Getting your videos to reach more users depends on many factors. As one of the social networks most interested in marketing, I decided to offer you this guide to increase the reach on YouTube.
What is the YouTube algorithm?
To understand how the YouTube ranking system works you need to know what the algorithm is. Like other social networks and search engines, YouTube uses a computer system to classify content on the platform.
On this network there are more than 1.5 billion users and every minute more than 400 hours of video are uploaded. Even so, each person who enters the platform finds personalized content that matches their interests and previous visits. This happens thanks to the YouTube algorithm.
The system hierarchizes the content of the platform to show users what they want to see. Thus offering an individual experience, often without the need for the visitor to do a search.
For this the platform follows a series of relevant signs, among which we can mention:
- Search history.
- Interaction of users with the videos you see (I like, I don’t like, shared videos).
- Playback time of the videos,
- Comments they leave in the videos.
- Time spent on channels.
- Duration of each session.
By analyzing each of these aspects, the algorithm determines what you might be interested in. Helping each person to find videos they like to increase the time they spend on the platform.
Where does the YouTube algorithm come in?
Each platform is jealous of the factors involved in its algorithm. In other words, details are reserved to prevent users from taking advantage of possible “gaps” to position spam content.
However, there are certain elements known from this platform; they themselves revealed a YouTube study in which they indicate some algorithm signals and tips for optimization.
To understand how the algorithm works you have to know in which sections it intervenes. This way you will know how to act to increase your organic reach on YouTube.
The sections are as follows:
- Home and suggested videos. When entering the platform, YouTube recommends a series of videos based on activity history. It also takes into account how often you watch a specific channel or type of video. It also looks at content that attracts other users with similar profiles.
- Search results. Here the most important are the keywords and relevance. In order to choose what is to be shown, the query is set to coincide with the title, description and content of the video.
- Trends. These are the new videos that have become popular. In this case the algorithm takes into account the number of views and the growth rate of the video plays.
- Subscriptions. This section is where the most recent videos of the channels where users subscribed appear. The metric used is playback speed. That is, the number of subscribers who watch the newly published audiovisual.
Guide to increase your YouTube reach
YouTube is one of the social networks for businesses that has gained more ground thanks to the popularity of videos.
However, you have to know how to manage your channel to be successful. If you want to achieve greater reach, apply these actions.
Optimize the SEO of videos
The first thing you need to do is to optimize your videos for YouTube, as well as your business channel.
This will allow users to find you. To do this, complete all the necessary information about the video, so that the algorithm knows what it is about.
Include relevant keywords in titles, descriptions, video files and thumbnails. Don’t try to fool the platform with filler keywords because it will be counterproductive for your ranking.
Be constant with publications
If you want your channel to be popular and make money with YouTube, publish frequently. By doing so you tell the algorithm that you are an active user and it will keep you in the crosshairs.
It’s also in your best interest to do it for the users. This will earn you more trust and make subscribers wait for your posts. In this sense, it’s a good idea to publish at least once a week; try to do it on the same day and at the same time.
Capture attention with thumbnails
Just as important as the titles are the thumbnails shown in the videos. This image must be attractive in order to attract the attention of users who decide to see the rest of the content.
Thumbnails will help you increase your organic reach and promote your YouTube channel. Both the image and text shown in this preview should be eye-catching. Use a graphic designer to create it.
Get active subscribers
Having a good base of loyal subscribers is key. The more you have, the more relevant your channel will be to the algorithm.
But it’s not just about the number of subscribers, they must also remain active. If they are, you will have a better chance of getting a better ranking, thanks to the fact that they will help you to increase the speed of reproduction.
Create videos that your audience wants to see
Thanks to YouTube analytics you will know how users find you, your most popular videos, the ones that receive the most interaction, etc. Gather all this information to create content that interests your audience.
You may need to update some videos and delete others. Don’t hesitate to do so because a poorly performing video will affect your organic positioning on YouTube.
Create playlists
Playlists have one big advantage, and that is that they make the audience spend more time watching your content.
It suits your channel because it will earn points against the algorithm. And YouTube also likes it because they will stay longer on the platforms.
So these lists are one of YouTube’s most powerful tools and you have to take advantage of them. The best way to do this is to gather a group of videos on the same topic.
This will keep users hooked on the content. It doesn’t matter if you include videos from other channels, what you want is to increase the length of stay.
Engage the user from the first moment
Another key to having a successful YouTube channel is keeping users’ attention. Remember that the platform gives more importance to the time people spend watching a video than the number of clicks it receives.
What you have to do is retain the user from the moment he starts playing the video.
Try to let them see it as long as possible. To get it the content must be interesting, attractive, as well as match the title, description and thumbnail.
The length of the video is also important. Specialists say the ideal length is between 7 and 16 minutes. Videos with this extension retain users better, attract more subscribers, and generate more interaction.
A tactic often used to engage the public is that in the first few minutes there will be a surprise or an important announcement at the end. This will keep the rest of the video interested.
The best advice to be successful on this platform is to find your own voice. Each publication should have your style and your way of telling stories related to your business.