Brief Summary
This video features a discussion with Renee Richie, a YouTube employee, about the latest updates to the YouTube algorithm and strategies for creators to succeed in 2025. The conversation covers understanding viewer psychology, the importance of viewer journeys, changes to YouTube Shorts view counts, and effective storytelling techniques. Additionally, it explores the use of YouTube's analytics tools to identify audience interests and optimize content strategy.
- The YouTube algorithm is evolving to better understand video content using large language models, allowing for more precise video recommendations to viewers.
- Building a brand with a consistent experience is crucial for retaining viewers and encouraging them to watch multiple videos.
- YouTube is experimenting with surfacing low-view, low-subscriber channels to help them find an audience faster.
- YouTube Shorts now have two view count metrics: "views" (how often the video appeared in the feed) and "engaged views" (used for ad revenue sharing and partner program eligibility).
- YouTube provides free tools like "similar audiences watch" and "inspiration" to help creators understand their audience and generate content ideas.
Understanding YouTube's Evolving Algorithm in 2025
The YouTube algorithm is continuously evolving to improve its understanding of content and user preferences. YouTube is using large language models (LLMs) to analyze videos more precisely, moving beyond simple recipe-following to understanding the nuances and specific ingredients that viewers are interested in. This allows YouTube to recommend more relevant videos, improving the viewer experience and audience fit for creators. Creators don't need to drastically change their strategy, but should focus on creating quality content that caters to specific viewer interests.
Mastering YouTube's Algorithm for More Views
To get more views, creators should focus on understanding viewer journeys and building a brand with a consistent experience. It's important to consider what videos viewers will want to watch next after discovering a channel through a particular video. By creating a series of related videos, creators can encourage viewers to binge-watch content, increasing retention across videos. Building a brand and reputation helps viewers know what to expect, reducing the risk of clicking away.
Creating Emotional Connections with Your Audience
Understanding viewer psychology is crucial for getting more views. Creators should analyze their audience tab and analytics to identify what resonates with viewers, what they love about the channel, and what makes it distinct from others. People remember how a video makes them feel, so creators should focus on delivering a consistent feeling even when shifting topics.
YouTube Shorts: New View Count Changes & Creator Impact
YouTube has updated how it counts views on Shorts. Previously, a view was counted only if a user intentionally watched the short for a certain period. Now, a view is counted when the video appears in the feed. YouTube is introducing "engaged views" to measure intentional views, which will be used for ad revenue sharing and YouTube Partner Program eligibility. Creators can now see both "views" and "engaged views" in YouTube Studio to better understand the performance of their Shorts.
Algorithm Secrets: Grow Your YouTube Channel Faster
YouTube aims to help small creators grow by allowing the audience to decide what they want to watch. The platform is experimenting with the discovery and growth team by taking one or two slots at the top of recommendations and finding channels with low views and low subscribers to help them find an audience faster. Creators should focus on getting impressions by making videos that fit the right viewer.
Effective Storytelling for YouTube
To transition viewers from Shorts to long-form content, creators should focus on storytelling. Shorts should be standalone and provide a great experience, while also opening a bigger loop that can only be answered by watching the long-form video. The short has to be a great experience, people are going to feel like the short won't become popular, which means there won't be as many people to potentially click through.
Top YouTube Video Formats & Trends You Can't Miss
To coach a friend to start and grow a YouTube channel, start by making five to ten videos on a subject you're passionate about, and try a variety of different formats. Be a viewer, go out on YouTube, see what interests you, see what's working, what formats. Post those, see what's resonating, and lean into those.
YouTube Strategies That Work in 2025
To stay relevant on YouTube, creators must continuously reinvent themselves and stay creative. Analyze trends, audience preferences, and competition to identify opportunities for innovation. YouTube provides free tools like "similar audiences watch" and "inspiration" to help creators understand their audience and generate content ideas.
