How to Get More Views on YouTube (15 Proven Ways 2024)

YouTube remains the leading video-sharing social network globally, surpassing the monthly visitor count of popular platforms like Facebook, Wikipedia, Instagram, and Amazon, with over 14 billion visits.

In this comprehensive guide, we will highlight simple strategies to enhance your brand’s presence on YouTube and delve into advanced techniques employed by experts to maximise YouTube views.

What is Considered a View on YouTube?

When a viewer intentionally starts playing a video and watches it for at least 30 seconds, it is counted as a view.

Playing your own video will be included in the view count.

If a viewer watches your video multiple times, each viewing will be counted as a separate view.

However, repeatedly refreshing or artificially inflating views will be detected by YouTube.

Views from embedded YouTube videos or videos shared on platforms like Facebook are also counted.

YouTube also counts live views in its view metrics.

What is the Significance of Views on YouTube?

Views play a crucial role as they impact the YouTube algorithm. The algorithm promotes your video to a wider audience when you accumulate more views. Additionally, views contribute to your potential earnings on YouTube, allowing you to generate revenue and see a return on your investment.

Furthermore, views are essential for raising awareness and fostering brand affinity on YouTube. While it may require time to reach your desired viewership, connecting with top-of-funnel prospects is vital in working towards your long-term objectives.

List of Top Ways to Get More Views on YouTube

1. Engaging Titles

YouTube marketing heavily relies on presentation, and titles play a crucial role in determining the performance of your videos. The key is to create attention-grabbing titles without resorting to clickbait tactics, ensuring your audience finds your content enticing and informative right from the start.

Crafting killer titles is vital as YouTube’s internal data confirms their significant impact on a video’s success. Here’s a guide to writing video titles that attract a large number of clicks:

• Put brackets or parentheses at the end of your title: According to a study by HubSpot, this technique can increase clicks by 33%.
• Incorporate numbers in your title: Utilize numbers to indicate the tips, strategies, steps, weight loss, or any relevant numerical aspect of your video. This helps to attract attention and create clear expectations.
• Keep your titles within the 40-50 characters range: Research by Justin Briggs suggests that videos with titles shorter than 50 characters tend to rank better in YouTube search results.

2. Optimize for Maximum Video Visibility

YouTube videos have a strong presence in Google search results, in 70% of the top 100. They often outrank traditional blog posts or websites. YouTube itself is the second-largest search engine globally. Similar to how people search for products and solutions on Google, the same applies to YouTube.

To optimise your videos for better visibility, consider the following YouTube SEO best practices:

• Titles and descriptions: Incorporate target keywords in your video titles and descriptions. Tools like Keywordtool.io can assist you in finding relevant keyword ideas.
• Mention keywords in your video: According to Brian Dean of Backlinko, mentioning your target keywords in the video itself can help YouTube understand the video’s content better.
• Engagement: When ranking search results, YouTube considers engagement metrics such as likes, comments, and views.
• Categories: Assign appropriate categories to your videos to assist YouTube in identifying the relevant audience.
• Tags: Utilize tags to provide additional context about your content. Include as many relevant tags as possible.

Remember not to overuse keywords or engage in keyword stuffing. Use keywords naturally and when they genuinely enhance the content.

3. Custom Thumbnails

Custom thumbnails play a significant role in viewers’ decision-making process in discovery mode, browsing through search results and recommendations.

YouTube has reported that an overwhelming majority (90%) of the most-viewed videos on the platform utilize custom thumbnails.

A compelling thumbnail possesses the following properties:

• Precise and Accurate Representation: The thumbnail accurately reflects the content of the video without misleading viewers. Misleading thumbnails can lower watch times and negatively impact your video’s performance in the algorithm.
• Attention-Grabbing: The thumbnail stands out amidst other videos, catching the viewer’s attention. Using bright colours or contrasting hues can help make the thumbnail visually striking and distinguish it from YouTube’s red-white-and-black colour scheme.
• Synergy with the Title: The thumbnail complements and works harmoniously with the video’s title. Both elements should provide a cohesive message and entice viewers to click and watch the video.

Additionally, you can feature a well-lit, expressive face that captivates viewers and evokes curiosity or emotions. Or you can adopt a minimalist and calm aesthetic, particularly in niches characterised by visually overwhelming content.

4. Creating Playlists

Many YouTube creators choose to organise their videos into playlists for several reasons. One key benefit is the automatic playback feature when a viewer clicks on a video embedded within a playlist. As soon as the current video ends, the next video in the playlist starts playing, allowing viewers to watch a series of related videos without interruption effortlessly. This not only increases engagement but also generates higher ad revenue for YouTube.

From a creator’s perspective, organising content into playlists enhances the user experience by providing a seamless and enjoyable viewing journey.

