If you’ve ever wondered if you should use emojis in your YouTube titles, you’re asking a good question. Thousands of creators experiment with emojis to grab attention, but the question remains: do emojis in YouTube titles actually help or hurt your video performance?

 to find out. The data reveals a clear, and surprising, pattern: emojis can 

 your visibility in YouTube Shorts but may 

In this guide, we’ll break down the numbers, explain why emojis work differently across content types, which emojis work best, and share 

 you can apply right now to increase your views.


What Our YouTube Title Optimization Data Revealed

 uploaded to YouTube in September 2025. We wanted to see exactly how emojis affected performance across formats.

We measured everything: views, engagement rates, like rates, comment rates, and performance at different percentiles to understand the full picture of how emojis impact video performance.

The results shocked us, and may completely change how you approach YouTube title optimization in 2025.


YouTube Shorts: Emojis Increase Views by 49%

if you’re making YouTube Shorts, emojis are a major growth driver.

 Shorts with emojis get nearly 50% more views and perform better across 

32.5% of all Shorts creators already use emojis

, they’ve discovered what the data confirms. That’s nearly double the adoption rate among long-form creators.

These findings give us one of the clearest 

 you’ll ever hear: use emojis to stand out visually and emotionally in a crowded feed.

Long-Form Videos: The Engagement vs Views Trade-off

For traditional long-form YouTube videos, the story flips. Emojis don’t deliver more views, but they do deliver higher engagement

 Long-form videos with emojis get fewer views overall but significantly higher engagement, especially comments.

That trade-off matters. The content with emojis attract stronger reactions from your core audience but might turn away casual viewers or those discovering you through search.

Think of it this way: your existing subscribers might love emojis and find them fun (more engagement!), but potential new viewers searching for content might perceive emoji-filled titles as less professional or credible, especially for educational content.


Why Emojis Work So Much Better in YouTube Shorts

Here’s four main reasons why emojis outperform so dramatically in the Shorts feed:

Shorts viewers scroll rapidly. Emojis provide instant 

, making your title pop against a sea of text. It's quick emotional signaling in a fast-scrolling environment.

Most Shorts titles are 4–7 words long. One emoji takes up a big portion of that space, adding eye-catching personality.

Shorts skew younger. Gen Z and Gen Alpha communicate visually, and emojis are part of their language.

The Shorts algorithm heavily values engagement. Since emojis correlate with 

, they feed the recommendation loop and increase YouTube views organically.

These factors explain why YouTube Shorts tips often emphasize visual hooks: thumbnails, quick intros, and now — emojis.

Most Popular YouTube Emojis (and When to Use Them)

Not all emojis perform equally. Here’s what creators use most often and why they work.

Should You Use Emojis? (Decision Framework)

Here’s a simple framework to decide whether emojis belong in your next title.

✅ For YouTube Shorts Creators: Emojis are often better

The numbers speak for themselves, Shorts with emojis get 

 of your title for instant visual impact.

⚙️ For Long-Form Video Creators: Use Strategically

Use emojis when you want to spark engagement, not when chasing search-based discovery.

You’re building community or interaction.

You’re hosting a live stream (🔴 is basically required for visibility).

Your content is emotional, casual, or personal.

Targeting existing subscribers over new viewers

You’re targeting professional audiences.

You’re creating SEO-focused evergreen content.

You’re going for viral reach or authority positioning.

This is where YouTube title optimization becomes nuanced, it’s not just about CTR; it’s about 

How Many Emojis Should You Use in YouTube Titles?

Using too many can look spammy or low-effort.

And always remember, relevance beats aesthetics. A mismatched emoji can tank credibility.

Before & After Examples: YouTube Title Optimization

Here’s how subtle emoji adjustments can transform performance.

❌ Before: “Making pasta from scratch”

✅ After: “Making pasta from scratch ✨🍝 Expected: +49% views, +24% comments

❌ Before: “This hack changed my life”

✅ After: “This hack changed my life 🤯💡” Expected: higher feed visibility and CTR

❌ Before: “Building My Startup LIVE”

✅ After: “🔴 Building My Startup LIVE” Expected: ideal for live visibility

✅ Keep: “Complete Guide to YouTube SEO in 2025”

emojis and graphs around the YouTube logo with title "Do Emojis in Titles Help or Hurt?"

We analyzed 128M YouTube videos to see if emojis in titles help or hurt. Result: +49% views for Shorts, but long-form videos trade reach for engagement.

Do Emojis in YouTube Titles Help or Hurt Your Views? (Data from 128M Videos)

Writing great YouTube titles is one of the highest-leverage skills you can develop as a creator.

, your title is the entry point for new viewers and plays a key role in whether your content gets discovered, clicked, and watched. Titles influence click-through rate, impact YouTube’s recommendation system, and shape viewer expectations - all of which directly affect your watch time and channel growth.

