Why Your YouTube Videos Aren't Getting Views (And How to Fix It)

If you're struggling to get views on YouTube, you're not alone. With over 500 hours of video uploaded every minute, standing out is harder than ever. But here's the truth: creators who understand how YouTube works are growing faster than ever before.

This guide breaks down 15 proven strategies to get more views on your YouTube videos. Whether you're a beginner with 0 subscribers or an established creator looking to break through a plateau, these tactics work.

Understanding How YouTube Recommends Videos

Before diving into tactics, you need to understand how YouTube decides which videos to show. The algorithm optimizes for one thing: keeping viewers on the platform longer.

YouTube measures this through:

Click-through rate (CTR): Do people click when they see your thumbnail?
Watch time: How long do they actually watch?
Engagement: Do they like, comment, share, or subscribe?
Session time: Do they watch more videos after yours?

Every strategy in this guide targets one or more of these signals.

1. Create Click-Worthy Thumbnails That Demand Attention

Your thumbnail is the single biggest factor in getting clicks. Even the best video won't get views if no one clicks on it.

Thumbnail best practices:

Use high-contrast colors that pop (bright colors against dark backgrounds)
Include faces with clear emotions when relevant
Add 3-5 words of text maximum (readable on mobile)
Create curiosity without being clickbait
Maintain consistent branding across your channel

Pro tip: Create your thumbnail BEFORE you record. This forces you to clarify your hook and promise upfront.

Test different thumbnail styles and check your CTR in YouTube Studio. A 1-2% CTR improvement can mean thousands of extra views.

2. Write Titles That Trigger Clicks

Your title works with your thumbnail to earn the click. The best titles are specific, promise clear value, and create curiosity.

Title formulas that work:

"How to [Achieve Outcome] in [Timeframe]" - How to Lose 10 Pounds in 30 Days
"[Number] [Topic] Mistakes You're Making" - 7 YouTube Mistakes Killing Your Views
"Why [Common Belief] Is Wrong" - Why Posting Daily Is Hurting Your Channel
"[Number] [Topic] That [Result]" - 5 Thumbnail Hacks That Doubled My CTR

Title optimization tips:

Put your main keyword near the beginning
Keep titles under 60 characters (full visibility on mobile)
Avoid vague words like "amazing" or "incredible"
Match the title to search intent

Use TubeGrow's YouTube Title Generator to get AI-powered title ideas that are optimized for clicks and search.

3. Hook Viewers in the First 10 Seconds

You've earned the click. Now you have 10 seconds to prove the video is worth watching. If viewers leave early, YouTube stops recommending your video.

Strong hook patterns:

The Promise: "By the end of this video, you'll know exactly how to..."
The Problem: "If you're struggling with [problem], you're not alone..."
The Preview: "I'm going to show you [specific thing] that helped me [result]..."
The Curiosity Gap: "There's one mistake killing most channels, and it's probably not what you think..."

Avoid these hook mistakes:

Long intros with music and graphics
Asking people to like and subscribe before delivering value
Introducing yourself for 30+ seconds
Vague promises without specifics

Check your audience retention graph in YouTube Studio. If you see a big drop in the first 30 seconds, your hook needs work.

4. Optimize Your Video SEO for Search Discovery

YouTube is the second-largest search engine. Proper SEO helps your videos get discovered for months or years after publishing.

YouTube SEO essentials:

Keywords: Research what your audience is searching for
Title: Include your primary keyword naturally
Description: Write 200+ words with relevant keywords
Tags: Add 5-10 relevant tags (less important than before)
Hashtags: Use 2-3 relevant hashtags

Use TubeGrow's YouTube SEO Tool to analyze your videos and get optimization recommendations.

Description template:

[Hook sentence with primary keyword]

In this video, you'll learn:
- [Key point 1]
- [Key point 2]
- [Key point 3]

[Expanded paragraph with secondary keywords]

📌 RESOURCES:
[Relevant links]

📌 CHAPTERS:
0:00 - Introduction
1:30 - [Section 1]
...

