In 2025, YouTube's algorithm continues to evolve, prioritizing not just how long viewers stay on your videos, but how much they engage with your channel. With more creators entering the scene and AI-generated content flooding timelines, authentic, compelling YouTube storytelling skills have become the ultimate differentiator.
In other words, if you want to increase watch times and grow an engaged audience, you need to master the art of YouTube storytelling so you can capture attention from that very first second.
Here’s why storytelling on YouTube has changed in recent years, and why it's more important now than ever.
YouTube's 2024 - 2025 algorithm updates have placed even greater weight on how well it performs as well as user habits. The idea is to combine these to make sure it’s matching the best content with the type of users who will most appreciate it. If a video pulls this off, YouTube rewards you with more reach.
With the algorithm functioning as it is, and with generative AI making mass content easier to produce, human-driven storytelling is an opportunity to make your content fresh and valuable to audiences craving real connection. Short-form storytelling, playlist journeys, and even live session narratives have emerged as key tactics to stand out.
If you can make people care about your story, YouTube will care about promoting your content.
So, how do you make viewers care more about your content? And how do you make it engaging enough for YouTube’s algorithm to notice?
One solution is to use the hero’s journey, a common plot device in Harry Potter, Star Wars, and hundreds of other movies. It focuses on a single protagonist, an adventure they take, and what they learn along the way.
Here’s what the hero's journey looks like:
With this plot device, you can explore concepts like fear, loss, growth, and triumph — which is why it works! Each chapter sparks a new emotion in the protagonist and the viewer. Thanks to a powerful insight (emotion = attention), we know this plot device can boost YouTube watch time.
You can use the hero’s journey in almost any video, but it works best in challenge or storytime content.
So as a quick example, we’ll share two videos from those categories. You'll see how both stories follow the hero's journey, even if the creators tweaked them a bit for YouTube.
It's also worth mentioning that these videos got massive views. So there's a good chance they had lots of watch time, which prompted the YouTube algorithm to share them with more people.
Ryan Trahan is known for his legendary challenges, including one where he used a single penny to cross North America. In the video below (1 million+ views), he uses the hero’s journey for a gaming challenge.
Here’s a timestamp breakdown:
0:46–1:01: Ryan challenges himself to live inside Pokémon Violet for 100 days and become a champion.
1:02–1:58: Ryan starts his journey by meeting the main characters and choosing his first Pokémon.
1:59–3:09: Ryan enters a whole new world by playing the game in “nuzlocke mode." He has to nickname all of his Pokémon, only battle with Pokémon that haven't fainted, and only use the first Pokémon he catches in any given area. If all of them faint, it's game over.
3:10–19:00: Ryan faces battles, missions, and side quests. He loses several Pokémon along the way but defeats every gym leader by day 81!
23:08–23:45: Ryan loses “QuackBoom,” a strong Pokemon that brought him super far in the game. It’s a sad loss! (RIP QuackBoom)
27:31–31:06: Ryan defeats the Elite Four (top trainers in the Pokémon league).
31:07–33:00: Ryan defeats the champion of all champions in the Pokémon league. He gives an emotional speech about what's he’s learned while playing Pokémon over the years.
Lynette Adkins is a lifestyle creator who talks about navigating life and evolving your mindset. In the video below (355,000+ views), she shares a major life update using the hero’s journey.
Here’s a timestamp breakdown:
0:00–1:22: Lynette talks about having an unfulfilling job where she felt overworked.
1:23–2:28: Lynette feels “called” to make a mindset shift to live her dream of becoming an entrepreneur.
2:28–4:28: Lynette meets her “mentor,” which is really her self-conscious. By listening to her innermost thoughts, she starts to believe her true desires can come true.
5:33–6:38: Lynette starts changing her life by avoiding toxic relationships, not overworking, getting hobbies, and more.
6:39–8:35: Lynette enters a new mindset but struggles to create boundaries at school and work. She realizes she’s holding herself back due to self–limiting beliefs.
8:34–10:25: Emerging victorious, Lynette explains how to change your life by removing self–doubt.
To master YouTube storytelling, you must look outside of YouTube. Study the classics that laid the foundation for every plot device we know today. The Lion King. Gone with the Wind. Jaws. Then you can use those stories as a blueprint to make emotional, captivating content.
That's how you get more watch time on YouTube!
But if you need more advice for your channel or videos, vidIQ suite of features has you covered!
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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