Videos get selected for the homepage based on two types of ranking signal:
Performance: YouTube measures performance with metrics like click-through rate, average view duration, average percentage viewed, likes, dislikes, and viewer surveys. Essentially, after you upload a video the algorithm shows it to a few users on the homepage, and if it appeals to, engages, and satisfies those viewers (i.e., they click on it, watch it all the way through, like it, share it, etc.) then it gets offered to more and more viewers on their homepages.
Personalization: However, YouTube is not a trending tab. Personalization means that YouTube offers videos to people that it thinks are relevant to their interests based on their past behaviour, a.k.a. watch history. If a user likes certain topics or watches a lot of a particular channel, more of the same will be offered up. This factor is also sensitive to changes in behaviour over time as a personΓÇÖs interests and affinities rise and fade.
For creators, using YouTube Analytics to check out what other videos your audience has watched can help you zero in on what broader or related topics and interests your audience cares about.
Making a sequel to your most successful video is a tried-and-true technique. Ryan Higa went viral with a video about singing techniqueΓÇöhe didnΓÇÖt drop the sequel until three years later, but timing is up to you, really.
How do you get your video to rank near the top of search?
Keywords: YoutubeΓÇÖs search algorithm relies on the keywords you use in your videoΓÇÖs metadata to decide what your video is about. So if you want your video to show up when people search for videos about laparoscopic surgery, you probably want to include those two words.
Performance: After the algorithm has decided what your video is, it will test that hypothesis by showing it to people in search results. ThatΓÇÖs when performance (click-through rate, watch time, likes, survey feedback, etc.) becomes important. If your video appeals to and satisfies people looking for your keywords, it will be shown to even more people, and climb up the SERPs.
Performance: YouTube measures performance with metrics like click-through rate, average view duration, average percentage viewed, likes, dislikes, and viewer surveys. Essentially, after you upload a video the algorithm shows it to a few users on the homepage, and if it appeals to, engages, and satisfies those viewers (i.e., they click on it, watch it all the way through, like it, share it, etc.) then it gets offered to more and more viewers on their homepages.
Personalization: However, YouTube is not a trending tab. Personalization means that YouTube offers videos to people that it thinks are relevant to their interests based on their past behaviour, a.k.a. watch history. If a user likes certain topics or watches a lot of a particular channel, more of the same will be offered up. This factor is also sensitive to changes in behaviour over time as a personΓÇÖs interests and affinities rise and fade.
For creators, using YouTube Analytics to check out what other videos your audience has watched can help you zero in on what broader or related topics and interests your audience cares about.
Making a sequel to your most successful video is a tried-and-true technique. Ryan Higa went viral with a video about singing techniqueΓÇöhe didnΓÇÖt drop the sequel until three years later, but timing is up to you, really.
How do you get your video to rank near the top of search?
Keywords: YoutubeΓÇÖs search algorithm relies on the keywords you use in your videoΓÇÖs metadata to decide what your video is about. So if you want your video to show up when people search for videos about laparoscopic surgery, you probably want to include those two words.
Performance: After the algorithm has decided what your video is, it will test that hypothesis by showing it to people in search results. ThatΓÇÖs when performance (click-through rate, watch time, likes, survey feedback, etc.) becomes important. If your video appeals to and satisfies people looking for your keywords, it will be shown to even more people, and climb up the SERPs.