Nearly any content-driven or social media site uses an algorithm. This helps users discover new posts they might like or find fans. On YouTube, this is vital for getting views on your videos.
But what is the YouTube algorithm, and how exactly does it work? In this post, the GoRead.io team will answer these questions and more.
What Is the YouTube Algorithm: Get It To Work To Your Advantage
YouTube’s algorithm is a system that arranges its content. This allows it to bring up relevant videos whenever you type a search query. The algorithm and the signals it uses are always changing. However, you can still find ways to use it to your advantage.
By following the right tips and tricks, you can get the algorithm to notice your video. This lets you reach a wider audience simply because the algorithm will spotlight your channel more often.
Focusing too much on YouTube’s algorithm can take away from the platform’s fun. However, it’s still possible to appeal to its many signals while making content you enjoy. It should only be one part of your overall YT strategy.
The Importance of YouTube’s Algorithm
Adding to this, it’s worth noting that YouTube couldn’t function without an algorithm. Users share hundreds of hours of video every minute. The site needs to make sure you only see videos that are relevant to you.
On top of this, it has to help every video find its audience. This isn’t always going to be possible. Some videos give the algorithm very little to work with. Others are simply too niche. Even when you post great content, you can’t guarantee that people will see it.
YouTube wants you to spend more time on its site. That means showing you videos that keep you engaged and watching for longer. Showing you relevant content is exactly how they do this. Everything from a video’s title to its description and content affects its rank in the algorithm.
How YouTube Personalizes Recommendations
YouTube aims to only recommend videos you’re likely to enjoy. But what is the current YouTube algorithm? Here are the main factors affecting recommendations:
- Watch history: YouTube looks at the videos you’ve enjoyed before, especially ones you gave a thumbs-up. It’ll then be more likely to push similar videos to your front page.
- Relevant vids: Similarly, some videos might pair well with ones you’ve already watched. This looks at which vids other users on the site often watch in the same session.
- Topic interest: If you start watching a new type of video, YouTube will push it more. The same is true for channels that you’re slowly watching through the back catalog.
As you can see, the algorithm mainly looks at user behavior. This includes your own, as well as other people with similar interests.
The closer a video aligns with the above three ranking factors, the higher it’ll be for you. The site will consider you a part of that video’s audience. You can then watch and like the video to reinforce the platform’s perceptions of you.
The Importance of Watch Time on YouTube
For over a decade, YouTube’s algorithm has looked at Watch Time as a major factor. This is one way it measures your interest in a video or topic. For example, watching a two-hour video about cooking to the very end tells YouTube you’d happily watch more.
On the other hand, closing a video within the first minute usually means it isn’t for you. How you respond to a video combines with other viewers’ actions. A video that many people close quite quickly has a high bounce rate. YouTube will then be less likely to recommend it to others.
This means you need to keep the momentum up in your videos. Every second has to count, and this is especially true for YT Shorts. This format lets users instantly scroll to another video as soon as they lose interest. For this reason, your Shorts always need to get straight to the point.
Tips for Using the YouTube Algorithm
There are many ways you can boost your standing in YouTube’s algorithm. Here are eight ways to make the most of this system:
- Add keywords: Keywords tell YouTube what your video is going to be about. Add them to your video titles/descriptions alongside three to five broad and specific hashtags.
- Optimize your description: The first sentence of your description is visible when users are searching on YouTube. Make sure that this alone can draw in extra viewers.
- Don’t use clickbait: Your video should look enticing, but it shouldn’t overpromise. If a lot of people stop watching in response, your video performance will suffer.
- Keep people watching: While editing a video, you can add an info card. This will direct people to more of your content, possibly even another one of your videos.
- Be experimental: Don’t lock yourself into a format forever. Changing this can net higher engagement metrics. This may involve, for example, adapting to trending topics.
- Reply to comments: Engagement is one of YT’s greatest factors in determining if users enjoy a video. Replying to commenters yourself will help this even more.
- Know your audience: YouTube’s analytics will show you who’s watching your videos. If this doesn’t line up with your target audience, it’s worth changing your approach.
- Buy engagement: If you’re desperate for rapid growth, you can buy likes and comments online. Make sure these don’t come from bots; they won’t help your content.
- Check current trends: YouTube’s Analytics page shows what people are searching for. Use this, alongside the site’s Trending feed, to better inform your future content.
How YouTube’s Search Function Works
YouTube has to decide the order in which it shows videos once you search for a topic. But what is the algorithm for YouTube searches? Much of this comes down to search engine optimization or SEO. This includes the hashtags and keywords in your video’s description.
However, it also includes the words you speak in the video. YouTube takes the video’s captions into account with every search. Even if certain terms aren’t in your metadata, your video might still appear where relevant.
Every broad category on YouTube has an enormous video library. Your goal is to help the site’s search feature narrow this down. Make sure anyone reading your title or description knows what your video is about. This helps the platform reach the same conclusions.
How the Algorithm Works for Shorts
YouTube Shorts use the same factors, markers, and signals as long-form videos. The algorithm still aims to connect the right videos with the right people. However, people are less likely to look for Shorts. Instead, they scroll through them, trusting the algorithm to deliver the right videos.
Shorts get 30 billion combined views every day, according to YouTube. The site also claims that quality is the main factor affecting Shorts in their algorithm. Watch time is again crucial. With the videos being shorter, clicking away after a few seconds can devastate a video’s performance.
Broadly speaking, the algorithm itself is the same. You just have to make sure your content still fits the format’s strengths.
Does YouTube Favor Certain Types of Content?
YouTube is clear about the algorithm looking at individual viewers, not the videos themselves. A video is going to do well in the algorithm if it gets engagement. The actual topic doesn’t matter too much here. However, your ability to clarify the topic will allow your content to find the right people.
For this reason, a lot of YouTubers post deliberately inflammatory or controversial videos for views. People will hate-watch or even argue in the comments. This can boost the video’s performance analytics in no time. However, this can really alienate your pre-existing YouTube audience.
How YouTube’s Suggested Videos Work
On the desktop, you’ll see a list of videos to the right of any vid. On the mobile app, this is below the video. These are YouTube’s suggestions and recommendations, calibrated to the vid that you’re currently watching.
This is varied enough that YouTube lets you split it into several categories, including:
- Videos from the same channel
- Videos on the same broad topic
- Recently uploaded videos
- Closely-related videos
- Videos you’ve already watched
But what is the algorithm of YouTube’s recommendations? As these categories suggest, the site looks at the video you’ve chosen to watch. It then brings up similar vids, including ones from the same creator. In any case, they’ll likely have similar keywords in their metadata.
Get Ahead of YouTube’s Algorithm
If you’re wondering, “What is the YouTube algorithm?” any answer will talk about engagement. Your video needs views, likes, and comments to reach as many people as possible. GoRead.io can help by providing you with organic engagement.
Our network of accounts will give your videos the metrics they deserve. You’ll then find it easier to connect with more fans. Try GoRead.io today, and let your content reach new heights.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get the YouTube algorithm to pick you?
There’s no one-size-fits-all trick to this. However, using a good variety of relevant keywords can push the video to the right people. Buying organic engagement is also a good tactic.
Does post time matter when sharing YouTube videos?
The algorithm doesn’t stop suggesting videos after a certain amount of time. Posting when your fans are online offers a good burst of initial engagement, however. This helps its performance in the algorithm.
Does sharing your YT videos elsewhere help the algorithm?
Posting about your vids on your social media accounts and blog posts could offer a good boost. Similar to backlinking, this can also help the YouTube algorithm take more notice of it.