⚡ Quick answerDay Trading Attention by Gary Vaynerchuk gets 4.5/5 from me. Vaynerchuk's current playbook for organic reach: skip the hype, keep the breakdowns. Anyone building an audience or brand on social platforms right now.
What is Day Trading Attention about?
Vaynerchuk argues that attention is the asset that matters most now, and lays out how to earn it organically across modern social platforms through content built for how people actually scroll.
Day Trading Attention summary
Vaynerchuk's central claim is that the businesses winning today are the ones that understand where attention is cheap and how to capture it, and that right now organic social content offers reach that would once have cost a fortune in ads. The book is his current thinking on how to do that.
He breaks down the idea of creating large volumes of content, then using the best-performing pieces to guide what you make next, a test-and-learn approach to attention. A large part of the book goes platform by platform, covering the formats and behaviours that work on each, and the idea of modelling content on what already gets engagement rather than guessing. He ties it to a simple commercial point: attention is only useful if it eventually leads to sales, so the content has to connect to an offer.
The tone is high-energy and repetitive in places, which is very Vaynerchuk. Underneath it is a genuinely useful, current breakdown of organic reach that most older marketing books cannot offer.
Published in 2024, it is Vaynerchuk's updated take on modern social-media marketing and one of the more current books on this list. It is aimed at business owners and creators trying to win attention organically today.
The one idea worth the price: Attention is the cheapest it will ever be on the platforms most people are ignoring. Make content built for how people actually scroll, not how you wish they did.
Key ideas and takeaways
Attention is the asset. The scarce, valuable thing now is attention, and organic reach is underpriced.
Volume then double down. Make a lot, then lean into what performs.
Platform-native content. Match the format and behaviour of each platform.
Attention must convert. Reach only counts if it eventually leads to a sale.
My honest take
This is the one genuinely current book in the marketing section, and that is its main value. A lot of marketing classics were written before the platforms most of us now rely on existed, and Vaynerchuk's breakdowns of how organic reach works today fill that gap.
You do have to filter the hype. He is high-energy and repetitive, and not every reader enjoys the tone. But the platform-by-platform detail and the test-and-learn approach to content are practical and up to date, which for anyone building an audience right now is exactly what is needed. Take the tactics, leave the volume.
It pairs well with $100M Leads. Hormozi gives you the framework for where leads come from; Vaynerchuk goes deeper on the organic-content channel specifically, which is where a lot of self-employed people get their cheapest reach.
The honest caveat: The tone is hype-heavy and repetitive, and platform tactics date fast, so treat the specifics as a snapshot. The underlying approach to attention lasts longer than any single tactic.
Where it falls short
High-energy, repetitive style that grates on some readers.
Platform-specific tactics will date as the platforms change.
How it compares
$100M Leads covers all the ways to get seen; Day Trading Attention goes deep on the organic-content channel specifically. Read Hormozi for the map and Vaynerchuk for the social detail.
Who should read it (and who should skip it)
Anyone building an audience or brand on social platforms right now. Skip it if organic social is not part of your plan.
Best format: Kindle or paper for the platform breakdowns; audio loses the visual examples.
How to actually use it if you are self-employed
Pick one platform and study what already gets engagement in your niche.
Commit to a volume of content, then double down on your best performers.
Make sure each piece connects, eventually, to something you sell.
⚡ The 60-second recap
Attention is the asset; organic reach is underpriced.
Make volume, then double down on what works.
Turn attention into sales, not just views.
A book is a shortcut. A second pair of eyes is faster.
Twenty years self-employed, 500+ people coached. If you want help applying this to your own situation, book a free discovery call.
Treating attention like a market: spotting where reach is currently cheap and moving quickly to capture it with the right content.
Is it up to date?
Yes. Published in 2024, it is one of the more current marketing books, though platform tactics always date eventually.
Who is it for?
People building an audience or brand on social platforms right now.
Is the tone off-putting?
It is high-energy and repetitive, which some love and some do not. The tactics are worth filtering for.
Do I need to be on every platform?
No. The book helps you pick where your attention is best spent rather than spreading thin.
Final verdict
Day Trading Attention earns 4.5/5. Vaynerchuk's current playbook for organic reach: skip the hype, keep the breakdowns. If it is the stage you are at, the cheapest way in is a free Audible trial or Kindle Unlimited.
Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you buy through them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Star ratings are my own editorial scores.
Want to start a YouTube channel but you keep stalling at the “Create channel” button? Good. That hesitation is the most common reason channels never get off the ground — and the easiest one to fix. I’ve spent more than 20 years on YouTube, I’m a YouTube Certified Expert, and six of the channels I’ve worked with have earned a Silver Play Button (100,000 subscribers). Below is the exact playbook I walk every new client through when they ask me how to start a YouTube channel from scratch in 2026.
No fluff. No “just be yourself.” A real, ordered checklist — from picking your niche to your first 1,000 subscribers — with the tools and gear I actually use, and the things I’d skip if I were starting over today.
Short answer: yes, and probably more than it’s ever been.
YouTube has over 2 billion logged-in monthly viewers, the Partner Program now opens at 500 subscribers instead of 1,000, Shorts have given new channels a discovery shortcut that didn’t exist five years ago, and the algorithm now rewards viewer satisfaction over channel age. Translation: a brand-new channel that nails a specific topic can outperform a channel ten times its size.
I get the doubts though. I hear the same three every week on consulting calls. Let’s knock them out before we go any further.
“Am I too late?”
No. Niche channels under 10,000 subscribers are growing faster than they were three years ago, partly because the algorithm has shifted to satisfaction-weighted recommendations and partly because Shorts gives you a way to be discovered without years of accumulated authority. People said it was “too late” in 2014. They said it again in 2018. They were wrong both times.
“I’m too shy / I don’t want to be on camera”
You don’t need to be. Faceless channels (tutorials, screen recordings, gameplay, voiceover, AI-narrated, stock-footage compilations) are some of the fastest growing formats on the platform right now. I’ve broken down the full playbook in my guide on how to make YouTube videos without showing your face, plus a deeper look at why faceless channels are so profitable right now.
“My topic is too niche”
Niche is the goal, not the problem. A laser-focused channel is easier to grow because the algorithm understands what it is and serves it to the right people faster. The classic mistake is going broad to “reach more people” — the algorithm punishes that, hard. I cover the trade-off in detail in Jack of All Trades vs Master of One and the head-to-head niche vs broad channel breakdown.
Right — on with the steps.
How YouTube Actually Works in 2026 (The 5-Minute Primer Every New Creator Needs)
Before you spend a single hour making a video, spend five minutes understanding what you’re publishing into. This is the bit most beginner guides skip, and it’s why most beginner channels stall.
YouTube is not one product. It’s four overlapping recommendation engines glued together:
Search. When someone types a query into YouTube, the platform serves them videos. This is where titles, descriptions, keywords, and transcripts matter most. Search rewards specific answers to specific questions.
Browse / Home feed. The infinite feed YouTube shows you when you open the app or homepage. Driven by your watch history, your subscriptions, and what people similar to you are watching. Browse rewards clickable thumbnails and strong opening retention.
Suggested videos. The sidebar (or “Up Next”) that appears while you’re watching something. Driven by what people who watched the current video tend to watch next. Suggested rewards topical relevance and similar audiences.
Shorts feed. Since late 2025, the Shorts recommendation engine has been formally separated from long-form. Shorts gets its own discovery, its own watch-loop signals, and its own subscriber pipeline. Shorts rewards the first 2 seconds, looping, and shares.
Each of those engines wants something slightly different from you. A great search video can be a terrible Browse video and vice-versa. As a new creator the smart play is to lean into Search first — it’s the easiest engine to win without an audience, because YouTube has to serve somebody’s video when a viewer types a query, and there’s no “authority bias” in search the way there is in the Browse feed.
Then, in 2025–2026, YouTube changed the deeper objective the algorithm optimises for. Where it used to maximise watch time, it now optimises for viewer satisfaction — whether viewers felt the time was well spent. That’s measured through repeat views, shares, post-view survey responses, and how often viewers come back to the platform. A 3-minute video that gets shared and re-watched will now beat a 20-minute video that gets abandoned at the 8-minute mark.
Practically, that means as a new creator your priorities are: pick the right niche, write a tight title that promises one specific thing, deliver on the promise quickly, and don’t pad. Every “watch time hack” you read from a 2021 blog post is now actively bad advice.
What You Actually Need Before You Start a YouTube Channel
The barrier to entry is laughably low. To create a channel and upload your first video, you need:
A Google account (free)
An internet connection
A device that can record video — your phone is fine
Free editing software (DaVinci Resolve, CapCut, or your phone’s built-in editor)
A topic you can talk about every week for 12 months without getting bored
That’s it. The total cost to start can be £0. People will tell you that you need a £900 camera and a £400 microphone before you upload your first video. Those people are usually selling you the camera. I cover the realistic numbers in my full Creator Equipment Guide 2026, and I’ll give you the priority order further down this post.
What you actually need before you press “Create channel” is the four decisions in the next four steps: your niche, your audience, your name, and your value proposition. Get those wrong and no amount of gear will save you.
Step 1: Pick a Niche You Can Stick With for 12 Months
Your niche is the single biggest predictor of whether your channel will grow. Pick well and the algorithm does a lot of the heavy lifting. Pick badly and you’ll burn out at video 14.
A good YouTube niche has three properties:
It’s specific. “Fitness” is not a niche. “Calisthenics for desk workers over 40” is a niche. The narrower you go, the easier it is to rank, to write thumbnails, and to be remembered.
It has search demand or watch-time demand. People are either actively searching the topic, or they’ll happily binge it in their feed. Use YouTube keyword research to confirm this before you commit.
You can stick with it. If you can’t make 50 videos on the topic without feeling sick, it’s the wrong niche.
Don’t pick a niche based on CPM alone (the “finance pays more so I’ll start a finance channel” trap). High CPM is meaningless if you have nothing original to say. Knowing the rough pay rate of each niche still helps you make an informed choice though — my CPM by niche breakdown shows the realistic numbers.
Step 2: Define Your Audience and Your Value Proposition
Once you have a niche, write down two things before you do anything else.
Your audience in one sentence. Not “everyone who likes cars.” Try “UK car enthusiasts in their 20s who want to learn how to maintain their first project car without paying a mechanic.” That sentence will sharpen every title, thumbnail, and video you make. If you can’t picture one specific person watching, you’re too broad.
Your value proposition in one sentence. A value proposition is a promise to the viewer. Mine is “Actionable YouTube growth advice from a Certified Expert who’s been on the platform 20+ years.” Yours could be “Honest first-impressions on every new mid-range Android phone, in under 8 minutes.” Boring? Maybe. Memorable? Yes. That’s the job.
Write these two sentences and pin them above your desk. Every video that doesn’t serve them is a video that hurts your channel.
Step 3: Create a Google Account and Your YouTube Channel
Now the mechanical bit. This part takes about three minutes.
Go to accounts.google.com/signup and create a new Google account. Don’t use your personal Gmail unless you’re comfortable mixing the two. Create a fresh one with your channel/brand name.
Once logged in, head to YouTube.com and click your profile picture in the top right.
Choose Create a channel. Enter your channel name and handle (more on naming in the next section).
Add a placeholder profile picture (you can replace this any time) and click Create channel.
Turn on 2-Step Verification on the underlying Google account. Account takeover is the single biggest avoidable disaster for new creators — do this on day one.
If you want a step-by-step walkthrough with screenshots, my 2026 Channel Setup Guide covers every settings page in detail, including the bits YouTube buries.
Personal channel vs Brand Account
You’ll see two channel types: a default personal channel tied to your Google account, and a Brand Account. Use a Brand Account if there’s any chance you’ll bring in collaborators, hand the channel to a team, or run multiple channels from one Google login. You can convert later, but it’s less painful to start that way.
Step 4: Choose a YouTube Channel Name (and Handle)
Your channel name is one of the few things that’s genuinely hard to change later, so don’t rush it — but don’t let “perfect” stop you launching either.
Three naming approaches that work:
Your real name. Best if you’re building a personal brand and you’ll always be the face of the channel. Hard to scale into a team channel later (try selling “Alan Spicer” without Alan).
