Unlock YouTube Algorithm: Hacks To Boost Your Video Views

Does it feel like your YouTube channel is stuck and needs more views? 

This may be because you still need to recognize YouTube’s changing algorithm. The YouTube algorithm is the crucial factor that helps your videos get views and better ranking on the platform. To crack this algorithm you need strong YouTube algorithm hacks.

The YouTube algorithm aims to suggest videos that will keep viewers on the screen longer. Thus, a strong understanding of the YouTube algorithm can prevent marketers from missing getting those clicks and capitalizing on its 2.5 billion users. 

So, how can you satisfy the YouTube algorithm to create videos that are worth the clicks? 

We have answered this question by sharing some incredible YouTube algorithm hacks.

Let’s begin by learning about the YouTube algorithm and how it works. 

Understanding YouTube Algorithm

It is crucial for businesses that want to leverage the potential of YouTube marketing for brand growth to understand its algorithm. Mastering the YouTube algorithm can get you more clicks, grow your subscriber count, and monetize the vast users of YouTube. Thus, before you learn about YouTube algorithm hacks, you need to understand the YouTube algorithm and how it works. 

What is the YouTube algorithm? 

The YouTube algorithm is a system that recommends suitable videos to each viewer based on various factors. The algorithm is also responsible for ranking videos on the YouTube platform based on signals like relevance, quality, and user behavior. 

Thus, the YouTube algorithm plays a crucial role in getting good views on your videos. As per a recent report, the algorithm can help you drive 70% of the views on your YouTube videos. Even if the viewers hit the dislike button on any video, the algorithm still recommends similar content. This means that the algorithm does not consider the user’s controls.

The YouTube algorithm can be tricky to understand when you think you have figured out it may come up with updates. Let’s briefly examine its background to get a clearer picture of the algorithm. 

Between 2005 and 2011, the YouTube algorithm prioritized clicks, so creators were more interested in creating clickbait titles and thumbnails. Then, in 2012, YouTube updated its algorithm and prioritized watch time. 2015 started to get personal for the YouTube algorithm, which used to ignore popularity and focus more on viewers’ preferences. Again, in 2016, YouTube started to give importance to community guidelines. 

Now that you have a little background check about the YouTube algorithm, let’s see how it works today.

How YouTube Algorithm Is Working Today?

How is the YouTube algorithm working today? It is focused more on individual users’ interests, and video recommendations are also different for each user. The recommendation system of the YouTube algorithm depends upon various factors, which are listed below. 

• The type of videos viewers have interacted with previously:  If someone has watched daily life videos, they will be recommended to watch more such videos. 

• The type of channels viewers interacted with previously: For example, if any viewer subscribed to any Travel channel on YouTube, the algorithm will recommend related travel blogs. 

• Videos are generally watched together: For example, if you have watched a Mukbank video on an XYZ channel, you may be recommended videos that other channel viewers interacted with. 

YouTube only recommends quality and relevant videos; however, it has clarified to its users that they should prioritize the audience, not the algorithm. 

Recently, even YouTube said, “Our algorithm doesn’t pay attention to videos; it pays attention to viewers. So, rather than making videos that’ll make an algorithm happy, focus on making videos that make your viewers happy.”

So, what exactly does the YouTube algorithm look into when recommending videos? 

We have listed the YouTube algorithm’s recommendation metrics below. Let’s read about them.

• The algorithm reads whether people are watching or ignoring the videos on YouTube. 

• The algorithm looks into the watch duration and average percentage watched to decide the ranking of videos. 

• The algorithm evaluates the likes and dislikes viewers share on YouTube videos.

• The YouTube algorithm also considers regional aspects like the time and language of the viewers. 

Have a look into the YouTube shorts algorithm

YouTube has added a new video format to its landscape: YouTube shorts, popularly utilized by users today. YouTube shorts are like stories, short vertical videos that help businesses cover detailed information in a shorter duration. Businesses widely use YouTube Shorts to engage audiences and connect with the right audience in low time.

YouTube shorts are the current favorite medium through which audiences can consume content. Approximately 70 billion viewers watch YouTube shorts daily, making it a must-have format for businesses. 

The YouTube shorts algorithm is different from the other video types on YouTube. This is because viewers don’t pick particular videos and just scroll through the content, so the algorithm focuses more on showing various content. Here are the key takeaways that the YouTube shorts algorithm finds essential.  

• Does the title, tag, and content relate to the search term? 

• The engagement metrics of the YouTube shorts.

• The watch history of the viewers.

• Shorts that are watched by a similar audience.

• Watch time is vital because a worth watching shorts must hold viewers for 15 seconds. 

Best YouTube Algorithm Hacks To Skyrocket Your Video Views

Now that you know about the YouTube algorithm and how it works, it is time to make it happy to outshine the competition. 

How can it be done? 

