Why Subscribers Aren't Watching Your YouTube Videos (And How to Fix It)

Is your subscriber count on YouTube rising while views on new videos seem to be falling? If so, your channel may be going through a period of stagnation. Ideally, you want thousands of views from subscribers and non-subscribers to grow your channel.

It's a dilemma many YouTubers face, so today, we're sharing tips and tricks to help you overcome it.

The Double-Edged Sword of Views: Subscribers vs. Non-Subscribers

First off, it's important to say that both types of views — those from subscribers and new viewers — are important. However, you need these views to be in sync so your channel grows steadily. You want new viewers to discover you, watch a few videos, and return to see even more content.

If that's not happening on your channel, the cycle is broken somewhere. You might be getting views from newcomers, meanwhile, loyal subscribers are moving on. Or, you might be getting all of your views from subscribers only. The best scenario is to have both types of viewers invested in your channel so that loyal fans stay and new viewers arrive.

Subscriber vs. Non-Subscriber Views: Why You Need Both

By now, you know that every channel needs views from subscribers and non-subscribers. And there are plenty of benefits to achieving this balance!

What you gain from "subscriber views":

• Increased engagement: Subscribers are your cheerleaders. They're more likely to like, comment, and share your videos, which can help your content reach new heights.
• Longer watch time: Your subs are here for the long haul. They tend to watch your videos for longer, which is a positive signal for YouTube's algorithm.
• A real community: More views from your subscribers means they're loyal and tune in often.

What you gain from "non-subscriber views":

• Higher growth potential: These are your future fans. Attracting views from non-subscribers helps you break out of your bubble and reach a broader audience.
• Rapid discovery: YouTube loves it when non-subscribers watch your content. It's like a signal to the algorithm that your videos have broader appeal.
• Faster monetization: Don't underestimate the power of non-subscriber views. They also add to your watch time, helping you meet those monetization goals faster.

How to Get Subscribers to Watch Your Videos

Now that you have some background knowledge, we can tackle the big question. Why do some subscribers avoid returning to a creator's channel? It could be a range of issues, from posting sporadically to not making the type of content that attracted viewers in the first place.

Either way, we have a few tips to fix the problem!

1. Audit Your Content to See What's Wrong

First, identify the disconnect between what you're posting and what viewers want to see. Take a look at your recent videos and compare them with your older, more popular ones. What's changed? Is it the content, the style, or maybe even the video length?

Action Steps:

1. Use YouTube Analytics to identify high-performing videos among your subscribers.
2. Conduct a poll or ask for feedback directly from your audience.
3. Make adjustments based on your findings.

2. Re-Engage Your Community

The number one rule of growing any audience is, "don't be a stranger!"

Engage with your subscribers both on and off YouTube. Reply to their comments, ask for their opinions, and make them feel valued.

Action Steps:

1. Dedicate time each week to engage with commenters.
2. Use Community Posts to spark meaningful conversations and keep everyone updated.
3. Consider hosting live Q&A sessions to directly interact with your subscribers.

3. Experiment, But Don't Alienate

It's okay to try new things, but don't stray too far from what your audience loves about your channel.

Action Steps:

1. Introduce new content types gradually.
2. Find new video ideas that capture your viewers' core desires and interests.
3. Always keep an eye on analytics to measure success.

4. Harness the Power of Playlists

Create YouTube playlists that have a mix of your new and top-performing videos. This encourages people to binge-watch your content and leads to more views and watch time.

Action Steps:

1. Create themed playlists.
2. Promote playlists at the end of your videos and in your video descriptions.
3. Update playlists regularly to include new content.

5. Up Your Consistency

Viewers decide to hit that big, white "subscribe" button on your channel for a good reason. They want to keep up with your channel and its content, so give the people what they want!

Action Steps:

1. Create a content calendar.
2. Stick to a consistent posting schedule.
3. Use reminders and teasers to keep your audience in the loop about upcoming videos.

Master the Cycle of New Versus Returning Viewers

When it comes to channel growth, we can summarize everything in this post with one YouTube metric: new versus returning viewers.

If you have mostly returning viewers, you're doing great on YouTube and growing at a steady rate. But you can reach new viewers by experimenting with other video topics or storytelling formats.

If you have mostly new viewers, this is where things get tricky. It's good to attract new audiences, but you must retain their viewership to grow your channel.

Ideally, you want to see the trend highlighted below. This criss-cross pattern of new and returning viewers means you're attracting more people and convincing them to come back. This is the balance you need to skyrocket your views.

But if you need more help, click here to learn the secret formula for gaining and retaining YouTube subscribers!