Ask any YouTuber and they will tell you that generating significant views and subscribers isn't easy. But with the right strategy and tools, any video creator can build an engaged subscriber base when they understand what those subscribers want to watch.

Appealing to an audience to watch content you are passionate about making is just the first step, you need to know how to reach them and get your videos discovered. Our guides to how to guide more views on YouTube will give you the best tips to succeed on the platform.

Getting Views

How To Get More Views on YouTube

Getting thousands or even millions of YouTube subscribers is a dream for most creators. In the articles below, we'll show you how to turn casual viewers into long-term fans. 

Subscribers

YouTube Subscribers

Do you want to make money on YouTube? Millions of creators are earning a very good living from monetizing the platform and uploading content that drives huge views and engagements. Whether that YouTube income is from advertising revenue, merchandise sales, or brand deals, or subscriptions, we keep you updated with best practices and ideas.

Monetization

How To Make Money on YouTube

Want to see how your channel is performing? Read these YouTube analytics articles to discover what's working and what isn't. You'll learn how to identify which videos have the most Watch Time, clicks, audience retention, revenue, and more.

Analytics

YouTube Analytics

Watch Time is arguably THE most important metric on YouTube right now, and creators won’t be able to monetize their content without 4000 hours of it. But what is it and how can creators increase the amount of Watch Time their videos attract? We keep you updated on the best practices around Watch Time, and how you can increase how much your video content generates.

Watch Time

YouTube Watch Time

YouTube Shorts content is set to explode! 

All the latest tips, tricks, and rock-solid advice you need for this new feature.

YouTube Shorts

Do you know how to do keyword research so you understand what videos people are actually searching for on YouTube? Do you know how to create a custom YouTube thumbnail? Do you know how to create a Playlist on YouTube?

vidIQ has a ton of tips that will help every creator maximise their video content. We publish content every week to keep you up to date with all the best practices.

Tips & Tricks

YouTube Tips & Tricks

At vidIQ we have incredible insights into what viewers are searching for on YouTube. Not only can we confirm the top keywords being searched for, we can also show you how you can leverage that interest to create content around trending topics and tentpole events. That's going to give you a clear edge over other creators!

Insights

YouTube Insights

Your In-Depth Guide to Building a Successful YouTube Channel

Many factors determine our success on YouTube. If you're a new creator, most of those might seem almost unattainable sometimes. But some are really within our control. Choosing the best time to publish your video on YouTube is one of them and could have a considerable impact on your video's performance.

As with most things in YouTube video creation, there isn't a straightforward answer. But we've covered two main ways to answer this question.

What is the Best Time of the Day to Post on YouTube?

While this data is not set in stone, certain timings are better than others on YouTube, mostly for two main reasons.

 These recommended times coincide with typical leisure periods when users are actively seeking entertainment, making them more likely to engage deeply with new content.

 For channels with a broad audience, these times can help bridge various time zones, hitting North American viewers in their evening peaks and Europeans in their early active hours.

We've gathered information from credible websites across the internet and can broadly ascertain these time ranges as effective across channels across the world.

It's safe to assume that weekdays are not the best option when it comes to posting content since people are mostly away from their screens. But using the week wisely can make a big difference to your video's performance. 

Overall, it's better to post in the evenings. 

, any time between 6 PM and 9 PM is desirable, although the middle of the week, i.e. Wednesdays and Thursdays aren't generally rewarding.  However, 

 details different time ranges for each day of the week and also claims that Friday is the best day to post according to their study which is based on a million uploads!

For weekends, the earlier the upload, the better the chances. This period captures a relaxed audience who are scrolling through their feeds over morning coffee, ready to start their leisurely weekend.

According to a report by Influencer Marketing Hub

, early afternoon is the way to go on weekends, whereas others may recommend uploading earlier in the morning. 

If you're a new channel that is just starting, following this schedule roughly might bring good results. With time and uploading more content, YouTube can help you make better decisions informed by your audience's behavior. Let's understand how that works.

The Secret to Standing Out as a Small YouTube Creator

, you can find a more concrete and realistic answer regarding the best time to upload your videos. Here is Rob explaining how in 35 seconds!

