Let’s demystify the YouTube algorithm. Many creators pour their hearts and souls into videos, only for them to flounder in the digital wilderness. And it can be all too easy to blame the rubbish algorithm – AKA the system YouTube uses to recommend your videos to users.

But the harsh truth is that the YouTube algorithm doesn't hate you; you just need a better strategy. Luckily, you've landed upon Trendy Grandad. We're a YouTube video production company – so it's safe to say we know a thing or two about speaking the algorithm's language.

We're pulling the curtain back, showing you the inner workings of YouTube and how you can use the algorithm to your advantage. Stick around to discover exactly how to please the algorithm (and save your videos from 0-view jail).

What Does the YouTube Algorithm Actually Want?

The YouTube algorithm wants to show viewers content they'll find engaging and relevant. When viewers are happy, they watch more videos, spend more time on the platform, and ultimately, YouTube benefits.

To truly find success on YouTube, you need a clear understanding of who you're making content for. It's not just about chucking stuff out there; it's about attracting a dedicated audience that gets your vibe and keeps coming back for more.

Ask yourself:

• Who are your ideal viewers? Go beyond basic demographics. What are their interests, pain points, and aspirations?
• What specific problems do you solve for them? What unique value do you offer? Are you educating, entertaining, inspiring, or providing practical solutions?

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The Importance of Audience Retention

Videos with high audience retention suggest that they are delivering on their promise and keeping viewers engaged – a massive thumbs-up. While the exact inner workings are a closely guarded secret (and constantly evolving!), here are some of the key metrics to keep in mind:

• Watch Time: This is arguably the king of metrics. It measures how much of your video viewers actually watch.
• Average Percentage Viewed: What percentage of your video, on average, do viewers stick around for? A higher percentage signals that your content is holding their attention.
• Likes and Dislikes: While not as influential as watch time, a high like-to-dislike ratio can signal that people are enjoying your content.
• Comments: Comments show that viewers are invested enough to share their thoughts, fostering a sense of community and indicating engagement. The algorithm sees active comment sections as a sign of interesting content.
• Shares: When viewers share your video on other platforms, it lets YouTube know that it was valuable or entertaining enough to pass on, increasing its reach.
• Subscribes: When viewers subscribe after watching your video, it's a strong signal that they enjoyed your content and want to see more from you. Videos that lead to subscriptions are highly valued.
• Click Through Rate (CTR): A consistently high CTR tells the algorithm that your titles and thumbnails are relevant to what viewers are searching for or being shown. A high CTR gets the initial ball rolling, and then retention keeps it going.

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How to Please the Algorithm

You could spend hours creating the most incredible video, but if you don’t optimise for the algorithm, it's unlikely anyone will ever see it. But fear not, there are ways to help propel your content.

Video Optimisation and SEO

First of all, consider this: what is your audience actively searching for? Don't just guess. Dive into research using the YouTube search bar autofill, Google Trends, and competitor analysis.

Using relevant keywords in titles, descriptions, and tags helps YouTube understand what your video is about and who to show it to.

An important point: the actual content of your video needs to align with the keywords you're using. Misleading viewers with clickbait can lead to poor retention and negatively impact your video's performance. It's not cool, don't do it.

Hiring a YouTube Video Production Company

High-quality thumbnails, filming and editing, closed captions and subtitles, descriptions, tags... the to-do list can feel endless when you’re trying to juggle a channel alone. 

Hiring a YouTube video production company can be a significant investment, but it can also free up your time, improve the quality of your content, and ultimately help you achieve your YouTube goals more effectively.

Before you commit, make sure you do the following: define your needs and (most importantly) budget, research potential video production companies, and ask about workflow, timelines, and processes.