As the new year arrives, we want to congratulate every creator who stuck with their channel in 2025. For all of us, this year was full of ups and downs; now it's time to reflect on what worked and what didn’t, prepare for the coming year, and stay ahead of the game. A channel refresh will help you do that and more!

Gone are the days when formulaic content that doesn't invoke a personal connection can perform well. In the video above, Rob discusses these ideas in detail, so watch it now! Refreshing your channel doesn’t necessarily mean a complete overhaul of it. It also doesn't imply just keeping up with trends. It's about leveraging the power of 

 analytics to drive growth in a meaningful way. 

But how do you know if your channel needs updating? Here are some signs to watch out for:

It's clear-cut. If your views dropped in 2025, your channel is losing steam and needs a refresh.

Likes, shares, comments — they're the heartbeat of any YouTube channel. Are you seeing a dip in these areas? That's a major heads-up that your channel might need intervention.

A thriving YouTube channel is like a magnet, constantly attracting new subscribers. If your numbers are stuck or, even worse, dwindling, it's a signal to switch gears. 

Comments are a goldmine for engagement. If your videos are greeted with silence, it could mean your audience's interest is fading.

Watch time is a big deal for YouTube's algorithm. If yours is on a downward trend, it might be time to shake up your content approach.

This metric tells you how many of your video viewers are watching. If it's falling, it could mean your content isn't as gripping as it used to be.

How to Kickstart More YouTube Channel Growth

In 2025, growing a successful YouTube channel requires a blend of authenticity, emotional resonance, and understanding audience preferences. YouTube's latest report, "Why We Watch 2.0," sheds light on critical strategies that creators can implement to improve engagement and viewer retention.

The report highlights varying preferences based on viewer age like the following:

 Younger audiences value originality, creativity, and educational content. They seek creators who bring fresh perspectives and teach them something new. 

 Older viewers prioritize trustworthiness and storytelling. They are drawn to content that offers meaningful narratives and reflects the creator's values.

Contrary to traditional beliefs, high production quality is no longer the defining factor for success on YouTube. 

The competition is rising on YouTube, so you have to be surgical in your method of getting more 

. In this section, we'll show you how to refresh your channel from the inside out using pure data.

Do you have several videos that are struggling to get clicks? It’s safe to say the current video title isn't working and needs a meaningful update. Maybe it doesn't speak to your viewers' core desires, or perhaps it's lacking the right keywords. Either way, a new and improved title can boost your views, especially if the topic is still relevant.

11 Ways to Write Exciting YouTube Titles for Your Videos

Pull title inspiration from viral videos on the same topic.

Use language that appeals to deeper goals and desires (not just the topic at hand).

Aim for 60-70 characters so the full title is displayed.

Similar to refreshing your titles, you might need better thumbnails if people aren't clicking on your videos. The good news is that YouTube is rolling out 

. This means you can test up to three images with different audiences, and use the one that leads to higher watch time.

How To Make Attention Grabbing Custom Thumbnails on YouTube with vidIQ

But not everyone has this tool yet. So, in the meantime, it helps to know the 

 on your channel. That could be 4%, 5%, or even a whopping 10%. No matter the percentage, you want to create thumbnails that bring in a much higher CTR, and then add them to low-performing videos.

1. Go to the YouTube Studio, then select 

2. Underneath the dashboard showing views, subscribers, watch time, and revenue, click 

See More option below youtube analytics dashboard 

3. Next to the views by content filter, choose a second filtering option: 

impressions click-through rate filter option in youtube studio content graph

4. Change the time period to the last 365 days.

time period selector for youtube content graph showing last 365 days option

Next, you'll see a list of videos, along with your channel's average CTR at the top. For example, ours is 

Now, browse the list of videos, the thumbnails beside them, and their respective CTRs. Which videos are beating the overall CTR for your channel? 

Study those thumbnails, then use similar design elements to create new images for underperforming videos.

Building a series of playlists is an easy way to get more views in 2026. So, check your content inventory. Did any videos go viral or gain more views than expected? Consider adding these newer, more popular videos to existing playlists. If you don't have any playlists on your channel, it's time to build some and take your viewers on a binge-worthy adventure.