First, let’s start with the YouTube feature that will let you know the best times to publish your video content. To access this tool:

Click on your YouTube profile image in the top right-hand corner of any desktop screen.

From the Studio dashboard screen, click on the ‘Analytics’ tab from the left-hand navigation bar.

From the main analytics screen, click on the ‘Audience’ tab at the top

On this dashboard, you'll see a new module labeled ‘

’. Now, to be clear, this isn't specifically about your viewers watching just your content. It's when viewers who watch your content are on YouTube watching any video.

Think of it like this. There may be somebody at home, sat on a sofa, watching Friends because they're a huge fan of sitcoms. Chances are, they're probably going to also enjoy The Big Bang Theory, so programming logic suggests that The Big Bang Theory should come on straight after Friends.

If you know when your audience is on YouTube you can schedule your videos to be published at that time.

In this visual representation, the deeper the color shade, the higher volume of viewers there are. For example, many of our viewers are on YouTube at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time Wednesday mornings while fewer viewers are online at 8:00 p.m. on a Friday evening.

You can also use our tool to determine when to upload on YouTube to get even more personalized data based on your content. 

Choose the right time to upload your YouTube videos by considering when your audience is most active, similar to setting up a hotdog stand at lunch rather than at 3:00 a.m. Although YouTube suggests that publish time doesn’t usually affect long-term video performance, immediate timing can be crucial, especially with time-sensitive content. For instance, if there's breaking news like an iPhone launch or a movie trailer release, delay could mean losing viewer interest.

Avoid uploading during the busiest times, such as the start or half of the hour, when competition for viewer attention spikes. Instead, try posting slightly before or after these periods. Think of your video timing like stock trading: aim for times when audience interest is growing but not yet at its peak. Remember, preparing your video, including adding titles, tags, and thumbnails, takes time, especially for high-quality 4K videos. Plan to upload early enough to ensure everything is polished and ready for viewers.

So, now that you know the best time to upload your content on YouTube, let's start racking that watch time up! Speaking of watch time, 

graphic showing YouTube logo with a clock and calendar

Maximize your YouTube views by updating your posting strategy. Discover the best times to upload your videos!

How to Find Out the Best Time to Publish a Video on YouTube

Do you have writer’s block when it comes to 

? It may not seem like it, but you’re not the only one feeling this way. Many creators struggle to find words that both describe their content and encourage people to watch it.

Want some pointers? Instead of writing from scratch, find ways to 

 video title, so that’s a great place to start. This powerful tool uses artificial intelligence to take your titles from bland to brilliant, or perhaps even mundane to marvelous.

Bottom line? You can learn a lot by watching how it works. So here are four ways to write better YouTube titles, according to our AI Coach.

What do viewers want to achieve? That’s one of the first questions to ask when writing YouTube titles. Are they trying to lose weight? Do they want a big promotion that comes with a higher salary?

. If it’s a specific number, like “lose 30 pounds in 30 days,” say that. If it’s an idea, like “change your perspective to make new friends,” say that!

Let’s look at an example from our AI Coach. Someone asked it to fix a simple title: “How to Monetize Your Videos Without Showing Your Face.”

The AI Coach didn’t make many edits. But it spiced things up by replying, “How to Make $1,000 a Month on YouTube Without Showing Your Face.”

Here’s why the AI Coach recommended that title:

It’s more descriptive, which helps viewers understand the video.

It targets a widespread desire (making money on YouTube).

AI Coach explains why it suggested a video title

Previously, we said you should write specific titles instead of vague ones. But is that 

It depends on the video you’re making, 

so don’t feel like you have to be specific all the time. 

Sometimes secrets are more enticing. They create a sense of wonder and mystery, drawing people in to receive a rare piece of knowledge they've been craving.

So what does this look like in action? Recently, our AI Coach helped someone write a simpler, more mysterious title. It went from “The Only Ingredient That Cures Dandruff! Breaking Down All The Dandruff Shampoos On The Market” to “Discover The Secret Ingredient Used To Cure Dandruff.”

We asked the AI Coach, “Why this title?” It replied:

It’s mysterious and intriguing (uses words like “discover” and “secret”).

