Other than being the second largest search engine after Google and the biggest video platform, YouTube is also constantly evolving with more dynamics, users, channels, and video content as well. Those days are gone when it was a platform to find only entertainment through funny memes and music videos. YouTube has become a potential ground for marketers where many businesses are trying to grow.
More than 1 billion hours of videos are being watched over YouTube on a daily basis which is more than the combined hours people spend on OTT platforms like Netflix and social media platforms like Facebook. A recent report shows that 62% of businesses around the world are using YouTube to post video content that helps to gain more potential customers. Therefore, it is not just an online video platform and a significant business tool that helps to grow.
It is 2023 already and video trends are changing faster than you can imagine. If you have a channel on YouTube and looking forward to growing your channel with a more relevant viewer base, there are some aspects of getting popular on YouTube and you should be well aware of that.
Table of Content:
• What is a viral video?
• What is a piggyback video?
• Differences between viral and ‘piggyback’ video
• What is considered a view on YouTube?
• What is not considered a view on YouTube?
• 18 ways to gain more views on YouTube in 2023
What is a viral video?
Viral video is the kind of content which are distributed by the users which makes it popular instantly. It happens by voluntary sharing through their profiles and pages as well as with friends and many other activities. It is not necessary for the video content to be new or old but it definitely has to be trendy.
What is a piggyback video?
YouTube creators use the term ‘piggyback’ video as slang for the video content that helps to garner more views, subscribers, and online engagement; in a nutshell, it helps to pull up the whole channel. These videos do not have a particular genre since they can range from entertaining to educational.
What is the difference between a viral video and a ‘piggyback’ video?
Viral videos always hit the trend and it often takes place suddenly. These kind of videos are mostly entertaining and finds their relevance in the market for a moment and then quickly fades away. It keeps happening all the time, more like the falling star on YouTube’s huge sky.
On the other hand, piggyback videos do not have a format or trend. It is simply the video that is garnering the most attention on the creator’s channel based on the average number of views. Usually, these videos do not have sudden explosive growth but a noticeable steady growth that pulls the channel up. The popularity of the video can grow right after premiering it or later in the day.
Quite evidently, the views play a vital part in the growth of YouTube channels and the creators as well. The more organic views a video content is able to gain, the more it becomes popular on the platform. Before you embark on a journey to gain more views on the platform, let’s have a clear view of what counts as a view on YouTube.
What is considered a view on YouTube?
When a viewer initiates watching a video and stays on the video for more than 30 seconds, counts as a view. The device can be anything but the duration of the watch time should be at least 30 seconds. Even if you play your video, that is considered a view as well.
When a viewer watches your video more than once, the number of screenings also adds a new view. The views on the embedded videos on the social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram will be also counted. Similarly, live views are also counted. Do not worry if you are unable to see the exact data as YouTube analytics are being updated every day or two. Check back later and you will find it.
What is not considered a view on YouTube?
YouTube’s algorithm is highly advanced and it is designed to reject the plays which are automated. By following the organic patterns, it is capable of finding out the number of times a real human has watched the video. It is known as an organic view that cannot be generated through an automation process or a bot. So, if it is generated by a bot and refreshed to auto-play the video; it would not be considered a view of the video content.
Now that you know what are known as organic views, it is time to know how you can increase them on your video content.
18 ways to gain more views on YouTube in 2023
Getting more views on YouTube is not rocket science but it still requires a consistent approach, marketing strategies, and patience to keep up. YouTube is quite competitive with a huge number of channels on the platform. So, if you are looking forward to standing out among others; you need to follow some tips too.
1. Create amazing content
No matter how much effective promotional approaches you make, if your video is not compelling enough; the viewers are not going to like it. That is why your video content needs to be amazing and relevant with the time that garners the most attention. One of the best ways to create ‘how to’ videos that have much demand over the platform.
Identify what your potential customers must be looking for and create more video content that meets their needs. It works very well since ‘how to’ videos receive a significant amount of online engagement and web traffic, regardless of the music industry. You can also communicate with the viewers through comments and ask people what kinds of videos they are looking for.
2. Optimize the video title
As mentioned before, YouTube is one of the greatest search engines and therefore search engine optimization (SEO) matters a lot. YouTube algorithm depends on a lot of elements when selecting videos for the search results such as titles, descriptions, tags, and many others. So, it is important to incorporate crucial information in the content which helps to appear better and rank higher on the search results.
The title is the first thing that viewers notice and it is one of the most crucial SEO elements. Find out relevant keywords that match your content and incorporate them into the video title. Always remember, if the title does not match the content, YouTube can penalize you. An ideal title is usually 60 to 70 characters long which is quickly readable and engaging. The title is also supposed to offer an idea of what the video is all about. Opt for something informative and compelling that can grab everyone’s attention.
3. Optimize your entire channel
Right after the title, it is time to optimize the channel that strengthens your brand presence and helps to boost the number of views. There are plenty of ways to optimize your channel. Let’s start with the main components.
