by Google
There are many articles about how to start a YouTube channel or increase the number of views on your videos, but what if you have already achieved a stable number that you are happy with and they start to drop? In such a situation, every content creator would lose his appetite. Let's take a look at several reasons and solutions that will help you.
YouTube Algorithm
First, it is important to understand the YouTube algorithm. YouTube's recommendation system is designed to offer you exactly the videos that you enjoy the most and that you are likely to watch. The platform's algorithms consider various factors, such as the length of the video, your level of engagement, and how relevant the content is. There's often a whisper among budding YouTubers that shorter videos could be a hit, mainly due to the short attention span of viewers. But all the statistics and recommendations directly from YouTube indicate that longer videos perform better because they offer more content to engage, which is really important on this platform.
,,You'll find a better answer to any question about the algorithm if you replace the word "algorithm" with the word "audience." The shift in thinking—from "What do I want?" to "What does my audience want?"—is groundbreaking for creators. The key to success is not to fight the algorithm, but to focus on your audience and their needs."
Why not short?
The YouTube Shorts trend has transformed the way viewers consume content. Short videos have made it much harder for videos that are 2-3 minutes to perform, because the same content can also be condensed into a short Short. This may have forced creators to create at least 8-10 minute videos. However, this problem will soon change, specifically from October 15th, when YouTube will launch 3-minute Shorts.
Timing your posts
Have you ever thought about the timing of your videos when you post them? If you create content for a younger age group, such as schoolchildren or college students, you can expect a drop in views during periods such as the end of the school year, as kids are more focused on school and final exams than watching YouTube videos. It is also likely that schoolchildren watch videos in the afternoon and evening during the school year, and in the morning during the school holidays.
If you are a creator who focuses on sports content, you should consider sports seasons, which can significantly affect the viewership of your videos. During the World Cup of Hockey, football-focused videos may be watched less and vice versa. To adapt to these seasonal influences, it’s a good idea to have a content plan that is related to upcoming events and helps you stay on top of the latest trends.
Relevance is key
It’s important to focus on current events and trends. For example, if a famous actor has returned to a popular film franchise, fans will look for content related to that return. Connecting your content to current events can increase its chances of success.
,,Timing of content is something that many creators often underestimate, but it can actually be the factor that determines the success or failure of a video. People like to watch what’s ‘hot’, and if you manage to time your videos right, you’ll definitely get more attention.”
Experiment with formats
Starting to create YouTube Shorts can also be a great way to attract new viewers. However, it’s important to add them moderately so that the YouTube algorithm doesn’t consider your channel to be focused only on short videos.
Reality check
Self-knowledge and honesty with yourself is also key in creating content on YouTube, so it’s important to ask yourself from time to time whether the genre you’re creating is still Interesting for your viewers. If you're seeing a decline in your content, you probably know the answer. Take time to analyze and reevaluate your videos and trends, not just yours but also your competitors'.
Look at the content and numbers of creators who make videos in the same or similar genres as you. If they're doing well, find out why. Do they make longer videos? Do they include visuals in their videos? And if they're not doing well, it's likely that interest in videos in that genre has completely dropped and it's time to adapt to current trends.
Monitor your videos
If your videos contain controversial material, it can lead to a "yellow dollar" label, which means YouTube generates less revenue from them and recommends them less. If this has happened to you, we recommend that you monitor how YouTube reacts to your new videos, and perhaps hold off on publishing more videos until you know how things are.
If you think the "yellow dollar" label was incorrectly awarded, you have the option to request a review. YouTube gives creators the opportunity to challenge such decisions if they believe they have made a mistake.
Quality over quantity
Remember that sometimes it's better to focus on quality rather than trying to create a lot of content. Viewers really appreciate videos that are well-crafted, contain valuable or interesting material, and are technically well-crafted. These videos are much more likely to be watched by viewers until the end, which can increase overall engagement and help your channel grow.
If your view counts are dropping despite this, it can be frustrating. Many creators have faced this situation, and everyone responds differently. Maybe you've changed the style of your videos, started experimenting with new topics, or increased the production quality of your content.
Interacting with the community
Building a community around your channel can significantly increase viewer loyalty and engagement. The most effective way to interact with viewers is to respond to comments. This way, you let them know that they are not stolen from you and that you are not ignoring their feedback. Reading comments is followed by creating content based on feedback, which includes, for example, choosing a topic for the next video or adjusting the length of the video.
Live broadcasts are also a great way to communicate with your community. This format allows for spontaneous communication that can be more engaging and personal, which can help build a stronger community around your channel.
"Spend the time preparing to create something that will leave an impression rather than chasing video counts. Viewers don't just value content, they value its sophistication and value, which will directly translate into viewership. By responding to comments or hosting live broadcasts, you can strengthen your relationships with your viewers, which will ensure a loyal and engaged community in the long run. Always make it a rule to comment on the most interesting commenters or answer questions viewers have for you after the release."