We are sharing the list of cheat codes for the YouTube algorithm to attract more viewers and grow your channel. Let’s learn them one by one.

#1. Keyword is the key

YouTube search works like Google, meaning the algorithm recommends similar video content to the words the audience searches for. Thus, keywords are essential in getting your videos to the top of the result page. You can do keyword research by yourself and look for words describing your video and other people’s use. After you get the primary keywords for your videos, start using them in different places like video file name, title, video description, and video script in the form of YouTube hashtags. However, you don’t need to include keywords in the video tag. 

#2. Include Hooks

The attention span of people is decreasing day by day with so much content to consume. You need to grab the audience’s attention to stand out, and hooks are the best way to do that. Be it a visual hook to start the video like someone pushed you or an audio hook with a catchy sound. It can also be a text hook at the start of your video saying, “You won’t believe how easy this hack was” or “I bet you didn’t know about this hair growth hack.” Let these YouTube algorithm hacks make your visitors stay; your fantastic content will do the rest. 

#3. Create clickbait thumbnail

Everyone knows that YouTube is the largest and most popular video platform. More than 500 hours of video are uploaded to YouTube every day, so it’s pretty crowded. If you wish to outshine the crowd on YouTube and impress your viewers, you must create an appealing thumbnail. However, YouTube doesn’t care about your thumbnail; it tracks whether viewers click your videos. When creating a thumbnail for your videos, it is essential to maintain a consistent style and include a catchy title.

#4. Include end screen and card

Add an end screen and card to make your audience watch your videos in a loop and subscribe to your channel. This will also signal the YouTube algorithm which video to show next to your viewers. Cards are like clickable images that should be added at the end of videos to redirect viewers to your video library. Also, add a dedicated CTA at the end of your YouTube videos to encourage your viewers to watch other relevant videos. Moreover, the endscreen of your videos can be a great place to promote your playlist of similar videos.  

#5. Video Length

Video length is an essential aspect of a video on YouTube. The YouTube algorithm prefers longer videos as it allows them to add more advertisements and generate more revenue. Hence, an ideal YouTube video should be more than 8 minutes long. However, if your video is shorter, you can upload it as a short video. YouTube algorithm hacks like these might change with every update in the algorithm, so you must be aware of that as well. 

#6. Keep eyes on your competitors

If you want to work according to the YouTube algorithm, checking up on your competitors with high views can be a good idea. By examining their approach, you can improve your SEO strategies to get better views on YouTube. Competitor research is always the best idea for analyzing thumbnails, video descriptions, their approach to creating content, how they used keywords, and others. You can figure out why your videos were not performing well, and with a few changes and additions, it can change the story of your YouTube channel. 

#7. Get into the skin of your audience

You are creating videos on YouTube for your audience to impress them and connect with you. Without the knowledge of your audience, it is next to impossible to make a strong presence on the platform. It is crucial to know about the interests and behaviors of your target audiences so that you can create relevant content for them. You must also look into other metrics like engagement, watch time, location, gender, etc, to plan your strategy accordingly. Thus, getting into the skin of your audience can help you craft compelling content. 

#8. Use Other Platforms

Promote your video link on every possible platform, social media, email, or even a QR code in a physical space. People coming to your video from different channels signal the YouTube algorithm that your content is being talked about, and hence, it will show it to more people. This YouTube algorithm hack increases your views and strengthens your digital presence. 

#9. Embed YouTube videos on the website.

Your audiences, such as your website visitors, are also present outside of YouTube. What about turning them into your viewers? Here is the catch for you: embed YouTube videos on your website and turn it into a channel to redirect viewers to the YouTube channel. This strategy has been utilized by many businesses nowadays, allowing them to reach broader audiences. Visitors watching the impressive videos on your website may be encouraged to visit your YouTube to explore and watch more videos. This will increase the exposure beyond YouTube and satisfy its algorithm. Aggregator tools like Tagembed will help you in the embedding process. 

#10. Keep analyzing 

If you want to perform well from before and keep improving, it can only be possible when you keep analyzing your work. Similarly, YouTube provides a bunch of data you can access from the creator’s dashboard, a goldmine for users. By analyzing the data, one can understand different metrics like the channel’s performance, audience behavior, and effectiveness of the content. Moreover, the analytics also provide data regarding watch time, audience demographics, traffic source, and viewer retention. This will help users change their approach by optimizing the content strategy that resonates with the audience and drives better engagement and views.

Conclusion

That was it! 

Did you think it would be the hardest thing to understand? 

Understanding the YouTube algorithm and applying it accordingly to boost video views can be tricky but not impossible.

Now that you have learned about YouTube algorithm hacks, your roadmap will be smoother, enabling you to drive engagement and views and improve the ranking of your YouTube videos. 

So, no more wait; apply the hacks in your strategy for creating click-worthy YouTube videos.