New Channels: Do THIS and the YouTube Algorithm Will LOVE You!

Summary

This video explains how YouTube’s recommendation system is driven by viewer behavior—not creator push—and shows a practical, hands-on method to research your audience. In a one-minute demo the creator uses an incognito session to prove that watching several videos on a topic trains the algorithm. Then they walk through creating a dedicated ‘perfect viewer’ account, watching 10+ niche videos, waiting 24 hours, and using the resulting homepage as an ongoing market-research tool. Finally, they reveal a ‘secret weapon’: the VidIQ browser extension’s filters to surface successful ideas and small-channel outliers, plus tips for thumbnails and scripting to grow your channel.

Takeaways

• 😀 The YouTube algorithm primarily serves the viewer, not the creator, by recommending content based on the viewer's interests.
• 😀 The algorithm needs data to make recommendations, which is gathered from viewers' watch history.
• 😀 A simple incognito session can help creators understand what their target audience is watching on YouTube.
• 😀 By watching 5-10 videos on a specific topic, viewers will see more content on that topic in their homepage feed.
• 😀 You can create a new YouTube account to mimic the experience of your ideal viewer and understand what content they engage with.
• 😀 A fresh account with a pure watch history will give you insights into what content works for your niche on YouTube.
• 😀 The YouTube studio shows limited recommendations of similar channels and videos, which may not be useful for smaller channels.
• 😀 The new account method provides real-time updates on what videos are popular within a specific niche, offering more accurate insights.
• 😀 Using VidIQ’s browser extension filters, you can view results from smaller channels and fine-tune your video ideas and packaging.
• 😀 VidIQ’s filters allow creators to discover under-the-radar video ideas, particularly from smaller channels, to spot trends and opportunities.

Q & A

How does the YouTube algorithm decide which videos to recommend?

The YouTube algorithm recommends videos based on the viewer's interactions. It collects data about what the viewer watches, and then suggests similar videos to keep them engaged. The more videos a viewer watches on a specific topic, the more videos related to that topic will be shown to them.

What is the significance of using an incognito browser window when testing the algorithm?

Using an incognito browser window allows you to test YouTube's recommendations without the influence of your previous viewing history. This ensures that you're seeing recommendations based purely on the content you're currently watching, rather than what's been influenced by past behavior.

Why does YouTube not immediately recommend videos from major creators like MrBeast to everyone?

YouTube focuses on serving content based on the viewer's specific interests, not just on the popularity of creators. As a result, even with big channels like MrBeast having millions of subscribers, YouTube will prioritize recommending niche content that aligns with a viewer's specific interests.

What does the YouTube algorithm prioritize when recommending content?

The algorithm prioritizes serving new and returning viewers based on their individual interests. YouTube's goal is to ensure that each user sees content that will keep them engaged, and it does so by utilizing data from billions of users to optimize recommendations.

How can creating a new YouTube account help with understanding your audience's preferences?

By creating a new YouTube account dedicated to watching content similar to your channel’s niche, you can build an untainted watch history. This account will show you what types of content your target audience is watching, helping you understand their interests and the kinds of videos that perform well in your niche.

Why is it important to watch multiple videos on the same topic when testing the algorithm?

Watching multiple videos on the same topic helps YouTube's algorithm understand that you're interested in that particular subject. This helps the algorithm refine its recommendations, making it more likely to suggest videos related to that topic when you return to the platform.

What is the 'filters tool' in VidIQ and how can it help creators?

The 'filters tool' in VidIQ allows creators to narrow down search results based on specific parameters, such as video views, channel size, or video performance. For small channels, it can be used to identify successful videos from similar-sized creators, providing insights into effective content strategies.

How does the 'filters tool' help small channels discover video ideas?

The filters tool can help small channels identify popular topics and strategies from channels of similar size. By applying filters like 'under 25,000 subscribers,' creators can discover successful videos and packaging techniques that are resonating with audiences, offering inspiration for their own content.

What is the 'secret weapon' mentioned in the video for supercharging a YouTube channel?

The 'secret weapon' is the use of the VidIQ browser extension’s filters tool. By applying the filters to search results, creators can uncover successful videos and channels in their niche, offering valuable insights into what is working for similar content creators.

How can you use the data from a new YouTube account to improve your content strategy?

The data from a new YouTube account can reveal trends in viewer behavior, showing you what other creators and videos your target audience is engaging with. This helps you tailor your content and presentation to match the interests of potential viewers, making your videos more likely to be recommended.