How to Grow Your Channel with YouTube Playlists

Do you have a bunch of underperforming videos on your channel? After you've given them new titles and thumbnails, add those videos to some of your existing end screens. 

On YouTube, end screens appear in the last 5 to 20 seconds of a video, and you can use them to send viewers to more content on your channel. So, place those underperforming videos on the end screens of your 

. Just make sure the content you're recommending is relevant and make sense according to what the viewer just watched.

a youtuber pointing to an end screen element

Having done that with one of our videos, we can guarantee it works brilliantly if done correctly.

YouTube End Screens: How to Make Cool Video Outros

Preparing for YouTube growth isn't just about seeking more views. Sometimes, you only get more views when there's a high level of engagement within your wider community. And what better place to engage your fans than YouTube's own Community Tab?

To make this easy, create a bunch of posts this month and schedule them to release in January. You can post relevant memes for your audience, simple text messages, polls, GIFs, and even videos from your channel. Just be engaging, and always aim to start a conversation. In due time, this will bring 

. It got 2.3K likes and produced over 4.4k comments. That's a lot of attention!

A popular community tab post asking users how many subscribers they have

Growing your YouTube channel in 2026 isn't as hard as you think. More than anything, you just need to double down on video ideas that made people subscribe or return to your channel.

How to Get Subscriber Feedback from a YouTube Analytics Deep Dive

 in the YouTube Studio, then check the "videos growing your audience" panel. This will show you which videos are prompting viewers to return to your channel and watch more content.

Videos growing your audience tab in Creator Studio

Next, look at videos that brought in the most subscribers:

which is below the YouTube dashboard showing monthly views, subscribers, revenue, and watch time.

See more option below youtube analytics dashboard

Subscribers gained filter option on YouTube growth graph

5. See which videos attracted the most subscribers. Use those successful content buckets and storytelling formats to get more views in 2024.

A list of videos bringing in the most youtube subscribers

7. Know the Content Types that Grow Your Channel

Most creators want to know which video topics to post on their channel, but have you thought about content types? There's a panel in the YouTube Studio, "viewers across formats", that shows the percentage of viewers watching your Shorts, livestreams, and long-form videos. 

Go to the Analytics section, then navigate to the 

 to see your viewership. This will help you decide which formats are worth pursuing in 2026.

viewer across formats panel in the youtube studio

Now that you have better titles, thumbnails, playlists, and an overall awareness of your best content, you can plan stunning videos for 2026. Start brainstorming ideas, using our 

 can offer more support. It plugs right into your channel, and uses your performance history to suggest video ideas and effective YouTube strategies. 

Sometimes, it's hard to move past the failures you face during content creation. But December is a time to reflect on everything that happened and seek every possible lesson to help you move forward. The content space will only get bigger and better in the following years, with 

YouTube’s brand value estimated to be around a whopping 29.71 billion USD right now.

So, capitalize on the opportunity! Use resources from this blog and the vidIQ channel to reach your goals. 



Speaking of YouTube growth, here's how to grow your channel in 2024!

YouTube video player graphic with red background

3D illustration of a video player interface with play button and red subscribe button on red background

Get ahead of other creators by refreshing your YouTube channel right now. These are the best tips to enhance video titles, thumbnails, and attract more views and subscribers in 2026.

Your Channel Refresh: How to Prepare for YouTube Growth in 2026

Your viewers just finished one of your videos. What happens next? If you're like most creators, you're hoping they'll stick around, but without a clear path forward, they're gone. That's where YouTube playlists come in.

Playlists do more than organize your content. They create binge-worthy viewing experiences that keep audiences watching video after video, while simultaneously telling YouTube's algorithm exactly what your channel is about. The result is more watch time, better search rankings, and viewers who engage with more of your content.

Whether you're a creator looking to boost your channel's performance or simply want to organize your content library, playlists are one of the most underutilized tools on the platform. Here's how to use them strategically.

