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.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Understanding the YouTube Algorithm's Bias Towards Small Channels

The script discusses the challenges faced by smaller YouTube channels in gaining visibility due to the YouTube algorithm, which may favor larger channels. It introduces Todd, a YouTube employee with deep knowledge of the algorithm, who shares five exclusive insights. The importance of watch history in influencing the algorithm is highlighted, suggesting that creators need to be in viewers' watch history to increase visibility. The script also emphasizes the role of metadata for new videos, the need to find a niche in the competitive landscape, and the strategy of promoting videos on other platforms to kickstart the algorithm's attention.

05:01

🚀 Leveraging Watch History and Niche Strategy for Algorithm Success

This paragraph delves deeper into the mechanics of the YouTube algorithm, focusing on the significance of watch history as a key signal for the algorithm to recommend content. It suggests that creators should aim to get into viewers' watch history to enhance their chances of being recommended. The paragraph also touches on the importance of choosing a niche that is not oversaturated, encouraging creators to find gaps in the market where their content can excel. Additionally, it advises against relying solely on YouTube for promotion, recommending seeding videos in relevant communities on other platforms to generate initial watch history.

Keywords

💡YouTube Algorithm

The YouTube Algorithm refers to the set of rules or processes that the platform uses to automatically sort and recommend videos to users. It's central to the video's theme as it determines which videos gain visibility and engagement. In the script, it's mentioned that smaller channels might feel ignored by the algorithm, and strategies are discussed to get on its good side.

💡Smaller YouTube Channel

A 'Smaller YouTube Channel' is one that has fewer subscribers and less visibility compared to larger, more established channels. The script addresses the challenges faced by these channels in gaining views and suggests ways to overcome the algorithmic barriers they face.

💡Watch History

Watch History is a record of all the videos a user has watched on YouTube. It's a crucial factor in the algorithm's decision-making process, as it helps predict what type of content a viewer might want to watch next. The script emphasizes the importance of getting a video into a viewer's watch history to increase its chances of being recommended.

💡Metadata

Metadata in the context of YouTube refers to the information associated with a video, such as the title and description. The script suggests that when there's no behavioral data available, the algorithm relies more on metadata to categorize and recommend videos, especially for new uploads.

💡YouTube Search

YouTube Search is the function that allows users to find videos based on keywords. The script points out that new videos can be discovered through search results based on their titles and descriptions, which is a strategy for new content creators to gain initial visibility.

💡Competitive Spaces

Competitive Spaces refers to popular or saturated niches on YouTube where many creators are producing similar content. The script advises against trying to compete in these spaces and instead finding niches that are less served to increase the chances of standing out.

💡Niche

A 'Niche' in the context of content creation refers to a specific, targeted segment of an audience or market that has particular interests. The script encourages creators to find and focus on niches that are not already saturated with content to increase their chances of success.

💡Cross-Platform Promotion

Cross-Platform Promotion involves marketing content on multiple platforms beyond just YouTube, such as Facebook groups, Discord servers, or Twitter. The script suggests this as a strategy to build initial watch history and kickstart the YouTube algorithm's attention towards a video.

💡Relevance

Relevance, in the context of the script, refers to the importance of sharing content in places where it is appropriate and useful to the audience. It's highlighted as a key consideration when promoting videos on other platforms to avoid spamming and to ensure meaningful engagement.

💡Legwork

Legwork in this context refers to the effort and work required to promote and grow a YouTube channel, such as sharing videos on other platforms and engaging with potential viewers. The script mentions it as a necessary step, especially at the beginning of a creator's journey, to help the algorithm recognize and recommend their content.

💡Ideal Viewers

Ideal Viewers are the target audience that a creator wants to attract and engage with their content. The script suggests that once a video has been watched by these viewers and entered their watch history, the YouTube algorithm can more effectively recommend the video to similar users.

Highlights

The YouTube algorithm may indeed ignore smaller channels, but there are ways to address this issue.

Creators often misunderstand the YouTube algorithm, which primarily serves users rather than pushing content out.

YouTube viewers summon the algorithm by their actions, not the other way around.

To get noticed by the algorithm, videos need to be part of a viewer's watch history.

For new channels, metadata like titles and descriptions are crucial for initial visibility on YouTube search.

Creators are advised against competing in the most crowded and competitive niches.

Finding and creating content for underserved niches can offer better opportunities for success.

YouTube employees, like Todd, suggest promoting content on other platforms to build initial watch history.

Promotion on other platforms should be relevant and strategic, not spammy.

Once a video has been watched and is in viewers' history, the YouTube algorithm can more effectively recommend it.

Todd, who knows the YouTube algorithm well, shared five unique insights not commonly found in other videos.

The importance of watch history as a signal for the algorithm to recommend videos.

Metadata plays a significant role for new videos to appear in search results.

Creators should be strategic in choosing their niche to stand out against competition.

Diversifying promotion across platforms can help kickstart the algorithm's attention to your content.

