YouTube’s suggested videos feature is an algorithm-driven recommendation system that suggests videos to users based on their viewing history, preferences, and interactions on the platform. While the exact workings of the algorithm are not publicly disclosed, there are several strategies that can increase the likelihood of your videos being recommended by YouTube:
- High audience retention: YouTube’s algorithm favors videos that keep viewers engaged and watching for longer periods. Create content that captivates your audience from the beginning and maintains their interest throughout the video. Focus on delivering value, entertainment, or both.
- Keyword optimization: Conduct keyword research to understand what people are searching for related to your video’s topic. Incorporate relevant keywords in your video titles, descriptions, and tags. This helps YouTube understand the content of your video and improves its chances of being recommended to users searching for those keywords.
- Engage viewers early on: Grab viewers’ attention in the first few seconds of your video to encourage them to continue watching. Use an engaging hook or teaser to entice viewers to stay engaged and watch the entire video.
- Create appealing thumbnails: Thumbnails are the first thing viewers see when browsing YouTube. Design eye-catching and relevant thumbnails that accurately represent the content of your video. Use clear and compelling visuals, large text, and contrasting colors to make your thumbnails stand out.
- Encourage viewer interaction: Encourage viewers to like, comment, share, and subscribe to your channel within your videos. Engagement signals such as likes, comments, and shares indicate to YouTube that your content is valuable and worth recommending to others.
- Consistency and regular uploads: Maintain a consistent uploading schedule to keep your audience engaged and encourage them to return for new content. Regularly uploading high-quality videos signals to the algorithm that your channel is active and helps build a loyal subscriber base.
- Collaborate with other creators: Collaborating with other YouTubers exposes your content to their audience and vice versa. When you collaborate with creators who have a similar target audience or niche, it increases the chances of your videos being recommended to their subscribers.
- Promote your videos outside of YouTube: Share your videos on social media platforms, your website, or other online communities. Drive traffic to your videos through cross-promotion, email newsletters, or partnerships with influencers. The more views, likes, and engagement your videos receive, the higher the likelihood of them being recommended.