A descriptive brand name. “Project Farm,” “Smarter Every Day,” “Practical Engineering.” Easy to remember, hints at the content, easier to hand off, and easier to extend into merch and a website.
A coined/made-up word. “MKBHD,” “Veritasium,” “LinusTechTips.” Unique and brandable, but harder to find by search and harder to spell.
Whichever you pick, check three things:
The handle is available on YouTube (handles are unique, so “@yourname” might already be gone).
The .com or .co.uk domain is available — or at least a clean variant.
It’s available on Instagram and TikTok. You’ll want those eventually.
Avoid: numbers in the name, hyphens, “official” or “TV” suffixes, anything trademark-adjacent, anything that’ll embarrass you in five years. Avoid the year (“TechReviews2026” ages instantly).
Step 5: Customise and Brand Your Channel
You don’t need a £500 designer. You need three assets and you need them done in 90 minutes, not 90 days.
Profile picture (avatar)
800 x 800 pixels, square format, recognisable at thumbnail size. If you’re a personal brand, use a clean head-and-shoulders shot — ideally a screenshot from your videos so it matches what people see when they watch. If you’re a brand, use a clean logo on a solid background.
Banner image
2,560 x 1,440 pixels, with the “safe area” (the bit that displays on mobile) at 1,546 x 423 pixels in the centre. Use Canva — their YouTube banner templates are already at the right dimensions. Your banner should answer one question fast: “What do I get if I subscribe?”
Video watermark
A 150 x 150 px PNG with a transparent background. This is the little subscribe button that appears in the corner of every video. Use your logo or a stylised initial. It’s small but it converts — turn it on, set it to display for the whole video.
While you’re in YouTube Studio → Customisation, also fill out:
About section — lead with your value proposition in the first sentence. Most viewers never click “read more.”
Featured links — your website, your booking page, your Instagram. Up to five show on your channel page.
Channel keywords (Settings → Channel → Basic info). 5–10 keywords describing your niche. Not shown to viewers but they signal to YouTube what your channel is about.
Channel trailer — a 30–60 second pitch for non-subscribers. You can record this once you have 3–5 videos up.
Step 6: Get the Right Equipment to Start (Cheap to Pro)
Here’s the order I’d buy gear in, having done this on every budget level. The rule: audio first, then lighting, then camera. Viewers tolerate average video. They will not tolerate bad audio.
Once you’ve uploaded 10 videos and you’re committed, this is where to spend.
USB microphone: the Samson Q2U is the best £60 you’ll spend on a channel. It’s USB and XLR, so it grows with you. If you want a more polished broadcast sound, the Shure MV7 is the step up — I compare them properly in Shure SM7B vs MV7+.
Lighting: a basic key light. Ring light if you’re sitting still and facing the camera, softbox if you want more flattering light. I’ve broken down the three options in ring light vs softbox vs LED panel, plus my picks under £100.
Camera: a webcam like the Logitech C922 for tutorials, or keep using your phone with a tripod and external mic.
Tier 3: The £400–£1,200 committed-creator kit
Don’t buy this until you’ve been uploading for at least 6 months. Spending here before that point is procrastination dressed up as preparation.
Dedicated camera: the Sony ZV-E10 is the best entry-level YouTube camera in 2026 — flip-out screen, clean autofocus, mic input. I’ve done a full ZV-E10 review and a ZV-E10 vs A7C II comparison if you’re weighing the upgrade.
SD cards, batteries, and a second key light. The boring bits that actually save your shoot day.
For niche-specific gear (tech reviews, beauty, gaming, vlogging, podcast), I’ve built dedicated kit lists at the Creator Equipment Guide 2026 hub.
Affiliate disclosure: the Amazon links above use my affiliate tag. If you buy through them I earn a small commission at no cost to you. I only link to gear I’ve used or recommended to clients.
Step 7: Plan Your First 10 Videos Before You Upload Anything
This is the step nobody talks about and it’s the one that separates channels that grow from channels that quit at video 3.
Plan 10 videos before you upload your first. Not 30. Not 50. Ten is the magic number. Why?
It’s enough to test if you actually enjoy this.
It’s enough for the algorithm to start understanding who your audience is.
It’s short enough that you won’t burn out planning instead of shooting.
By video 10 you’ll have data — which videos got watched, which titles got clicked, which thumbnails worked — and you’ll plan the next 10 a hundred times better.
For each of those 10 videos, write down:
The exact search query or feed scenario the video is for. Example: “What’s the best beginner mic for YouTube under £50?”
The working title (you’ll refine it before upload).
The promise the thumbnail and title together make.
The one thing the viewer must walk away knowing.
Use proper keyword research. Don’t guess. My YouTube keyword research guide walks you through the tools and the workflow. The two I lean on are vidIQ (I’m a former insider — here’s my honest 2026 review) and TubeBuddy. Both have free tiers that are enough to start.
The video-mix formula I give clients
Out of every 10 videos, aim for roughly:
6 foundation videos — evergreen search-intent videos that answer questions in your niche.
3 browse-feed videos — bingeable, opinion-led, or trend-led pieces that get pushed in the home feed.
1 community video — a Q&A, behind-the-scenes, milestone celebration, or response to your audience.
This mix gives you the best chance of being discovered and building a relationship.
Step 8: Record, Edit, and Optimise Your First Video
You’ve got your gear, your niche, and your list. Time to make something.
Recording
For your first video, focus on three things:
The first 15 seconds. If you don’t hook the viewer in 15 seconds, you’ve lost them. State the value, tease the payoff, and get into the content. Don’t open with “Hey guys, welcome back to the channel.” You don’t have a channel yet — nobody’s coming back.
Energy. Speak louder, faster, and smile more than feels natural. The camera flattens you. What feels like overacting in the room reads as normal on screen.
Audio level. Watch your input levels — you want peaks around -6dB, not clipping. Listen back to the first 30 seconds before you commit to recording the whole video. There’s nothing more depressing than a perfect take with a fuzzy mic.
If you want a script, write one. If you can’t script well yet, write a bullet outline and rehearse aloud once. My YouTube script writing guide shows you the structure I teach clients.
Editing
Cut hard. Tighten every pause. If you wouldn’t miss it, cut it. Add b-roll, text overlays, and zooms to keep visual interest every 4–6 seconds. My guide to editing YouTube videos for free covers DaVinci Resolve and CapCut workflows that don’t cost a penny.
The optimisation checklist before you hit Publish
This is where most beginners flush their video. Don’t skip a single step.
Title. Front-load your keyword. Front-load the value. Keep it under 60 characters so it doesn’t truncate. My 2026 title framework has the templates I use for clients.
Thumbnail. Big, clear subject. Three or fewer focal points. Readable at postage-stamp size. My 2026 thumbnail guide covers the 5 elements of high-CTR thumbnails and the colour psychology behind them.
Description. First 150 characters matter for search and for the preview snippet. Write a 2–3 paragraph description with your keyword in the first sentence, plus timestamps and links. Full walkthrough: how to write a YouTube description that ranks.
Category. Pick the closest match — it helps YouTube cluster your audience.
End screen. Always add one. Cards to one related video and a subscribe button.
Pinned comment. Write it before you publish. Ask a question. Get the conversation started.
Chapters. Add timestamps in the description for any video over 5 minutes. They boost average view duration and they win you key-moments rankings in search.
Step 9: Upload, Schedule, and Promote Your First Video
You don’t have to upload your first video at midnight in a panic. Schedule it.
Pick an upload window when your target audience is online. For UK creators with a UK audience, that’s typically Saturday and Sunday between 9am and 11am, or weekdays around 5–7pm. I’ve dug into the data in the best time to upload YouTube videos in the UK. Whatever window you pick, stick to it — consistency tells the algorithm your channel is reliable.
Promotion in week one matters more than people realise. The first 24–48 hours of velocity tell YouTube whether to keep pushing the video. Things to do on launch day:
Share to your other socials — LinkedIn, Twitter/X, Threads, Instagram Stories, Reddit (only in subreddits where self-promo is allowed).
Send the link to 10 friends who’ll genuinely watch — not skim — the whole video.
Reply to every single comment in the first 48 hours. Every one.
What not to do: don’t buy views. Don’t spam your link in unrelated Discord servers. Don’t join “sub for sub” groups. All three poison your watch-time data and damage your channel for months.
Step 10: Build Consistency and Engage Your Community
The first 10 videos are about learning. Videos 10 to 50 are about consistency.
You don’t have to upload daily. You have to upload predictably. One video a week, every week, for 12 months beats five videos in week one and silence for the next six months. Pick a cadence you can actually hold — weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly — and protect it like a paid client deadline.
Most quit-rates I see cluster at video 7, video 20, and video 50. They’re the points where the dopamine fades and the reality of how slow growth feels sets in. I’ve written about the psychology in why YouTubers quit — read it before you start, not after.
While you’re uploading, build the community on the side:
Reply to comments for the first 24 hours of every video.
Use the Community tab once you hit eligibility (500 subscribers in 2026).
Pin a question on every video to seed conversation.
Open a Discord or a subreddit once you have a couple of hundred subscribers and people are asking for one.
Your First 30 Days: What to Track and What to Ignore
The first 30 days after you launch will mess with your head if you let them. You will check your subscriber count 40 times a day. You will refresh the analytics dashboard at 2am. You will watch a video about a 17-year-old who got 1 million subscribers in 90 days and you will wonder what’s wrong with you. Don’t.
Here’s exactly what to look at and exactly what to ignore in the first month.
Pay attention to these three numbers
Click-through rate (CTR) on your title and thumbnail. For a brand-new channel with no audience, anything over 3% is a positive signal that your packaging is working. Under 2% means your thumbnail or your title (or both) needs work — not the video.
Average view duration as a percentage. Are people watching 30% of the video? 50%? 70%? Anything above 50% on a new channel is excellent. Below 30% and you’re losing them in the intro — rewatch your first 30 seconds and cut anything that isn’t the hook.
Where viewers drop off. Click into a video’s analytics and look at the retention graph. Spot the cliff — the moment a chunk of viewers leave — and ask yourself what was happening right then. That’s your edit feedback for next time.
Ignore these in the first 30 days
Total subscriber count. It’s a vanity number. A new channel with 80 subscribers who genuinely care beats a channel with 8,000 who don’t.
Total views in absolute terms. Views without retention mean nothing. The algorithm doesn’t reward views, it rewards what happens during the view.
Comparing your channel to anyone else’s. You don’t know their starting point, their budget, their connections, their luck, or their content cadence. Compare your video 4 to your video 1.
Day-over-day numbers. YouTube growth is non-linear. A video can do nothing for two weeks and then explode in week three. Look at weekly trends, not daily ones.
What to do every week in month one
Publish your scheduled video on time. Non-negotiable. If you can’t hit your own cadence in month one, you won’t hit it in month seven either.
Reply to every comment within 24 hours. This is the lowest-cost, highest-impact thing you can do as a new creator. Comments build relationship and they boost the video’s engagement signal.
Watch your last video back with the sound off and the speed at 1.5x. You’ll spot the dead spots, the weak transitions, and the visuals that aren’t carrying their weight.
Post one Short. Even if it’s just a 30-second cut from the long-form. You’re building the habit and getting a feel for the format.
Most new creators give up at video 7, which is somewhere in the middle of month two. The ones who push through to video 20 are usually the ones who do month one without melting down at the slow numbers. Your job in the first 30 days is not to go viral. It’s to stay calm and keep uploading.
How to Grow Your YouTube Channel After Your First 10 Videos
Once you’ve got 10 videos up, the playbook changes. You’re no longer learning — you’re scaling. Three things to focus on:
1. Pull your analytics every Sunday
Open YouTube Studio → Analytics every weekend. You’re looking for three numbers:
Click-through rate (CTR). A healthy new channel sits at 4–6%. Above 8% on a video means your title and thumbnail are punching above their weight — do more of that. Here’s what a good YouTube CTR actually looks like.
Average view duration / retention. If you’re holding 50%+ of viewers to the end, the algorithm rewards you. Anything under 30% means you’re losing them in the intro — tighten it. Full retention playbook here.