If you are wondering how to create a playlist on YouTube, the process is simple once you know where to find the Create option in YouTube Studio

YouTube Studio create button for making a new playlist

Selecting New Playlist option from YouTube Studio dropdown menu

3. Follow the directions on the upcoming screens. Enter a title, set your playlist’s visibility, and click 

YouTube playlist creation interface with title and visibility settings

4. Here you can add videos from your channel's video library to the playlist.

Adding videos to your YouTube playlist from your channel library

Viewer enjoying content through a YouTube playlist on their device

The best YouTube playlists have a few things in common, such as a good title, theme, and thumbnail. In this section, we’ll share eight tips for building a collection of videos.

When creating playlists, make sure each video is in chronological order. You want to tell a story that keeps building as people go down the list, which means you can’t use random videos in random spots. Your playlist needs a 

. This lengthy playlist, “How to Mix Live Music,” goes from a brief introduction to discussing audio equipment to explaining how to do soundchecks. Each video builds upon the last to teach viewers a new skill.

Treat your playlist like the first season of a new TV show. How much content do you need to tell one story? Which episodes come first, second, third, and so on? With this train of thought, you’ll create the right number of videos.

Like regular videos, your playlist needs a captivating thumbnail to make viewers click. The 

 have bold text, colorful images, and a simple design that’s easy to understand.

, and the image reinforces that idea. You see a man running on a track and the words “proper sprinting form” in big white letters.

Eye-catching YouTube playlist thumbnail with clear text and relevant imagery

Keep in mind that one of the video thumbnails in your list will become the entire playlist’s thumbnail. So always use high-quality images. Later on, you can choose one thumbnail to represent your playlist.

Setting a video thumbnail as your official YouTube playlist thumbnail

YouTube SEO is the practice of optimizing your content for search engines. Fortunately, optimizing a playlist isn’t too different from optimizing a regular video. All you need is a good playlist title, a video description, and relevant hashtags.

But keep in mind that all of this requires 

 — the process of finding what people are searching for on YouTube.

Once you know those searches, you can use the most popular phrases in your title, description, and other areas. That helps the 

 show your playlist in search results! It works even better when you optimize each playlist video.

4. Create One Playlist for Each Topic You Cover

You’ll need more than one playlist to grow your channel with extra views. To start boosting that number, look at your channel’s focus. Is it dog training? Car reviews? City guides? Whatever your niche is, break it down into sub-topics and create a playlist for each one.

On the vidIQ channel, we have a playlist for almost every topic we cover, including YouTube Shorts, thumbnails, titles, and monetization.

Organized YouTube playlists on the vidIQ channel covering different topics

5. Create Playlists About Evergreen Topics

Want people to watch your playlists year-round? Choose evergreen topics that people are always interested in.

The more valuable the topic, the more views your playlist will get from January to December. So think about long-term clicks before you make a YouTube playlist!

There are three privacy settings on YouTube: private, public, and unlisted:

Private videos: Only those who've been invited can watch.
Unlisted videos: Only those with the link can watch.
Public videos: Anyone can watch.

Accessing Content section in YouTube Studio to manage playlists

Selecting the Playlists tab in YouTube Studio to manage your collections

3. Click the pencil icon beside the playlist you want to edit.

Editing a YouTube playlist by clicking the pencil icon

4. Below the playlist title, click set the visibility as 

Setting YouTube playlist visibility to public for maximum exposure

While you’re there, use this same screen to allow playlist embedding. Click the three dots and choose 

Accessing playlist settings through the three dots menu in YouTube Studio

 to let people share your playlists on their website.

Enabling playlist embedding to allow sharing on external websites

One way to make a playlist popular is by adding it to your channel page. And don’t stop at just one! YouTube allows for 

, which can be a mix of recent uploads, playlists, live streams, Shorts, and more.

Here’s how to add a playlist to your channel homepage:

Accessing Customization menu in YouTube Studio to feature playlists

Selecting the Layout tab to customize your YouTube channel page

Adding a new featured section to showcase playlists on your channel page

Choosing between single, created, or multiple playlist options for your channel page

YouTube is always recommending content to viewers, but there are other ways to get views on a playlist. For one, you can share it on social media sites like Instagram and Facebook. You can also share playlists in the 

Another option is embedding a few playlists on your website. If you have a blog or landing page, adding a playlist can boost your views from outside of YouTube.