The AI Coach explains why it suggested a video title

On the flip side, some secrets are too good to keep to yourself. If you know a fact or a statistic (that will make people gasp), you'll get more clicks by adding it to your title. This typically works when the secret is so shocking, people only have one-word follow-up questions. 

 Of course, they’ll have to watch the video to find out.

Our best example comes from yet another AI coaching student. They asked, “How do I fix this title: ‘Neuroscientist Says People With OCD Usually Get Rich.’ "

The AI Coach changed it to “Neuroscientist Reveals Unusual Insight About People With OCD: They Tend to Get Rich!?”

This title is a bit long, so you could shorten it to something like, “People With OCD Get Rich!? A Neuroscientist Explains How and Why.” But overall, the new title is better than what the creator started with.

The most critical detail is at the front (people with OCD get rich).

It’s more descriptive and engaging (“neuroscientist reveals” versus “neuroscientist says”).

4. Add Some Emotion to Your YouTube Titles

 with pure, unbridled emotion. Don’t just describe a video and upload it to YouTube; imagine what viewers should feel when they read your title, then use the right words to bring that experience to life.

Need an example? One creator asked our AI Coach to enhance a title that was just OK: “5 Tips for Coping With Rejection from a Job Interview.” They got three powerful suggestions:

“How to Bounce Back from Job Interview Rejection: 5 Expert Tips”

“Don't Let Job Interview Rejection Get You Down: 5 Tips for Moving Forward”

“From Rejection to Resilience: 5 Tips for Job Interview Recovery”

These titles don’t just sound better; they address the emotional pain of being rejected. They’re more likely to make someone feel seen and understood, which leads to more engagement.

Beyond that, here’s why the AI Coach picked those titles:

The emotional pull makes the titles relatable.

The AI Coach explains why it suggested new video titles

 to start a conversation. You can ask it to fix your video titles, write a short script, or help you with your content strategy.

Or you can read our complete guide to writing YouTube titles!

What makes a good video title on YouTube? That's what hundreds of creators asked our AI Coach, and it shared some of the best advice we’ve ever seen.

Ask an AI Coach: 4 Ways to Spice Up Your YouTube Video Titles

From Pink Guy to iShowSpeed, YouTube has had fantastic creators with not-so-mannered mouths. And if you want to take that route as a creator yourself, you don’t need to worry about getting demonetized anymore!

strict regulations around the usage of profanity in videos

With little distinction between "strong" and "moderate" cursing, the original policy would flag any video that contained foul language in the first 7 seconds as being unsuitable for advertising. Also, it appeared that the regulation was retroactive, as many creators complained that their older videos were no longer eligible for advertising.

The creator community wasn’t happy with this change and there was a lot of backlash. They didn't like how videos featuring any kind of profanity were automatically demonetized, and as a result, YouTube revised the rules.

At present, creators who use coarse language in the first 7 seconds of a video are still eligible for advertising, unless used throughout the entire video. According to 

, if the profanity is "moderate," the video won't be subject to any limits; nevertheless, if it contains strong language in the first few seconds, the video may only receive "limited advertisements."

And here's more info about the March 2023 update:

What Are the Consequences of Using Profanity Then?

There is undoubtedly still some ambiguity about this. As profanity cannot be used in the "majority of the video," it's unclear what will happen if you swear more often. However, there are a few things we know for sure:

Not all kinds of profanity will be treated the same. Words like "f**k" are now classified as "stronger profanity," while "b***h," "d***ebag," "a**hole," and "s**t" are all considered "moderate" profanities.

Videos containing “moderate” profanity will be eligible for complete monetization. Those containing “stronger” profanity in the first 7 seconds will receive limited monetization.

You won't be demonetized for using profanity in background music, backing tracks, or intro or outro music.

Profanity in thumbnails or video titles will lead to demonetization

The new rules are in effect as of right now. With this policy, YouTube wants to make it simpler for the majority of creators to continue monetizing their videos without having to make significant modifications, even though it doesn't fully address all of the issues creators had. It’s a step towards encouraging and inviting more creativity on the platform, and focusing less on the words we use.

Is video more your thing? Then watch Rob cover this topic with a healthy dose of quality memes!

If using profanity has stopped you from earning more money on YouTube, then worry no more! This YouTube update will benefit you.

