YouTube Q&A [AMA]

[geeking198]

While it does play a factor, what's even more important is CTR and WATCH TIME. If you can have a bangin CTR and watch time your video is more likely to go viral.

That 1000% sure and I can confirm that after 100s of tests.

My experience in order of importance:

1) CTR

12-15% higher the better.

2) Watch time:

at least 35% for video over 10min
at least 50% for video less than 5min

For my understanding, Youtube tests your thumbnail by showing it in a few places, especially for recent upload.

Say the first 200-500 impressions you have 15% CTR, and youtube will show it to more and more people testing if you can stay there and, eventually, outrank the competition. Higher CTR = Higher Nr of impressions per day. For me that's the correlation.

If instead, after the first 200-500 impressions you have 3-5% or less, your impressions rate drops, and youtube will start to show your video to fewer and fewer people.

This is a very simplified version of what happens to new youtube channels/videos.

That's why branding is important to catch the attention of the viewers, and for a larger channel, it is easier to jump in the first spot. Subs tend to watch your video immediately and stay there for longer.

For The Thumbnail, you have to get it right at first BUT you have the opportunity to fix it, change it, and do A/B testing for best results.
In my opinion it is something that most new youtubers overlook at it but it is the most important along with the content (retention).

 

[Russ Thomas]

That 1000% sure and I can confirm that after 100s of tests.

My experience in order of importance:

1) CTR

12-15% higher the better.

2) Watch time:

at least 35% for video over 10min
at least 50% for video less than 5min

For my understanding, Youtube tests your thumbnail by showing it in a few places, especially for recent upload.

Say the first 200-500 impressions you have 15% CTR, and youtube will show it to more and more people testing if you can stay there and, eventually, outrank the competition. Higher CTR = Higher Nr of impressions per day. For me that's the correlation.

If instead, after the first 200-500 impressions you have 3-5% or less, your impressions rate drops, and youtube will start to show your video to fewer and fewer people.

This is a very simplified version of what happens to new youtube channels/videos.

That's why branding is important to catch the attention of the viewers, and for a larger channel, it is easier to jump in the first spot. Subs tend to watch your video immediately and stay there for longer.

For The Thumbnail, you have to get it right at first BUT you have the opportunity to fix it, change it, and do A/B testing for best results.
In my opinion it is something that most new youtubers overlook at it but it is the most important along with the content (retention).

this 100% ^^ thats why having a great thumbnail and content is the most most important. the rest is just seo and getting your vid ranked for the keyword you want

 

[dragonme]

What are some tricks for monetizing non eligible channels. I read a method about using your own music and claim your videos using some distribution company. Does it work on NSFW channels?

 

[piyushcr]

Can you monetize your own music That you create from virtual audio softwares?

 

[dkv023]

1) I have google account A - It has adsense. I have google account B - it has Youtube channel. Can I use adsense from A for Youtube which register on B?
2) Again can you share thoughts about Youtube web traffic? Is Youtube good for web traffic to website? How many clicks to the website you can get from youtube views?

 

[kiks]

Thank you for providing this knowledge for free!
1) What we should do different when we want a youtube video to rank on google search engine?
2) You recommend any type of views right now to rank fast?

 

[incomesurfer]

Thanks OP for answering the Questions

Last question:
- do you monetize a video immidiately upon uploading? Or you wait once it's get a decent amount of views?

 

[Tareq17]

Please help my AdWords boosting watch time is not counted in the monetization requirement tab.

 

[wengthemeng]

@wengthemeng you're the best! I think for a video that performed already well even before being monetized will surely be boosted by YouTube once it is slapped with ads.

I think you overlooked my #3 and #4 questions... but #3 seems to be answered in further replies. But this one more importantly:

What does social signals, https://prnt.sc/pn1v15, and web 2.0 backlinks can do to a video with the current algo? Maybe you have done it in the past and can share your feedback.

Thanks a bunch!

It's a lot of work in my opinion to be boosting a video with all those external stuff.

If you have a quality video combined with a good thumbnail, SEO, and title, the internal boosting of YT should do the trick. Instead of spending time using social signals, web 2.0s, etc. for a video, spend that time improving your thumbnail and title. Im a preacher of this.

May be stupid question, but... does the video played as shared on the website count views?

yup! No worries. At one point i didn't know the answer to that question either!