Also, don’t forget about community forums. If you know an online community that needs help doing something — and your playlist has the answer — share it! You can post within Reddit groups, Discord servers, and Facebook groups.

How to Organize Your YouTube Playlists for Maximum Engagement

Knowing how your YouTube playlists perform is key to growing your channel with playlists. You can see the numbers in YouTube Studio under Analytics. 

 playlist starts, average watch time, and videos per viewer

. If viewers only watch one or two videos, try changing the order or theme of your playlist. You can also estimate how many viewers watch the entire playlist by comparing the first and last video views.

The image above gives you an idea of how to think about making your playlist, depending on the content you're making or whatever your audience connects with the most.

Think about what makes a playlist work well. Ask yourself:

Creating playlists on YouTube is a great way to grow your channel, but it's not the only way.

If you want more tips on how to increase YouTube views

, we've compiled 22 proven strategies that work alongside playlist optimization.

Person using smartphone with transparent floating video player interface on screen.

Playlists help viewers binge your content, which increases watch time and makes your channel easier to navigate. Learn how to create, organize, and optimize a YouTube playlist so each viewer watches more videos in a single session.

For creators, a good YouTube script is a must. 

It’s your secret weapon for organizing ideas, delivering a clear story, and captivating your audience.

But what makes a script great? It eliminates filler words, ensures a natural flow, and helps you avoid those awkward moments of saying "um" or forgetting your next line.

Whether you're aiming for viral success or building a loyal community, this guide will show you how to write a script

that’s engaging, natural, and uniquely you.

A YouTube script is more than a plan, it’s the backbone of your video. It outlines what you’ll say and shows what will appear on screen, helping you blend dialogue and visuals seamlessly while letting your personality shine.

Think of it as a roadmap: structured enough to guide your filming but flexible enough to allow for ad-libbing and creativity.

Person writing a YouTube video script on a laptop with notes

When writing a script, it's essential to focus on your audience. You're using the document to craft a video they'll enjoy, so the script should speak directly to your viewers. Here’s how to write a script:

The first step is simple but worth mentioning: You need a video title or idea before sitting down to write. This helps you stay on topic, grab viewers' attention, and provide the information they crave.

3 Secrets for Writing Click-Worthy YouTube Titles

Imagine writing a video script about credit cards. Using a title like "How to Squeeze More Value Out of Your Credit Card" is a lot more engaging than "How to Use Your Credit Card Wisely." And as you focus on that winning concept, "squeezing" value instead of "using" a credit card, it's easier to write in that engaging perspective.

 to your title. It will help you write an even better script that 

It helps to know who your viewers are to write an effective video script. This detail is usually related to your YouTube niche. Are you making videos for teen gamers? College students who study abroad? Single dads who seek parenting advice?

With those details in mind, ask yourself what information viewers want or need from the video you're planning. Then try to deliver that value.

. And the best way to do that is by researching their daily challenges, joys, and desires. Then you can craft a video that solves a problem or intensifies their joys.

: Dive into your target audience's habits and preferences using tools like vidIQ’s 

 to discover what they’re searching for and what problems they need solving.

Every YouTube creator has a "voice." Maybe you're the "jester" who cracks jokes and makes people laugh. Or perhaps you're the "adventurer" who takes people on a journey with action-packed scenes.

Your voice is your brand. Whatever your voice is, use it when writing scripts for YouTube videos. It'll help you stand out and attract the right kind of viewers — people who like your personality and hit subscribe.

YouTube Script Template: 4-Part Structure

Now that you know your video's topic, voice, and target audience, you can start outlining a script.

Luckily you don't have to build this from scratch. You can use a well-known YouTube video script format and then personalize it for your content:

: Dive into your topic with organized points.

: Encourage likes, comments, or subscriptions.

: Direct viewers to more content or resources.

Section 1: Creating a Powerful Video Hook/Intro

The "hook" is the first sentence or two that catches the viewers' attention in a video. It should be one of three things: entertaining, emotional, or informative. If you can do all three, that's even better.

Another thing you want to do is present the main problem you're solving.

