In a nutshell

  • YouTube’s recommendation system is powered by complex algorithms that consider factors such as video quality, viewer engagement and relevance to a user’s viewing history.
  • Strategies to boost your gaming channel’s visibility on YouTube include raising engagement by interacting with your audience, increasing watch time with captivating content, organizing videos into playlists, designing eye-catching thumbnails and compelling titles and staying current with gaming trends.
  • Creating searchable content, such as tutorials and walkthroughs, can attract viewers actively searching for solutions.

The YouTube gaming community has grown exponentially, with content creators competing for viewership and recognition. To stand out, it’s essential to increase your chances of having YouTube recommend your videos. This article will explore practices that can help your gaming channel gain more visibility and reach a wider audience on the platform.

How YouTube picks content to promote

YouTube’s recommendation system is powered by complex algorithms that analyze a variety of factors to determine which videos to promote. For example, YouTube may prioritize a video from a gaming channel that consistently uploads high-quality content, generates substantial viewer engagement and has a high average view duration. Additionally, the algorithm considers factors like the video’s relevance to a user’s viewing history, how well the video is optimized for search (using keywords and metadata) and the video’s overall performance compared to other similar content.

YouTube uses algorithms to analyze user behavior and metrics, such as watch time, engagement and click-through rate (CTR), to determine which videos to recommend. By optimizing these metrics and creating content that aligns with YouTube’s promotional criteria, you can increase the likelihood of your gaming videos being recommended.

Steps to increase your chances of getting promoted on YouTube:

Raise your engagement

To increase engagement, encourage viewers to like, comment and share your videos. Responding to comments and interacting with your audience can help foster a sense of community and further engagement. For example, YouTuber PewDiePie frequently asks his viewers open-ended questions, encouraging them to share their thoughts in the comments section about the game he’s playing. Additionally, engage with your audience by conducting polls or quizzes related to the game or your content, which encourages viewers to participate and interact with your channel.

Increase your watch time

To encourage viewers to watch your videos for longer durations, create captivating and relevant content. The longer viewers watch, the more likely YouTube will recommend your content. To increase your watch time, consider outlining your videos before recording to ensure you have a clear direction and purpose. Also, diversify your content by including different game genres, challenges or formats, such as tutorials, reviews or livestreams. Trim any slow or uninteresting sections from your videos to maintain high engagement levels. Additionally, incorporate storytelling elements like plot twists, character development or emotional connections to keep viewers invested in your content.

Utilize playlists

Organize your videos into playlists based on game type or series to help viewers easily find and consume your content, boosting watch time and engagement. Playlists also encourage binge-watching, as they automatically play the next video in the series, keeping viewers on your channel for an extended period. Additionally, well-organized playlists can improve your channel’s overall appearance and professionalism, making it more appealing to potential subscribers. For example, popular YouTuber Markiplier often organizes his gaming videos into playlists for each game he plays, making it easier for viewers to follow along and increasing the likelihood that they’ll watch multiple videos in a row.

Optimize your thumbnails and titles

Design eye-catching thumbnails and craft compelling titles that pique viewers’ interest. This can improve your CTR and increase the likelihood of YouTube promoting your gaming videos. To create effective thumbnails, use high-quality images, bold text and contrasting colors. Additionally, make sure your titles are accurate, concise and include relevant keywords. A/B-test different thumbnail and title variations to determine what resonates best with your audience. For more tips on designing and testing YouTube thumbnails, check out our guide on designing and texting YouTube thumbnails.

In the rapidly evolving world of gaming, staying updated on trends and emerging games is crucial for maintaining your channel’s relevance and attracting new viewers. By focusing on popular games or timely topics, you can increase your chances of getting recommended by YouTube and grow your audience. Here are some strategies to help you stay current with gaming trends and make the most of emerging games:

  1. Monitor gaming news and social media: Regularly follow gaming news websites, forums and social media platforms to stay informed about the latest game releases, updates and trends. This will help you identify potential content ideas that align with your audience’s interests and the gaming community’s current preferences.
  2. Collaborate with other content creators: Partner with other gaming YouTubers to exchange ideas, share insights and create collaborative content. By working with others in the gaming community, you can learn about new games and trends, while also expanding your audience through cross-promotion.
  3. Conduct audience surveys: Regularly ask your audience for feedback and suggestions on which games or gaming trends they would like to see on your channel. This will help you stay attuned to their interests and preferences, ensuring your content remains relevant and engaging.

Make your video searchable

Tutorials, hacks and walkthroughs

Creating searchable content, such as tutorials, hacks and walkthroughs, can attract viewers who are actively searching for solutions. These videos cater to a specific need and are more likely to appear in search results.

Let’s Plays

Let’s Play videos are primarily for entertainment and can be harder to find for the average viewer. However, by combining entertaining content with searchable titles and keywords, you can increase your chances of reaching a wider audience.

Consistently post every week

Regularly posting content every week helps maintain viewer interest and engagement. Additionally, consistency signals to YouTube that you are an active content creator, increasing the likelihood that the algorithm will recommend your videos.

Make YouTube Shorts

Creating YouTube Shorts, short-form videos optimized for mobile viewing can help you reach new audiences. It also can showcase your gaming content in a different format. This can increase your channel’s visibility and attract more viewers.

Getting views

Getting YouTube to recommend your gaming videos requires a combination of high-quality content, audience engagement and metric optimization. By following these guidelines, you can increase your channel’s visibility and grow your gaming audience on YouTube.