5. Use Tags and Hashtags Strategically

While tags are less important than they used to be, they still help YouTube understand your content, especially for new channels.

Tag strategy:

First tag = exact match keyword
Next 3-5 tags = close variations
Final 3-5 tags = broader category terms

Hashtag best practices:

Use 2-3 relevant hashtags in your description
First 3 hashtags appear above your title
Don't use unrelated trending hashtags (it hurts more than helps)

Get perfectly optimized tags with our YouTube Tag Generator.

6. Increase Watch Time With Better Content Structure

Watch time is one of YouTube's most important ranking signals. To maximize it, you need to keep viewers engaged throughout your entire video.

Content structure tips:

Pattern interrupts: Change camera angles, add B-roll, or insert graphics every 15-30 seconds
Open loops: Tease upcoming content to keep viewers watching ("I'll show you the most important tip at the end")
Clear sections: Use chapters to let viewers navigate
Eliminate fluff: Cut any content that doesn't add value

Optimal video length:

There's no perfect length—it depends on the topic
Make videos as long as they need to be and no longer
For most tutorials: 8-15 minutes works well
For entertainment: varies widely by niche

7. Post Consistently (But Quality Over Quantity)

Consistency builds audience habits and signals to YouTube that you're a reliable creator. But consistency doesn't mean daily uploads at the expense of quality.

Finding your optimal schedule:

Start with 1-2 videos per week
Maintain that schedule for 3+ months
Track which posting days perform best
Prioritize quality—one great video beats three mediocre ones

Consistency tips:

Batch record when possible
Build a content bank for busy periods
Use YouTube's scheduler feature
Create templates to speed up editing

8. Create YouTube Shorts to Fuel Long-Form Growth

Shorts are YouTube's fastest-growing format. They can bring new viewers to your channel who then discover your long-form content.

Shorts strategy for views:

Repurpose highlights from long-form videos
Hook in the first second (no warmup)
Keep pacing fast—cut all dead space
End with a loop (seamless transition back to start)
Post 3-7 Shorts per week

Converting Shorts viewers to subscribers:

Create Shorts that showcase your long-form content
End Shorts by teasing related long-form videos
Make your niche clear in every Short

Learn more about Shorts analytics in our YouTube Shorts Analytics Guide.

9. Study Your Analytics (And Actually Use Them)

YouTube Studio gives you incredible data. But most creators don't know what to look for or how to act on it.

Key metrics to track weekly:

CTR by video: Which thumbnails/titles work best?
Average view duration: Which videos keep viewers longest?
Traffic sources: Where are views coming from?
Top videos: What do your best performers have in common?
Audience tab: When are your viewers online?

Acting on analytics:

Low CTR? Test new thumbnails (you can change them anytime)
Low retention? Improve your hooks and pacing
Search traffic declining? Optimize titles and descriptions
Suggested traffic low? Create more content similar to your top videos

TubeGrow's Analytics Dashboard makes understanding your data easy with AI-powered insights.

10. Collaborate With Other Creators

Collaborations expose you to new audiences who already watch similar content. It's one of the fastest ways to grow.

How to find collaboration partners:

Look for creators with similar audience size (within 2x)
Choose complementary niches, not competitors
Start by engaging genuinely with their content
Pitch a collaboration that benefits both audiences

Collaboration formats:

Guest appearances on each other's channels
Joint videos on both channels
Shoutout exchanges
Playlist additions

11. Engage With Your Community

Engagement signals to YouTube that your content creates conversation. Plus, engaged viewers are more likely to watch more videos.

Community building tactics:

Reply to comments, especially in the first hour after posting
Ask questions in your videos to encourage comments
Heart and pin the best comments
Use the Community tab for polls and updates
Go live occasionally to connect in real-time

Comment section hacks:

Pin a comment with a question or CTA
Feature viewer comments in future videos
Create inside jokes that your community understands

12. Create Content Series and Playlists

Series and playlists keep viewers watching multiple videos, which dramatically increases your session time and total views.

