How Does the YouTube Algorithm Work? A Guide to Getting More Views.
YouTube algorithm makes the decision that what people will watch most of the time on YouTube. According to a survey, almost 80% of Americans stated that they watch content recommended by the algorithm.
If you create content on YouTube or you want to use this platform to promote your brand, you need to optimize your channel because the YouTube algorithm matters a lot. Otherwise, you cannot attract an audience to your content.
In this article, we are going to discuss how you can increase your views on your channel and how Youtube algorithm works. We need to understand what are the strategies behind the working of the YouTube algorithm.
In addition to this, we will also look deeply at some of the new changes in the algorithm recently.
Contents
A brief history
In 2005, the first video was uploaded on YouTube later on with every passing day millions of videos are uploaded and shared by content creators using this platform. So how You tube decides what sort of videos are available for users.
View count
From 2005-2012 YouTube only considered clicks as an important strategy for YouTube algorithm and they neglected the fact that either video is engaging for viewers or not. They just emphasized view count.
The result was that thumbnails, misleading clickbait, and titles were very much used by content creators. The users used to click on the video due to misleading clickbait and then when finding the video irrelevant abandon it immediately.
So with time You tube realized it and changed the tactics of YouTube algorithms.
Watch time
It was the middle of 2012 when Youtube updated its discovery system through which users find the videos that they wish to watch. Now they started to look for the videos that had watched time more than others.
Not only did the audience click the video but also it was engaging enough for the users. As a result, YouTube could assure that the content was providing high-quality time for the users.
Moreover, they also emphasized to the content creators that there is no need to get fussy about the YouTube algorithm by making shorter or longer videos than usual.
Machine learning
YouTube has always advised the content creators that you must make videos that people want to watch without worrying about any other factor and that’s how you will get views.
In 2016 YouTube released a paper describing their platform’s recommendation systems. They showed a tunnel that demonstrates that here all videos are ranked before the users can see them.
A lot of criticism was seen after the release of this white paper by YouTube.
Borderline content
For the past many years YouTube has faced a lot of negative comments regarding the strategies of their algorithms and how they select the videos that are to be recommended quite often for users.
As per their CEO, there is nothing unprofessional and we are taking our responsibilities with full confidence. She stated that we are trying to create a balanced and neutral agenda that will promote the videos that are made right according to YouTube guidelines.
Scrutiny of videos
YouTube always makes sure that the borderline content must not be shared with the users. Borderline content is the one that doesn’t follow the general instructions and rules set by the YouTube team. As there will be 70% less watch time for such videos.
This is something very serious as people watch the videos and try to follow the content. Like in the case of the coronavirus YouTube makes sure that content that supports fighting with coronavirus is shared.
But the content that shares information like drinking sanitizer will kill the virus must not be shred at any cost. According to YouTube officials, 95% of the videos that users see in the Top 10 searches are from best and high-quality channels.
If you are a content creator or you have a channel on this platform you must remember that using any illegal or false means to increase your views will not be spared by YouTube and they will demonetize your videos as soon they find them.
So if your content demonstrates something objectionable there are chances YouTube will block your channel for good reasons.
Moreover, YouTube also saves brands and advertising companies from such channels yet they say that we can’t provide brands with 100% safety.
How does this algorithm work?
It’s a real-time feedback loop that decides what kind of content will be shared with what kind of audience. Everyone has different interests so the YouTube algorithm takes care that videos are recommended according to the user’s likes and dislikes.
Goals of algorithm
There are two goals behind working on the YouTube algorithm that the user finds the video and the video is engaging for the user, and he keeps on watching it. Therefore, we can say that algorithm is the behavior of the audience as they watch the video.
The two places where the YouTube algorithm works are the search results and stream that shows recommendations.
How algorithm is linked with search results
The interesting thing here is that when you will search greenhouse effect videos on YouTube you will get videos that are different from what I will get when I will search for the same thing on YouTube.
Because the search results are based on two factors
- The engagement you show with the video
- And the metadata of your video (like the title or the keywords that you have chosen to search the content)
The kind of videos that you find interesting is different from the videos that someone else likes. So Youtube algorithm carefully analyzes your choice and then you get to see the related videos in your search bar.
How algorithm is linked to recommended videos
The videos you see in your stream are based on two factors. The first factor is performance analytics data. YouTube doesn’t want to show you the “good” videos but they want you to see the videos that you want to find interesting.
