tag.
Overall, tags play a minimal role in boosting your views. The video title, description, and thumbnail are most important for video discovery, according to YouTube.
People discover videos in many parts of the YouTube app or website. Search pages are just one of those places, so you don’t need to prioritize them over everywhere else.
Your video might appear in…
So if you’re only making search-based videos that rely on keywords, you’re missing out on tons of views. We know this because 70% of views on YouTube come from video recommendations!
That means it’s better to make videos that complement the popular, viral content within your niche (so YouTube recommends your video next).
Going viral on YouTube comes with many benefits, like attracting new viewers and boosting your confidence as a creator.
But no one talks about how these benefits turn into setbacks for creators who aren’t used to going viral. They could spend months trying to chase that high again, all while targeting the wrong audience and burning out creatively.
That’s why going viral on YouTube is overrated. Here are the main reasons:
A seasoned creator can resist those things, but it’s more challenging when you’re new to YouTube.
Sub4Sub is when two creators subscribe to one another’s channel to boost their overall subscriber count. It sounds harmless enough, but this is the worst thing you can do for two reasons:
According to YouTube, you’re not allowed to “cause or encourage any inaccurate measurements of genuine user engagement with the service, including by paying people or providing them with incentives to increase a video’s views, likes, or dislikes, or to increase a channel’s subscribers…”
Some creators are obsessed with beating the YouTube algorithm. They want to know all of the tips and tricks to make a video rank high and get millions of views.
Of course, there’s no “beating” the YouTube algorithm because the algorithm isn’t working against anyone or anything. Its only job is matching viewers to the right videos.
If you know your audience well, just make videos they want to see! That allows the YouTube algorithm — or more accurately, the recommendation system — to serve that content to your viewers.
Read More: 5 Secrets You Didn’t Know About the YouTube Algorithm
There’s a misconception that small creators can’t make money on YouTube, let alone get brand deals. But guess what? You don’t need millions of subscribers to show a brand you’re worth the money. Your proof is an audience that takes action when you ask them to, like when they download an ebook or smash the like button.
If you can show that type of engagement, the next step is reaching out to brands aligned with your channel’s focus. You’ll want to create a media kit first, then pitch some ideas around how you would advertise their latest product or service.
When it comes to YouTube education, there’s good advice, so-so advice, and shady tips that get your channel terminated. That’s why it’s important to do your research. Seek out multiple sources and only follow the advice that makes sense for your channel.
Want more details? This video explains more about the worst YouTube advice to ignore.
Lydia Sweatt is a writer who loves balancing her article/blog time indoors with a healthy dose of nature. She bikes, hikes, and identifies edible plants along the way.
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