Small Channels: Do THIS and the Algorithm Will LOVE You!

Summary

This video script reveals insights into the YouTube algorithm from Todd, a YouTube employee. It explains that the algorithm primarily serves users based on their watch history, and creators must understand this to increase visibility. Todd advises focusing on metadata for new videos and finding niches with less competition. He also emphasizes the importance of promoting content on other platforms to build initial watch history and suggests being strategic about which niche to target on YouTube.

Takeaways

• 🔍 The YouTube algorithm prioritizes user experience and is more 'pulled' by viewers rather than 'pushed' by creators.
• 🎯 To get noticed by the algorithm, videos need to enter a viewer's watch history, which is a key signal for future recommendations.
• 🌐 For new videos with no viewer data, YouTube relies on metadata such as titles and descriptions, especially for search results.
• 🏹 Creators are advised to find and target niches that are not oversaturated, to increase the chances of standing out against existing content.
• 🤝 YouTube employee Todd suggests that creators should not solely rely on YouTube to drive attention to their content.
• 📢 Promoting videos on other platforms can help establish a watch history and kickstart the YouTube algorithm's interest in the content.
• 🚫 Avoid spamming video links on irrelevant platforms; focus on communities where the content is relevant and valuable.
• 🛠 The initial promotion outside of YouTube is meant to give the algorithm a nudge, after which it can take over and recommend the videos to the right audience.
• 📈 Success on YouTube depends on creating high-quality videos that can compete within their chosen niche.
• 🤖 The algorithm's main job is to serve the user, not to push out videos indiscriminately.
• 📚 Todd, who knows the YouTube algorithm well, shared five unique insights that are not commonly found in other algorithm explanation videos.

Q & A

Why might the YouTube algorithm seem to ignore smaller channels?

Smaller channels might be overlooked by the YouTube algorithm because they lack the watch history data that the algorithm uses to determine what to recommend to viewers.

What is the primary function of the YouTube algorithm?

The main job of the YouTube algorithm is to serve the user by recommending content based on their watch history and preferences when they visit the platform.

How can creators ensure their videos appear in the YouTube algorithm's recommendations?

Creators can ensure their videos appear by getting into viewers' watch history, which can be achieved through attracting subscribers who watch their content regularly.

What role does metadata play for new videos with no behavioral data?

For new videos, the YouTube algorithm relies more on metadata such as the title and description to determine search results and recommendations.

Why is it important for a creator to focus on YouTube search for new videos?

Focusing on YouTube search is important for new videos because it's one of the first places where the algorithm considers the video for recommendations based on the title and description.

What advice does Todd give to creators who feel they are competing in too crowded a space?

Todd advises creators to find a niche that isn't already saturated with content, allowing them to produce videos that stand out and serve an unmet need.

What is the significance of being strategic about the niche a creator chooses on YouTube?

Being strategic about the niche is crucial because it helps creators focus on areas where they can provide better content than what's already available, increasing their chances of success.

Why should creators not rely solely on YouTube to drive attention to their content?

Creators should not rely only on YouTube because identifying and promoting their content on other relevant platforms can help build watch history and kickstart the algorithm's attention.

What are some examples of platforms where creators can promote their videos outside of YouTube?

Examples of platforms where creators can promote their videos include Facebook groups, Discord servers, and Twitter, where their target audience might be active.

How should creators approach sharing their videos on other platforms to avoid negative consequences?

Creators should share their videos thoughtfully on other platforms, ensuring relevance to the community and providing value, rather than spamming video links indiscriminately.

What is the purpose of promoting videos on other platforms during the early stages of a YouTube journey?

Promoting videos on other platforms early on helps to build watch history and give the YouTube algorithm a nudge in the right direction, making it easier for the algorithm to recognize and recommend the content later.