The second factor is your search history; the post or videos you see quite often will appear in your recommendation videos. Or the videos you spend much time on will be more selected for you as compared to the rest.
The main goal of YouTube is that users spend as much time as possible on this platform. Some other places where algorithm makes its impact are as follows:
- YouTube homepage
- Trending Videos
- Subscriptions
- Notifications
YouTube will analyze what kind of videos you spend most of your time on and then eventually they will be ranked in your recommendation videos on your stream. They will analyze what channels you have subscribed to and what kind of notifications you have allowed.
In this way, they show you only the videos you like. YouTube only wants to increase the viewership of their app. So they don’t want to show their viewers the interesting stuff instead they want the stuff that they see their viewers admire.
How does YouTube make an algorithm?
We surely don’t know what exactly are the factors play a role while making the algorithm as we are not one of their team members. But we can discuss some of the important factors that Youtube has mentioned at many points in many meetings.
When YouTube ranks videos they look at some of the factors like whether the user clicked on the video that’s why thumbnail and clickbait are very important. Next thing is how much time you spend on the video.
Watch time or retention time is also one important factor so the content should be high quality and interesting so that you don’t have to gather an audience with this much effort. If you will make interesting and fun content, then the audience will anxiously wait for your video.
How to Get More Views on YouTube 2021 – How YouTube Views ACTUALLY WORK (3 Top Tips)
And you don’t have to look for all these aspects before uploading your work. However, you should also keep in mind the fact that there are many people out there making good content but not all of them are successful. So you must choose wise steps that can help you become better than the rest.
Engagement is also one important aspect, how many likes and dislikes a video gets is one very important factor that YouTube takes into consideration while ranking the video. You get a high ranking if your video is engaging.
The next thing worth discussing here is view velocity. If your video’s popularity diminished after some time it will have some impact on your algorithm. And likewise, if your video’s popularity increased somehow it will make a positive impact.
Channel’s consistency is also a very important factor in this regard. If your channel doesn’t post quite often it will be a negative factor for your channel. the audience will forget about your work after some time as there are millions of channels and videos created every day.
Personalization
The next thing that the YouTube algorithm takes is personalization that what sort of channels and topics you have watched in the past. What videos they find interesting and the user spends how much time on the video.
They also take into consideration the fact that what sort of videos you don’t generally like or watch. And how many times you have watched some video.
Tips to increase views
Here are some of the tips and tricks that can help you gain views on YouTube.
Optimize your video text
You must advertise your content in block letters on the main video page so that viewers when they search for some keywords they can find the video easily. You must use natural language and not keywords. Also, use one or two keywords repeatedly in your text.
Use the content repeatedly if the audience wants
If you observe that some of the content or idea you share gets the attention of your audience, you must repeat it to increase your viewers. The content should be such that your audience likes it otherwise there is no point in creating the channel.
As you must be aware that YouTube wants to share the content that viewers find engaging.
Consistency of videos
The quantity of videos and your consistency is also one important aspect in this regard. If you will publish less frequently your viewers will forget you after some time.
You must increase the number of your videos without losing the quality as well. If you think you can’t create the best and high-quality content quite often you must post too much.
Make your channel public
If you have high-quality content on your page you must make your channel public so that if someone is scrolling for a specific video they can find it and that’s how you get recognition.
Keep the viewers engaged
One key factor that is important to mention here is that you must make high-quality content, your videos must be interesting and engaging to watch. Once you have succeeded the audience to watch your video till the end they will wait for your video till next time.
Talk to your audience
To increase your audience, you have to reply to them, appreciate them for their kind words, and positively take criticism. If you have too many people responding to your video you can upload an appreciation post for them. When they will feel appreciated that will increase your fan following.
Make viewers your subscribers
Your channel’s worth can be estimated by looking at your subscribers. If you have many subscribers that means your videos are admired by people more often.
Conclusion
YouTube algorithm is an important factor that decides what will be the rank of your video in the search bar or the recommendation videos. You can improve the rank by working on some of the important factors described in the article.
If you are a content creator or you have a channel on YouTube you must upload high-quality, engaging videos with full consistency so that your audience can or viewership can change into subscribers.
Thank you for reading, How Does the YouTube Algorithm Work? A Guide to Getting More Views.