Beat the 2021 YouTube Algorithm: Explained

The YouTube algorithm has evolved, and so should your content strategy. This year YouTube has almost perfected which type of videos are to be shown to which type of viewers. So how can you make your videos reach the right viewers? How can you build the right viewer base for your channel? How can you increase your watch time as well as improve your subscriber growth? We’ll be answering all this and more on how to optimise your channel according to the latest YouTube algorithm.

1. Grow your audience base

YouTube has described three types of viewers. First, there are new viewers, who stumble upon your channel and watch a video for the first time. Second, we have casual viewers who don’t really do much to increase your engagement or your channel growth. They watch videos frequently but not often and might not be subscribers either. Finally, there are return viewers, who are the most important for your channel growth. These viewers have transcended from being new viewers to enjoying your content so much, that they return and watch the entirety of your videos frequently.

Focus on attracting more return viewers to your channel. In order to do so, analyse new viewers and try to understand why they watched your video, and what kind of content you can create to get them to subscribe and watch more videos. To check the number of viewers on your channel YouTube has added a feature for creators under “Analytics”. This graph will show you new viewers as well as return viewers.

2. Focus on quality watch time

On average, a person watches 200 random channels per month. This means the competition is fierce for you to reach new viewers and it is even more difficult to get them to stay and subscribe. This makes it extremely important to create quality content. Quality watch time holds much more value over inactive subscribers who may not even watch your videos. Identify what is making your channel unique that it is attracting these return viewers.

3. Providing consistent value on your channel is so much more important than trends

Once you get return viewers to grow your watch time and channel, make sure you create consistent content for them. Some channels go viral and gain a surge of views but lose their momentum the minute they can’t keep their videos regular and engaging. Don’t focus solely on trends to gain a surge of views suddenly, build your channel up and create viewer loyalty. Stick to the type of content you originally set out to create so your viewers know what to expect. And if it’s possible to incorporate trends to enhance these videos, then go for it!

4. Avoid drop off watchers at all cost

One of the most harmful things you can do for your channel is have “drop off watchers”. This refers to the type of viewers that click on your video and then stop watching it after just 5 to 10 seconds. This will relay to the YouTube algorithm that your video is just clickbait and will reduce your chances of engagement drastically, leaving you nowhere close to the suggested list. To ensure this does not happen, create engaging and relevant content that is meaningful.

5. Use long tail keywords as YouTube tags

There is a limit to the number of tags you can include so try and use long tail keywords to maximise your audience engagement. Also include words that can fit into the greater aspects of your topic. For example, if your channel is about lifting weights and building muscle you can include tags like “how to gain muscle quickly”, “lifting weights to build muscle at home”, “types of weights to use when building muscle” or even “nutrition required to build muscle”