Impressions trend. Impressions rising = the algorithm is testing you. Impressions falling = your video has stalled.
Shorts in 2026 are no longer a side hustle — they’re a separate discovery engine. Channels that pair long-form with a steady Shorts cadence grow noticeably faster. The trick is to use Shorts to bring viewers to your long-form, not as a destination in themselves. The complete Shorts growth playbook is here, and how to use Shorts to grow your long-form channel is the strategic angle.
3. Understand the algorithm, don’t chase it
The algorithm rewards viewer satisfaction, not views. That means: high CTR, strong retention, good session time (viewers who watch you and stay on YouTube afterwards), and positive feedback signals (likes, shares, returning viewers). Plain-English breakdown: how the YouTube algorithm works in 2026.
If you want one strategy document for the next 12 months, my YouTube growth strategy guide is the playbook I use with paying clients.
How to Monetise Your YouTube Channel (2026 Rules)
The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) opened up significantly in 2024–2025. Here’s where the bar sits in 2026:
YPP Tier 1 (entry level — no ad revenue yet)
500 subscribers
3 public uploads in the last 90 days
3,000 watch hours OR 3 million Shorts views in the last 90 days
What you get: channel memberships, Super Chat, Super Thanks, Super Stickers, and YouTube Shopping.
YPP Tier 2 (full monetisation — ad revenue on)
1,000 subscribers
4,000 watch hours OR 10 million Shorts views in the last 12 months
What you get: ad revenue on long-form, ad revenue on Shorts, and the full creator monetisation suite.
The 10 Mistakes I See New YouTubers Make Every Single Week
Going broad to “reach more people.” The algorithm penalises unfocused channels. Pick one lane.
Spending £900 on gear before video one. Audio first. Phone is fine. Buy the camera at video 30, not video 1.
Copying the format of a 5-million-subscriber channel. Their style works because they already have an audience. Yours won’t until you do.
Inconsistent upload cadence. Three videos in week one, then nothing for two months. The algorithm forgets you.
Weak thumbnails. A thumbnail is the entire game on the home feed. Treat it as 70% of your effort, not an afterthought.
Long, vague intros. “Hey guys what’s up welcome back to the channel today we’re going to be talking about…” You just lost half your audience. Get to the point in 10 seconds.
No call to action. Ask for the subscribe. Ask for the comment. Ask for the share. Viewers won’t do it on their own.
Refusing to look at analytics. Your channel is telling you exactly what’s working — if you bother to look.
Comparing your week-2 channel to a 10-year-old channel. Useless. Compare yourself to your own last 5 videos.
Quitting before video 20. Almost nobody’s channel pops before video 20. Yours won’t be the exception. Read this before you give up.
How Long Will It Take to Grow Your YouTube Channel?
The honest answer, based on the data: the average new YouTube channel takes around 15–18 months to reach 1,000 subscribers. Channels that publish Shorts consistently grow about 40% faster. Channels with a tight niche grow noticeably faster than broad ones.
Most channels see almost nothing in months 1–3 while YouTube collects data on who watches you. Months 4–9 is where momentum usually starts. Most monetisable channels hit the YPP Tier 2 thresholds somewhere between month 6 and month 24.
The single biggest predictor isn’t talent. It’s how many videos you publish. The creators who get to monetisation publish, on average, 50–100 videos. The ones who quit publish 11.
The pattern is so reliable I’ve built dozens of channel audits around it. If you want me to look at yours specifically — what to fix, what to drop, where the next 1,000 subs are likely to come from — that’s exactly what a Channel Audit is for.
Tools and Resources I Actually Use
I get asked “what tools should I use?” on almost every consulting call. Here’s the short list of what I use day-to-day with clients:
Setting up the channel itself is free. To launch realistically you can spend anywhere from £0 (phone + window light + free editing software) to around £200 for a Tier 1 starter kit. Don’t spend more than that until you’ve uploaded 10 videos and proved to yourself you’ll stick at it.
Do I need fancy equipment to start a YouTube channel?
No. Audio matters far more than camera. A £20 lavalier microphone, your phone’s rear camera, and natural light from a window will outperform a £1,500 camera with bad audio every time. Upgrade gear in this order: microphone, lighting, then camera.
How old do I have to be to start a YouTube channel?
You need to be 13 to have a Google account on your own. Between 13 and 17 you can run a channel with parental consent. You need to be 18 to monetise via YPP — younger creators can monetise through a parent or guardian’s linked AdSense account.
How many subscribers do I need to start making money?
You can apply for YPP Tier 1 at 500 subscribers (plus 3,000 watch hours or 3 million Shorts views in 90 days). Ad revenue switches on at YPP Tier 2: 1,000 subscribers plus 4,000 watch hours or 10 million Shorts views in 12 months. You can earn from sponsorships and affiliate links well before either of those.
Can I start a YouTube channel without showing my face?
Yes — faceless channels are one of the fastest-growing formats. Voiceover with stock footage, tutorial screen recordings, AI-narrated explainers, gameplay, animation, and silent “ASMR-style” channels all work. Here’s the full breakdown.
How often should I upload to grow a new YouTube channel?
Once a week is the sweet spot for most beginners. Consistency matters more than frequency — one video a week every week for a year beats three videos in week one and nothing afterwards. If you can add a Shorts cadence on top (3–5 per week), you’ll grow noticeably faster.
Is it too late to start a YouTube channel in 2026?
No. The algorithm now rewards niche relevance and viewer satisfaction over channel age. New channels under 10,000 subscribers are growing faster than they were three years ago, especially in underserved niches. The best time to start was five years ago. The second-best time is today.
How long does it take to grow a YouTube channel?
Average to 1,000 subscribers: 15–18 months. Channels with Shorts: roughly 40% faster. Channels with a sharply defined niche: faster again. Most monetised channels reach YPP Tier 2 between month 6 and month 24. Quit-points cluster at video 7, video 20, and video 50 — if you make it past video 50, you’re past the hardest part.
Should I focus on long-form videos or YouTube Shorts?
Both, but use them for different jobs. Long-form builds depth, watch time, and your relationship with the audience. Shorts are a discovery engine that introduces new viewers to your channel. The fastest-growing new channels in 2026 pair both.
Can I have more than one YouTube channel on the same Google account?
Yes. You can run multiple channels under a single Google account using Brand Accounts. Useful if you want to test a second niche without splitting your sign-in, or if you want collaborators to have access without sharing your personal Gmail.
Do YouTube tags still matter in 2026?
Less than they used to, but yes. Tags are no longer a major ranking signal, but they help YouTube cluster your content topically and they catch misspellings of your title. Spend two minutes on them. Not twenty. Full breakdown here.
What’s the best niche to start a YouTube channel in?
The best niche is the one you can stick with for 50 videos without getting bored, that has a real audience searching for it, and that you can speak about with some genuine knowledge or curiosity. CPM matters less than retention. A niche you love that earns £2 CPM beats a high-CPM niche you abandon.
Final Thoughts: The One Thing That Matters Most
If you take one thing from this guide, take this: the only channels that fail are the ones that stop uploading. Every other problem — bad audio, weak thumbnails, fuzzy niche, low CTR — is fixable with feedback and iteration. Quitting is the one that isn’t.
You don’t need permission to start. You don’t need expensive gear. You don’t need a personality transplant. You need a niche, a list of 10 videos, and the discipline to upload them.
If you want help building that plan — or you want a Certified Expert to look at the channel you’ve started and tell you exactly what’s holding it back — that’s what I do. I’ve been on YouTube for 20+ years, I’m YouTube Certified, and six of my clients have hit Silver Play Button (100K subscribers).
And if you want weekly tactical YouTube tips for free, subscribe to my YouTube channel — I publish new walkthroughs every week.
Now go and create that channel. The next 10 videos are waiting.
Alan Spicer is a UK-based YouTube Certified Expert with over 20 years on the platform, more than 500 channel audits delivered, and six client channels at Silver Play Button level. Learn more about Alan’s background or explore the full services and packages.
In a world where social media platforms are constantly vying for user attention, Meta has made a bold move by launching Threads, a direct competitor to Twitter.
The app has made a splash, amassing millions of users within the first 12 hours of its release in the UK and US.
However, the European Union (EU) has put a pin in Meta’s plans for a pan-European launch due to concerns about compliance with the upcoming Digital Markets Act.
Threads, the new kid on the social media block, was officially introduced to the public on Apple and Google’s app stores at 11pm UK time on Wednesday, July 5th.
Interestingly, there’s no desktop version available yet. Meta’s founder, Mark Zuckerberg, expressed his vision for Threads as a “public conversations app with one billion-plus people on it,” a feat he believes Twitter has yet to achieve.
Threads is seen by many as Zuckerberg’s latest move in his ongoing rivalry with Twitter’s owner, Elon Musk, the billionaire behind PayPal and Tesla. This rivalry heated up recently when Twitter introduced a new rate-limiting policy for users who refuse to pay a monthly charge for verified status, a move that seemed to inadvertently trigger a self-inflicted distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack on Twitter’s own systems.
Threads aims to capitalize on Instagram’s massive user base for rapid growth. The strategy is simple: make it easy for Instagram users, especially high-profile celebrities and influencers, to sign up using their existing Instagram credentials. This allows them to “reserve” their accounts and protect their identities. Big names like celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, reality TV star Kim Kardashian, and Formula 1 driver Lando Norris have already jumped on board.
When users sign up for Threads, they share a wealth of information from their Instagram profiles, including login information, account ID, name, username, profile information, followers, accounts they follow, age, and any violations of intellectual property or community guidelines. Like other Meta products, Threads also collects a wide range of personal data, from health and fitness information to financial data, contacts, content, browsing history, usage data, diagnostics, purchasing history, location, search history, identifiers, and sensitive information.
However, this cross-platform functionality is what has put the brakes on Threads’ European launch. The EU’s Digital Markets Act, set to be fully implemented in 2024, strictly prohibits sharing user data across different platforms. Violations could result in fines of up to 10% of annual global revenues for tech giants.
A representative from Meta confirmed that due to “upcoming regulatory uncertainty,” Threads will not be launched in the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes the 27 EU Member States, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.
The Irish Data Protection Commission, acting as the lead regulator for Meta in the EU, clarified that it has not blocked the EU launch but has been in dialogue with Meta about Threads’ use of data. They stated that Meta had not yet prepared Threads for an EU launch.
This development comes in the wake of a recent ruling by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) that has significantly impacted Meta’s legal basis for data processing to serve targeted ads to EU users. In May 2023, the Irish DPC also halted Meta from transferring Facebook user data from the EU to the US, imposing a fine of €1.2bn.
Angel Maldonado, CEO and founder of Empathy.co, a privacy-driven search platform, commented on the situation, stating that tech giants like Meta are operating under a misconception about data ownership. He argued that simply clicking a checkbox does not mean that consumers’ data belongs to these companies. He calledout these business models as “abusive, obscene and wrong.”
Maldonado further emphasized that the CJEU’s decision serves as a warning to Big Tech companies about the risks of personalized advertising business models and treating consumer data as a commodity. He said, “This ruling shows the tables are turning in favor of privacy. Common sense always prevails, and with regulatory bodies circling Meta, they’ll soon have to start playing within the bounds of fair play. Consumers must have the ability to hold, protect and control their own data before it gets processed for any other means.”
As the social media landscape continues to evolve, it’s clear that privacy concerns are becoming increasingly important. While Threads has made a strong debut in the UK and US, its future in the EU remains uncertain. As we wait to see how this story unfolds, it’s a good time to reflect on the data we share on social media and how it’s used.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for Twitter alternatives, there are several options available. Mastodon, for example, is a decentralized social network where users can create their own servers or join others. Gab is another alternative that emphasizes free speech and user privacy. Then there’s Hive Social, a recently established social media network that temporarily closed its servers to address deep structural privacy issues identified by ethical hackers.
Interesting Stats
Twitter Monthly Active Users: As of the first quarter of 2021, Twitter had 330 million monthly active users worldwide.
Instagram Monthly Active Users: As of June 2021, Instagram had reached a whopping 1 billion monthly active users.
