This article explains how the YouTube algorithm works, offering tips on optimizing content for YouTube search, suggested videos, the home page, and the trending tab.
The YouTube algorithm is a mystery to many. If you or your company has a YouTube channel, it's crucial to understand how it works to achieve success. This understanding can provide valuable insights for creating your content and ensure it's easily found by the right audience.
But why does YouTube need an algorithm in the first place? Hundreds of hours of videos are uploaded every minute, making it impossible for anyone to watch all the content. Thus, a sophisticated algorithm is necessary to give real-time feedback and deliver the videos with the highest probability of being watched. Essentially, its job is to present the right video at the right time to users worldwide.
Sounds amazing, right? Just think of how this has helped YouTube boost engagement and reach its current popularity level.
Now, you might be wondering: how does the algorithm know what I want to watch? The answer is simple: data.
The Power of Data in the YouTube Algorithm
The first step the algorithm takes is analyzing each video, looking at the title, thumbnails, descriptions, likes, dislikes, and the number of comments. One of the most important factors is watch time – the longer people watch a video until the end, the more the algorithm perceives it as relevant.
After understanding the video, the next step is for the YouTube algorithm to figure out who to show it to. YouTube analyzes viewer data, checking what they’ve already watched, how much time they spend watching certain content, and what they avoid. This helps YouTube determine the relevance of various topics for each specific audience.
In summary, the YouTube algorithm has two main objectives: deliver videos that viewers want to watch and ensure they continue watching content they enjoy.
How to Make the YouTube Algorithm Work for You
So, how do you make the algorithm "like" your videos? The answer is simple: make sure your audience likes your videos. When people engage with your content, the algorithm will understand that your video is relevant.
It's important to note that YouTube doesn’t have just one algorithm. Each surface or feature you see has its own set of systems. Let’s dive into how the algorithm works in the four main areas where videos are typically found on YouTube.
YouTube Search Results
Let's start with the YouTube search engine, where users search for the latest hit song, their favorite music, educational content, or even something to make them laugh or cry.
Just like Google's search engine, its goal is to display the most relevant videos and channels according to your search query. Contrary to popular belief, the results don’t show only the most-watched videos. Instead, they are ranked based on how well your search matches the titles, descriptions, and video content. YouTube also looks at which videos related to your search had higher watch time and engagement, analyzing signals from other users who performed the same search to determine which videos were most relevant to them.
Knowing this, here are some tips to improve your video’s search visibility:
Use relevant terms in your titles and descriptions. You can use tools like Google Trends to find keywords with high search volume.
Avoid misleading titles. If your title doesn’t match the video content, viewers may leave quickly, and the algorithm will begin to deem your content irrelevant.
Check YouTube search results to see what videos already exist on your topic. Study the top 5 videos to help craft your titles, descriptions, and even the content itself.
Write complete descriptions of up to two paragraphs. Don’t use this space only for sharing your social media links.
Stay on top of trending topics and create videos about them, especially if they align with your content category.
Suggested Videos
Now that you understand YouTube's search system, let’s move on to suggested videos—those listed to the right of the video you’re watching on desktop or below it on mobile, or even as the next video in autoplay.
These videos are recommended based on what you’re currently watching, related topics, and your watch history, and they can come from any channel.
Here’s how to increase your chances of having your videos appear as suggested content:
Include CTAs (Call to Action) in your videos, like “Watch the next video,” and explain why viewers should continue watching.
Avoid long outros that might turn viewers away.
Use playlists, links, cards, and end screens to suggest more of your content.
YouTube Home Page
Moving on to the YouTube Home Page—the first thing you see when you type "www.youtube.com" or open the app.
The home page offers personalized recommendations based on what might interest the viewer, showing new videos, content watched by similar viewers, or new uploads from subscriptions. However, not all videos from the channels you subscribe to will appear on the home page. YouTube has conducted numerous tests, and engaging only with the home page tends to reduce user activity.
The selection of videos on the home page is based on two factors:
Performance: If the video successfully satisfied and engaged viewers like you.
Personalization: Based on your searches and the videos you’ve watched, including how often you watch a channel or theme and how many times YouTube has shown you each video.
To ensure your video appears on the home page, aim to post regularly, engage with your viewers, and continue creating content that resonates with them. Once you find a format or theme that your audience enjoys, stick with it, as the algorithm prioritizes what your audience loves. Don’t be afraid to experiment but be cautious. Analyze your audience’s feedback and allow them time to adjust.
YouTube Trending Tab
Lastly, let’s explore the Trending Tab—a list of new and popular videos in the viewer’s country. Some are predictable, like a movie trailer or a new song from a famous artist, but others can be quite surprising.
The Trending Tab aims to combine popularity and novelty. It takes into account a video’s views, especially a sudden spike in views, and where those views are coming from. This means the most-watched video in a day might not always be the top video in Trending.
Keep in mind that Trending highlights up-and-coming creators and artists, and each week, some are showcased for a whole day.
While there’s no guaranteed way to land in Trending, creating interesting and shareable videos and gaining momentum in your channel's growth can help boost your chances.
I hope this guide has clarified how this magnificent platform operates and that you can use this knowledge to achieve success for your personal or company channel.
If you have any questions about this platform, leave a comment or email us at contato@benditafilmes.com. We are YouTube Marketing specialists.
If you need help from audiovisual and marketing experts, contact Bendita Filmes.
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