How to Escape YouTube Algorithm JAIL (Full Guide)

Summary

In this insightful video, Nate discusses the intricacies of the YouTube algorithm and how it can inadvertently 'jail' creators' content, making it invisible to potential viewers. He outlines three key factors that lead to this predicament: lack of obvious superiority in content, unsatisfying viewer experience, and a dull appearance. Nate provides actionable strategies for creators to break free from 'algorithm jail', such as enhancing content quality, improving viewer satisfaction through engaging content, and ensuring the visual appeal of videos. He also emphasizes the importance of understanding audience expectations and tailoring content to meet them, using examples from successful channels to illustrate his points.

Takeaways

• 📈 The YouTube algorithm's primary goals are to provide an enjoyable experience for users and keep them on the platform for as long as possible.
• 🔮 The algorithm predicts audience enjoyment before they watch and uses audience reactions to rank and rate content, influencing its visibility.
• 🚫 One way to end up in 'algorithm jail' is by creating content that isn't obviously better than existing content on the platform.
• 🔑 To escape 'algorithm jail', ensure your content is at least 80% aligned with existing audience expectations while being original and fresh.
• 🎨 Payro Vidal's channel is highlighted as an example of high-quality content that stands out through polished thumbnails and authentic delivery.
• 🤔 Viewer satisfaction is crucial for content success, defined by whether the audience gets the desired result without being bored.
• ⏱️ Reducing video length to focus on the most interesting moments can enhance viewer satisfaction and keep the audience engaged.
• 👀 Demonstrating processes and engaging the senses can lead to a satisfying viewing experience and higher average view durations.
• 🛠️ Technical aspects such as lighting and audio quality should meet a baseline to not distract from the content and enhance the viewing experience.
• 🏰 The Shield re channel is an example of satisfying viewer experience through the demonstration of creating medieval items, using original materials.
• 📚 Avoiding 'algorithm jail' involves ensuring your content is appealing before it's watched, focusing on packaging that entices the audience.
• 📈 Take notes on what makes a video appealing, such as high impressions and click-through rates, to understand audience preferences.

Q & A

What are the two primary goals of the YouTube algorithm according to the script?

The two primary goals of the YouTube algorithm are to give people an enjoyable experience for the entirety of their time on the platform and to keep people on the platform as long as possible by continuing that satisfying experience.

What does the term 'algorithm jail' refer to in the context of YouTube?

'Algorithm jail' refers to a situation where a YouTube channel's content is not being recommended or shown by the YouTube algorithm to potential viewers, leading to low visibility and engagement.

What are the three major factors that can put a channel into YouTube algorithm jail?

The three major factors that can put a channel into YouTube algorithm jail are: 1) Content that isn't obviously better than what's already available, 2) Videos that aren't satisfying to experience, and 3) Content that appears dull or unappealing to the audience.

How can a channel ensure its content is 'obviously better' than existing content on YouTube?

To ensure content is 'obviously better,' a channel should focus on making their content easier to understand, funnier, more authentic, or offering a fresh take on common approaches. It should also meet at least 80% of the existing audience's expectations.

What does 'viewer satisfaction' mean in the context of the YouTube algorithm?

Viewer satisfaction refers to the audience getting the desired result promised from the video and not being bored while getting it. It is a key factor the algorithm uses to determine which videos should stand out.

How can a channel improve its chances of getting out of algorithm jail by focusing on viewer satisfaction?

A channel can improve its chances by ensuring that the content is engaging, the pacing is right, and the videos are not too long. It should also focus on delivering the most interesting moments more efficiently and improving the technical aspects like lighting and audio quality.

What is the importance of the packaging of a video in terms of attracting viewers?

The packaging of a video, including the title and thumbnail, is crucial in attracting viewers as it needs to be appealing and interesting enough for the audience to want to click and watch the video.

What steps can a channel take to ensure its videos do not appear dull to potential viewers?

A channel can ensure its videos do not appear dull by focusing on creating appealing thumbnails, using interesting titles, and maintaining a consistent style that resonates with the target audience.

How does the script suggest measuring whether a channel's content is satisfying to the audience?

The script suggests measuring satisfaction by asking if the audience would choose to experience the content if they weren't being paid, and if the content fulfills the result that an audience member would be looking for when they arrive at the video.

What is the role of 'obvious differences' in making a channel's content stand out on YouTube?

Obvious differences play a role in making a channel's content stand out by providing clear and distinct reasons why the content is better or more appealing than what's already available on YouTube.