By planning content in terms of series, creators can efficiently structure their videos into logical playlists as they continue to produce more content.

This strategy results in a win-win situation, with viewers enjoying a smooth viewing experience and creators benefitting from increased views and engagement.

5. Video Descriptions

Optimising your YouTube video description with strategic keyword placement is crucial for search visibility. According to YouTube’s Creator Academy, the algorithm and search give more weight to the first few sentences of the description.

Craft a clear and keyword-rich introduction that appeals to search algorithms and entices human viewers. These initial lines serve as a preview when your video appears in search results, providing an opportunity to capture viewers’ attention and promote your content effectively.

In the remaining description, dive into detailed information about what viewers will learn from your video. Aim for 125-175 words and incorporate relevant keywords throughout your paragraphs. If you have extra space, you can use this section to remind viewers about your channel’s focus and include links to your website or social media accounts.

To write better YouTube descriptions, consider the following:

• Include a subscribe link near the top of the description to encourage viewers to subscribe to your channel.
• Provide in-depth details about your video, using as many keywords as possible for improved search optimisation.
• Consider adding timestamps to help viewers navigate longer videos.
• If appropriate, incorporate affiliate links in the description to generate additional revenue.
• Optimize your default upload settings in the Creator Studio’s settings section.
• If you want to use YouTube hashtags above your title, include them in your video description.

6. Get Recommended After a Popular Video Using Metadata

To increase YouTube views, it can be helpful to analyse the most popular videos in your niche and gain insights from your top competitors. Start by carefully examining your competitor’s most popular video by sorting their library accordingly.

YouTube’s algorithm aims to retain viewers on the platform for longer durations to maximise ad exposure. It determines viewer preferences based on three factors:

• Co-watched videos: Videos that are frequently watched together.
• User’s viewing history: Videos previously watched by the user.
• Topically related videos: Videos that share similar topics involve optimising keywords effectively.

While you can only control the third factor, it is crucial in attracting viewers. When selecting keywords, adopt a librarian’s mindset. Clearly describe your video’s topic and overarching category, and think about alternative search terms that users might employ.

If you need inspiration, you can examine a competitor’s video metadata by right-clicking on the webpage, selecting “View Page Source,” and searching for the keyword list.

However, consider your audience’s perspective rather than simply copying and pasting metadata from a more popular video. They won’t want to watch the same content again. Identify how your video can provide additional value, answer new questions, or explore exciting tangents related to the topic.

7. Cards and End Screens

In addition to playlists, YouTubers have two powerful tools to directly influence their audience’s following choices: cards and end screens.

Cards are interactive elements that can appear at any point during a video. They offer clickable links in various formats, including the option to link to other videos or playlists. It’s essential to ensure that cards add value and relevance to the content, avoiding spammy or irrelevant placements. By strategically using cards, you can guide viewers to watch more of your videos or explore relevant playlists, enhancing overall views and engagement.

On the other hand, end screens are visual calls-to-action that can be added to the final moments of a video, typically within the last 5 to 20 seconds. As viewers who reach the end of your video are likely highly interested in your content, end screens provide a valuable opportunity to encourage them to take the next step. While promoting subscriptions or website visits can be effective, utilizing end screens to promote other videos or playlists can drive more views and further engage your YouTube audience.

8. Add Watermark

Watermarks can be a valuable tool for increasing subscribers and generating more views on YouTube. They are images, often featuring a brand’s logo, that can be set to appear on all of your videos.

Viewers are prompted to subscribe to your channel when they hover over the watermark. However, it’s important to note that you must verify your YouTube account before you can upload a watermark.

Additionally, watermarks cannot be selectively displayed on specific videos; they will either appear on all your videos or none.

To optimise the effectiveness of your watermark, it is recommended to design it as a square, transparent image that is larger than 50×50 pixels. Since YouTube reduces the size of watermarks when displaying them in the corner of videos, creating a larger watermark will ensure better visibility and help promote your branding to your target audience.

9. Partnerships

Having a competitor in your niche on YouTube doesn’t mean you have to be enemies. It’s advantageous to establish a symbiotic relationship that benefits both parties. Remember, the ultimate goal of YouTube content marketing is to provide value to viewers and expand your potential audience. The presence of a competitor increases your ability to achieve that goal.

So, how can you increase your YouTube views while fostering a symbiotic relationship with another content creator targeting the same audience? It’s simple: collaborate and create content together. By appearing as a guest star in one of your competitor’s videos, you can gain exposure to a new group of viewers who may not have seen your brand before. At the same time, your competitor benefits from the extra traffic generated by your video promotion. Ultimately, this collaboration benefits YouTube users as they enjoy high-quality content. In this scenario, everyone wins!