Facebook (Meta) Monthly Active Users: As of the second quarter of 2021, Facebook had over 2.8 billion monthly active users.
Mastodon Users: As of 2021, Mastodon, a Twitter alternative, had over 4.4 million users.
Gab Users: Gab, another Twitter alternative, had over 4 million users as of 2021.
EU Digital Markets Act Fines: The upcoming EU Digital Markets Act could impose fines of up to 10% of a tech giant’s annual global revenues for violations.
Fine Imposed on Meta by Irish DPC: In May 2023, Meta was fined €1.2 billion by the Irish Data Protection Commission for transferring Facebook user data from the EU to the US.
Fun fact: Did you know that as of 2021, Twitter had over 330 million monthly active users? With Threads aiming to create a “public conversations app with one billion-plus people on it,” it’s clear that Meta is setting its sights high. Only time will tell if Threads can truly rival Twitter’s popularity and influence.
Did you know YouTube has been around since 2005? It’s hard to believe, right? Today, it’s the biggest video hangout spot on the internet, with over 2.56 billion users tuning in from all corners of the world1.
But here’s a cool secret: YouTube lets you share private videos. It’s like having a secret club where only invited members can see your special video. This can be super handy when you have a video just for family, exclusive content for super fans, or even a secret business message.
So, How Do You Share a Private Video on YouTube?
Just a heads up – you can only do this from your computer for now. The YouTube mobile app doesn’t support this yet2. Now, let’s get started!
Fire up your favorite web browser and open YouTube Studio. Don’t forget to sign in with your YouTube account.
Click on “Content” in the left sidebar of YouTube Studio.
Find the private video you want to share and click on “Private” in the “Visibility” column.
A menu will pop up. From there, click on “Share Privately”.
A box will appear where you can type in the email addresses of your secret club members (or just the people you want to share the video with)3.
And that’s it! The people you’ve chosen will get an email with a link to your video. They’ll need to sign in to their Google account to watch the video4. If you ever change your mind and want to uninvite someone, no problem. Just remove their email address from the “Share Privately” box, click “Done,” then “Save”5.
A Few Fun YouTube Facts
Just for fun, here are some crazy facts about YouTube:
YouTube’s short video feature, YouTube Shorts, got a whopping 50 billion views per day in February 20236.
In November 2022, YouTube had 75 billion visits worldwide. That’s like ten times the world’s population!7.
90 percent of people visited YouTube on their phones in November 20228.
In 2022, more than 2.56 billion users watched videos on YouTube9.
Every minute in April 2022, 500 hours of video were uploaded on YouTube. That’s a lot of cat videos!10.
In 2022, YouTube made more than 29 billion U.S. dollars from ads, which was about 11.35 percent of Google’s total annual revenue11.
Are you struggling to grow your YouTube channel despite your best efforts?
Frustrated with low view counts and minimal subscriber gains?
You’re not alone.
Many creators face the same challenges, but the key to success lies in understanding the crucial YouTube analytics and metrics that can help you identify areas for improvement. In this blog post, we’ll dive deep into the world of YouTube analytics, provide actionable tips, and share proven strategies to help you unlock your channel’s full potential.
How To Track Success on YouTube? – Track YouTube success by monitoring key metrics: watch time, audience retention, CTR, unique viewers, traffic sources, and engagement metrics (likes, dislikes, comments, shares). Optimize content with SEO, compelling titles/thumbnails, and audience-focused topics. Engage viewers and analyze data for growth.
Essential YouTube Metrics for Growth
There are handful of metrics that aspiring youtubers need to get to know in-depth if they are to understand how to grow and WHY they are growing.
Watch Time and Audience Retention
Watch time is the total amount of time viewers spend watching your videos, and it’s one of the most critical factors in YouTube’s algorithm. In fact, YouTube prioritizes videos with higher watch times in search results and recommendations. According to a study by Tubular Insights, the top 1% of YouTube channels have an average watch time of 3 minutes and 19 seconds, while the bottom 50% only manage 1 minute and 21 seconds.
To improve your watch time, focus on audience retention – the percentage of a video that viewers watch before leaving. Aim for a retention rate of at least 50%, as videos with higher retention rates tend to perform better.
Actionable Tips:
Hook viewers in the first 15 seconds with a compelling intro.
Structure your content with clear, engaging segments.
Use annotations, cards, and end screens to promote related content.
Click-Through Rate (CTR)
CTR is the percentage of viewers who click on your video after seeing its thumbnail and title. A higher CTR indicates that your video is enticing and relevant to your target audience. According to YouTube, the average CTR for most channels falls between 2% and 10%.
Actionable Tips:
Design eye-catching thumbnails that accurately represent your content.
Write compelling titles with relevant keywords.
A/B test different thumbnail and title combinations to optimize performance.
Advanced Metrics for a Deeper Analysis
Ok, now its time to dive into the harder metrics of the handful to understand.
Unique Viewers and Traffic Sources
Unique viewers play a significant role in understanding your YouTube channel’s performance. As an estimate of the total number of individuals who watch your content, this metric sheds light on the size of your audience, which is essential for assessing your channel’s reach and potential for growth.
By tracking unique viewers, you can identify which content resonates most with your target audience. This information can guide your content creation strategy, helping you produce more of the videos that attract and retain viewers.
For example, if you notice a surge in unique viewers for a specific video or video series, it’s a strong indication that your audience enjoys that particular content.
Capitalizing on this insight, you can create similar videos or expand on the topic to maintain and grow your viewership.
Furthermore, analyzing traffic sources can unveil valuable information about where your viewers are discovering your content. YouTube provides a breakdown of traffic sources, such as:
YouTube search: Viewers who find your content through the platform’s search feature.
Suggested videos: Viewers who click on your content when it appears as a suggested video alongside or after other videos.
Browse features: Viewers who discover your content through the home page, subscription feed, or trending section.
External sources: Viewers who arrive at your content via external websites, social media platforms, or direct links.
Understanding your traffic sources enables you to optimize your content and promotion strategies. For example, if a large portion of your traffic comes from YouTube search, it’s crucial to focus on search engine optimization (SEO) by using relevant keywords in your titles, descriptions, and tags. On the other hand, if most of your viewers come from external sources like social media, investing time in promoting your content on those platforms and engaging with your audience can further boost your channel’s growth.
In summary, unique viewers and traffic sources are vital metrics for assessing your YouTube channel’s performance. By examining these analytics, you can refine your content and promotion strategies to better connect with your target audience and accelerate your channel’s growth.
Engagement Metrics
Engagement metrics serve as valuable indicators of how well your content resonates with your audience and the extent to which it encourages interaction. Tracking likes, dislikes, comments, and shares can provide you with actionable insights that can be used to refine your content strategy and foster a stronger connection with your viewers. Let’s delve deeper into each of these engagement metrics and their implications:
Likes: A high number of likes is a clear sign that viewers appreciate and enjoy your content. This positive feedback not only boosts your channel’s credibility but also increases the likelihood of YouTube recommending your videos to others. To maintain a high like count, consistently produce content that appeals to your audience, and consider asking viewers to like your videos as a call-to-action.
Dislikes: While dislikes can be disheartening, they also serve as constructive feedback, indicating that there may be areas in your content that need improvement. Analyzing videos with higher dislike counts can help you identify potential issues, such as controversial topics, misleading titles, or poor production quality. By addressing these concerns, you can enhance your content and reduce the number of dislikes on future videos.
Comments: A high number of comments typically suggests that your content sparks conversation and encourages viewers to share their thoughts, opinions, or questions. Engaging with commenters can further strengthen your connection with your audience and create a sense of community around your channel. Additionally, responding to comments can provide you with valuable feedback and ideas for future content.
Shares: Shares play a crucial role in increasing your content’s visibility and expanding your audience. When viewers share your videos on social media platforms or other online channels, they effectively endorse your content and introduce it to new viewers who may not have otherwise discovered your channel. Encourage sharing by creating share-worthy content, including engaging stories, helpful tips, or unique insights, and using a call-to-action to remind viewers to share your videos with their networks.
Fostering Community Engagement
You are growing the channel but you need to keep them engaged and coming back to the channel to help the snowball roll.
Responding to Comments
Engaging with your audience is crucial for building a loyal community. Make an effort to respond to comments on your videos, as this can foster a sense of connection and encourage viewers to return for future content.
Leveraging Social Media
Promote your content on social media platforms and engage with your audience to extend your reach and drive traffic to your YouTube channel.
Finally…
By understanding and tracking the right metrics, you can make data-driven decisions and unlock your YouTube channel’s full potential. Start implementing these strategies today, and watch your channel grow!
Key YouTube Metrics for Channel Growth
Metric
Importance
Actionable Tips
Watch Time
Crucial for YouTube’s algorithm; higher watch times improve visibility.
Hook viewers in the first 15 seconds.
Audience Retention
Higher retention rates lead to better video performance.
Structure content with engaging segments.
Click-Through Rate
A higher CTR indicates enticing and relevant content for viewers.
Design eye-catching thumbnails and compelling titles.
Unique Viewers
Provides insight into audience size and content resonance.
Analyze which content resonates with your audience.
Traffic Sources
Reveals where viewers are coming from, allowing for content optimization.
Tailor promotion strategies based on top traffic sources.
Engagement Metrics
Offers insight into audience interaction with your content.
Encourage likes, comments, and shares to boost visibility.
We’ve put together some mind-blowing stats that you’ll love to share with your friends! In this post, we’ll delve into user demographics, video engagement, trends, and more.
So, buckle up and let’s dive into these entertaining YouTube tables and summaries!
YouTube’s Steady Growth
Year
Global Monthly Active Users (MAU)
2016
1.5 billion
2017
1.8 billion
2018
2.0 billion
2019
2.3 billion
2020
2.6 billion
2021
2.9 billion (estimated)
Summary: YouTube has experienced consistent growth since its inception in 2005. With an estimated 2.9 billion monthly active users in 2021, YouTube’s expansive reach shows no signs of slowing down! 🚀
Summary: YouTube attracts a diverse range of age groups, with 18-24 and 25-34-year-olds leading the pack. However, older generations are not far behind, showcasing YouTube’s broad appeal across different age groups. 🎉
Average Time Spent on YouTube per Day
Country
Time Spent (in minutes)
United States
40
United Kingdom
35
Germany
30
France
28
Spain
25
Summary: YouTube is a daily destination for millions of users worldwide. Users in the United States spend an average of 40 minutes per day on the platform, followed by the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Spain. Time sure flies when you’re enjoying your favourite videos! ⏰
Conclusion: And there you have it – a fun and shareable look at YouTube’s amazing world of stats!
With its steady growth, global user base, and diverse demographic appeal, YouTube continues to dominate the online video landscape.
So go ahead and share these fascinating stats with your friends, and let’s keep the YouTube party going! 🎈
What type of content should you make? The ones that sit where three things overlap.
Make content at the intersection of what you love, what an audience wants, and what can pay. Passion keeps you consistent, demand brings the views, and profit potential turns it into a business. This guide gives you the full framework, the popular genres and formats, and a clear way to decide.
Why trust this? I’m Alan Spicer — a YouTube Certified Expert with two decades on the platform, six Silver Play Buttons and 500+ creators coached. Choosing the right content type is the first decision I walk every new creator through.
⚡ QUICK ANSWER: What type of content should I make?
Make content that sits where three things overlap: what you’re passionate about, what an audience is actively searching for, and what can eventually earn money. Passion keeps you consistent, audience demand gives you views, and profit potential turns it into a business. Pick a specific genre and a format you can repeat — then commit long enough to get good at it.
What Type of Content Should You Make? The Honest Answer
YouTube has billions of logged-in monthly viewers and hundreds of hours of video uploaded every minute, so the temptation is to chase whatever’s trending. Don’t. The content you should make sits where three circles overlap:
Passion — topics you’d happily make videos about for a year, unpaid. This is the one beginners underrate, and it’s the one that decides whether you quit.
Audience demand — subjects people are actively searching for and watching. No audience, no channel.
Profit potential — whether the niche can eventually pay, through ads, sponsors, or your own products.
