Do THIS to make the YouTube Algorithm love you

Growing a YouTube channel can be challenging, especially when trying to breathe new life into older videos. I want to share a strategy that turned one of my videos, which initially got just two views, into a video with over 100,000 views. This method, called the RCs Method, works whether your channel is small or has lots of competitors.

The RCs Method is a scientific process that increases the chances of people clicking on your videos when they are recommended by YouTube. Starting with an analysis of your video analytics, it involves creating new thumbnails and split testing them to find which is most effective. This approach has significantly improved my channel's performance, and I believe it can do the same for yours.

Key Takeaways

• The RCs Method starts with analyzing your video analytics.
• Creating and testing new thumbnails is crucial.
• This method can significantly increase video views.

RCs Method Overview

The RCs method can help boost your struggling YouTube videos, even if your channel is small. It focuses on increasing your video’s clickthrough rate when YouTube recommends it. Here’s how to apply this method:

Step 1: Recon

1. Open YouTube Studio: Navigate to the analytics section.
2. Check Impressions: Change the date range to 7 days. Click on Impressions to sort your videos.
3. Identify Videos: Look for videos with 500+ impressions in the last 7 days.

Step 2: Create

1. Pick the Best Video: Choose the video with the most potential from your identified list.
2. Design Thumbnails: Create 2-3 new thumbnails specifically for this video.

Step 3: Split Test

1. Use the Link Provided: Start a thumbnail test.
2. Monitor Results: Compare the clickthrough rates of the different thumbnails over time.

Key Considerations

• Video Performance: If a video is underperforming, make significant changes to the thumbnail.
• Stable Videos: For videos that are doing okay but have potential to do better, make subtle changes.

Tips for Successful Thumbnails

• Ask for Feedback: Post your thumbnails in a community or with friends for input.
• Iterate: Don't be afraid to test and tweak until you find what works best.

Using the RCs method, you can revive your older videos and potentially increase their viewership significantly.

Analytics Exploration

Getting to YouTube Studio Data

Start by heading over to YouTube Studio. Once you're there, navigate to the analytics section. This will show you detailed data about your videos. Click on the "See More" tab to get a deeper look. Then, change the date range from 28 to 7 days. This will narrow down the data to the most recent week. Finally, sort the videos by the number of impressions by clicking on the "Impressions" column.

Finding Videos with High Impressions

Now, look through your list of videos for those with more than 500 impressions in the past 7 days. Larger channels might have several videos meeting this criterion, while smaller ones might have only a few. If your channel doesn't have any videos hitting 500 impressions in the last week, there are still other steps you can take, which I will discuss later.

Content Creation

Picking the Best Video

Start by going to YouTube Studio and clicking on Analytics. Change the date range from 28 to 7 days. Next, in the Impressions tab, sort your videos by most impressions. Look for videos with over 500 impressions in the last 7 days. If you have a smaller channel, you might only see one or two videos that fit. If none of your videos meet the 500 impressions mark, don’t worry—I’ll discuss your options soon.

From this list, choose the video you believe is the best one. It's the video that makes you think, "This is good, it just needs more views!"

Making Fresh Thumbnails

For the video you pick, create two to three new thumbnails. This isn't new, but it must be done carefully. Randomly updating thumbnails across your channel can hurt your videos just as much as help them.

Look at the views of the video you’re updating. If they’re bad, make big changes to the thumbnail. For example, I had a watch hours video with a poor original thumbnail. I made big changes, and it helped a lot.

If the video is doing okay but could do better, like a decent Marvel movie, make smaller changes. Slightly tweak the design or text. You can even ask your community for feedback.

These steps are crucial in making the video more engaging and improving the click-through rate. Ensure your changes are thoughtful and data-driven.

Thumbnail Revamp Tactics

Scenario with Low Response

If your video isn't getting many views, it’s time for a drastic thumbnail change. Look at the original thumbnail and think about how you can make it much better. For instance, in the "how to get watch hours" video, the original thumbnail turned out to be ineffective. So, I made big changes, ending up with a completely different design. This type of major revamp can breathe new life into videos that aren’t performing well.

Scenario with Decent Performance

For videos that are doing fairly well but have potential for more, small tweaks can be effective. Take a video with 330,000 views for example. While the result isn't bad, I aim higher. Subtle changes, like adjusting the text size or slightly altering the layout, can help. A video similar to this one reached 650,000 views with such small improvements.

Using these strategies, you can improve the performance of both struggling and moderately successful videos. Don’t hesitate to get feedback from your community or trusted friends to fine-tune your work.

A/B Thumbnail Testing

Using Thumbnail Split Testing Tools

Let's start with using the tools that help test different thumbnails. After making new thumbnails for your video, go to a split testing tool. I usually head to one where you can upload the new thumbnails and set them up for testing. You'll see a "Create A/B Test" button, and you should follow the steps it gives you.

Create an account at Agent Gold. Once logged in, upload your original thumbnail and the new versions. The tool will rotate these thumbnails and gather data on which ones perform better. This is essential because not all thumbnails work the same for different audiences.

Some tools I use give detailed reports. You’ll see metrics like click-through rates (CTR) and watch times. All this helps to decide the best thumbnail for your video.

Analyzing Results from Thumbnail Tests

After running your tests for a while, you need to look at the data. Go back to the split testing tool and check the results. Pay attention to the CTR first; this shows how often people click on your video when they see the thumbnail.

Look at the differences between the thumbnails. Sometimes even small changes can lead to big improvements in clicks. Use the thumbnail with the highest CTR as your new main thumbnail.

Also, compare the watch time. If a particular thumbnail not only gets more clicks but also holds viewer attention longer, it’s a winner.

Sometimes, trends or patterns emerge. For instance, a certain color or style might consistently do better. Keep these insights in mind for creating future thumbnails.

Lastly, remember to test regularly. Audience preferences can change, and what works today might not work tomorrow. Keep experimenting and adjusting based on the data you collect.

Continuous Optimization Tips

To get more views on your YouTube videos, you can use a strategy I call the RCs method. This method works even if your channel is small or you have a lot of competitors. Here’s how you can put it into practice:

1. Recon:
   • Go to YouTube Studio and open Analytics.
   • Click on "See More" and change the date range to 7 days.
   • Sort your videos by "Impressions" to find those with over 500 impressions.
2. Create:
   • Pick the video that meets the criteria and has the fewest views, but you know it's a good video.
   • Create 2-3 new thumbnails for this video, making either big or small changes depending on your video's current performance.
3. Split Test:
   • Use a thumbnail testing tool to see which of your new thumbnails performs best.

Here is a quick summary in a table format:

By following these steps in the RCs method, you can give your existing videos a better chance to gain more views and engagement. It’s a practical approach to keep your content alive and thriving.

Conclusion

The RCs method can be a powerful tool to revive your underperforming YouTube videos. By focusing on Recon, you identify videos with potential based on recent impressions. Next, the Create step involves developing new thumbnails to make those videos more appealing. Whether making drastic changes or subtle tweaks, this phase is crucial. Lastly, in the Sacrifice stage, also known as split testing, you compare the performance of different thumbnails.

This approach has helped me achieve significant view increases on multiple videos. It’s not about luck; it’s a systematic way to get YouTube’s algorithm to favor your content. If you feel stuck and your videos aren’t getting traction, give the RCs method a try.