If you’ve been wondering how to get more views on YouTube, you’re not alone. I’ve had this exact conversation with hundreds of creators over the years—and I’ve lived it myself. Back in 2016, I uploaded videos that barely cracked 50 views. Today, I consult for channels pulling millions monthly. The difference? Understanding what actually moves the needle.
Here’s the truth: YouTube’s recommendation algorithm now drives 70% of what people watch on the platform. That means your success depends less on luck and more on understanding how the system works—then optimizing for it.
In this guide, I’ll share the 10 strategies I’ve seen work repeatedly. Not theory. Actual tactics backed by data and real-world results.
Why Your YouTube Videos Aren’t Getting Views
Before we fix the problem, let’s diagnose it. Most creators I work with are making the same fundamental mistakes—and they don’t even realize it.
The Algorithm Doesn’t Work How You Think It Does
Here’s something that surprised me when I first learned it: YouTube’s algorithm isn’t trying to promote “good” videos. It’s trying to keep viewers on the platform longer. Big difference.
As Todd Beaupré, Senior Director of Growth & Discovery at YouTube, explained: “We’ve enabled the system to learn that different factors can have different importance in different contexts.” Translation? The algorithm adapts based on viewer behavior—not your upload schedule or subscriber count.
Even more important: YouTube now judges your entire channel, not just individual videos. One viral hit won’t save a channel with consistently poor retention.
Common Mistakes Killing Your View Count
I’ve audited dozens of channels, and these mistakes show up constantly:
- Focusing on vanity metrics: Subscriber counts look nice but don’t drive views
- Inconsistent posting: The algorithm rewards predictable upload patterns
- Ignoring retention data: A video with 5,000 views and 80% retention beats 50,000 views with 30% retention
- Misleading thumbnails: High CTR followed by steep drop-offs signals mismatch to the algorithm
Understanding YouTube’s Recommendation System
To get more views, you need to understand what YouTube rewards. It’s simpler than most people think.
How YouTube Decides What to Recommend
YouTube’s recommendation engine uses neural networks with approximately one billion parameters trained on hundreds of billions of examples. But the core question it asks is straightforward: “Will this viewer enjoy watching this video right now?”
The system evaluates your video based on similar viewers’ past behavior. If people like your audience watched your video and stayed engaged, YouTube shows it to more similar people. If they clicked away quickly, promotion stops.
For a deeper dive, check out YouTube’s official blog post on recommendations.
The Two Metrics That Matter Most: CTR and Watch Time
After years of analyzing channels, I’ve learned to obsess over two numbers:
Click-Through Rate (CTR): The percentage of people who click your video after seeing the thumbnail. Good benchmarks: 4-10% for most creators, 7%+ is excellent. Gaming content averages 8.5%, educational content typically lands between 4-8%.
Average View Duration (AVD): How long viewers actually watch. This is THE most important metric. High retention signals quality to YouTube.
The magic happens when both metrics are strong. High CTR with low retention actually hurts your channel—it tells YouTube your packaging is misleading.
Strategy #1: Create Click-Worthy Thumbnails (Without Clickbait)
Your thumbnail is your storefront. I learned this the hard way when my early videos—solid content—sat at 200 views because my thumbnails looked like amateur hour.
The BOGY Color Framework
Use BOGY colors: Blue, Orange, Green, Yellow. These pop against YouTube’s white and red interface. I started implementing this in 2018, and my CTR jumped from 3.2% to 6.8% within two months—same content style, better packaging.
Thumbnail Testing Methods I Use
Before publishing, I show thumbnails to friends who aren’t in my niche. If they can’t tell me what the video’s about in 3 seconds, I redesign. Some creators use A/B testing tools, but honest human feedback works just as well for most channels.
Common Thumbnail Mistakes
- Too much text (keep it to 3-4 words max)
- Low contrast colors that blend together
- Faces without clear emotion
- Generic stock imagery
Strategy #2: Write Titles That Get Clicks AND Keep Viewers
Titles and thumbnails work together. One without the other is like a door without a handle.