How can a channel ensure continuity in the packaging of its videos to appeal to a core audience?

A channel can ensure continuity by maintaining a consistent style in thumbnails and titles, focusing on the core interests of the audience, and avoiding mixed signals that might appeal to different audience segments.

Outlines

00:00

🛒 Understanding YouTube Algorithm and Strategies to Escape 'Algorithm Jail'

Nate introduces the concept of 'YouTube algorithm jail', a metaphor for when a channel's content is not being recommended by YouTube's algorithm. He outlines three factors that can lead to this situation and offers strategies to overcome them. Nate emphasizes the importance of creating content that is not only better than what's already available but also meets the expectations of the target audience. He suggests self-assessment questions to determine if the content is distinctively superior and how it can be made more apparent to viewers. Nate also highlights the need for content to be engaging and satisfying to the audience, with a focus on improving the quality and presentation to avoid algorithm jail.

05:00

🎥 Enhancing Viewer Satisfaction and Technical Quality for YouTube Success

In this section, Nate discusses the second factor that can keep a channel in 'algorithm jail': unsatisfying video experiences. He defines viewer satisfaction as fulfilling the promised result and keeping the audience engaged without boredom. Nate advises creators to distill their content to its most interesting moments, reduce video length where possible, and enhance demonstrations to engage more senses. He also stresses the importance of technical aspects such as lighting and audio quality. Nate provides an example of a channel, 'The Shield Re', that successfully creates a satisfying viewer experience by demonstrating the process of crafting medieval items, and he offers suggestions for improvement, such as reducing video length and improving lighting.

10:02

🔍 Making Your Content Stand Out and Avoiding Dull Perceptions on YouTube

Nate addresses the third factor contributing to 'algorithm jail': content that appears dull to potential viewers. He explains that dullness is perceived when viewers are not enticed by the video's packaging, including the title and thumbnail. Nate encourages creators to develop an 'algorithm mind' to predict and enhance what will appeal to their audience before they watch. He suggests taking notes on successful videos to understand what made them more appealing and to apply these learnings to future content. Nate also points out the importance of continuity in video packaging to attract a core audience. He uses 'Scoops and Pets' as an example of a channel that effectively makes its content appealing through thumbnail design and content packaging, while also noting the need for consistency in the channel's theme to avoid sending mixed signals to viewers.

Keywords

💡YouTube Algorithm

The YouTube Algorithm is the set of rules and processes that determine how content is recommended to viewers on the platform. It plays a crucial role in the video's theme as it decides which videos gain visibility and engagement. The script discusses how the algorithm aims to provide an enjoyable experience and keep viewers on the platform for as long as possible, which directly affects a creator's success.

💡Algorithm Jail

In the context of the video, 'Algorithm Jail' refers to a state where a YouTube channel's content is not being recommended by the YouTube Algorithm, leading to low visibility and engagement. The term is used metaphorically to describe the challenges creators face when their content does not perform well in the eyes of the algorithm.

💡Viewer Satisfaction

Viewer Satisfaction is a key concept in the video, defined as the audience getting the desired result promised from the video without being bored while consuming it. It is a metric that the YouTube Algorithm uses to rank and rate content. The script emphasizes the importance of creating content that is satisfying to viewers to avoid 'algorithm jail'.

💡Content Quality

Content Quality is a central theme in the video, referring to the standard and appeal of the videos produced by a creator. The script suggests that if a creator's content is not obviously better than what's already available on YouTube, they will struggle to gain traction. It is used to illustrate the need for creators to improve their content to stand out.

💡Impressions

Impressions, in the context of YouTube, refer to the number of times a video is displayed to viewers, whether or not it is clicked on. The script mentions that the algorithm gives impressions to content it predicts a viewer might enjoy, and the resulting interactions can affect a video's ranking within the algorithm.

💡Clickthrough Rate (CTR)

Clickthrough Rate (CTR) is the ratio of users who click on a specific link to the number of total users who view a page, email, or advertisement. The video script uses CTR as an example of a metric to measure the appeal of video packaging, such as thumbnails and titles, and how it can influence whether a viewer chooses to watch the video.

💡Packaging

Packaging, in the context of the video, refers to the presentation of a video, including the title, thumbnail, and overall aesthetic. The script discusses how effective packaging can make a video appear more appealing to potential viewers and thus increase the likelihood of the video being watched.