Series ideas:

Tutorial series (Part 1, Part 2, etc.)
Weekly recurring formats
Challenge series
Behind-the-scenes series

Playlist optimization:

Organize videos by topic and intent
Put your best video first in each playlist
Use keyword-rich playlist titles
Add descriptions to playlists

Linking videos:

Use end screens to promote the next video
Add cards linking to related content
Mention other videos verbally
Include links in descriptions

13. Leverage External Traffic Sources

While YouTube traffic is best for the algorithm, external traffic can boost new videos and build your overall presence.

External promotion tactics:

Share on Twitter/X, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn
Embed videos in relevant blog posts
Share in niche communities (Reddit, Facebook groups, Discord)
Build an email list and notify subscribers of new videos
Create Pinterest pins linking to videos

Important: Don't buy views or use view bots. YouTube detects this and will penalize your channel.

14. Optimize for Suggested Videos

Suggested videos (the sidebar and end screen recommendations) can drive massive traffic—often more than search.

How to get suggested more:

Create videos related to popular videos in your niche
Use similar titles, tags, and descriptions as top performers
Optimize thumbnails to stand out alongside competitor videos
Build topical authority by creating multiple videos on the same subject

The content web strategy:

Create one "pillar" video on a broad topic
Create 5-10 supporting videos on subtopics
Link them all together with cards, end screens, and descriptions
YouTube will start suggesting them together

15. Never Stop Learning and Adapting

YouTube constantly evolves. What worked last year might not work today. The creators who grow consistently are those who stay curious and adapt.

Staying current:

Follow YouTube's official Creator Insider channel
Test new features early (YouTube rewards early adopters)
Analyze what's working for similar creators
Join creator communities to share learnings

Common Mistakes That Kill Your Views

Before you go, avoid these view-killing mistakes:

Clickbait that doesn't deliver - High CTR means nothing if viewers leave angry
Ignoring retention - A video with 20% retention won't be recommended
Inconsistent quality - One bad video can hurt your channel's momentum
Wrong niche targeting - Make sure your videos attract your ideal viewer
Giving up too early - Most channels take 1-2 years to gain traction

Take Action Today

Getting more views on YouTube isn't about tricks or hacks. It's about consistently creating valuable content that viewers want to watch and share.

Your action plan:

Audit your last 5 videos' thumbnails and titles—can you improve them?
Check your retention graphs—where are viewers dropping off?
Create a content calendar for the next month
Commit to a posting schedule you can maintain

Tools to help you grow:

YouTube Title Generator - AI-powered titles that get clicks
YouTube Tag Generator - Optimized tags for better discovery
YouTube SEO Tool - Complete video optimization
YouTube Analytics Tool - Understand your data

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to start getting views on YouTube?

Most new channels take 6-12 months to gain momentum. Focus on improving with each video rather than obsessing over view counts early on. Consistency and quality compound over time.

Do YouTube Shorts help with long-form video views?

Yes! Shorts can expose your channel to new audiences. Many creators report that Shorts viewers discover and watch their long-form content. The key is making your niche clear in your Shorts.

What's a good CTR for YouTube videos?

Average CTR is 2-10%, but it varies by niche and traffic source. Search traffic typically has higher CTR than browse features. Focus on improving YOUR CTR over time rather than hitting a specific number.

How often should I post on YouTube?

Quality beats quantity. Start with 1-2 videos per week that you can sustain long-term. It's better to post one great video weekly than four mediocre videos.

Do tags still matter for YouTube SEO?

Tags are less important than before, but they still help YouTube understand your content. Use them strategically—your primary keyword first, then variations and category terms.

Should I delete old videos with low views?

Generally, no. Old videos can gain traction later, and deleting them removes their watch time from your channel total. Only delete if the content is outdated or harmful to your brand.

How do I get more views from suggested videos?

Create content that's closely related to popular videos in your niche. Use similar keywords, create strong thumbnails, and build topical authority by making multiple videos on the same subject.

Is there a best time to post on YouTube?

Check your YouTube Studio > Audience tab to see when your specific viewers are online. Generally, posting 2-3 hours before peak times gives YouTube time to process and start recommending your video.

How to Get More Views on YouTube: 15 Proven Strategies for 2025