• Create a consistent brand aesthetic – Make sure to be consistent about your brand’s aesthetic on YouTube and all the other social channels. It means you will use the same logo, name, and color palette on all platforms which makes your brand quickly recognizable. Keep the profile picture in 800 x 800 pixels and the banner at 2560 x 1440 pixels which is optimum for YouTube.
• Optimize channel description – The ‘About’ tab on your channel is what is considered a description where you only get 1000 characters to describe it. Utilize this section well with the right information, and relevant keywords and also express what the channel can provide for the viewers.
• Add Social links – Make it easier for visitors to find out more about your brand by adding social media links as well as links to the official website.
• Enable channel keywords – When you are done with the research for keywords and want your channel to rank higher, go to the ‘Channel’ from the left-hand menu and then click on ‘Advanced’. You will find a section for Channel Keywords where you can add the keywords to gain more visibility.
• Enable related channels – this allows your channel to be part of YouTube’s recommendations. Thus, your channel can reach a wider range of audiences around the globe.
4. Add compelling thumbnails
Do know what attracts the users to watch a video at first glance other than the title? Yes, a compelling thumbnail. It is crucial to add a custom thumbnail along with your video content that piques the interest of potential viewers and makes them go through the whole content. YouTube has reported that more than 90% of the top videos on the platform have custom thumbnails that help to generate more views. Here are a few tips on how you can make it more attractive and eye-catching.
• Use bright-colored backgrounds along with text overlays
• close up faces if a portrait
• small logo and watermark as a subtle element for branding
• Use a 16:9 aspect ratio which is mostly used on YouTube player
• keep the resolution 1280×720 and the file size less than 2 MB
• The file format should be. JPG. PNG. BMP or. GIF
5. Encourage viewers to subscribe
Retaining customers is what helps to sustain the business while encouraging more growth. Similarly, if you are to leverage the existing viewer base, you will be gaining more loyal subscribers for your channel. Encouraging them to subscribe to your channel is what enhances the conversions rate on your YouTube channel allowing gaining more organic subscribers. So, how to do that?
Simply ask your viewers to subscribe to your channel at the end of your video content. Also, prompt them to turn on the notification bell after subscribing. As a result, they will be notified every time you upload a new video. In this way, you are able to create a huge subscriber base that will eventually increase the view count on the channel.
6. Keep it organized with playlists
When you have a well-organized YouTube channel where all the videos are segregated into different relevant playlists, viewers are more hooked on your content and more likely to visit all the content on your channel. A recent statistical report shows that top-performing brands on YouTube create 25% more playlists than the small-brands. Organized playlists are great for retaining new visitors who are visiting your channel for the first time. Channels with organized playlists also rank higher on the result page.
7. Add a watermark to the video content
Watermark is just an image or layer that represents your brand. You can make it appear on each of your video content, a way to promote your channel through the videos. Some brands use their logo, some use their brand’s name and some also use the term ‘Subscribe’. Usually, when a user hovers the mouse on the watermark, it prompts the person to subscribe to the channel.
To upload a watermark, you would need to verify the YouTube account. Go to the Creator Studio on YouTube and click on ‘Branding’. You will be able to find a button called ‘Add a watermark’. Click on it and upload your watermark. Make sure to keep the watermark transparent, square, and more than 50×50 pixels which is optimum for their visibility on the content.
8. Utilize End Screens and YouTube Cards
End Screens and cards are essential YouTube tools that help to gain more views while keeping the viewers engaged on the channel. With a verified YouTube account, you can use these special features. If you are not sure what extra features you can enjoy, click on the top right of the profile and you will find ‘Creator Studio’. Click on it and find an option called ‘Status and features’ where you can see all the features such as the screens and cards.
• End Screen – end screen is the dedicated frame that is added at the end of the video to wrap things up. It also highlights different activities of call-to-action.
• Cards – Cards on the other hand can pop up anytime within the video that garners more attention from the viewers.
How to add them? - In order to add cards and end screens to your video, go to the Creator Studio and click on the option called ‘Video Manager’. Then click on the option called ‘Videos’ and choose the content where you want to add the cards and the end screens.
9. Enable Video embedding
There are a lot of viewers on YouTube who would like to share your videos on their websites and blogs. Allowing your viewers to embed your video content is an effective way to spread your content. It helps your brand to reach a new audience base and gain more organic views on the Platform. When the video embedding option is enabled, viewers will find an option to embed when clicking on the ‘Share’ button.
To enable embedding, go to the Creator Studio and navigate to the video’s edit page. Click on ‘Advanced Settings’ and scroll down to the option called ‘Distribution options’. Make sure to check the box for ‘Allow embedding’.
10. Create social media buzz
It does not require to say that most online users these days are online over the social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and many others. So, make sure to utilize these platforms that offer more organic audiences. Let them know about your video content every time release a new one. Another great way to do it is to upload a teaser video. You can also utilize social media scheduling tools like Buffer or Hootsuite.
However, do not just stick to social media platforms as social buzz can be generated from many potential sources. Utilize blog posts and relevant media platforms to gain more traction. Do not forget about the importance of email marketing as it is a powerhouse of marketing. The average open rate for email is 18% and the purchase rate is quite high at 66%. Thus, it is the biggest sales generator and converter as well. Send an email blast and witness the response.