Swearing Moderately on YouTube Won't Demonetize You Anymore

Are you an aspiring YouTube creator? If so, you’re probably wondering what type of channel you should make. A gaming one? A cooking one? Something related to your hobby?

If you can’t decide, immerse yourself in the world of YouTube channel topics. See what types of videos others are making, then study their methods for 

The list below will help you get started. From weird to charming, we’ve gathered some of the fastest-growing YouTube channel ideas from real creators who’ve found success. Let’s dig in!

Just imagine it. What if someone remixed every rap or R&B song in medieval style?

 (385,000 subscribers) is doing, and the idea is refreshingly fun. From Eminem’s “The Real Slim Shady” to Mary J. Blige’s “Family Affair,” you get a taste of pop culture mixed with medieval flutes, harps, and bagpipes. Each remix is nostalgic yet surprisingly new.

The success of this channel proves that no matter what you’re into, someone will find it interesting. All you have to do is target the right viewers!

Anticipation of new music keeps viewers engaged

2. A Mortician Answers Your Creepy Questions

Of all the ideas for a YouTube channel, anything to do with coffins or funerals is probably the riskiest. After all, we’re talking about 

. It’s a sensitive topic and pretty morbid to think about.

 (1.95 million subscribers) draws people in with a unique channel idea. Instead of shying away from uncomfortable topics, a licensed mortician answers questions about death, mourning, and funerals. Is it legal to mummify someone? What happens to a body during cremation? Are protective caskets a scam?

Ask a Mortician proves that education channels can be fun, too (even the grim ones).

The novelty factor (few morticians have YouTube channels)

3. Video Tutorials That Don’t Help Anyone

Most online tutorials are helpful because they show you how to do something meaningful. So what happens when a channel 

 helpful but doesn’t teach you anything at all?

 (17.2 million subscribers), it’s not what you think. This channel markets itself as a place of learning, but every tutorial goes wrong. From making a hamburger to fixing a flat tire, the final result is usually chaos and destruction. It’s comedic gold!

A style of clickbait you can’t be mad at, because it’s so funny

4. Your Favorite Foods, But Turned into Sausage

Sometimes, the best YouTube channel ideas are amazingly simple. For instance, what would your favorite foods look like if they were ground up and reshaped into sausage?

 gained 711,000 subscribers pursuing it. Over time, this channel has turned almost anything into sausage, and not just popular foods. They’ve done hair sausage. Snow sausage. Valentine’s Day 

A simple experiment with shocking results every time

Outrageous concepts, like trying to make sausage water

Many YouTube channels focus on people and their daily lives. So on a platform filled with vloggers and on-camera personalities, 

 created the “Olympics” of marble racing. Like Hot Wheels, this creator tosses marbles down a race track to see which one will cross the finish line first. There are twists, turns, and other marbles in the stands cheering on the contestants. With everything going on, this channel idea (with 1.37 million subscribers) is cute, charming, and entertaining all at once!

Mimics an actual sporting event (announcer commentary, crowd applause, etc.)

6. Shocking Patient Stories, as Told by a Medical Professional

What happens when you swallow 3,000 milligrams of caffeine powder? How would your body respond to 12 energy drinks if you drank them all in 10 minutes?

 (a licensed provider) or his colleagues have seen in the past. The creator says they’re “variations” of real cases, so they may be exaggerated a bit. Either way, it’s hard 

A Farmer Injected Cow Antibiotic Into His Leg

.” Maybe that’s why Chubbyemu has 2.77 million subscribers.

“Real” patient stories told by a licensed provider

Most cooking channels don’t share recipes from the 1900s while sprinkling in a history lesson and taste test. Typically, it's the average recipe video. Creators show you how to make something popular, like sourdough bread or seafood pasta — maybe a Thanksgiving turkey.

 (1.65 million subscribers) is a rare channel that goes above and beyond. It immerses you in a different era by sharing the history of specific meals, how to make them, and most importantly, how they taste.

Mixes education, cooking, and tutorials in a compelling way

Risky recipes that come with a taste test

What do you imagine when you think of “review” channels on YouTube? Do you see a creator explaining the pros and cons of buying the latest iPhone? A pet sitter ranking the most obedient dogs?

