Once you know the ins and outs of the YouTube algorithm’s video selection process, you’re on the way to growing a base of loyal subscribers and creating recognition for your brand, which in turn, converts the platform’s 2.5 billion users into paying customers. Now the question remains, how does the YouTube algorithm work? How can I make my videos worth sharing and engaging?

The answer has evolved over the years—you can not use what worked in 2010 to what works this year. In this guide, we’ll explain what YouTube’s algorithm is, how it recommends videos, and how to make its discovery engine do your bidding.

Understanding the YouTube Algorithm

Much like other social media platforms, the YouTube algorithm is the platform’s secret sauce — it ensures you get precisely the content you want on the site. An algorithm is a set of scientific or mathematical rules used by platforms to determine what content a user most wants to see and in what order.

What is the YouTube Algorithm?

Most algorithms are designed to deliver the content you’re most likely to engage with based on previous content you’ve interacted with — and YouTube is no different. There are effectively three main ways for you to discover videos on the platform:

1. Recommended content (i.e., videos on your Home page and Suggested Videos).
2. Trending Videos.
3. YouTube’s search (the results you’ll see when you enter a specific search query).

Much like the Instagram algorithm, YouTube has different algorithms that govern these different modes of discovery. These algorithms are all impacted by different ‘signals’ that tell YouTube how valuable a video is and what content you want to see more of.

How the Algorithm Has Evolved Over Time

Initially set up as a video dating site, YouTube quickly pivoted to solve the general problem of sharing videos online. Over time, they solved the technical limitations of uploading videos. But with anyone being able to upload, a new problem arose: how do people find the good content?

Originally, YouTube had a person manually curating the homepage by watching and selecting videos. However, as uploads increased, this manual curation became unsustainable. Additionally, a universal, centralized homepage could only cater to one group of people.

YouTube then transitioned to a recommendation algorithm, dynamically understanding what you’re into and what a video is about through trial and error, using collective user behavior to sort videos.

Key Components of the Algorithm

Videos recommended by the Home page and Suggested Video algorithms are governed mainly by user behavior. According to YouTube, “We track what viewers watch, how long they watch, what they skip over, and more. This helps us figure out what kind of videos they like best and what we can recommend to them next.”

The selection of videos is based on:

• Performance: How well your video has interested and satisfied similar viewers, among other factors.
• Watch and search history: How often your audience watches a channel or topic and how many times we’ve already shown each video.

YouTube’s Trending feed is determined by popular videos or Shorts in your country, refreshing every 15 minutes. While more straightforward, the trending algorithm considers view count, view velocity, video age, and channel performance.

For search results, YouTube ranks videos based on how well the title, description, and content match the search query, as well as engagement metrics for that search.

Overall, the YouTube algorithm strives to surface the most relevant and engaging content for each individual user based on their unique interests and viewing patterns.

How the YouTube Algorithm Affects Content Discovery

The YouTube algorithm plays a pivotal role in determining how your content is discovered and recommended to viewers. Its impact can be observed in three primary areas:

Algorithm’s Impact on Search Results

When you search for a topic on YouTube, the algorithm curates the results based on several factors:

1. Relevance: It matches elements like the video title, tags, content, and description to your search query.
2. Engagement: Signals such as watch time, watch percentage, likes, comments, and shares influence the ranking.
3. Quality: The algorithm evaluates the channel’s authority and trustworthiness on the given topic to determine video quality.
4. User history: Your past search and watch history shape the results, as the algorithm aims to provide content tailored to your interests.

Influence on Recommended Videos

The algorithm’s recommendations are visible in two key sections:

1. Home Page: The videos displayed on your Home page are personalized based on the performance of the video and your watch and search history.
2. Suggested Videos: These videos, shown alongside the one you’re currently watching, are suggested based on the topic of the current video and your watch history.

Engagement Metrics and Direct Feedback

Engagement metrics like watch time, views, likes, dislikes, and shares significantly impact the algorithm’s recommendations. These signals indicate the content you enjoy, prompting the algorithm to suggest more similar videos.