Hit all three and you’ve got a channel you’ll enjoy, that people want, and that can become a business. Miss the passion piece and you’ll burn out; miss the demand piece and you’ll talk to an empty room. Everything below helps you find that overlap.
Popular YouTube Content Genres
A useful starting point — the broad genres that consistently pull audiences, and their rough growth potential:
Here’s a distinction that trips people up: your genre is your topic; your format is how you present it. You can make tech content as reviews, tutorials, or vlogs — very different channels. The core formats:
Tutorials & how-tos — evergreen, highly searchable, brilliant for building authority.
Reviews & unboxings — strong buyer intent and easy to monetise with affiliates.
Listicles & rankings — “top 10…” formats that are easy to watch and share.
Vlogs & behind-the-scenes — build personal connection; harder to scale on search alone.
How to Choose Your Content Type: A 4-Step Framework
Step 1 — Identify Your Passions & Skills
To make content you’ll enjoy, start with what really interests you. Ask yourself: what do you love doing in your spare time? What could you talk about for hours? What skills or expertise can you share? Make a list — it’s the raw material for every good channel, and the reason you’ll still be uploading in six months.
Step 2 — Research the Niche & Competition
Once you have a candidate niche, study the channels already in it. What content performs? How do the successful ones present it? Where are the gaps you could fill? Is it so crowded you can’t stand out, or is there room to differentiate? A little research here saves months of guessing later. It’s also where you decide between a tight niche versus a broad channel — and usually, focused wins.
Step 3 — Define Your Target Audience
Great content is made for someone. Who’s your ideal viewer — their age, interests, problems? What challenge does your content solve for them? What do they already like to watch, and how can you match it while adding your own spin? The clearer your audience, the sharper your content decisions become.
Step 4 — Balance Passion & Profitability
Now bring it together. Score each candidate on how much you enjoy it, how big and searchable the audience is, and how well it can pay. The winner is where those overlap. Money shouldn’t be the only driver — but it’s a real factor, so it helps to know how you actually get paid on YouTube and how the Partner Programme pays before you commit.
Build a Consistent Channel Brand
Once you know your content type, a strong, consistent identity sets you apart and makes you memorable:
Channel name — reflects your niche and is easy to remember.
Logo & channel art — clean, recognisable graphics that signal what you’re about.
Thumbnails — a consistent, eye-catching style that earns the click.
Intros & outros — short and recognisable, so every video feels like you.
Consistency across these turns scattered uploads into a brand viewers recognise and trust.
Tips for Engaging Content Creation
Whatever type you choose, these keep viewers watching and coming back:
Plan ahead. Outline your videos and keep a content calendar for consistent uploads.
Prioritise quality. Decent audio and simple editing beat expensive gear — start with a sensible budget kit.
Tell a story. A clear beginning, middle and end keeps people to the end.
Be real. Share your honest take — viewers connect with a person, not a script.
Nail your titles. A searchable, clickable title decides whether anyone watches at all.
Engage back. Reply to comments and build a community around your channel.
Can’t decide on your content type?
On a free discovery call we’ll pin down the niche and format that fit you — and map the first 20 videos.
Every new creator hits the same walls. Forewarned is forearmed:
Overthinking the perfect niche. You’ll refine it by doing. Start, then adjust — a decent niche you act on beats a perfect one you never launch.
Comparing your start to someone’s middle. The big channels you admire have years of reps behind them.
Inconsistency. The single biggest killer. A steady schedule beats sporadic bursts of brilliance.
Quitting before the algorithm learns you. Early views are always slow; push through the first stretch and stay the course to your first 1,000 subscribers.
Pair the right content type with a real growth strategy and you’re ahead of most of the people who started when you did.
What Content to Make: FAQ
What type of content should I make on YouTube?
Make content that sits where three things overlap: what you’re passionate about, what an audience is actively searching for, and what can eventually earn money. Passion keeps you consistent, audience demand gives you views, and profit potential turns it into a business. Pick a genre and format that hit all three.
How do I choose a YouTube niche?
Start by listing your interests and skills, then research which of them have an audience and room to stand out. Narrow to a specific niche rather than a broad one — a focused channel is easier to grow and monetise. Check the competition, define who your viewer is, and pick the topic you can keep making for months without burning out.
What are the most popular types of YouTube content?
The most popular genres include gaming, beauty and fashion, tech, health and fitness, education, food and cooking, vlogging, DIY and crafts, comedy and entertainment. Within those, the common formats are tutorials, reviews, vlogs, listicles, reactions, explainers and challenges.
Should I pick a niche I’m passionate about or one that pays well?
Ideally both — but passion comes first for beginners, because most channels fail from the creator quitting, not from a bad niche. Start with something you enjoy enough to make for a year, then steer it toward the higher-value, more searchable angles within that interest so it can pay too.
What content niches make the most money on YouTube?
High-CPM niches like finance, business, tech and software tend to earn the most per view because advertisers pay more to reach those audiences. That said, a smaller high-value niche can out-earn a huge low-value one, and sponsorships and your own products matter more than ad revenue alone.
Can I change my YouTube niche later?
Yes. Many successful creators pivot as they learn what works and what they enjoy. Just be aware that a big shift can confuse your existing audience and the algorithm, so evolve gradually where you can, or start a fresh channel for a completely different direction.
Final Thoughts
So, what type of content should you make? The type that lives where your passion, a real audience, and a way to earn all meet. Don’t agonise over finding something perfect — pick a specific niche you enjoy, choose a format you can repeat, commit to a consistent schedule, and refine as you learn. The creators who win aren’t the ones who found a magic niche; they’re the ones who picked a good one and kept showing up. Start there, and the rest follows.
A note on this guide: genre popularity and platform scale reflect YouTube at the time of writing (July 2026); trends shift, so treat the genre table as a starting point and validate demand with your own keyword research. YouTube’s official Creator resources are a good companion for the fundamentals.
In the constantly evolving landscape of digital advertising, marketers and brands are always on the lookout for effective ways to reach their target audience. YouTube, as one of the largest online video platforms, offers a variety of advertising options.
One of these is YouTube Select (formerly known as Google Preferred), a premium service that allows advertisers to target ads to top-performing channels and content.
In this article, we will explore YouTube Select, compare it with normal adverts, and provide insights on how to use and become part of this premium service.
What is YouTube Select?
YouTube Select is an advertising program that enables brands to place their ads on the top 5% of YouTube channels based on popularity, engagement, and content quality.
These channels are grouped into 12 categories, allowing advertisers to focus on specific target audiences. YouTube Select lineups are human-verified, ensuring brand safety and alignment with advertiser values.
Benefits of YouTube Select
Access to premium content: Advertisers can place their ads on highly popular and engaging content, which increases the likelihood of reaching their target audience.
Improved targeting: With 12 distinct categories, advertisers can select the lineup that best matches their target audience’s interests.
Brand safety: YouTube Select’s human verification process ensures that ads are placed alongside content that aligns with brand values and guidelines.
Exclusive opportunities: YouTube Select offers sponsorships and programs, such as YouTubeOriginals, which provide additional avenues for brand promotion and visibility.
Top 5% of channels based on popularity, engagement, and quality
All YouTube channels (subject to YouTube’s ad guidelines)
Targeting
12 distinct categories for precise targeting
Broad targeting based on demographics, interests, and behaviours
Brand Safety
Human-verified content for brand alignment
Algorithm-based content filtering
Ad Formats
Various formats including sponsorships and programs
Standard formats like TrueView, Bumper ads, etc.
Cost
Typically higher due to premium content access
Lower, based on auction and targeting parameters
How to Use YouTube Select
To start using YouTube Select, follow these steps:
Sign up for a Google Ads account, if you don’t already have one.
Create a new campaign and choose the “Video” campaign type.
In the “Placements” section, select “YouTube videos” or “YouTube channels.”
Search for the YouTube Select lineup you want to target, and add it to your placements.
Set your targeting preferences, budget, and other campaign settings.
Create or upload your video ad, and submit it for review.
Once your ad is approved, your campaign will go live, and your ads will be served on the selected YouTube Select channels.
How to Be Included in YouTube Select
To have your channel considered for inclusion in YouTube Select, focus on the following aspects:
Content quality: Produce engaging, high-quality content that resonates with your target audience. This will help increase your channel’s popularity and overall performance.
Consistency: Maintain a consistent posting schedule, ensuring that your viewers have a reason to keep coming back to your channel.
Audience engagement: Encourage comments, likes, and shares by engaging with your audience and creating content that invites interaction.
Advertiser-friendly content: Ensure your content complies with YouTube’s ad guidelines and does not contain any controversial or inappropriate material.
Channel optimization: Optimize your channel by using relevant keywords, tags, and descriptions to increase visibility and discoverability.
Although there is no direct application process for YouTube Select, focusing on the above aspects will increase your chances of being noticed by YouTube and included in their premium lineups.
Useful Tips – Get The Most From YouTube Select
Research your target audience: Understand your audience’s preferences, interests, and online habits to create content that resonates with them and increases engagement.
Collaborate with other creators: Partner with other YouTube creators to expand your reach and tap into new audiences. Collaborations can help both channels grow and increase the likelihood of being included in YouTube Select.
Leverage analytics: Regularly review your YouTube analytics to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement. Use this data to optimize your content strategy and enhance your channel’s performance.
Invest in video production: High-quality videos are more likely to engage viewers and keep them watching. Invest in good equipment, editing software, and production techniques to create visually appealing content.
Promote your channel: Utilize social media, email marketing, and other promotional tactics to increase visibility and drive traffic to your YouTube channel. This will help grow your audience and improve your channel’s performance.
Stay updated on platform changes: Keep up-to-date with YouTube’s policies, guidelines, and feature updates to ensure your channel remains compliant and takes advantage of new opportunities.
YouTube Select vs. Normal Adverts: Harnessing the Power of Preferred Advertising
YouTube Select offers a powerful advertising solution for brands looking to reach a highly engaged audience through premium content.
By comparing YouTube Select with normal adverts, advertisers can make an informed decision about the best advertising approach for their specific needs.
By following the steps outlined in this article, brands can harness the power of YouTube Select, while content creators can improve their chances of being included in this premium service. With the right strategy, both advertisers and creators
Deep Dive Q&A: YouTube Select, YouTube Advertising, and Influencer Marketing
Q1: What is the primary difference between YouTube Select and normal YouTube advertising?
A: YouTube Select targets ads on the top 5% of YouTube channels based on popularity, engagement, and content quality. These channels are grouped into 12 categories, allowing advertisers to focus on specific target audiences. In contrast, normal YouTube advertising is available across all channels (subject to YouTube’s ad guidelines), offering a broader range of targeting options based on demographics, interests, and behaviors.
Q2: Can small businesses benefit from using YouTube Select?
A: Yes, small businesses can benefit from using YouTube Select if they have a well-defined target audience and wish to access premium content to maximize ad exposure. However, the cost of YouTube Select may be higher than normal YouTube advertising, so small businesses should weigh the benefits against their marketing budget.
A: Content creators can optimize their channel by focusing on content quality, consistency, audience engagement, advertiser-friendly content, and channel optimization through relevant keywords, tags, and descriptions.
Q4: What are the most popular ad formats on YouTube?
A: Some popular YouTube ad formats include TrueView In-Stream ads, TrueView Discovery ads, Bumper ads, and Non-Skippable In-Stream ads. YouTube Select also offers exclusive sponsorship and program opportunities, such as YouTube Originals, for enhanced brand promotion and visibility.
Q5: How can advertisers measure the success of their YouTube campaigns?
A: Advertisers can measure the success of their YouTube campaigns by tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) such as views, watch time, impressions, click-through rate (CTR), view-through rate (VTR), cost per view (CPV), and conversions. YouTube provides a comprehensive analytics dashboard to monitor these metrics, allowing advertisers to optimize their campaigns accordingly.
Q6: How does influencer marketing tie into YouTube advertising?
A: Influencer marketing is an advertising strategy that involves partnering with influential individuals, often YouTube creators, to promote a product or service. Brands can leverage influencers’ existing audience and credibility to reach new customers, making it an effective complement to other YouTube advertising methods.
Q7: What factors should brands consider when choosing a YouTube influencer?
