Every day, more than 1 billion hours of YouTube videos are seen by users worldwide, including cat videos and videos for dogs. The algorithm determines the videos YouTube recommends to its more than 2 billion human users (and untold numbers of feline users).
The subject of how to encourage YouTube’s algorithm to promote your videos and give you more likes is crucial for influencers, marketers, and creators alike.
In this article, you’ll read about what the algorithm is (and isn’t) and how experts use YouTube’s search and discovery methods to get their videos in front of viewers. What ranking criteria does YouTube consider when choosing which videos to show users?
Every traffic source varies a little. But in the end, a combination of factors, including:
Performance (the video’s success), personalization (the viewer’s past and preferences) external factors (the overall audience or market)
How does YouTube determine the video suggestions on the homepage?
The YouTube algorithm presents a wide selection of videos that a user might like to view every time they open the YouTube app or type in youtube.com. Because the computer hasn’t yet determined what the viewer wants—acoustic versions of popular songs, for example—this selection is frequently broad. Talks that are motivating against procrastination? to watch their preferred possum vlogger?
Two categories of ranking signals are used to determine which videos appear on the homepage:
Performance:
YouTube gauges performance using statistics like the click-through rate, typical viewing time, and typical percentage of views, likes, and disapproval ratings from viewers. After you upload a video, the algorithm initially displays it to a small number of users on their homepage. If it engages, satisfies, and appeals to those viewers (i.e., they click on it, watch it through, like it, share it, etc.), then it is presented to an increasing number of users on their homepages.
Personalization
YouTube isn’t a trending tab, though. According to their past activity, also known as their watch history, or personalization, YouTube suggests videos to users based on what it believes are relevant to their interests. More of the same will be presented to a user if they frequently watch a particular channel or show they have an interest in. This element also responds to behavioral alterations as a person’s affinities and interests change.
How is the suggested video algorithm on YouTube determined?
YouTube uses somewhat different criteria when recommending videos for users to watch next. The algorithm can better sense the visitor’s current interests after a few videos seen during a visit. It presents the following alternatives on the right side of the screen:
Here, in addition to performance and personalization, the algorithm will probably suggest the following:
Videos that are frequently watched together. Videos that are topically relevant Videos that the viewer has already viewed
Pro Tip 1: For content producers, using YouTube Analytics to see which other videos your audience has viewed might help you identify the more general or similar subjects and interests that your audience is interested in.
Pro Tip 2: A tried-and-true strategy is to create a follow-up to your most popular video. Ryan Higa made a video about a singing technique that quickly became popular; he released the follow-up three years later, but the timing is entirely up to you.
How does YouTube rank the search results in its search engine?
A basic understanding of SEO is crucial, given that YouTube functions both as a search engine and a video platform.
Occasionally, individuals search YouTube for a particular video to watch (We don’t talk anymore). Even so, when you type “don’t talk anymore”, the algorithm chooses how to order the search results.
How can your video appear towards the top of search results?
Keywords
The keywords you include in your video’s metadata will be used by YouTube’s search algorithm to determine the subject matter of your video. Therefore, you should add those two words if you want your video to appear when people search for videos on laparoscopic surgery.
Performance
Following the algorithm’s determination of your video, it will put its conclusion to the test by displaying it to users in search results. Your video will be viewed by more people and move up the SERPs if it appeals to and fulfills the needs of those searching for your keywords. Performance becomes significant at that point.
Seven suggestions to increase your YouTube organic reach
Keep in mind that the YouTube algorithm follows the audience when using it. These suggestions can assist you in expanding the influence of your YouTube channel among your followers if you already have a marketing strategy in place.
Research your keyword options
There needs to be a person monitoring your video and rating it at the YouTube headquarters.
Instead, the system analyzes your metadata to determine the topic of the video, the videos or categories it is related to, and potential viewers. Use precise, concise terminology that people already use when searching when describing your video to the algorithm.
Since YouTube serves as both a search engine and a video platform, you may do your keyword research using free tools like Google Adwords, just as you would for a blog post or site content.
Once you’ve determined your main keywords, you should employ them in the following four contexts:
- In the video’s script (and consequently in the video’s subtitles and closed captions—which require uploading an SRT file);
- In the video’s file name;
- In the video title (by using catchy language);
- In the video description within the first two lines);
- You do not need to enter your keywords in the following spot: In the tags for the video. Tags are most helpful if your keyword or channel name is frequently misspelled, according to Youtube, and “have a small influence in video discovery.”
Make it so catchy that the audience can’t help but click on your thumbnail without being clickbait
YouTube uses the word “appeal” to describe how a video persuades viewers to take a chance and watch something novel.
To increase the attraction of your video: Upload a unique thumbnail, and ensure that all your thumbnails have the same visual theme. Write a compelling, attention-grabbing headline that will make you want to click it. Remember that only the first few sentences of the description will appear in searches, so make them compelling and pertinent.
Keep viewers interested in your video and all of your videos
Make it simple for viewers to continue watching your content and remain in the ecology of your channel once they’ve watched one video. Use the following techniques to accomplish this: Cards: identify pertinent other videos in your video End screens: conclude with a CTA to view another pertinent video Playlists: of thematically related videos Subscription watermarks.
Pro Hint: A video series is a fantastic method to take advantage of a recent increase in viewers.
Extra covers are necessary if one of your videos becomes popular. Depending on your plan, you can release a series all at once for binge-watching or drop them periodically to keep viewers interested.
Obtain views from additional sources
Even views that aren’t generated by the YouTube algorithm can help you succeed with it. For instance, depending on your approach, YouTube adverts, external websites, cross-promotion on social media, and alliances with other channels or companies can all help you gain views and subscribers.
The algorithm won’t penalize your video for receiving a lot of off-site traffic (a blog post, for example). This is crucial because when advertisements or external websites account for most of a video’s traffic, click-through rates and view length frequently plummet.
According to the YouTube product team, the performance of a video is solely considered by the algorithm in context. Therefore, regardless of the metrics from blog views, a video that does well on the site will be revealed to more users on the homepage.
Pro Tip: Including a YouTube video in your blog or website benefits your website’s Google SEO and your video’s YouTube view counts.
Engage on other similar channels and other social media platforms
You must nurture your connections with your viewers if you want your audience to expand. One of YouTube’s main draws for many users is that producers seem more approachable than traditional celebrities.
Building relationships with your audience and other creators can lay the foundation for future success.
Give the public what it wants
People desire quality above all else in an era of an overabundance of content. The algorithm gives each user’s happiness a higher priority. So, identify your niche and focus on it.
To assist, YouTube has stated that it is working to collect more metrics related to creator happiness and provide them to them in their analytics; once you find your formula, keep using it.
Pro Tip: It’s a myth that the algorithm would penalize you for posting too regularly or insufficiently frequently, even if YouTube undoubtedly promotes uploading consistently to establish and maintain a relationship with your audience. The growth of the audience is unrelated to the interval between uploads.
Develop through trying new things
The zeitgeist can change quickly, but you will stay caught up by keeping an eye on Google Trends and allowing yourself to explore. (Slim jeans, I’m looking at you.)
Take heart from the knowledge that even if an experiment fails, a poor-performing video will only positively affect the popularity of your channel or subsequent videos. (Except if you’ve turned off your audience to the point that they no longer want to watch you.) According to the YouTube product team, each of your videos has an equal probability of gaining viewers.