Moreover, YouTube allows you to directly influence the algorithm through various options accessible by clicking the three vertical dots below a video. Actions like “Add to queue,” “Save to Watch later,” and “Share” reinforce your interest, leading the algorithm to recommend more content from that creator or similar channels.

Tips for Making Your Content Shine on the YouTube Algorithm

Want to get your content noticed on YouTube? Focus on these important ideas:

Creating Catchy Video Titles

Your video title is very important. It helps people find your content when they search. So, use keywords that show what your video is about. Try to put the main keyword at the start of the title. Keep it short & interesting.

Writing Great Video Descriptions

The description is a chance to share more info about your video. Use keywords here too, but don’t go overboard. The first lines matter greatly because they appear before the “Show More” button. Think about adding timestamps, links, or asks like “Don’t forget to subscribe!”

Using Helpful Tags

Tags help YouTube understand your video better. Pick tags that are very specific to what your video covers. Include long-tail keywords too! Do some research to find out what tags are popular right now. Use fewer, but better tags—avoid any that don’t fit your video.

• Rename your video file with a keyword before it goes up.
• Add your keyword in the title, aiming for the start.
• Make sure your description has relevant keywords, timestamps, & calls-to-action.
• Tag it with popular related keywords and its longer phrases.
• Choose the right category so people can find it easily.
• Upload a cool thumbnail that shows what your video’s about.
• Use an SRT file for subtitles and closed captions for everyone.
• Consider adding Cards & End Screens to keep people watching!
• Don’t forget hashtags—they help reach more viewers.
• Think about making a playlist around your video’s topic to keep viewers interested.

By following these tips, you’ll boost your chances of getting discovered & seen by the audience you want on YouTube.

Advanced Strategies to Boost Visibility

Let’s take a look at some advanced strategies to boost visibility;

Creating Eye-catching Thumbnails

Creating eye-catching thumbnails is crucial for grabbing viewers’ attention and enticing them to click on your videos. A well-designed thumbnail should accurately represent the content of your video while also standing out in search results and recommendations. Here are some tips for creating compelling thumbnails:

1. Use high-quality visuals that are relevant to your video content.
2. Incorporate text overlays with the video title or a compelling hook to pique interest.
3. Experiment with contrasting colors and bold designs to make your thumbnail pop.
4. Maintain consistency with your channel’s branding by using similar fonts, colors, and styles across all thumbnails.
5. Consider including a human face or emotion to create a personal connection with viewers.

Organizing Content into Playlists

Making playlists for your videos is super helpful! It really helps people find your content & keeps them watching. When viewers see one video, the next one plays automatically. This way, you can show that you know a lot about specific topics. Let’s dive into how to use playlists right:

First, group your videos by theme or topic This creates hubs for people on your channel.

Next, choose cool titles and descriptions for your playlists. Use words people are searching for. It will help them find you better!

Don’t forget to show off your best playlists on your homepage. This can bring in more views & new fans.

Another tip: Make sure there’s a story or flow between videos in a playlist. This will encourage people to watch more.

Finally, use end screens! They’re great for highlighting your playlists and getting people to watch more of your related content.

Utilizing Multi-Format Content

Trying out different types of content can help you reach more viewers and meet their preferences. Mix things up. Create both short videos (like YouTube Shorts) and longer ones. Each format fits different viewing habits. Check out these perks:

1. Short clips can give new viewers a taste of what you offer, making them want to see your longer videos.

2. You can even chop up some longer videos into smaller shorts. This way, they stick around longer and reach more eyes.

3. A variety of content means you cater to everyone’s likes and how they like to watch.

4. Finally, mixing short and long videos helps boost discoverability across different platforms!

By using these fun strategies, you’re on the path to making your content shine on the YouTube algorithm. This leads to better visibility, more engagement, and helps your channel grow.

Conclusion

As we keep creating content, remember that matching what you make with what the algorithm loves is super important. The tips shared here are designed to simplify YouTube’s tricky parts while giving you power as a creator. Using these fun strategies will help people find your content better and build connections with your audience. Keep growing & engaging on YouTube for awesome success.