💡Engagement

Engagement, in the video script, refers to the level of interaction and interest that viewers have with a video. High engagement, such as likes, comments, and shares, can signal to the YouTube Algorithm that the content is valuable and satisfying, potentially leading to more visibility.

💡Authenticity

Authenticity is mentioned in the script as a quality that can make a channel's content stand out. It refers to the genuine and original nature of the content, which can resonate with viewers and set the creator apart from others in the same niche.

💡Technical Aspects

Technical Aspects in the video refer to the production quality of a video, including elements like lighting, audio quality, and visual clarity. The script suggests that improving these technical aspects can enhance viewer satisfaction and contribute to a more appealing and professional presentation of content.

💡Demonstration

Demonstration is a key concept in the video, especially in the context of how-to or tutorial videos. The script uses 'The Shield Reath' channel as an example, where demonstrating the process of creating medieval items provides a satisfying experience for viewers, which is crucial for engaging content.

Highlights

The YouTube algorithm aims to provide an enjoyable experience and keep users on the platform as long as possible.

The algorithm predicts audience enjoyment before they watch and gives impressions to those it thinks might enjoy the content.

Three major factors can put your content into 'YouTube algorithm jail': lack of obvious quality, unsatisfying experience, and dull appearance.

To escape algorithm jail, ensure your content is obviously better than existing content by being more polished, authentic, or providing a fresh take.

Content should meet at least 80% of existing audience expectations while also being original.

Viewer satisfaction is crucial and is defined by whether the audience gets the promised result and isn't bored.

Technical aspects like lighting and audio quality should not distract from the content.

Demonstrating processes can lead to a satisfying viewer experience, as seen in 'The Shield Reath' channel.

To avoid dull content, ensure your video packaging is appealing before the viewer even watches.

Acquire an 'algorithm mind' by studying what makes your audience find content appealing.

Take notes on what makes a video's packaging appealing and apply those learnings to future content.

Consistency in video packaging helps maintain audience interest and grow the channel.

Example channel 'Scoops and Pets' shows effort in making video packaging appealing with simple thumbnails.

Avoid sending mixed signals with video packaging; maintain continuity to appeal to a core audience.

By focusing on these three factors—quality, satisfaction, and appeal—you can escape and stay out of YouTube algorithm jail.

The presenter is working on a project to help creators become experts on YouTube more quickly.

