Growth
How the YouTube algorithm works
There isn't one YouTube algorithm. There are recommendation systems for the home page, Up next, search and Shorts, and they all try to show each viewer videos they'll watch and enjoy. They follow viewers, not channels. Make videos your viewers love, and the systems follow.
Cuetta team3 min read
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There's no single algorithm
"The algorithm" is really several systems, one for each place videos appear. They share a goal: help each viewer find videos they'll want to watch and be glad they did. They don't follow channels. They follow what viewers do.
What YouTube says it looks at
From YouTube's own help pages:
- Watch history. "The YouTube videos you've watched help to give you better recommendations."
- Likes. Help YouTube "predict the likelihood that you will be interested in similar videos".
- Dislikes and "Not interested". Inform "what to avoid recommending in the future".
- Surveys. Help YouTube "understand satisfaction, not just watch time".
How each place works
| Where | Main signal | What helps your video |
|---|---|---|
| Home page | The viewer's watch history | Topics your viewers love, strong packaging |
| Up next | The video currently playing | Being a great next watch for related videos |
| Search | Relevance, engagement, quality | Matching search words and answering well |
| Shorts feed | What the viewer seems to want next | Grabbing attention instantly and holding it |
| Subscriptions | Who the viewer subscribes to | A clear reason for people to subscribe |
Home page
- Main signal
- The viewer's watch history
- What helps your video
- Topics your viewers love, strong packaging
Up next
- Main signal
- The video currently playing
- What helps your video
- Being a great next watch for related videos
Search
- Main signal
- Relevance, engagement, quality
- What helps your video
- Matching search words and answering well
Shorts feed
- Main signal
- What the viewer seems to want next
- What helps your video
- Grabbing attention instantly and holding it
Subscriptions
- Main signal
- Who the viewer subscribes to
- What helps your video
- A clear reason for people to subscribe
How a new video spreads
A new video is often shown first to people who already like your channel. If they click and enjoy it, YouTube shows it to similar viewers, then wider. If they don't, it slows down.
That's why packaging and the first 30 seconds matter so much, and why a video can take off weeks later when it finds the right audience.
Common myths
- "YouTube punishes you for not uploading." There's no proof of that. A break may lose habit, not favour.
- "Tags make you rank." YouTube says tags play a minimal role.
- "Only big channels get recommended." Small channels' videos regularly beat their usual views many times over.
- "Changing a title resets the video." It doesn't. It's a normal way to improve a video.
- "Shadowbans hide your videos." Drops usually come from topic, packaging or season, not a hidden penalty.
What to do about it
- 1
Pick topics with proof
- 2
Win the click honestly
- 3
Keep the promise
- 4
Lead to the next video
Series, playlists and end screens keep viewers with you.
The full plan is in how to get more views on YouTube.