Is YouTube recommending less to small channels in 2026 ?

[Marketing Ninja]

Hi,

My recent uploads are not getting reach as compared to before.

Before some time, small channels gets atleast some push in Browse or suggested in few hours only. But now many of my videos are not getting reach even after a full day.

The content quality is same and I am still posting consistently but I am not getting reach early.

Is this a YouTube algorithm change or is it because of more competition ?

 

[Authority Builder]

I think competition is much higher now and YouTube is become more selective about the videos it recommends, mainly for smaller channels. So early reach is slower now unless the video gets strong retention and CTR form the start.

 

[Katniss Everdeen]

Is this a YouTube algorithm change or is it because of more competition ?

I think it is a mix of both. There is definitely more competition now, and youtube seems to be testing content more carefully before giving it wider reach. I have seen videos sit quiet for a day or sometime and then suddenly start getting views. For small channels the initial push feels less predictable than it used to be.

 

[malopaolo]

I've noticed the same thing recently. It could be a mix of algorithm changes and increased competition. Youtube seems to be taking longer to test videos before pushing them out. If your retention and CTR are still healthy, I would focus on consistency and give videos a few days before juding their performance.

 

[ProfitStreamX]

I think sometimes older videos do better because they already built some data. and new uplaods starts from zero every time.

 

[OracleBo]

Looks like a classic case where YouTube is either delaying the initial push or not giving videos a strong early test at all. But I wouldn’t blame only the algorithm — often it comes down to CTR or early retention: if the first test audience doesn’t react well, the video doesn’t get scaled further. And yes, competition is higher now, so distribution of impressions is generally less predictable than before

 

[dermae Kjomep]

Your videos aren't getting as many views as before because of two factors: algorithm changes and increasing competition. YouTube's algorithm now prioritizes recommendations based on actual viewer satisfaction (watch time, click-through rate) rather than just upload frequency.

 

[Brucey9]

Yeah, same pattern for a lot of creators. YouTube is still testing your videos, but the “first push” is more competitive now. If early CTR + watch time aren’t strong, it just doesn’t expand further.

 

[Nikolaos]

I think competition is much higher now and YouTube is become more selective about the videos it recommends, mainly for smaller channels. So early reach is slower now unless the video gets strong retention and CTR form the start.

100% agree. Youtube has become a lot more competitive in certain niches and people don't discover one's videos as much as before.

 

[proxygo]

the biggest issue with YT is there banning channels for no reason
while there AL deals with appeals .

 

[Onemarket]

I think YouTube is still functioning normally. Try not to overthink the algorithms instead, focus on creating and improving content that attracts viewers and keeps them engaged.

 

[Marketing Ninja]

Looks like a classic case where YouTube is either delaying the initial push or not giving videos a strong early test at all. But I wouldn’t blame only the algorithm — often it comes down to CTR or early retention: if the first test audience doesn’t react well, the video doesn’t get scaled further. And yes, competition is higher now, so distribution of impressions is generally less predictable than before

Have you noticed any specific CTR or retention numbers where youtube starts pushing a video more aggressively ?