What Is YouTube Algorithm?
YouTube Algorithm (sometimes called YouTube SEO) is the process of identifying the different metrics of channel engagement with the audiences and ranking them on the YouTube homepage, suggestions, and search result pages.
This includes the YouTube algorithm that considers the channel upload frequency, Video length, Keyword usage, Video originality, following community guidelines, and more.
YouTube is the second biggest search engine, next to Google. Billions of videos were searched on YouTube daily. With this big data, YouTube must provide what users search for (called search intent). That’s where YouTube’s algorithm comes into the picture to deliver a better video experience to the audiences.
Below, we’ll cover how does the YouTube algorithm works. Stay tuned!
YouTube Algorithm Study
Audiences never hear the word called YouTube algorithm in their lifetime. But they are the main reasons for defining algorithms on YouTube over a period of time.
Is the YouTube algorithm the same since it was created? Nope!
Based on the audience’s interaction and experiences on YouTube, it changes continuously. Literally, that’s what YouTube needs. Their main priority is audience satisfaction.
For example, between 2010 and 2013, YouTube algorithms ranking factors mainly depend on subscribers’ clicks, views, comments, sharing interactions, and few more.
But now it’s different from the way it’s going on. Because many creators upload videos only for the sake of views. So, the YouTube library fills with a lot of click-bait videos.
Hence, the YouTube algorithm decided that, based on video clicks, we can’t predict whether the video is a good or bad. Therefore, they come with updated algorithm metrics regularly to evaluate the video credibility, which also matches users’ satisfaction.
Honestly, no one knows what algorithms YouTube uses to rank their videos. But some common ranking signals we can follow based on research.
Let’s see what algorithms YouTube is considering in 2023 and how they work.
How Does YouTube Algorithm Works in 2023
Before getting into that, you must understand that there are three main pages on YouTube, and the algorithm works differently. They are,
- YouTube Home Page: Dashboard of YouTube based on account login.
- YouTube Suggested Videos: When the current videos play, it will suggest the related videos irrespective of channels.
- YouTube Search Results: Search and Pop-up the results based on the user query.
The three pages mentioned above are the most used common pages on YouTube, and the algorithm provides more weightage on these.
Ok, let’s see how the YouTube algorithm ranks videos:
1) Length of the Video
The YouTube algorithm first calculates the video’s length and viewers’ engagement throughout the video.
For example, the video length is 30 minutes, but the viewer’s average watch time is 7 minutes mean, it’s not a good user experience, right?
On the other hand, the other channel video with the same niche average watch time is 20 minutes mean; the YouTube algorithm will automatically rank this video compared to the previous one.
Audiences’ attention to the video is the most important ranking signal that the YouTube algorithm considers.
TIP: Showcase the output firstly, if it’s a tutorial video. Create more infographics content to keep the audience on your video.
2) Keyword Research
There is a misconception among creators that YouTube no more puts weightage on Keywords.
But that’s not true.
Can you find your friend’s flat in New York without an address? Not possible right?
That’s how the YouTube algorithm gives importance to keyword density. As I said before, YouTube Search Result’s page is one of the top search engines. When the Audience provides the keyword phrases, the YouTube algorithm will crawl and find the related videos from the search engine and list them.
If possible, use free keyword tools like TubeBuddy to get high-search volume and low-competition keywords.
TIP: Use Keywords in starting of the video title. Also, add related keywords in the video description and tags.
3) User’s History
Apart from video algorithm (calledย Video SEO) optimization, YouTube considers what audiences like most and their area of interest.
For example, a person’s famous interest in exploring new foods and restaurants all over the city. But when YouTube feeds videos related to political and social issues mean, it leads to traffic down and poor user experiences.
Based on user interactions previously on YouTube, the algorithms bring related videos.
As a creator, you can’t push much in this area to satisfy the audience’s interest unless they are seeking related to your niche.
See what YouTube says about Viewers’ attention:
4) Other Metrics
The YouTube algorithm also considers the other basic engagement metrics, including likes, shares, comments, and watch time.
When you create your own style of videos, you’ll get a decent & loyal audience for your channel.
The bridge between you and your channel’s success is audiences. How you connect and get back to them is important. To create a better relationship with your audiences, make sure to create videos of what they are seeking.
TIP: First of all, don’t cheat them with less-informative or click-bait content. Be loyal to your audiences to get back loyal audiences.
5) YouTube Video Upload Consistency
Uploading three videos on day 1 and taking a rest for the next month is not a good idea. YouTube needs consistent creators.
YouTube algorithms monitor your channel’s activity regularly to understand how consistent you’re and how you care for your audiences.
Moreover, it’s not mean you’ve to upload a video daily. From my experience, uploading a video per week is a decent approach. And if you’re doing more than that, that’s welcome.
TIP: Create videos and keep them as a backup to avoid deadlines.
6) Quality Videos
The secret of YouTube’s algorithm is creating quality videos. Considering you have a list of all the YouTube algorithm points and follow that on your channel, expect quality content.
The result is Traffic Down!
Content is still KING! Also, there is a big misconception among creators that creating quality videos requires a lot of money, like a camera, microphone, lights, drone, etc.
But it’s not like that. Quality video is related to the content or value you’re adding to the audiences, not the equipment you’re using to create videos.
TIP: Do the competitor research, understand what they are missing, fill it out and publish the video.
7) Hold Audiences
YouTube loves two things: Viewer satisfaction and Holding audiences on its platform.
As a creator, your main goal is to keep the audiences watching your other related videos and keep them on your channel as long as.
To achieve this, YouTube provides many inbuilt features to keep the audience. And some of them are,
- End Screen & Card Templates:ย This leads the creators to watch more of your videos.
- Watermark Subscribe Button:ย This helps to convert the viewers into subscribers.
- Leaving Description Link:ย Add and mention the related video link into the description.
- Add Playlists:ย For tutorial kind of videos and categories, add them into Playlists, if possible.
Working on YouTube algorithms is not quantum physics. All you need is an initial kickup and guidance like the StrangerShow blog (which discusses YouTubing tips).
Also checkout the answered algorithm question here in the below video,
Feel free to let me know your doubts in the comment section.
Related articles,