The 50-Character Sweet Spot
Research by Justin Briggs found that titles under 50 characters rank best in YouTube search. Aim for 6-8 words. Shorter titles also display fully on mobile, where most YouTube viewing happens.
Power Words That Increase CTR
Numbers and specific outcomes drive clicks. Compare these:
- Weak: “How to Grow on YouTube”
- Strong: “How I Got 10,000 Subscribers in 90 Days”
The second title promises a specific result and creates curiosity about the method.
Title Formula That Works
Use this structure: [Result/Benefit] + [Timeframe/Number] + [Curiosity Hook]
Example: “5 Thumbnail Mistakes Costing You Views (Fix #3 Today)”
Strategy #3: Hook Viewers in the First 15 Seconds
The first 15 seconds determine everything. I’ve watched my own analytics enough to know: lose them early, lose them forever.
Why the First 15 Seconds Determine Everything
Data shows that videos with strong hooks retain 45% more viewers throughout the entire video. YouTube’s algorithm notices this retention curve. A video that holds attention from the start gets promoted more aggressively.
Hook Formulas That Work
The Promise Hook: “By the end of this video, you’ll know exactly how to…”
The Problem Hook: “If your videos aren’t getting views, here’s why…”
The Curiosity Hook: “Most creators get this completely wrong…”
What Not to Do in Your Intro
Skip the 30-second animated logo. Skip the “Hey guys, welcome back to my channel.” Deliver value immediately. I tested this on my own channel years ago—removing my intro bumper increased retention by 12%.
Strategy #4: Optimize for Watch Time, Not Just Views
Views are vanity. Watch time is sanity. This shift in thinking changed everything for me.
Why Watch Time Matters More Than View Count
YouTube’s algorithm favors videos that keep viewers watching longer. A 10-minute video with 70% retention will outperform a 5-minute video with 40% retention—even if the shorter one has more total views.
How to Check Your Average View Duration
Head to your YouTube Analytics dashboard. Go to Content → select a video → Engagement tab. Look at the retention curve. Where do viewers drop off? Those are the moments to fix.
Techniques to Increase Retention
- Pattern interrupts: Change camera angles, add graphics, shift energy every 30-60 seconds
- Open loops: Tease information early, deliver it later (“I’ll share my biggest mistake in a minute”)
- Pacing: Cut dead air ruthlessly—every second should earn its place
Strategy #5: Leverage YouTube Shorts for Discovery
Shorts changed the game. If you’re not using them, you’re leaving views on the table.
Why Shorts Drive Long-Form Views
Data from 2024-2025 shows that over 70% of the fastest-growing channels post 3-5 Shorts per week alongside regular long-form videos. Most new subscribers now come from Shorts—it’s the primary discovery tool.
The 3-5 Shorts Per Week Strategy
I recommend treating Shorts as trailers for your long-form content. Pull the most interesting 45-second segment, add a hook, and point viewers to the full video.
How to Connect Shorts to Long-Form Content
End your Shorts with a clear call-to-action: “Full breakdown on my channel” or “Link to the full video in comments.” This funnels Short viewers into your longer content where you build deeper relationships.
Strategy #6: Build Viewer Journeys with Playlists and End Screens
Individual video views matter less than session time—how long viewers stay on YOUR channel.
Why Session Time Beats Individual Video Views
YouTube rewards channels that keep people watching longer. If someone watches three of your videos in a row, that signals quality to the algorithm. It promotes your content more aggressively.
Creating Binge-Worthy Playlists
Group related videos into themed playlists. Order them logically—beginner to advanced, or chronologically. Name playlists with keywords viewers actually search for.
End Screen Best Practices
End screens can lift click-through rates to other videos by 15% or more. Use them in every video. Point to your best-performing related content, not just your latest upload.
Strategy #7: Use YouTube SEO to Get Discovered
For newer channels, search is your best friend. You can’t compete for algorithmic recommendations yet—but you can rank for keywords.