Thanks for helping everyone with good information. I have few questions:


1. I have read YouTube takes 45% Cut. I wanted to check is the CPM before or after YouTube takes a cut. For example if it states my CPM is $5, would my 'actual' CPM be $2.75.

2. Monetized Playbacks. I wanted to check what actually is a Monetized Playback and How it works?

Do I get paid per view or per monetized view? So if a viewer clicked on my video I would not get any earnings unless they view advert? If for example I have 10 minute video and first advert is roughly in 3 minutes in the video. Would that mean that anyone that leaves the video before 3 minutes I would not earn?

In relation to advert. How does this work? Would they have to watch the entire advert to be classed as monetized view? What if the person skips the advert?

How does it change if YT premium viewer watches my video? Does that mean I dont earn as they dont have adverts on their videos.

Using the above $5 CPM (1000) Example. If I get 100K views in a video and only 50% are monetized views (just using random basemark. Is this even accurate lol). Then I would be earning:

$5 x 100(Views Divided by 1000) x 55% (After YouTube Cut) x 50% Monetized View = $137.50 per 100,000 Views. Is this correct?

3. Content ID.

Visual Content ID - This is the one I'm worried about. I know the content ID matches a Video if it is Over 10-15 Secs. I'm thinking of reviewing videos on YT. I.E Cooking, Games..etc. I will not use copyright audio, only commentary and no face cam.

However, I don't want to be speaking for every second of the video as this will frankly annoy people. Would that mean that if I dont speak for 15 Seconds and it matches the visual content of the persons video I'm reviewing, then basically i will be matched by content ID and my entire video will be demonetized.

Would this mean that I will be striked and banned.


I apologized for asking too many questions. Sorry.

Thanks

1. Your cpm is the standard across both parties. I think what youre asking is YouTube’s revenue share, but your revenue share is already shown in the community dashboard. Does this help? So if i make 10k on youtube analytics, that 10k is already AFTER the cut.
2. I think this article will explain it better: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/9314357?hl=en .

In your scenario, if u disabled “before” the video ads, then yes, you would be paid until someone who watches up to the 3 minutes views your ad.



It’s based on impressions in terms of CPM. They dont have to view your ad but youtube tracks how many 1000 impressions land on the ads on your video.



Regarding youtube premium, you ll still be paid based on how many youtube premium members watch your content so unrelated to ads.



Now i may be incorrect regarding this but it’s #of views/ 1,000 * CPM * .55

1. So when you get copyright flagged, youtube tells you the exact time frame at which the system caught your copyright material. You simply replace that time frame and re upload. You wont be striked or banned.

Is comments make different for ranking?

Comments are secondary analytics. I rarely respond to my comments on my channel.

will Youtube ban your account for buying views and applying for monetization alone?

Im not 100% sure, but I'm sure when they manually review your channel you most likely wont be approved.

That 1000% sure and I can confirm that after 100s of tests.

My experience in order of importance:

1) CTR

12-15% higher the better.

2) Watch time:

at least 35% for video over 10min
at least 50% for video less than 5min

For my understanding, Youtube tests your thumbnail by showing it in a few places, especially for recent upload.

Say the first 200-500 impressions you have 15% CTR, and youtube will show it to more and more people testing if you can stay there and, eventually, outrank the competition. Higher CTR = Higher Nr of impressions per day. For me that's the correlation.

If instead, after the first 200-500 impressions you have 3-5% or less, your impressions rate drops, and youtube will start to show your video to fewer and fewer people.

This is a very simplified version of what happens to new youtube channels/videos.

That's why branding is important to catch the attention of the viewers, and for a larger channel, it is easier to jump in the first spot. Subs tend to watch your video immediately and stay there for longer.

For The Thumbnail, you have to get it right at first BUT you have the opportunity to fix it, change it, and do A/B testing for best results.
In my opinion it is something that most new youtubers overlook at it but it is the most important along with the content (retention).

Preach it!!!

this 100% ^^ thats why having a great thumbnail and content is the most most important. the rest is just seo and getting your vid ranked for the keyword you want

Thumbnail+ title are key to winning on YT.

What are some tricks for monetizing non eligible channels. I read a method about using your own music and claim your videos using some distribution company. Does it work on NSFW channels?