The initial promotion effort is temporary and serves to guide the algorithm for future recommendations.

A humorous note on not buying cats if you want to be a YouTuber, highlighting the importance of focus and strategy.

Transcripts

- I'm not gonna lie to you.

If it feels like the YouTube algorithm is ignoring your smaller YouTube channel, that

might be because it actually is.

But there is also a simple way that you can address this.

We wanted to find the ultimate answer to why channels feel like they get stuck in the land

of no views.

So we went straight to the source

- Oh my gosh, the algorithm changed.

I'm not getting as many views.

- That's Todd.

He works at YouTube, and he knows the YouTube algorithm like the back of his hand.

He's also you know, friends with Mr. Beast.

So if there's anybody that knows how to get on the good side of the YouTube algorithm,

it's gonna be Todd.

Todd actually gave us five YouTube insights that you're not gonna hear on any other YouTube

algorithm video.

It was his last tip that especially threw me off.

So trust me here.

Watch these tips and watch them in order if you want your small channel to turn into a

big one.

Choose to ignore these tips, and the YouTube algorithm may just keep ignoring you.

So let's get into it.

Here's what creators have gotten wrong about the YouTube algorithm.

- The main job of the algorithm is to serve the user when they show up.

A lot of creators think about things from the creator perspective.

"Oh, well, I make a video, and then YouTube pushes it out to a bunch of people.

For the most part, recommendations and search don't get pushed out.

They get kind of pulled from viewers.

- So in other words, it's the YouTube viewer that actually gets to summon the YouTube algorithm.

But if that's the case, how can you as a creator make sure that your video is the one to show

up?

We use the watch history as probably the most important signal that we know about a viewer

to figure out what they might wanna watch next.

- And here we're actually getting a little bit closer to that answer.

It is watch history that you need to be worried about.

If you want your videos to be pulled by the YouTube algorithm, then you need to get into

somebody's watch history.

And as we know, that's easier said than done.

Now, if you already have a few subscribers, there's a good chance that they are the ones

to watch your videos, and therefore you end up in there watch history.

But what if you're starting at zero, and the algorithm has no idea who best to pair your

videos with in the first place?

- When we have absolutely no behavioral data, we're going to probably rely more on the metadata,

the data that we have in terms of the title and the description, and I would say search

is probably the first place for fresh videos.

You upload a brand new video around Minecraft.

We're going to consider that video when somebody searches for Minecraft based on the title

and description.

- Okay, so this is helpful.

YouTube search your title and your description, and these are things you could be focused

on to start bringing in those new viewers when you're starting from zero.

But maybe you feel like you're already doing this and yet you're still struggling.

What else could possibly be wrong?

Todd had an answer to that too.

- I would discourage creators from trying to like compete in the most competitive spaces

in the world.

And so rather than go after like, the Minecraft query for example, you might wanna find a

niche that isn't already being served by a million other videos.

Spend time looking at what viewers see, and see where can you produce the best video That's

gonna be better than what's already there because that's where the opportunity is.

- I love it that an employee at YouTube is calling a spade of spade here.

YouTube is inherently a competitive space.

At the end of the day, your success on YouTube is gonna depend on you making videos that

stack up against the competition you have.

And it would be so nice if our high-quality videos that we make could compete in any niche

on YouTube, but that's just not how it works.

And so as a creator, you need to be really thoughtful and strategic about which niche

on YouTube you decide to enter into.

But there was something else that Todd said that caught me completely by surprise.

- I wouldn't rely entirely on YouTube as the only way to drive attention to your content.

Identifying other places where your content might be relevant.

It could be everything from Facebook groups, Discord servers, Twitter, et cetera.

Seed your video in places where you are going to get some watch history, and kickstart that

signal.

- Todd is debunking a huge myth here.

Contrary to popular belief, You actually should be promoting your small videos on other platforms

outside of YouTube.

Now, obviously that doesn't mean you should go around to every subreddit, and Discord

server you find, and just spam your video links all over the place.

Relevance is gonna be key here.

You wanna go to the places where your community is hanging out, and you wanna provide videos

and maybe clips from your videos that can help them perhaps with a problem they're having.

And if you choose to disregard that last bit of advice, then I would highly caution you

here because you could end up paying for it.

YouTube's not exactly once again, going to know who to pair it with.

So really, be thoughtful when you're sharing your content outside the platform.

Crap, I gotta work.

I have like three more paragraphs.

Don't buy cats.

If you wanna be a YouTuber, that's the real advice.

Don't do it.

And for those of you who aren't really keen on the idea of sharing your videos outside

of YouTube and doing all that legwork, don't worry this isn't something you necessarily

have to do forever.

You're just doing this at the beginning of your journey to give the algorithm a little

bit of a nudge in the right direction.

Once you get a bunch of people that have your videos in their watch history, and they're

your ideal viewers, the YouTube algorithm can step in, and do the rest.

- Now these are all valid strategies, but one strategy I wouldn't recommend is chasing