Keyword Research for YouTube
Use YouTube’s search suggest feature. Type your topic and see what autocompletes. Those suggestions represent actual searches. Tools like VidIQ and TubeBuddy help, but the free method works well.
Optimizing Titles, Descriptions, and Tags
Include your target keyword in:
- The first 50 characters of your title
- The first 2-3 sentences of your description
- Your spoken words (YouTube transcribes audio and uses it for ranking)
Say your keyword out loud multiple times in the video. YouTube’s speech recognition picks this up and factors it into search ranking.
How to Rank in Both YouTube and Google Search
YouTube videos often appear in Google search results. Optimize for both platforms by targeting keywords with video intent—typically “how to” queries, tutorials, and reviews. For advanced analytics needs, explore the YouTube Analytics API documentation.
Strategy #8: Encourage Engagement (The Right Way)
Engagement signals—likes, comments, shares—tell YouTube your content resonates. But how you ask matters.
Why Engagement Signals Matter
High engagement rates indicate quality. Videos with more comments and likes get pushed to more viewers. It’s a positive feedback loop.
What to Ask Viewers to Do
Generic requests don’t work. “Like and subscribe” is background noise. Instead, ask specific questions tied to your content:
- “Which of these 10 strategies will you try first? Drop a comment.”
- “Have you tried Shorts yet? What’s working for you?”
Respond to early comments within the first hour. This boosts the video in the algorithm and encourages more people to comment.
Engagement Tactics That Backfire
Avoid asking for engagement before delivering value. “Smash that like button” in your intro feels desperate. Earn engagement by providing something useful first.
Strategy #9: Post Consistently (But Smart)
Consistency builds momentum. But burning out helps no one.
Why Consistency Matters for Growth
The algorithm favors channels with predictable upload patterns. Subscribers learn when to expect new content. This builds habits—and habits drive views.
Finding Your Sustainable Publishing Schedule
One great video per week beats three mediocre ones. I’ve watched creators destroy themselves trying to post daily. Find a pace you can maintain for a year without sacrificing quality.
Quality vs. Quantity Balance
Build a content calendar. Batch-record when possible. Give yourself runway. Sustainable growth always beats short-term sprints.
Strategy #10: Analyze, Adapt, and Iterate
Data drives improvement. You can’t fix what you don’t measure.
Key Metrics to Track in YouTube Analytics
Focus on these tabs:
- Reach: Impressions, CTR, traffic sources
- Engagement: Watch time, average view duration, retention curves
- Audience: When your viewers are online, returning vs. new viewers
How to Identify What’s Working (and What’s Not)
Compare your top 5 performing videos against your bottom 5. Look for patterns in titles, thumbnails, topics, and length. Double down on what works. Abandon what doesn’t.
Testing and Iteration Framework
Change one variable at a time. If you test a new thumbnail style AND a new title format simultaneously, you won’t know which drove results. Methodical testing beats random experimentation every time.
Common View Count Mistakes to Avoid
Before I wrap up, here are pitfalls I see constantly:
- Buying fake views or using sub4sub: YouTube detects this. It tanks your channel’s reputation with the algorithm.
- Ignoring analytics data: Flying blind means you can’t improve.
- Chasing trends outside your niche: Random viral attempts confuse YouTube about what your channel is about.
- Misleading thumbnails: Short-term CTR gains aren’t worth long-term retention damage.
Final Thoughts: Building Sustainable YouTube Growth
Here’s what I’ve learned after nearly a decade in this space: views are a byproduct of value and optimization. Focus on helping your audience first. Package that help in ways the algorithm understands. The views follow.
Growth takes time. I remember staring at 47 views on a video I spent 20 hours editing. It felt crushing. But I kept going, kept learning, kept iterating. That’s the game.
The 10 strategies in this guide work because they align with how YouTube actually operates—not how we wish it worked. Start with one or two. Master them. Then add more.
Your next video could be the one that changes everything. But only if you give it every advantage these strategies provide.
