Rising Creators Forum

I've been trying to understand how the youtube algorithm actually works and I keep finding conflicting information. some people say it's all about watch time, others say it's click through rate, some say it's engagement (likes and comments)

I'm trying to optimize my content but i don't even know what the algorithm is looking for anymore. It feels like it changes every few months

Can someone explain in simple terms what actually matters to the youtube algorithm right now? like what should i be focusing on to get my videos recommended?

Honestly, I think people overthink the algorithm too much. I've been creating for 6 years and the core hasn't really changed that much

make videos people want to watch, use good thumbnails and titles so they click, and keep them engaged so they don't leave. that's it. everything else is just details

where i see people mess up is they focus on optimizing for the algorithm instead of optimizing for humans. like they'll stuff keywords everywhere or make clickbait thumbnails that don't match the content. that might get initial clicks but retention will be terrible and youtube will stop promoting it

The algorithm rewards videos that audiences enjoy. so just make enjoyable content and the algorithm will figure it out eventually. i know that's not the hack people want to hear but it's the truth

Okay so the algorithm isn't one thing, it's multiple systems working together. But here's what matters most in 2025:

1. click through rate - if people don't click your video when they see it, youtube stops showing it to more people. aim for 4% minimum
2. average view duration - not watch time total, but what percentage of your video people watch. 50% is the baseline you want to hit
3. satisfaction signals - likes, comments, shares, but also whether people watch another video after yours or leave youtube entirely

the algorithm's main goal is keeping people on youtube as long as possible. so if your video keeps people watching and leads them to watch more videos, youtube will promote it

tags and descriptions barely matter anymore. youtube can understand your content from the video itself now. focus on making content that people actually want to watch, not gaming the system with keywords