Transcripts

it feels like my channel is like a store

I've built where I've stocked the

shelves and put up the open sign then

the algorithm can randomly put a cover

over my store sign and make it so no one

finds it I don't know why this happens

or what to do about it let's fix that

howdy howdy everyone Nate here I want to

set the stage with three things that put

you in YouTube algorithm jail as well as

the three things that I see consistently

get you and other YouTube channels out

of algorithm jail permanently as long as

you keep doing them all right let's do

this the YouTube algorithm as I

understand it has two primary goals the

first is to give people an enjoyable

experience for the entirety of their

time on the platform and the second is

to keep people on the platform as long

as possible and this is done by

continuing that satisfying experience

for an audience member as long as

possible now how exactly does the

algorithm accomplish that I have another

video on this much more in depth planned

for the future but the things we need to

get for this video and getting out of

algorithm jail are twofold one the

algorithm attempts to predict what the

audience will enjoy watching before they

even watch it because once they've

predicted that they will give

impressions of your content to an

audience member that it thinks might be

a fit for it with the purpose of giving

that audience member one by one any

person that is currently on the YouTube

platform the chance to experience that

piece of content or not to experience it

so that second based on that audience

audence members reaction or interaction

with your content at scale meaning a

whole bunch of individual audience

members how they react as a whole the

algorithm will Rank and rate your

content to decide what they're going to

do with it next which if it performs

well will lead to further testing and

spread and if it doesn't perform well

will lead to algorithm jail which leads

us to this the three major factors that

I have found that put your content and

your channel into YouTube algorithm Jail

number one is

this if yes we're pretending this is you

here if your content isn't obviously

better than the other content out there

you will forever struggle to spread in

fact let's do a mini quiz to ask

yourself these questions to see if your

content is too obscure is your video or

the sequence of videos that you're

publishing on your channel better than

what is already out there on YouTube do

people know that it is if you compare

your video to a video that's already

there that's in your same Niche on

YouTube how obvious would it be to a

neutral third part that it is actually

better the keyword here was chosen very

intentionally and that is

this obvious to get out of this type of

YouTube algorithm jail here's what I

want you to do when you look at any

given piece of content and you compare

it to what is already on YouTube can you

immediately list out three or more

things that make it obviously better

could someone who isn't you or who had

never seen your content before also

potentially do the same and another

question you could ask yourself is if

Nate were to look at this piece of

content what would he say all right we

need to Define here what better would

even mean and how you make it more

obvious here's what I'd be looking for

is this piece of content we're reviewing

or the content as a whole on your

channel easier to understand is it

funnier does it take a fresh take on a

common approach already existing on the

platform is it more real and authentic

than other videos out there we could

keep going the major difference we need

to address here is that while we're

pursuing all of this obviously better

content here we also need to make sure

that it does meet at least 80% of the

expectations of the already existing

audience this comes up a lot when people

will come to me and say well Nate I have

this channel where I'm doing something

that's never been done before it's

totally original it's totally fresh and

new why is nobody liking it and nine

times out of 10 I'll look at that

channel and say do people actually know

that they want this which is why I chose

this word very intentionally if it's

obvious to an audience that yours is

better your channel will grow but they

have to be aware that they even want it

in the first place meaning the ideas and

the delivery of your content has to be

done at least in a way that touches Bas

with their current expectations let me

give you an example of an audience

member's channel that is doing this very

well payro Vidal reached out a couple of

months ago on this channel requesting a

reverse roast because he was being so

successful and he wasn't sure why the

very first thing that strikes the eye

when looking at Pedro's Channel aside

from it being Spanish if you if you

don't speak Spanish is that from the

very first video it looks different it

looks higher quality the thumbnails are

simple and yet the color choices are

consistent across several thumbnails

giving it a polished look and that

polished look continues when you click

through on a video and see how it's

being delivered by payro this channel

doesn't look like a brand new channel to

me so if I were writing down a list of

the obvious differences on this channel

I would start with it looks more

polished seeing as the audience is here

because they want photog photography

advice as well as demonstrations of good

photography Pedro is immediately showing

his expertise on those very expectations

from the audience and making it obvious

for them so if you payro and you're

watching this and you were to say what

should I do about this I would say write

down a list of the obvious things that

are already existing on your channel but

you want to make more obvious however we

are not out of YouTube algorithm jail

yet because we need to address this next

thing the second thing keeping your

channel in YouTube algorithm jail is

[Music]