11. Nourish a community
YouTube is not just a video platform or a search engine but a social network that works like a hub of communities. So if you are looking forward to gaining more organic views, you need to constantly engage the audience and create a community with your follower base. If you are wondering how to do that, here are some simple ways to nurture a community of supporters.
• Respond to comments – This is one of the easiest ways to communicate with the viewers. Reply to the direct questions which offers the fans a special feeling of conversation with their favorite creator or YouTuber. It is also great for online engagement which enhances the rank of the video on YouTube.
• An active member in niche – Try to be an active member in your niche communities which helps to stand better in the industry. Subscribe to other channels on YouTube which are based on your niche. You can also put comments and share videos which helps to strengthen your bond with the community.
• Giveaways and contests – It is also a great way to engage passionate fans and retain them. Hold a contest or lucky draw that allows your fans to part in. Set prizes and giveaways for the participants and they will be more likely to support your content and channel in the coming days.
12. Make sure to use a YouTube trailer
A YouTube trailer is short video content that is shown to new visitors on your channel. It provides a handful of opportunities such as,
• Show the visitors what kind of video content you create
• Emphasizes the attribute of your channel and how it benefits the viewers
• Encourage viewers to subscribe to your channel
Though there are no particular rules for the trailer, but the according to the YouTubers; the maximum length of the trailer should not be more than 25 to 30 seconds. The video must share your story, ambitions, and vision of the channel that turns most visitors into loyal viewers. Feature the most interesting elements of your channel on the trailer which appear to be most impactful for the visitors.
13. The importance of ‘Watch Time’
YouTube’s algorithm is described as a ‘search and discovery system’. The algorithm usually determines the videos which are shown,
• In the search results
• On the homepage
• As suggested videos
• Under the tab for subscription
• Through the notification of the viewers
This algorithm does not only put an impact on individual videos but also works on the entire YouTube channel. The algorithm might be a little complex but the main element is ‘Watch Time’. According to YouTube, each video content uploaded through a channel is ranked on the platform based on its Watch Time. So, the more time audiences spend on your video content; the better your content’s rank will be.
‘Watch Time Credits’ work like affiliate marketing where the YouTube channels can earn more credits by referring other video content to the viewers. Focus on retaining more viewers every time.
14. Transcribe the video content
Sometimes only creating videos is not enough, it requires transcription to reach a wider audience. Due to disability and language constraints, many global users are unable to get a real idea of the video. YouTube allows a feature for closed captions where a transcript is added as the subtitle of the video which users can toggle at their will. If you are planning to create a buzz in the international market, transcription is a great idea. Translation of the scripts breaks all the language barriers and allows gaining exposure from both in the locale and around the globe as well.
Wondering how to create a transcribed file and upload it on YouTube? Follow these easy steps.
• Create a SubRip Subtitle file that includes start and finish times right next to the text
• You will find three options from the menu – Upload a file, Transcribe and auto-sync, Create new subtitles, or CC
• Choose the option ‘upload file’ and the subtitle file will be added. This method is recommended since auto-generated subtitles might not convey exactly.
15. Invites other vloggers
Guest vloggers can help you gain more viewers and followers, and inviting them is a great idea. Identify similar kinds of vloggers who belong to your niche and tap into their audience base. These audiences are potential for your channel and therefore you need to keep good bonding with these YouTube creators and influencers. When they share or feature your video through their content, your video content is able to reach a new and wider base of audience.
The vloggers do not just help to gain more views but also add more dynamics to your channel with creativity. Having another person brainstorm for your videos is surely a great way to gain more exposure from potential users.
16. Take help from influencers
Influencer marketing is one of the trendiest ways to gain the attention of the mass audience and taking help from influencers can help your channel grow as well. These influencers should belong to your industry so that you find a more relevant audience while working with them. Create an influencer community and actively participate in collaboration projects. In this way, you not only get to reach a wider range of audience but also your channel appears more diverse with new creative inputs. Thus, more visitors will also interact with your channel.
17. Wait for the best time
Everything has a right time and that goes for YouTube videos as well. The best time to publish your videos is considered the time when viewers are actually watching videos on YouTube. With the help of analytics, you are able to identify the most active time of your audience on YouTube. Based on the data, you can publish your video at the time when you can gain the optimum number of views. Identify the peak hours of activity and utilize that in your favor. You can generate the “When your viewers are on YouTube” report from the channel homepage and get a better insight into the situation.
18. Understand what’s viral
Be updated with the things happening around your industry. This is the key difference between becoming popular and sinking among the horde. A deep understanding of what is around the world can help to create videos that are interesting to watch for the audience. Things that are current and relevant to the niche tend to garner more views from the audience. Updated knowledge of your industry can help to create more viral content that is more share-worthy for the audience from the niche. Thus, do not just create videos; make a good research and study the modern trends.
It is understandable if following these tips feel a little overwhelming at the beginning but once you get the hang of it; you will witness exponential growth of your channel. The key is patience and consistent approaches. However, you will find many companies promote youtube videos in exchange for fees. These promotional packages can offer greater benefits after each successful campaign.