But even amazing videos can go unwatched if the title doesn’t spark interest or clearly communicate value. High-performing titles aren’t optional, they’re essential.

70% of YouTube traffic coming from Browse and Suggested feeds

70% of YouTube views come from Browse and Suggested feeds

SEO-optimized videos tend to drive longer-term, evergreen traffic

Which means most video titles fall into one of two categories:

 that get clicks early, but fizzle out over time

 that help videos rank, but feel generic or dry

So it’s no surprise that we often get asked the questions, “

How do I write a title that works for both search and suggested feeds?

Here’s the truth: Your title has to do double duty.

And we’ve built a simple YouTube Title Framework to help you do exactly that.

Watch the vidIQ Title Flip framework video here:


But First: The Problem with Hybrid Titles

It’s obvious to try and balance curiosity and keywords in one title, what we call the hybrid approach, and it sometimes works. Like this title example:

“Sourdough Recipe from ANCIENT EGYPT!”

This title has intrigue and includes a keyword (“sourdough recipe”), making it a strong contender for both clicks and long-term search.

Again, this strategy can work and often performs well for bigger channels or well-known brands. But for smaller or growing creators facing stiff competition, we’ve seen better and more consistent results with a two-phase approach.

“There’s always a bit of tension between writing titles for search versus writing them to spark curiosity. Since most traffic comes from Browse and Suggested, curiosity-driven titles tend to perform better at first. But once that initial push slows down, updating your title (and thumbnail) to be more SEO-friendly can give the video a second life and help it show up in search for the long haul.”

 is built around that approach. Instead of trying to do everything in one title, you let each title do what it’s best at: 

curiosity for early clicks, SEO for lasting growth

Start with a curiosity-driven title that grabs attention in Browse and Suggested feeds. Your goal here is to earn the click and spark engagement right out of the gate.

Once the video’s initial performance levels off (typically after 48–72 hours), swap in a more keyword-focused title. This helps your content rank in Search and stay discoverable for months to come.

This simple flip is a small change that can deliver long-term results, especially for evergreen content.


Step-by-Step: How to Apply the Title Flip Framework

Here’s how to apply the Title Flip Framework to your next video:

Before publishing, draft a solid title option for each phase:

"Is This The World’s Fastest Sourdough Recipe?"

Writing these variations forces you to think from both the viewer’s perspective and the algorithm’s.

Need help brainstorming curiosity-driven or keyword-focused titles? Try our 

 to identify high-performing keywords that fit your niche.


Step 2: Lead with Curiosity and Monitor Performance

Use the curiosity-first title at launch to maximize clicks from the Browse and Suggested feeds.

graphic highlighting a 48 to 72 hour waiting period before reviewing performance

. Pay close attention to your impressions, CTR, and watch time.

If your traffic is still holding strong, great, leave it as is.

If your traffic is declining, or if your CTR is lower than expected, it’s time for Phase 2.


Update your title with the keyword-focused version to support long-term discoverability.

Wait another 48-72 hours and once again review your impressions, CTR, and watch time.

Ideally you will see an increase in all of your key metrics.

If impressions are low, your title might lack keyword strength. Try another keyword focused title.

If impressions are high but CTR is low, your title might lack clarity.

A well-timed flip can give your video a second wave of life, helping it move from a short burst of views to evergreen traffic.

Metaphor image of butter spreading on toast, labeled as title and thumbnail working together


Bonus Tip: Make Sure Your Title and Thumbnail Work Together

Your title and thumbnail should feel like a matched set, each one making the other stronger.

Think of them like butter on toast. Dry toast is boring. Butter on its own? A little weird. The magic only happens when they’re together.

, use the title to pose a question or spark curiosity 

Title: “This Mistake Ruined My Bread… Don’t Make It”

, your title needs to provide clarity or context 

Thumbnail: a surprised face + loaf of bread

Title: “The One Ingredient That Changed Everything”

Together, your title and thumbnail should build curiosity, communicate value, and set clear expectations.


Seeing what title changes other real-world creators use helps you understand what works and what doesn’t. With the free 

, you can track how other creators update their titles and thumbnails over time. Browse YouTube with vidIQ active, study the changes top creators make, and apply those insights to your own video titles to grow faster.

Your title is not just a headline, it’s your first and most important growth lever.

Drive more clicks from Suggested and Browse

Extend your video’s life with long-term search traffic

Build a repeatable, testable title strategy you can rely on


Let your next title do more than describe your video.

Let it spark curiosity, get the click, and grow your channel.

Looking for more tips on writing great titles?