A: Brands should consider the influencer’s relevance to their target audience, the size and engagement level of their audience, content quality, and past performance of similar collaborations. It’s essential to select an influencer whose values align with the brand’s image and goals.
Q8: What are some tips for a successful influencer marketing campaign on YouTube?
A: Some tips for a successful influencer marketing campaign on YouTube include setting clear goals and expectations, providing creative freedom to the influencer, establishing a fair compensation structure, tracking and measuring the campaign’s performance, and maintaining open communication throughout the collaboration.
Q9: How can I ensure my YouTube ads comply with the platform’s guidelines?
A: To ensure your ads comply with YouTube’s guidelines, familiarize yourself with the platform’s ad policies, which cover content, targeting, and data usage. Avoid any content that violates these policies, and when in doubt, seek clarification from YouTube or consult their Help Center.
Q10: What are some best practices for creating engaging YouTube ads?
A: Some best practices for creating engaging YouTube ads include:
Grabbing the viewer’s attention within the first few seconds
Keeping the ad concise and to-the-point
Telling a compelling story that resonates with your target audience
Using high-quality visuals and audio
Including a clear call-to-action (CTA)
Testing different ad variations to optimize performance
Q11: How can I target my ads more effectively on YouTube?
A: To target your ads more effectively on YouTube, you can use a combination of demographic targeting (age, gender, parental status), interest targeting (affinities, custom affinity audiences, life events), and placement targeting (specific channels, videos, or YouTube Select lineups). Regularly reviewing your campaign’s performance and adjusting your targeting parameters can help you reach your desired audience more effectively.
A: Brands can manage their YouTube advertising budget effectively by:
Setting clear goals and objectives for their campaigns
Allocating funds based on priority and potential return on investment (ROI)
Regularly monitoring and optimizing campaign performance
Testing different ad formats, targeting options, and bidding strategies to find the most cost-effective approach
Utilizing YouTube’s daily budget and bid cap options to control spending
Q13: What role do keywords play in YouTube advertising?
A: Keywords play a crucial role in YouTube advertising by helping advertisers target their ads based on the user’s search queries and the content they consume. Proper keyword research and selection can improve the relevancy and effectiveness of your ads, ensuring they reach the right audience.
A: To promote your YouTube channel organically, focus on:
Producing high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your audience
Optimizing your channel and video metadata with relevant keywords, tags, and descriptions
Encouraging viewer interaction through comments, likes, and shares
Collaborating with other creators to expand your reach
Sharing your content across social media platforms and other marketing channels
Q15: Can I use remarketing to improve my YouTube advertising campaigns?
A: Yes, you can use remarketing to target viewers who have previously interacted with your channel, videos, or ads. This allows you to re-engage users who have shown interest in your content, products, or services, increasing the likelihood of conversions. By creating remarketing lists in Google Ads, you can tailor your campaigns to specific segments of your audience, making your advertising efforts more relevant and effective.
As one of the most popular video-sharing platforms globally, YouTube has managed to amass an incredible user base.
With over 2 billion logged-in monthly users, it comes as no surprise that the platform has also gathered an immense amount of personal data. But what kind of information does YouTube collect, and how is it used?
In this friendly-toned deep dive, we’ll explore the various types of data YouTube collects from its users and shed light on some examples.
Here’s a table that categorizes the data YouTube collects from its users and the level of sensitivity associated with each category:
Data Category
Examples
Level of Sensitivity
User-Provided Information
Name, email address, phone number, date of birth
High
Device Information
Hardware model, operating system, unique device identifiers, mobile network information
Medium
Usage Information
Videos watched, search queries, video interactions (likes, dislikes, comments, shares, subscriptions), duration and frequency of visits, interaction with ads
Medium
Location Information
IP address, GPS data, device sensor data
Medium
Cookies and Similar Technologies
Language preferences, saved settings, browsing history
Low
Please note that the level of sensitivity is subjective and may vary depending on individual perceptions and the context in which the data is used.
1.1 User-Provided Information When you create a YouTube account or use any Google services, you’ll typically provide some personal information such as your name, email address, phone number, and date of birth. This information allows YouTube to create and maintain your account, as well as provide you with a personalized experience.
1.2 Device Information YouTube collects data about the devices you use to access the platform, including hardware model, operating system, unique device identifiers, and mobile network information. This information helps YouTube optimize the user experience for different devices and provide relevant content based on your device’s capabilities.
1.3 Usage Information As you interact with YouTube, the platform collects information about your activity, such as:
Videos you watch
Your search queries
Your video interactions (likes, dislikes, comments, shares, and subscriptions)
The duration and frequency of your visits
Your interaction with ads
This data enables YouTube to analyse trends, improve its services, and offer personalized content and recommendations.
1.4 Location Information YouTube may also gather information about your geographical location through various means, such as IP addresses, GPS, or other sensors in your device. This information is used to provide location-based services, such as localized content and targeted advertisements.
1.5 Cookies and Similar Technologies Like most websites, YouTube uses cookies and similar technologies to collect and store information about your preferences and interests. This allows the platform to remember your settings, such as language preferences, and provide a more seamless experience.
2: Examples of Personal Data Collected by YouTube
Here are some examples of the personal data YouTube may collect from its users:
Data Category
Examples
User-Provided Information
Name, email address, phone number, date of birth
Device Information
Hardware model, operating system, unique device identifiers, mobile network information
Usage Information
Videos watched, search queries, video interactions (likes, dislikes, comments, shares, subscriptions), duration and frequency of visits, interaction with ads
Location Information
IP address, GPS data, device sensor data
Cookies and Similar Technologies
Language preferences, saved settings, browsing history
3: How YouTube Uses Personal Data
3.1 Personalization and Recommendations YouTube uses the personal data it collects to provide you with a more personalized experience. This includes tailoring video recommendations based on your watch history, search queries, and video interactions. It also helps YouTube suggest relevant channels for you to subscribe to, ensuring you get content that matches your interests.
3.2 Targeted Advertising YouTube’s parent company, Google, generates a significant portion of its revenue from advertising. By collecting personal data, YouTube can provide targeted ads to its users based on their interests, location, and demographics. This approach makes the ads more relevant and useful, which benefits both users and advertisers.
3.3 Security and Fraud Prevention The personal data collected by YouTube also plays a crucial role in maintaining the platform’s security. By analyzing user activity and patterns, YouTube can identify and prevent potential security threats, such as hacking attempts or fraudulent activities.
3.4 Improving Services YouTube continually works on improving its platform and services. To do this effectively, it relies on the data collected from its users. By understanding user behavior, preferences, and trends, YouTube can make informed decisions on new features and optimizations.
3.5 Legal Compliance In some cases, YouTube may use personal data to comply with legal obligations, such as responding to lawful requests for information from law enforcement agencies or regulatory bodies.
Conclusion
YouTube’s vast user base and extensive data collection practices may seem overwhelming. However, understanding what personal data is collected and how it is used can help users make more informed decisions about their online privacy.
YouTube primarily collects data to enhance user experiences, provide targeted advertising, maintain security, improve its services, and comply with legal obligations.
As a user, it’s essential to be aware of the privacy settings available on YouTube and other online platforms.
You can manage your privacy settings and control the data you share by accessing your Google Account settings. Additionally, you can limit the information collected by using privacy-focused browsers, virtual private networks (VPNs), or even browsing YouTube in incognito mode.
In conclusion, while YouTube does collect a considerable amount of personal data, it’s crucial to understand that this data collection primarily aims to provide a better user experience.
By staying informed and making use of privacy tools, you can enjoy the benefits of YouTube while maintaining control over your personal information.
Q1: How can I manage the personal data collected by YouTube?
A1: You can manage your personal data by accessing your Google Account settings. From there, you can control the data you share, review your activity, and update your privacy settings.
Q2: What are the privacy settings available on YouTube, and how can I adjust them?
A2: You can adjust your privacy settings by visiting your Google Account settings. Some options include controlling your ad personalization, managing your YouTube history (watch and search), and choosing your data sharing preferences with Google.
Q3: Can I use YouTube without providing any personal information? A3: Yes, you can use YouTube without signing in. However, you’ll have limited access to features, and your experience will not be personalized based on your interests.
Q4: How does YouTube handle the data of children or users under the age of 13?
A4: YouTube has a separate platform called YouTube Kids, designed for children. YouTube Kids has stricter data collection policies and complies with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Content creators must designate whether their content is made for children, and data collection is limited for such content.
Q5: How long does YouTube retain my personal data?
A5: YouTube retains your personal data for varying durations depending on the type of data and its purpose. In general, YouTube retains your data for as long as your account is active, and for a reasonable period afterward to comply with legal obligations, enforce its terms of service, and resolve disputes. Some data, such as search history and watch history, can be deleted by the user at any time. If you choose to delete your account, YouTube will start the process of removing your data from its systems, but it may take some time to complete. Keep in mind that specific legal obligations might require YouTube to retain certain data for a longer period.
Q6: Can I request YouTube to delete my personal data?
A6: Yes, you can request the deletion of your personal data by visiting your Google Account settings. You can delete specific data or your entire account, which will remove your personal information from YouTube’s servers.
Q7: Are there any alternative video-sharing platforms with less data collection?
A7: There are several alternative video-sharing platforms with varying data collection policies. Some examples include Vimeo, Dailymotion, and PeerTube. However, it’s essential to review their privacy policies and data collection practices before using them.
Q8: How can I limit targeted advertising on YouTube?
A8: You can limit targeted advertising on YouTube by turning off ad personalization in your Google Account settings. This will prevent YouTube from using your personal data to show you personalized ads.
Q9: Does YouTube share my personal data with third parties, and if so, under what circumstances?
A9: YouTube may share your personal data with third parties in specific situations, such as with your consent, for external processing by trusted service providers, or for legal reasons (e.g., in response to a lawful request from a law enforcement agency).
Q10: What are some additional steps I can take to protect my privacy while using YouTube and other online platforms?
A10: You can use privacy-focused browsers (e.g., Brave or Firefox), enable browser extensions that block trackers and ads, use virtual private networks (VPNs) to mask your location and IP address, and browse YouTube in incognito mode to limit the collection of your personal data.
Q11: How can I access and download the personal data that YouTube has collected about me?
A11: You can access and download your personal data through Google’s “Takeout” service. Visit takeout.google.com, sign in to your Google Account, and select the data you wish to download. Once you’ve made your selection, click “Next” and choose a file type and delivery method to receive your data.
Q12: Can I opt-out of certain types of data collection on YouTube?
A12: While you can’t opt-out of all data collection on YouTube, you can manage your privacy settings and limit specific types of data collection, such as ad personalization and YouTube watch/search history. Visit your Google Account settings to control the data you share with YouTube and other Google services.
These questions and answers cover various aspects of YouTube’s personal data collection practices, privacy settings, data management, and alternative options for users who are concerned about their privacy.
Are you ready to dive into the fascinating world of TikTok?
We’ve gathered some incredible stats that’ll leave you amazed and eager to share with your friends! In this post, we’ll explore user demographics, video engagement, trends, and more.
So, let’s get started with these fun-filled TikTok tables and summaries!
TikTok’s Explosive Growth
Year
Global Downloads (in millions)
2017
50
2018
663
2019
738
2020
850
2021
920 (estimated)
TikTok has seen a meteoric rise since its global launch in 2017. From 50 million downloads in 2017 to an estimated 920 million in 2021, it’s clear that TikTok’s popularity is unstoppable! 🚀
Top Countries by TikTok Users
Rank
Country
Users (in millions)
1
China
600
2
United States
130
3
India
120 (before ban)
4
Brazil
95
5
Indonesia
45
TikTok’s user base spans the globe, with China leading the pack at 600 million users. The United States and India (before the ban) trail behind, while Brazil and Indonesia round out the top five. 🌏
Age Demographics of TikTok Users
Age Group
Percentage of TikTok Users (%)
10-19
32.5
20-29
29.5
30-39
16.4
40-49
13.9
50+
7.7
Gen Z and millennials rule TikTok, with users aged 10-29 making up a whopping 62% of the platform’s user base. But don’t count out the older generations – they’re still making a splash with their presence! 🎉
Average Time Spent on TikTok per Day
Country
Time Spent (in minutes)
United States
52
United Kingdom
41
Germany
37
France
35
Spain
31
TikTok is more than just a quick scroll! Users in the United States spend an average of 52 minutes per day on the app, with the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Spain trailing close behind. Time flies when you’re having fun! ⏰
There you have it, folks – a fun and shareable look at TikTok’s world of stats!