I would look into contacting other channels' community boards.

Can you monetize your own music That you create from virtual audio softwares?

Yes, you should be able to.

1) I have google account A - It has adsense. I have google account B - it has Youtube channel. Can I use adsense from A for Youtube which register on B?
2) Again can you share thoughts about Youtube web traffic? Is Youtube good for web traffic to website? How many clicks to the website you can get from youtube views?

1) yes you should be able to.
2) too many factors play into this rather than generalizing it from youtube. Copy, opt ints, value, etc. play a factor when getting traffic from youtube.

Thank you for providing this knowledge for free!
1) What we should do different when we want a youtube video to rank on google search engine?
2) You recommend any type of views right now to rank fast?

Make sure SEO is properly done; and have a better thumbnail+ title= better click through rate.
2. Nope, all 100% organic methods i use unless I'm getting a channel monetized.

Thanks OP for answering the Questions

Last question:
- do you monetize a video immidiately upon uploading? Or you wait once it's get a decent amount of views?

I monetize immediately.

Please help my AdWords boosting watch time is not counted in the monetization requirement tab.

Can you kindly rephrase your question please

 

[ZoroBegins]

@wengthemeng I have sent you a PM. kindly check it bro.

 

[piyushcr]

Can you use the same affiliate link on a different youtube channel in the same niche?

 

[nvlima09]

Do you ever change your video titles and thumbnails? How long do you think it is ideal to work on the title and thumbnail if the video doesn't play well

 

[ggvbro]

First thanks for this section and your motivation, that will help a lot of people.

my question is: when i searched for a keyword in tubebuddy and vidiq, tubbedy says that it has high competition but vidiq says it's low, i'm confused about it bcz i'm planing to make a video in that keyword.

so which one should i trust please?

Thanks in advance your help is appreciated

 

[rejoin14]

Could you share your CPM of your Top X (maybe Top 20) countries?
You don't have to show views or something like that I would like to see only Country + CPM.

 

[wengthemeng]

Can you use the same affiliate link on a different youtube channel in the same niche?

Yes you should be able to. Check with your affiliate network though.

Do you ever change your video titles and thumbnails? How long do you think it is ideal to work on the title and thumbnail if the video doesn't play well

48 hours and 90 day periods.

If a video of mine is appearing in both the top results of the Past 48 Hours and Past 90 day periods, i click on it, make sure the CTR is still above 15%. If not, i switch out the title or thumbnail.

First thanks for this section and your motivation, that will help a lot of people.

my question is: when i searched for a keyword in tubebuddy and vidiq, tubbedy says that it has high competition but vidiq says it's low, i'm confused about it bcz i'm planing to make a video in that keyword.

so which one should i trust please?

Thanks in advance your help is appreciated

Hey no problem at all.

Trust neither to be honest. I only use tube buddy to scrape tags.

I only use VidIQ to make analyzing my search results easier rather than having to click on a channel to see how many subs they have haha. I hope this helps!

I never worry about competition when it comes to youtube. Your competition essentially helps you.

Could you share your CPM of your Top X (maybe Top 20) countries?
You don't have to show views or something like that I would like to see only Country + CPM.

Im actually not sure how to base it off country surprisingly haha.

but playback cpm ranges anywhere from $3.80 to $7.90 on one of my channels!

 

[DDi]

---

idk what happened to the quote. But i quoated, that you set the videos to private / untlisted for 1-3 days, to check if a copyright infringement comes up and if not you set them to public

do you still do this for every video you upload?

thanks a lot, learned many new things!

 

[josh98]

If you were starting out, would you buy an already monetized channel or start from scratch?

 

[Veselin Dragnev]

In the past it was possible to put direct affiliate link in the description/comment section without being deleted same goes for a page with locked content. Now it works oy with landing page with CTA Button that goes to the actual aff link or page with content locker so is there any way to put direct link again without being deleted? I've heard that a fresh domain with simple redirect works, what is youe experience?

 

[MarjolaineAuger]

A youtuber told me that it’s better to put stock footages to show youtube it’s your own video.

 

[Sinnerbh]

Would you suggest to buy watch hours and subs for a personal long term fitness channel until it gets monetized, to help the grow? Because you know, monetized channel get better exposure.
If not, the road to the monetization is really long for a new channel..
If yes, it would be risky to do it?