this your videos aren't satisfying to

experience yet the words viewer

satisfaction are often spoken by people

on the YouTube Team especially when they

talk about how the algorithm Works

they're trying to track viewer

satisfaction to determine which videos

should stand out and which ones

shouldn't and if I were to distill down

what I consider to be the definition of

viewer satisfaction it would be this if

a the audience gets the desired result

promised from the video and B they

aren't bored while getting it so how do

you measure your own channel while we're

moving from jail to out of jail here is

what I would be asking myself did I Boop

the like button what the heck how did

the Boop the like button get in there

nah I'm just kidding the real thing is

over here the real question is how

satisfying is it for my audience to

experience my content if someone didn't

know you before being invited Ed to

experience your content would they

choose to do so if they weren't being

paid does my content fulfill the result

that an audience member would be looking

for when they arrive at that video so

while we're doing this these are some

things that I would be focusing on to

get out and make sure I stay out of

algorithm jail how can I share the same

thing that I'm already sharing in my

video in slightly less time we're not

looking for everyone to become the next

Mr Beast nor am I suggesting that you

pair down every one of your videos just

down to the micro moments of most

interest say that 10 times fast but

rather every time I've invited a client

to do this type of activity it usually

results with the person getting clearer

on what the most interesting moments of

that video actually are and most of the

time if you shift yourself gradually

towards capturing the most interesting

moments for the footage and the content

of your videos it will only be a net

positive and lead to a much more

satisfying experience for audience

members next next I would be asking

myself how can I share the same thing

but with more demonstration this is

important because engaging more of the

senses leads to people being less

distracted while trying to consume your

content and less distraction means

higher average view duration and average

view percentage which is one of the

factors that the algorithm uses to

determine whether your content is

satisfying or not and third I'd be

looking at the technical aspects of your

content meaning the lighting the audio

the quality with the main purpose here

being as a baseline we're at least not

distracting from the content of the

video because of how poor quality it is

and from there moving up the scale into

creating a masterpiece if so desired and

in order to demonstrate this I wanted to

show you an example of another audience

member who also requested this The

Shield reath this channel focuses on

creating your own medieval items so what

the shield re is doing so well here is

they're tapping into a satisfying viewer

experience by demonstrating the process

of producing these interesting medieval

items because they're actually going

through and using the original materials

as much as possible to produce these

items they are creating the type of

experience that an audience member that

either wants to know how to do it

themselves or are just interested in

other people watching other people do it

themselves wants to watch and yes at the

end of every video they have a big

reveal showing the final product which

is the payoff for that experience so if

you were the shield re Channel what

would you be doing right now I'd be

suggesting this first distill what

you're delivering in your content in a

bit less time the same experience of

crafting a medieval tar Shield replica

could be delivered in a bit less time in

this case it's 36 and 1/2 minutes long

I'll bet you this same video could be

delivered in about 25 minutes and

definitely this would need to be judged

Case by case but having watched this

video all the way through that would be

my recommendation I would also make a

focus on the lighting in the workshop

where it's a bit dim it would definitely

be benefited by making the lighting just

a bit better to make each section pop

more I am creating a project right now

that I think you will want to know about

when it is released and while I don't

want to give too many details right now

to avoid spoiling the surprise let's

just say it has to do with you becoming

an expert in your space on YouTube much

more quickly and I want to show you how

I would do it so here's what I'm going

to recommend you do you go to radical

wt.com and you scroll down to this

section and go ahead and join this

radical creators group where I will be

sharing the updates on what's happening

with this project as well as in the

future first dibs on roasts or data

videos thank you for doing that let's

move on to the next thing that keeps you

in algorithm jail and that is this your

content appears dull now the definition

of dull here is not just it seems boring

or when they watch a video it's boring

it's more that when they are presented

your video it doesn't seem appealing to

them if the YouTube algorithm gives your

audience an impression for your piece of

content and it appears dull to them

they're going to pass up on it they're

going to move on and not want to

experience it in the first place so here

is how I would measure this journey from

YouTube algorithm jail over to being

free with this do people want your video

before watching your video or put

another way if they were a neutral third

party who hadn't heard of you before but

yes they were in your Niche when

presented with the title and thumbnail

or the packaging of your video would

they find it interesting you see the

thing here is you are acquiring your own

algorithm mind while you're preparing

your videos in fact I want you to think

of it this way if the YouTube

algorithm's job is to try to predict

what will be interesting to audience

members before they watch it and then

observe their behavior while they're

watching it and after watching it

wouldn't it make sense for you to also

do the same thing in fact what if you

made it a study to acquire the skill

sets to understand pretty accurately

what your audience will find appealing

before they even watch it one of the

simplest ways I would recommend to get

out of this algorithm jail and stay out

by making sure your videos are staying

appeal

is by taking notes yes just as simple as

when a video performs well pay attention

to the Impressions and the clickthrough

rate on it and try to answer this

question what was different about the

packaging on this piece of content that

could have made it more appealing for

the audience very rarely are we able to

pinpoint with exact accuracy the exact

factor that led to that higher appeal

versus another video so we're not

directly going for that with this rather

we're trying to understand the little

nuances that create an appealing piece

of content the packaging on it versus a

not so appealing or a more dull piece of

content and that is something that I see

this channel doing exceptionally well

also an audience member who gave me

permission to review their channel in

the comments the channel is scoobs and

pets I have high hopes for this channel

they're doing some really good stuff

with one of the major things being I can

tell that the creator of this channel is

making a concerted effort to make the

packaging of their videos seem appealing

in fact for many of these thumbnails if

we were to take a rule book of

stepbystep and I've talked about this

previously on my channel but step by

step what are the core rules that make a

good thumbnail the Simplicity using an

arrow pointing to something interesting

reducing the amount of words focusing on

the most interesting thing scubs and

pets is absolutely focusing on these

things where I think we need to go with

this and if you're Scoops and pets or

your channel is similar is this right

now this channel is playing an odd

middle game between a tutorial style of

Channel and a vlog style of Channel

especially with the titles of the videos

themselves we have one video how to care

for freshwater African butterfly fish

sounds like a tutorial the next video is

feeder crickets escaped and took over my

house I think what's going on here is

we're sending mixed signals with the

packaging of the videos so one video

might be appealing to one audience but

then the very next video would be

appealing to a different audience

improving the continuity of the

packaging of the videos to make it more

and more appealing to a core audience

will bring this entire Channel up and

with that when you do these three things

you can work your way out of the YouTube

algorithm jail permanently because

because your videos are so valuable and

satisfying for an audience that the

algorithm can't help but spread them

every indicator that is pointing the

YouTube algorithm to whether or not they

should spread your videos are in place

as you're doing this thank you

[Music]