With its explosive growth, widespread popularity, and diverse user base, TikTok has become a force to be reckoned with in the social media world. So, go ahead and share these fascinating stats with your friends, and let’s keep the TikTok party going! 🎈
You’ve spent hours creating the perfect YouTube video, pouring your heart and soul into every detail. So, when should you hit ‘Publish’ to ensure the maximum number of views and engagement?
Fear not, fellow YouTuber, we’ve got you covered! In this article, we’ll dive into the factors that affect the ideal publishing time, such as audience, geographic impact, seasonality, and more.
However, generally, it’s recommended to upload videos during peak viewing hours to maximize engagement. Based on research and trends, weekdays, particularly Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, between 2 PM and 4 PM (Eastern Standard Time) are considered optimal times for publishing videos.
We’ll also provide examples and stats to help illustrate our points. Let’s dive in!
Know Your Audience
Understanding who your target audience is and when they’re most likely to be online can significantly impact your video’s performance. Consider the demographics of your audience, such as their age, interests, and routines.
For instance, if your target audience is young adults, posting in the late afternoon or evening might yield better results, as they’re more likely to be online after school or work.
For example, if you’re in the United States and have a significant European following, you might want to post in the late morning or early afternoon (EST) to catch the European audience in the evening.
Seasonality
Keep in mind that people’s routines change throughout the year, and your publishing schedule should adapt accordingly. For example, you might see more viewership during the summer months when people have more leisure time.
Conversely, the holiday season might result in fewer views, as people are busy with celebrations and other activities.
Weekdays vs. Weekends
In general, weekdays tend to see higher engagement on YouTube, as people are more likely to be online during work breaks or after office hours.
Weekends can still be an excellent time to post, but engagement might be more unpredictable. Some studies have found that the best days to post are Wednesday and Thursday.
The best time to upload and publish videos on YouTube depends on factors such as your target audience, time zones, and your content’s nature.
However, generally, it’s recommended to upload videos during peak viewing hours to maximize engagement. Based on research and trends, weekdays, particularly Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, between 2 PM and 4 PM (Eastern Standard Time) are considered optimal times for publishing videos.
This allows your content to gain traction as viewership increases during the evening hours, both in the US and internationally.
Keep in mind that these are guidelines, and experimenting with different posting times may help you find the best schedule for your specific audience.
TikTok, the wildly popular short-video platform, has taken the world by storm, with millions of users across the globe glued to their screens watching, sharing, and creating content.
But beneath the catchy tunes, hilarious clips, and creative challenges, there are growing concerns about data privacy and the influence of the Chinese government.
In this article, we’ll discuss why you may want to uninstall TikTok from your iOS or Android device, provide simple steps to do so, and delve into the controversy surrounding the app.
Why Uninstall TikTok?
Data privacy concerns: TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is based in China, which has raised red flags for many users. There are concerns that the Chinese government may access and exploit the personal data of TikTok users for surveillance or influence operations.
Mental health and well-being: Constant exposure to a never-ending stream of content can contribute to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Uninstalling TikTok can help reduce screen time and promote a healthier balance in daily life.
Time management: TikTok’s addictive nature can lead to hours of lost productivity. Removing the app can help you regain control of your time and prioritize more meaningful activities.
Distraction-free living: Many users find that they are less likely to get distracted by their phones and can better focus on tasks at hand when they uninstall TikTok.
The China Connection: Data Privacy and Security Concerns
While it’s no secret that TikTok is a Chinese-owned app, what is less known is the extent to which the Chinese government may be involved in the handling of user data.
The following table highlights some of the key concerns and figures surrounding TikTok’s data privacy and security issues.
Concern
Explanation
Figure
Chinese government access
It’s feared that the Chinese government may gain access to TikTok user data for surveillance purposes.
N/A
Data breaches
TikTok has experienced multiple data breaches, putting user data at risk.
1.1 billion users affected in a 2021 breach*
Data storage
TikTok stores user data in servers located in China and the United States.
N/A
Censorship
TikTok has been accused of suppressing content that is critical of the Chinese government or its policies.
N/A
*Source: CyberNews (2021)
How to Uninstall TikTok from Your Device
For iOS Users:
Locate the TikTok app icon on your home screen.
Press and hold the TikTok app icon until a menu appears.
Select “Remove App” from the menu.
Confirm the removal by selecting “Delete App” in the pop-up window.
Android devices, follow these steps:
Locate the TikTok app icon: Find the TikTok app on your device’s home screen or app drawer.
Long-press the app icon: Press and hold the TikTok app icon until a menu appears.
Select “Uninstall” or drag the icon to the “Uninstall” option: In the menu that appears, you may see an “Uninstall” option. Tap on it to proceed. Alternatively, you may see an “Uninstall” or trash bin icon at the top or bottom of your screen. If so, drag the TikTok app icon to that area.
Confirm the uninstallation: A prompt will appear asking you to confirm the uninstallation. Tap “OK” or “Uninstall” to proceed. The app will be uninstalled from your device.
Note: The process may vary slightly depending on your Android device’s manufacturer and Android version. If the above steps don’t work for your device, please consult your device’s user manual or visit the manufacturer’s support website for more information.
Q: What is TikTok?
A: TikTok is a popular short-form video sharing app that allows users to create and share 15-60 second videos on any topic. The app features a wide variety of content, including music, dance, comedy, and educational videos. TikTok’s unique algorithm suggests content based on user preferences and engagement, making it highly addictive and engaging for users.
Q: Why do some people want to uninstall TikTok?
A: Some common reasons for uninstalling TikTok include concerns about privacy and data security, the addictive nature of the app, the potential for exposure to inappropriate content, and negative impacts on mental health.
Q: What are the privacy concerns with TikTok?
A: The app collects a significant amount of user data, such as location, device information, browsing history, and more. Additionally, TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, is based in China, which has raised concerns about the Chinese government’s potential access to user data. However, it’s important to note that many other social media apps also collect extensive user data.
Q: How can TikTok be addictive?
A: TikTok’s algorithm is designed to show users content that they will find engaging, which can lead to users spending more time on the app than intended. The endless scroll feature, coupled with the short duration of videos, makes it easy for users to get caught in a cycle of constantly consuming content.
Q: How can TikTok impact mental health?
A: Like other social media platforms, TikTok can contribute to feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, and social comparison. The app’s emphasis on popularity and the potential for “viral” content can lead users to feel pressure to create perfect videos or gain followers, which can negatively impact mental health.
Q: What kind of inappropriate content might be found on TikTok?
A: While TikTok has guidelines in place to prevent harmful or explicit content, the app is user-generated, and it’s possible to encounter inappropriate material. This can include sexual content, violent or graphic images, and misinformation.
Q: What can parents do to protect their children from the potential negative effects of TikTok?
A: Parents can talk to their children about the risks and potential downsides of using TikTok and set boundaries for app usage. TikTok also offers a “Digital Wellbeing” feature, which includes a screen time management tool and a restricted mode that limits the appearance of content that may be inappropriate for younger users.
Q: Are there alternatives to TikTok?
A: Yes, there are several alternatives to TikTok, such as Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Triller. These platforms offer similar short-form video sharing features, but each has its unique characteristics and user base.
When you click the red ‘unsubscribe’ button on YouTube, you may find yourself wondering whether the content creator will receive a notification or somehow sense your disapproval.
Well, you’re not alone in pondering this question! Many subscribers have asked themselves the same thing as they navigate the vast world of YouTube.
To uncover the answer, we delved into the workings of YouTube analytics and spoke to a few YouTubers to get their insights. Get ready to unravel the mystery!
The YouTube Analytics Breakdown
YouTube analytics provide creators with a wealth of information about their audience. These statistics cover various aspects such as watch time, likes, dislikes, and more. One of the metrics available to creators is the number of subscribers they gain or lose over time.
However, this data is presented in an aggregated manner, without revealing the identity of the specific users who subscribe or unsubscribe.
To provide a clearer picture of how subscriber data is displayed, we’ve compiled a table to illustrate some examples:
To gather firsthand insights, we spoke to a few YouTubers about their experience with lost subscribers. Here’s what they had to say:
Jane Daily (Lifestyle YouTuber): “While I can’t see who unsubscribes, I do feel a slight sting when I lose subscribers. However, I focus on creating content that I’m passionate about and trust that my audience will continue to grow.”
John Marcs (Tech YouTuber): “I used to obsess over subscriber counts, but I’ve learned that it’s more important to focus on the quality of my content and engaging with the viewers who stick around.”
As a viewer, you have the freedom to choose the content you want to consume without any guilt. And remember, creators are human too – they understand that their content may not be for everyone, and they’re constantly working to improve and cater to their audience’s interests.
So, the next time you hit that ‘unsubscribe’ button, don’t worry about breaking any hearts!
Just keep enjoying the content that you love and supporting the creators who resonate with you.
As more and more interactions move online, natural language processing (NLP) has become a critical technology for building chatbots, virtual assistants, and other applications that can understand and generate human-like text.
OpenAI’s Whisper API is a language model API that provides developers with a powerful tool for building NLP applications. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into what the Whisper API is, how it works, and some of the ways it can be used.
Whether you’re new to NLP or an experienced developer, this article will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the Whisper API and its capabilities.
The Whisper API is a language model API provided by OpenAI that allows developers to build natural language processing (NLP) applications that can understand and generate human-like text. It is part of OpenAI’s suite of language tools, which includes the GPT series of models.
The Whisper API uses deep learning algorithms to understand the context and meaning of text inputs and generate responses that are contextually relevant and grammatically correct. Developers can use the API to build chatbots, virtual assistants, and other applications that require natural language processing.
To use the Whisper API, developers need to sign up for an API key and integrate it into their application using one of the supported programming languages, such as Python, Java, or Node.js. Once integrated, developers can send text inputs to the API and receive responses that are generated by the deep learning model.
What are the benefits of using the Whisper API?
The Whisper API is designed to be flexible and customizable, allowing developers to fine-tune the model to their specific use case. They can adjust various parameters, such as the length of the generated text, the level of creativity or randomness, and the specificity of the responses.
The Whisper API also provides high-quality results, generating responses that are contextually relevant and grammatically correct. This makes it an ideal tool for building chatbots, virtual assistants, and other applications that require natural language processing.
What are some use cases for the Whisper API?
The Whisper API can be used for a wide range of use cases, including:
Chatbots: Developers can use the Whisper API to build chatbots that can understand and respond to user input.
Virtual assistants: The Whisper API can be used to build virtual assistants that can assist users with a wide range of tasks.
Customer service: Companies can use the Whisper API to build chatbots that can provide customer support and answer common questions.
Language translation: The Whisper API can be used to build language translation applications that can translate text from one language to another.
Conclusion
The Whisper API from OpenAI is a language model API that allows developers to build natural language processing applications that can understand and generate human-like text.
It is a powerful tool for building chatbots, virtual assistants, and other applications that require natural language processing. Developers can customize the model to their specific use case and integrate it into their application using one of the supported programming languages.
The Whisper API provides high-quality results and can be used for a wide range of use cases.
What programming languages does the Whisper API support?
The Whisper API supports several programming languages, including Python, Java, Node.js, and Ruby. This makes it easy for developers to integrate the API into their applications using the language they are most comfortable with.
Can the Whisper API be used for other languages besides English?
Yes, the Whisper API can be used for other languages besides English. OpenAI provides pre-trained language models for several languages, including Spanish, German, French, and Chinese. Developers can also train custom language models using their own data.
How does the Whisper API generate responses?
The Whisper API generates responses using deep learning algorithms that are trained on large datasets of human language. When a user inputs text, the model analyzes the context and generates a response that is contextually relevant and grammatically correct.
Can developers customize the model?