10. Blog Post to Company Your Videos

If you already have blogging as part of your content marketing strategy, which you definitely should, why not complement each of your YouTube videos with a dedicated blog post? While it does require an additional time commitment, the advantages outweigh the costs. It provides a seamless opportunity to introduce your website visitors to your YouTube channel and boost viewership. Additionally, for those prospects who prefer watching over reading, including a video enhances the overall user experience. Since you’re already crafting a script for your video, creating a corresponding blog post requires minimal additional effort.

Pairing each YouTube video with a blog post is a simple yet highly beneficial strategy.

Let’s not forget the potential SEO advantages as well. Embedding a video at the end of a blog sends a solid signal to Google that you’re going above and beyond to deliver value to users. In return, you may be rewarded with improved rankings!

11. Develop Strong Relationships with your Audience

Audience engagement is about building relationships with your viewers. Its ultimate goal is to realistically, organically, and sustainably increase your YouTube views.

When you interact with other YouTubers, you are essentially putting your channel in front of their audience. This can help you attract new viewers and subscribers.

Here are some ideas for breaking the fourth wall and fostering a two-way conversation:

• Enable comments on your videos, and make sure to respond to them promptly.
• Organise a YouTube contest to involve your audience and encourage participation actively.
• Create reaction videos where you respond to or provide commentary on other popular videos or trends.
• Seek permission to include content from other creators in your videos, giving them proper credit.
• Ask questions and encourage your viewers to share their ideas, opinions, and suggestions.
• Show appreciation for your followers and fans by giving them shout-outs in your videos.

12. Promote Videos on other Social Media Channels

Maximise the visibility of your YouTube videos by leveraging your followers on other social media platforms. Inform them by creating a short teaser video whenever you upload a new video. For instance, you can craft a one-minute preview and share it on your Facebook page, including a link to the full video on your YouTube channel.

Additionally, take into account the power of email marketing. With an average open rate of 18 per cent and a purchase rate of 66 per cent, email marketing proves to be highly effective in driving sales conversions. Keep it simple but impactful.

13. Prioritize ‘Watch Time’

YouTube characterises its algorithm as a “search and discovery system” that determines the visibility of videos across various areas:

• Homepage
• Suggested videos
• Search results
• Subscriptions tab
• Notifications

It’s important to note that the algorithm doesn’t just impact individual videos but entire YouTube channels. The critical factor in the algorithm’s evaluation is “Watch Time.” YouTube emphasises that each video and channel is ranked based on the time people watch them.

Watch Time refers to the duration viewers spend actively engaged with your videos.

YouTube rewards quality content. The better your videos are, and the more time viewers spend watching them, the higher your Watch Time minutes will be. As a result, YouTube will prioritise promoting your videos and channel.

14. Optimise your Channel

Optimizing your YouTube channel is essential for strengthening your brand and increasing your views. YouTube offers various methods to optimise your channel effectively. Here are the key components:

1. Establish a consistent brand aesthetic

Maintain visual consistency across your YouTube channel, website, and other social media platforms. Use the same logo, images, and colours. Ensure your profile picture (800 x 800 pixels) and banner art (at least 2560 x 1440 pixels) represent your brand well.

2. Optimize your channel description

Craft a compelling channel description on the ‘About’ tab. Highlight your brand, its benefits, and why viewers should watch your videos. Incorporate targeted keywords to improve search visibility.

3. Include social media links and contact information

Make it easy for viewers to explore your brand further by adding links to your social media channels, website, and contact details.

4. Utilize channel keywords

Research and select relevant keywords for your channel. Go to “Channel” and then “Advanced” to enter these keywords in the “Channel Keywords” box.

5. Enable related channels

Keep the “related channels” feature turned on to benefit from YouTube’s recommendations. This enhances the network effect and expands your channel’s exposure.

15. Create a Trailer Featuring your Best YouTube Content

Your YouTube trailer serves as an introduction to new visitors to your channel, presenting an excellent opportunity to:

• Showcase your content.
• Highlight channel benefits.
• Encourage subscriptions.

While there are no strict rules on the maximum length, most YouTubers keep their trailers between 25-30 seconds.

To create a fantastic YouTube trailer, focus on crafting a short video that effectively conveys your story, ambitions, and vision. Consider questions like, “What is your background?” “What are your goals for the channel?” and “What inspired you to start your YouTube journey?”

Make sure to grab viewers’ attention by sharing the most captivating aspects while infusing your unique personality throughout the trailer.

Conclusion

Boosting views on YouTube requires a multi-faceted approach. Implementing the strategies mentioned in this blog can significantly increase your view count. Consistency, quality, and audience interaction are critical factors in attracting more views. With dedication and persistence, you can amplify your YouTube presence, reach a wider audience, and achieve your goals on the platform.

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