YouTube’s algorithm is like a very good fortune teller. It predicts what videos viewers want to watch, and then delivers those videos to YouTube viewers. When the YouTube algorithm works well, YouTube connects people to content and channels that they’ll love via each viewer’s Home Feed, in Suggested Videos, in the “Up Next” panel, or via YouTube recommendations.

Learn to work with the algorithm (your “crystal ball”), and it can be your biggest YouTube asset outside of your own content, helping you increase watch time, engagement, channel growth, and your fans!

But how exactly does YouTube recommend videos? YouTube’s recommendation system is specifically designed to keep viewers watching and on YouTube for longer by suggesting relevant content that entertains, educates, intrigues, and inspires viewers. YouTube’s recommended video content is based on each individual person’s interests, YouTube watch history, and which videos they interact with.

If your videos are optimized correctly for your content, this helps the YouTube algorithm recommend them to a wider relevant audience, possibly increasing your channel’s visibility and subscriber count. If your content appears in Suggested Videos, for instance, you can see drastic increases in views and watch time. These are all great reasons to start optimizing your videos!

Why YouTube Recommendations Matter

Getting YouTube’s algorithm to recommend your videos is one of the most effective ways to grow your channel. Some of the things you can do to help get YouTube to recommend your videos are create engaging professional content, and optimize thumbnails, titles, and descriptions to attract more viewers. Here’s a little more about why the YouTube recommendation system is so powerful:

Can Lead to More Views and Watch Time - YouTube algorithms prioritize videos that hold viewer attention, which can lead to higher watch time and more recommendations for your videos.  

May Result in Higher Subscriber Growth - If YouTube recommends your videos to the right “fit” of audience, they’re more likely to stick around and subscribe to your channel.

Can Improve Audience Retention - Keeping viewers engaged and on your YouTube channel means that they’re more likely to watch more of your videos - which is another component that can increase your chances of being suggested.

Might Offer More Revenue Potential - More watch time also means more ad impressions, higher return on ads, and better monetization opportunities for you, including more customers seeking out your branded merch on ecommerce platforms like Fourthwall!

Could Further Optimize Your Channel - The YouTube algorithm keeps rewarding videos that keep viewers watching, so high performing content gets continuously recommended and gets to keep growing!

6 Strategies to Get Your Videos Recommended on YouTube 

1. Create Captivating Videos

Content is always king, so its in your interest to make your YouTube videos the best they can be! Part of what the YouTube algorithm does to recommend videos is measure how long viewers watch a video before clicking away; so if people watch all or even most of your video, it signals high engagement, leading to more recommendations. Well produced, high-retention videos should be your main goal!

• Hook your audience within the first 5-10 seconds - use an intriguing question, eye-catching visuals, or the mention of an upcoming reveal later in your video.
• Keep viewers watching - Structure your content in a way that helps maintain watch time throughout the video.
• Eliminate filler content - Keep your pacing smooth and concise; edit out slow, rambling, or irrelevant parts that might cause people to leave.
• Use good storytelling techniques - Keep viewers engaged with narrative-driven content. Compelling stories can be utilized in just about every type of video!

2. Optimize Everything!

Part of getting your videos recommended on YouTube is optimizing everything you can, to better suit YouTube’s algorithm. You may not be able to actually control YouTube discoverability, but fine-tuning as much as you’re able certainly gives you better chances!

Use Attention Grabbing Thumbnails

Your video thumbnail (the still image showing what your video is about) is the first thing people see when they’re browsing YouTube for videos to watch. Use sharp photos, bright colors, emotional expressions or images, and text that makes them want to find out more. 

Programs like Adobe (PhotoShop and Premiere) and Canva can help you make striking thumbnail images and other edits, and you can A/B test different thumbnails to see which ones get you the most clicks.

Boost Your Video Titles

Include YouTube keywords and SEO-friendly search terms in your YouTube video titles, to further boost the algorithm. You can research trending keywords using apps like VidIQ, Google Trends, and TubeBuddy.

Write Detailed Descriptions

When describing your video, be concise but creative, including relevant keywords, hashtags, and CTAs to enhance search visibility. Build anticipation for your content - but make sure to leave a few reveals for the video itself!

Use Relevant and Frequent Tags

Tags and keywords should be mentioned across several components of your YouTube videos. Include them in your title and description, and make sure they’re accurate to your video content. You can even speak your tags and keywords in the dialogue of your video, as the algorithm can find them from YouTube’s subtitles.

3. Increase Your Watch Time via Playlists

The YouTube recommendation system rewards channels that keep viewers watching, and playlists is a great way to retain your audience. Creating playlists of your own videos encourages users to binge-watch multiple videos in a row, which is a green flag to YouTube’s algorithm.

• Group similar videos into playlists to keep viewers engaged.
• Use autoplay so your playlist transitions seamlessly between your videos.
• And always add end screens and cards to each of your videos, to encourage users to watch more of your channel’s content.

4. Prompt Your Audience to Engage

High engagement is a favorite component of the YouTube algorithm. Likes, comments, shares, and watch time all influence recommendations, so keeping your audience on your channel and interacting with your content for as long as possible is your optimal goal.

• Actively ask viewers to like, share, and comment on your video, thanking them for supporting your channel and content!
• Respond to comments to express appreciation, answer questions, encourage conversations, and build your YouTube community.
• Use YouTube features like YouTube shorts, live chat, channel Memberships, Super Chat and Super Stickers to keep your audience further engaged.

5. Upload Consistently at Optimal Times

The YouTube algorithm tends to favor channels that post on a regular basis, as regular postings indicate to YouTube that the content creator is regularly uploading fresh, new content and engaging with their audience.

• Try to stick to a regular, reliable schedule, for example twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays.
• Use YouTube Analytics to see when you get the most views, and use this data to determine the best times to upload videos to your channel.
• Schedule videos to post in advance, to make sure you’re posting during peak engagement times even when you’re out doing other things.
• Mention your upcoming videos in your current videos; if a viewer on YouTube enjoys a particular creator, they’re likely to repeatedly check back for new videos, so let them know what they can look forward to!

Common Mistakes That Prevent Video Recommendations

Poor Content - YouTube is said to actively demote low-quality videos and content, so be sure to put your best, most professional content effort forward!

Low Audience Retention - If your watch time is low and people opt out of your video early on, the algorithm will often stop pushing that video.

Weak Thumbnails and Titles - If your videos are getting ignored and not even checked out by viewers because there’s nothing compelling in your title or thumbnail image, that can result in fewer recommendations.

Ignoring SEO - Not using relevant, current keywords can definitely hurt your YouTube search visibility.

Inconsistent Posting - Irregular uploads confuse YouTube’s algorithm and reduce your visibility; it’s better to post once a week, every single week, than it is to post 5 videos in one day and then ignore YouTube for a month.

Want Even More Growth? We Recommend Fourthwall!

Fourthwall is the ultimate solution to help you maximize your brand! Pair up your YouTube channel with Fourthwall, and you’ll gain so many opportunities for brand building and extra revenue.

Start creating custom print on demand merchandise right on your own Fourthwall website and store - and then connect your YouTube to Fourthwall to promote and sell your merch via YouTube Shopping. Reward your most loyal YouTube viewers by offering them exclusive promo codes plus the opportunity to buy Fourthwall memberships, which can unlock all kinds of bonuses as you create them! And customize your Fourthwall website exactly to your specifications to give your YouTube fans another place to hang out.

With seamless YouTube integration, the ability to connect your other socials, high quality print on demand services, and great customer service, Fourthwall and YouTube are the perfect match - check out everything you can do on Fourthwall today!

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