Yes, developers can customize the model to their specific use case. They can adjust various parameters, such as the length of the generated text, the level of creativity or randomness, and the specificity of the responses. Developers can also fine-tune the model using their own data to improve its accuracy for their specific use case.
What are some common use cases for the Whisper API?
The Whisper API can be used for a wide range of use cases, including chatbots, virtual assistants, customer service, language translation, and content generation. It is particularly useful for applications that require natural language processing and human-like responses.
How does the Whisper API compare to other language model APIs?
The Whisper API is one of the most powerful and flexible language model APIs available. It provides high-quality results and is customizable to specific use cases. Compared to other language model APIs, such as Google’s Dialogflow or Amazon’s Lex, the Whisper API is designed to provide more contextually relevant and grammatically correct responses. However, it requires more technical expertise to use and is more expensive than some other APIs.
Asking the right questions is a crucial part of learning and growing, and that’s where ChatGPT and ChatGPT+ comes in.
As an AI language model, ChatGPT is designed to provide answers to a wide range of questions and topics, from science and technology to business and marketing. But to get the most out of ChatGPT, it’s important to know how to ask the right questions. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of 100 examples of ChatGPT prompts to help you get started.
Whether you’re looking to learn about a specific topic, start a business with ChatGPT, improve your skills, or just satisfy your curiosity, these prompts are a great way to engage with ChatGPT and get the answers you need.
So without further ado, let’s dive into 100 examples of ChatGPT prompts!
What are the key features of -product or service-?
Can you compare and contrast [two products or services] for me?
How can I save money on [specific expense]?
Can you help me brainstorm ideas for [specific project or initiative]?
What are some common misconceptions about [specific topic or industry]?
How can I improve my time management skills?
What are some ways to stay motivated and productive?
Can you recommend some tools or resources for [specific task or project]?
How can I build a strong professional network?
What are some tips for effective public speaking?
Can you explain the basics of [specific skill or activity]?
What are some ways to boost creativity and innovation?
How can I improve my writing skills?
Can you recommend some books or podcasts on [specific topic or industry]?
What are some common job interview mistakes to avoid?
Can you explain the difference between [two terms or concepts]?
What are some strategies for managing stress and anxiety?
What are some effective ways to use email marketing for lead generation?
How can I improve my website’s bounce rate?
What are some ways to optimize website design for search engines?
Can you recommend some effective website testing tools or techniques?
What are some effective ways to use gamification for marketing?
How can I improve my website’s load time?
What are some ways to build an effective content marketing strategy?
Can you explain the basics of conversion rate optimization (CRO)?
What are some effective ways to use search engine marketing (SEM)?
How can I improve my website’s page speed?
What are some ways to build an effective referral marketing strategy?
Can you recommend some effective customer feedback tools or techniques?
What are some effective ways to use paid advertising for marketing?
How can I improve my website’s user engagement?
What are some ways to build an effective social media advertising strategy?
Can you explain the basics of pay-per-click (PPC) advertising?
What are some effective ways to use chatbots for lead generation?
How can I improve my website’s user retention?
What are some ways to build an effective account-based marketing strategy?
Can you recommend some effective marketing automation tools or techniques?
What are some effective ways to use personalization for marketing?
How can I improve my website’s user satisfaction?
What are some ways to build an effective customer advocacy strategy?
Can you explain the basics of customer relationship management (CRM)?
What are some effective ways to use artificial intelligence (AI) for marketing?
How can I improve my website’s user loyalty?
What are some ways to build an effective omnichannel marketing strategy?
ChatGPT is a powerful AI language model that is designed to provide answers to a wide range of questions and topics.
Whether you’re looking to learn something new, improve your skills, or just satisfy your curiosity, ChatGPT can help you get the answers you need. But to get the most out of ChatGPT, it’s important to know how to ask the right questions.
That’s where prompts come in. Prompts are a great way to engage with ChatGPT and get the most accurate and helpful answers possible. By asking specific and well-thought-out questions, you can help ChatGPT understand exactly what you’re looking for and provide you with the most relevant and insightful answers.
So next time you have a question, don’t hesitate to ask ChatGPT using one of the many prompts available. With ChatGPT and the right prompts, the possibilities for learning and discovery are endless.
OpenAI’s GPT-3 language models have revolutionized the field of natural language processing and have made significant advancements in the development of AI-powered conversational agents.
What is ChatGPT+? – ChatGPT+ is the latest version of the ChatGPT model. It is an upgraded version of ChatGPT that has been fine-tuned further on a more diverse and broader range of conversational data.
One of the popular language models in this line is ChatGPT and its upgraded version, ChatGPT+. In this article, we will explore the differences between these two models and what makes them unique.
ChatGPT is a conversational AI language model that uses the GPT-3 architecture. It is trained on a massive amount of text data and is capable of generating human-like responses to natural language inputs
The model has been fine-tuned on conversational data, which has helped it to generate more natural and coherent answers to conversational queries.
ChatGPT+ is the latest version of the ChatGPT model. It is an upgraded version of ChatGPT that has been fine-tuned further on a more diverse and broader range of conversational data. This has resulted in a model that is capable of generating more accurate and natural answers to a wider range of conversational queries.
One of the key differences between the two models is the amount of data they have been trained on. ChatGPT+ has been trained on a much larger and diverse dataset, which has allowed it to better understand the nuances of language and generate more natural answers.
This makes ChatGPT+ more suitable for use in complex conversational scenarios and in applications that require a high degree of accuracy and naturalness in language generation.
Another difference between ChatGPT and ChatGPT+ is their performance in terms of speed and efficiency. ChatGPT+ is faster and more efficient than its predecessor, making it more suitable for use in real-time conversational applications.
Additionally, ChatGPT+ has been optimized to handle a wider range of inputs, including multiple languages, which makes it more versatile and useful for a wider range of applications.
In conclusion, ChatGPT and ChatGPT+ are both powerful conversational AI language models developed by OpenAI.
While ChatGPT is a highly capable model, ChatGPT+ is an upgraded version that offers improved performance, versatility, and accuracy. If you’re looking for a conversational AI model for your business or application, it’s worth considering both ChatGPT and ChatGPT+ to see which one better fits your needs.
Q: What is ChatGPT+?
A: ChatGPT+ is an upgraded version of the ChatGPT conversational AI language model developed by OpenAI. It has been fine-tuned on a larger and more diverse dataset, which has resulted in improved accuracy, naturalness, and versatility in language generation.
Q: How does ChatGPT+ differ from ChatGPT?
A: ChatGPT+ has been trained on a larger and more diverse dataset than its predecessor, ChatGPT. This has allowed it to better understand the nuances of language and generate more natural and accurate answers to a wider range of conversational queries. ChatGPT+ is also faster and more efficient than ChatGPT, making it more suitable for use in real-time conversational applications.
Q: Can ChatGPT+ handle multiple languages?
A: Yes, ChatGPT+ has been optimized to handle a wider range of inputs, including multiple languages, which makes it more versatile and useful for a wider range of applications.
Q: Is ChatGPT+ suitable for use in business applications?
Q: How does ChatGPT+ perform in terms of accuracy and naturalness of language generation?
A: ChatGPT+ has been fine-tuned on a larger and more diverse dataset, which has resulted in improved accuracy and naturalness in language generation compared to its predecessor, ChatGPT. The model is capable of generating more coherent and natural answers to conversational queries.
I hope these answers provide a good overview of ChatGPT+ and its capabilities. Let me know if you have any further questions!
Are you a fan of TikTok and want to save your favourite videos to watch later or share with friends?
Luckily, there are a few easy ways to download TikTok videos to your device.
Method 1: Using the built-in “Share” feature
The easiest way to download a TikTok video is to use the built-in “Share” feature. Here’s how:
Open the TikTok app and find the video you want to download.
Tap the “Share” button located under the video.
Select the “Save Video” option.
The video will be saved to your device’s camera roll.
Method 2: Using a third-party app
There are many third-party apps available that can help you download TikTok videos. Some popular options include TikTok Video Downloader, TikTok Video Saver, and TikTok Video Download. Here’s how to use one of these apps:
Download and install the app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Open the TikTok app and find the video you want to download.
Tap the “Share” button located under the video.
Select the third-party app you downloaded from the list of options.
Follow the instructions in the app to download the video.
Method 3: Using an online video downloader
Another way to download TikTok videos is to use an online video downloader. These websites allow you to enter the URL of the TikTok video you want to download and then save the video to your device. Here’s how to use an online video downloader:
Open the TikTok app and find the video you want to download.
Tap the “Share” button located under the video.
Select “Copy Link” to copy the video’s URL to your clipboard.
Go to an online video downloader website, such as snaptik.app
Paste the video’s URL into the website’s download bar and click the download button.
Wait for the video to be downloaded, and then save it to your device.
Note: It is important to be aware that downloading copyrighted material without permission is illegal. Also, it is best practice to be careful when using third-party apps and online video downloaders, as some of them may contain malware or other harmful software that can compromise your device security.
I hope these methods help you download your favourite TikTok videos! Enjoy and share with your friends. Remember, it is always good to be aware of the copyright rules and the risks of using third-party apps and online video downloaders. Happy downloading!
Hey there! Are you passionate about YouTube and looking for ways to make money from it?
Did you know that there are many jobs available in the creator economy that you can do as a side hustle or even full-time?
These jobs include things like designing thumbnails, editing videos, writing scripts, managing channels, and more.
One great place to find these jobs is on a website called YT Jobs, created by YouTube consultant Paddy Galloway. There are currently seven popular jobs for YouTube creators that you can do on a full-time, part-time, or per-project basis.
Here’s a quick overview of what these jobs involve and the pay range according to YT Jobs:
Thumbnail Designer
These professionals create the images that represent YouTube videos, using tools like Adobe Photoshop and Canva. Skills needed include graphic design, colour theory, and knowledge of YouTube thumbnail trends.
Pay range: per project: $5-$400, per year: $18,000-$90,000
These experts turn raw footage into engaging content for YouTube by cutting, adding text, and using special effects. Skills needed include visual storytelling, proficiency with video editing software, and a range of editing techniques.
Pay range: per project: $15-$1,000, per year: $15,000-$100,000
Scriptwriter
Scriptwriters write and edit the dialogue and elements in a YouTube video script. Skills needed include researching video ideas, developing storylines, and script formatting.
Pay range: per project: $10-$1,000, per year: $40,000-$80,000
YouTube Channel Manager
These professionals oversee the day-to-day operation and success of a YouTube channel, managing video content, collaborations, and community engagement.
Pay range: per year: $30,000-$60,000
YouTube Strategist
These experts help channels grow by creating and implementing a strategy for increasing views, subscribers, and revenue. Skills needed include analytics, SEO, and video marketing.
Pay range: per project: $50-$5,000, per year: $50,000-$100,000
Creative Director
These professionals lead the creative direction for a YouTube channel, coming up with video concepts and working with the production team to bring them to life. Skills needed include creative ideation, storytelling, and knowledge of video production.
Pay range: per project: $50-$5,000, per year: $50,000-$100,000
YouTube Producer
These experts manage the production of videos, from pre-production to post-production, and work closely with the creative director to bring the vision to life. Skills needed include project management, budgeting, and knowledge of video production.
Pay range: per project: $50-$5,000, per year: $50,000-$100,000
There are several things you can do to improve your chances of getting a job in the YouTube social media space:
Build a strong online presence: Create a YouTube channel and start producing content that is relevant to the job you’re applying for. This will help showcase your skills and give potential employers a sense of your style and approach.
Network: Reach out to people in the industry and let them know you’re looking for a job. Attend industry events and conferences and make connections.
Learn the skills: Understand the technical aspects of creating and editing videos, as well as the best practices for promoting content on YouTube. Take relevant courses and workshops to learn more about the industry.
Tailor your resume and cover letter: When applying for jobs, make sure your resume and cover letter specifically highlight your experience and skills that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Show your passion and creativity: Employers are always looking for people who are passionate about the work they do, and who can bring new ideas and perspectives to the table. Highlight these qualities in your resume, cover letter, and portfolio.
Be consistent, persistent and patient. Keep producing content, keep networking and keep learning. The right opportunity might take some time to come.