11 Ways to Write Exciting YouTube Titles for Your Videos

3 Secrets for Writing Click-Worthy YouTube Titles

How to Write the Best Titles for YouTube Shorts

Line graph showing flat and then a sharp upward trend after a title flip adjustment

Your title is one of the most important tools for growing your channel. It directly impacts:

Whether people click—Titles influence your click-through rate (CTR)

Whether YouTube recommends your video—Strong titles help you show up in Browse and Suggested feeds

Whether people keep watching—Titles set expectations, and if your content doesn’t deliver, viewers bounce

Nail your title, and you’ll boost clicks, retention, and long-term discoverability.

Start with a clear goal. Use a mix of curiosity and SEO. The best YouTube titles do three things:

Include a relevant keyword so YouTube knows what your video is about.

Set clear expectations so viewers don’t bounce and kill your watch time.

Miss any one of these, and even great content might not get traction.

You can update your title anytime in YouTube Studio:

Hover over your video and click the pencil icon (Details)

Edit the title field, then click ‘Save’

We recommend waiting at least 48–72 hours after publishing before retitling, this gives YouTube time to test the original version. Use your updated title to better target SEO or boost curiosity based on how the video is performing.

Write YouTube titles that rank and get clicks with this proven curiosity + SEO framework from vidIQ.

vidIQ’s Title Flip Framework: Write Titles That Get Clicks & Rank

, creators have been asking for this. And we’re happy to see it’s finally here!

Now you can test both titles and thumbnails and get a full view of what packaging really performs. This isn’t just a feature — it’s a shift. YouTube is doubling down on giving creators data-backed tools to grow smarter, not louder.

In the video above, Rob will take you through the update with all that you need to know, so don't miss it!

25 YouTube Updates that Will Affect Your Channel in 2025

From Thumbnails to Titles: Completing the Testing Toolkit

The thumbnail testing tool has been a game-changer for YouTubers. For the first time, you could test how different visual hooks performed in real time, no more relying on gut instinct or post-upload tweaks. But thumbnails are only one part of the equation. Titles don’t just support the thumbnail — they sell the click. Now, YouTube is finally letting creators test titles the same way. Title A/B testing is here.

. But the title carries the message — the value prop, the hook, the reason to click. Without testing titles, creators were flying half-blind, but not anymore!

Note: This feature is currently desktop-only and not available for YouTube Shorts.

YouTube now lets you test up to 3 different titles per video. That’s in addition to (or instead of) thumbnail testing.

Test 3 different titles with the same thumbnail

Test 3 different thumbnails with the same title

Test combinations of both — up to 3 title/thumbnail pairs

Pick up to 3 versions of your title. You can also select up to 3 thumbnails. Mix and match if you want.

YouTube will randomly serve each variation to viewers. Over time, it tracks performance.

Head to the Reach tab in Analytics. There, you’ll see how each title performed.

 as the winning metric — it uses Watch Time Share. That means the title that leads to more sustained viewing wins, not necessarily the one that gets the fastest clicks.

Tests typically run from 1 to 14 days, depending on how quickly statistical significance is reached. Once there's a clear winner, YouTube automatically applies it to your video.

Graphic representation of YouTube title A/B testing

The real value of this tool isn’t the advice — it’s the freedom to experiment. Here’s a smarter framework for testing:

Title A: SEO-optimized, packed with relevant keywords

Title B: The control — your usual style that’s worked before

Title C: Curiosity-driven, emotional, even risky

This setup lets you balance between what people search for vs. what people feel compelled to click. And that’s where real growth happens.

Like any new feature, this rollout isn’t perfect and has some constraints:

❌ No CTR data — Watch Time Share is the only metric

❌ Mobile support is MIA — desktop only (for now)

Still, the tool is clean, intuitive, and powerful in its simplicity.

To use the new title testing tool, you need to have:

Verified account status (phone number, ID, etc.)

There’s no flashy announcement yet, but based on YouTube’s past behavior, this is likely a staggered rollout. Expect wider access by the end of 2025.

This update finally gives creators full control over their first impression. No more hunches, no more “maybe it’s the title” guesswork. Now you can test, iterate, and know what works — just like marketers A/B test subject lines or product pages.

Combining other tools with YouTube’s A/B testing can create a tight feedback loop, right from idea to iteration to outcome. If you want help crafting strong title variants, powered with 

customization for SEO impact, emotional pull, and clickability, 

Want to A/B test your titles to see which one performs better? YouTube has you covered with its newest tool update.

YouTube Launches New Title A/B Testing Tool — Here’s What You Need to Know

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Do Emojis in YouTube Titles Help or Hurt Your Views? (Data from 128M Videos)

vidIQ’s Title Flip Framework: Write Titles That Get Clicks & Rank

YouTube Launches New Title A/B Testing Tool — Here’s What You Need to Know