For example, we have a YouTube script titled "Trick Anyone into Watching Your Videos." The video hook introduces the problem (no one is watching your videos), promises a solution, entertains viewers, and taps into their emotions:

"Warning! This video will help you learn to hack peoples' minds and trick anyone into watching your videos using science and proven facts."

The hook is brief, engaging, and makes the viewer curious enough to keep watching. Press play below to see what we mean!

But there's more than one way to do this. 

In fact, here are eight ideas to hook viewers in the first eight seconds.

Section 2: Organize and Research Your Main Content

This is where you'll write the bulk of your content. For example, you might have 5-10 main points for your video. One by one, you'll give each point a subheader and write the words you want to say for that section.

Don't forget to add information that might be useful, including research and statistics, to support your claims.

"One of the most common mistakes people make when writing a script is not doing enough research and fact-checking," Alina says. "Sharing misleading information will not help build trust with your audience. Moreover, it can destroy a good reputation you've already built."

Section 3: Write a Strong CTA (Call to Action)

 at the end of every video. Some creators ask for feedback in the form of likes, subscriptions, comments, and shares. Some even encourage people to sign up for their email newsletter. You should write your call to action in a way that drives viewers to your chosen destination.

Section 4: Optimize YouTube End Screen Elements

 is an interactive outro that appears in the last 5-20 seconds of a video. You can place clickable elements on an end screen, such as links to a website, a subscribe button, or extra videos for viewers to watch.

YouTube end screen elements showing clickable video suggestions

End screens and CTAs go hand-in-hand. You'll use the CTA to bring viewers' attention to the end screen, and you'll use the end screen itself to send viewers where you want them to go.

For example, here's a CTA and end screen paired together:

"If you want to get people to watch more of your content, essentially free videos, then watch this video over here (points to the end-screen element showing clickable video)." And by doing that, you're giving me free views!"

 takes your ideas and the key points above and turns them into a solid first draft you can refine to match your voice.

Script Writing Tips to Boost Viewer Engagement

Now we know how to make a video script, next is making sure what you write becomes an entertaining video.

Long sentences are difficult to read, hear, and understand. That's why you should write shorter sentences for your video script and keep things casual. You'll reduce the information viewers hear so they can follow your train of thought.

 sentence to be brief. Vary the length of your sentences, so they flow like a natural conversation between friends.

When you write in the active voice, the subject of a sentence performs an action on something else, a person, idea, or thing. A sentence written in the passive voice doesn't reveal the subject upfront, which gets confusing.

Joseph adopted three puppies last winter, and they're growing fast.

: Three puppies were adopted by Joseph last winter, and they're growing fast.

The passive sentence requires more effort to understand and is less engaging than the active sentence

 words and phrases anyone can understand. You don't want to sound like you're delivering an academic speech or giving a research presentation.

At the same time, don't make your script so informal that it sounds off-putting. Aim to talk to your viewers, not at them.

Humor adds a cheery, light-hearted tone to your video which also makes your videos more memorable. Just don't go overboard by cracking offensive jokes that make people feel uncomfortable.

AI script writing tools are on the rise, offering creators faster and more efficient ways to create content. If you haven’t tried one yet, give vidIQ’s 

 a go and see the difference it can make with your next video!

Good writing doesn't happen overnight, so read your script and revise it until you're satisfied. Ask for feedback on your YouTube script before publishing. You can ask friends and family what they think or get serious feedback from a scriptwriter.

Learn how to write engaging YouTube video scripts that boost retention. Follow our step-by-step format.

YouTube Tips for Creators

Your Channel Refresh: How to Prepare for YouTube Growth in 2026

How to Grow Your Channel with YouTube Playlists

How to Write a YouTube Video Script That Keeps Viewers Watching

How to Make Your First YouTube Video Stand Out

7 Ways to Build Strong YouTube Branding

9 YouTube Hooks That Keep Viewers Watching

YouTube Intro Ideas: 8 Ways to Hook Viewers In the First 8 Seconds

YouTube Collaboration: How to Collab with Other YouTubers

How to Use the YouTube Community Tab to Engage Viewers

5 Advanced YouTube Studio Tips

Ideas for a YouTube Channel: How to Choose the Right Focus

How to Make a YouTube Channel Trailer That Converts in 2026