vidIQ Research
Original YouTube Research
Data studies built from aggregated YouTube performance data and vidIQ creator research. We dig into what actually moves the needle for creators, then publish the numbers and the method so you can apply it to your own channel.
Reaching 1,000 YouTube Subscribers: What 32.9 Million Channels Reveal
Among 32.9 million small YouTube channels, 30.77% with 52+ more videos reached 1,000 subscribers, versus 0.20% with unchanged video counts.
Read the studyvidIQ Research, July 2026YouTube First 10 Videos Study: Shorts vs Long-Form
Compare 30-day views for early Shorts and long-form uploads across 448,413 YouTube channels that posted at least ten videos in their first 90 days.
Read the studyvidIQ Research, July 2026YouTube Subscriber Benchmarks 2026: What 61 Million Channels Reveal
vidIQ analyzed 61.2 million YouTube channels to show how rare 1K, 10K, 100K, and 1M subscribers are, plus 90-day growth benchmarks.
Read the studyvidIQ Research, July 2026YouTube Title Study: What 4 Million Videos Reveal
An analysis of more than 4 million 2026 YouTube uploads found caught-on-camera titles above 4 times average and transformation titles above 3 times.
Read the studyvidIQ Research, July 2026YouTube Upload Frequency Study: How Often Should You Upload?
vidIQ analyzed 10.2 million YouTube channels. Channels uploading 12+ times a month had 4.1x the median monthly view-growth rate of channels uploading less than monthly.
Read the studyvidIQ Research, July 2026YouTube Thumbnail Study: What 500 Breakout Thumbnails Reveal
vidIQ coded 500 breakout YouTube thumbnails. Face use climbs from 69% overall to 80% of the top overperformers, while high contrast stays flat near 56%. See the 2026 data.
Read the studyvidIQ Research, June 2026Profitable YouTube Niches for Small Channels: 2026 Breakout Study
A vidIQ breakout-data study found 10 profitable YouTube niches for small channels, with estimated US CPM ranges and the formats driving reach.
Read the studyHow vidIQ Research works
- Data: aggregated YouTube performance data and anonymized first-party analyses, never exposing private channel or personal data
- Sample and scope: sample size, date range, and selection criteria are disclosed on each individual study
- Methodology: each study documents its own definitions and analysis method, since the signal being studied changes what we measure
- Updates: studies are refreshed as new data comes in, and republished with a new date