 (334,000 subscribers) flips that concept on its head. Instead of reviewing things you can buy or own, they review things 

 can buy or own, like air, water, and anxiety.

You’ve probably seen a lot of reviews on YouTube, but watching someone review water is…a different level of content creation. Mikasacus experiments with other concepts (primarily gaming), but the “reviews” are arguably the best.

Reviews items or concepts no one is expecting

Essay-like arguments for common, everyday things (which is funny in itself)

There’s a wide range of content on YouTube, especially when it comes to cooking channels. But how many of them let a dog named Francis sit in the kitchen and narrate each tutorial? We can only think of one: 

What’s interesting about this concept is that the creator doesn’t have to speak. By letting Francis narrate, the creator sticks to what they do best: cooking. Viewers get a tasty recipe 

 the entertainment value of Francis’ fancy accent.

An adorable dog that gets sleepy sometimes

An element of mystery (you never learn the chef’s name)

Lip-reading channels are popular on YouTube, but none of them execute the idea like 

 (8.17 million subscribers). This channel narrates various conversations, such as those between U.S. House of Representatives members and professional athletes at sporting events.

But unlike some channels, Bad Lip Reading lives up to its name. Instead of translating conversations accurately, they get things wrong on purpose — and it’s hilarious. You’ll laugh to the point of tears because whoever writes the scripts is basically an undercover comedian.

Lip-reads significant events or trending videos

Now that you have some inspiration, it’s time to create videos on your own channel!

Coming up with a suitable theme or topic can be challenging, but remember that the best creators do four essential things:

Mix elements of novelty, entertainment, education, and online trends

Rely on their expertise, hobby, or passion

When you’re ready to jump in, here are 10 brilliant tips for starting a YouTube channel!

How unique does your YouTube channel have to be to get noticed? These 10 channels (ranging from weird to charming) will give you an idea!

From Weird to Charming: 10 Unique YouTube Channel Ideas That Actually Worked

Starting a YouTube channel is tough, but growing it to thousands of subscribers — or even millions — is  much harder to pull off. Some may wonder if it's even possible anymore.

But if you want to restore your faith, take a look around YouTube. There's 

 (12 million subscribers) and the infamous 

 (136 million subscribers). You might even run into 

, who has 33.1 million supporters. It becomes astonishingly clear that growing a large audience is not impossible.

So, how did they do it? What are the steps to grow a successful YouTube channel?

If you want to go from zero to content hero, keep scrolling until you reach the end. We're going to tell you the best ways to grow on YouTube!

Standing out on YouTube is tough, but anything's possible if you focus on making unique, high-quality videos. By high quality, we don't mean having the best camera, lighting, or video backdrop. The best videos come from creators who study their audience 

This skill doesn't come overnight, but you'll know it's there when you can make viewers feel something at the end of a video — inspired, motivated, curious, slightly tickled. Shifting their mood from one state to another means you're wielding true influence (the kind that makes people hit subscribe and turn on post notifications).

So how do you pull this off? You can start by learning what makes a video engaging, such as:

"Hooking" viewers with a brief, punchy intro.

Holding viewers' attention with pattern interrupters, like text, music, images, and multiple camera angles.

Developing an interesting storyline (you can borrow common plot devices from movies and TV shows).

2. Optimize Your Content for Search Engines

YouTube is the second-largest search engine

 behind Google? Creators upload over 500 hours of video daily, and YouTube tries to deliver it all to the right viewers.

 videos to more people? Help them out by optimizing your content for maximum reach!

Here's the only checklist you'll ever need when it comes to 

Add the target keyword (plus related keywords) to your video title and description.

Use relevant hashtags to reach more viewers.

Organize your videos into YouTube playlists.

Promote your videos using cards and end screens.

When you use the right keywords, you can also show up on Google search pages. That's a lot of free promotion for your channel!

Woman designing YouTube thumbnail with drawing pad on computer

If you want to grow on YouTube, don't underestimate the power of custom thumbnails. Each one is like a colorful billboard advertising your video's "juicier" parts. The more intriguing those images look, the more inclined viewers are to click on your content!

What does it take a grow a YouTube channel in 2024? Learn how to make better content, get more subscribers, grow your views, and more.

Your In-Depth Guide to Building a Successful YouTube Channel

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