If you’re a YouTube channel owner, you may have received a warning about “invalid traffic” at some point. This term can be confusing and alarming, especially if you’re not sure what it means or how it impacts your channel.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what invalid traffic is, how it affects users, and its negative impact on ad revenue.
What is Invalid Traffic?
Invalid traffic refers to any clicks or impressions that may artificially inflate an advertiser’s costs or a publisher’s earnings. This can include but is not limited to:
Clicks or impressions generated by publishers clicking their ads
Automated clicking tools or traffic sources
Manipulative or deceptive software
Clicks or impressions generated by incentivized browsing
Types of Invalid Traffic
Type
Description
Accidental Clicks
Clicks that happen accidentally, often due to poor ad placement.
Automated Bots
Software that mimics human behavior to click on ads.
Publisher Fraud
When the publisher intentionally clicks on their ads to boost revenue.
Incentivized Traffic
Users are promised something in return for clicking on ads.
How Does Invalid Traffic Affect Users?
1. Reduced User Experience
Invalid traffic can lead to a poor user experience. For example, if a video has a high number of artificial clicks, it may be promoted more by YouTube’s algorithm, pushing down more relevant or high-quality content.
2. Trust Issues
Users may lose trust in a channel if they suspect that the views or engagement metrics are artificially inflated. This can lead to reduced subscriber growth and engagement over time.
3. Content Devaluation
If a channel is found to have a significant amount of invalid traffic, YouTube may limit its reach, making it harder for genuine users to discover the content.
How Does Invalid Traffic Negatively Affect Ad Revenue?
1. Reduced CPM and CPC
Invalid traffic can lead to lower Cost Per Mille (CPM) and Cost Per Click (CPC) rates. Advertisers are less willing to pay for traffic that doesn’t convert.
In cases of invalid traffic, YouTube may refund the advertisers, and this amount will be deducted from the publisher’s earnings.
Deep Dive: How to Fix Invalid Traffic Issues on Your YouTube Channel
If you’ve received a warning about invalid traffic on your YouTube channel, it’s crucial to act quickly to resolve the issue. Ignoring it can lead to severe consequences, including reduced ad revenue and even account suspension. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to fix invalid traffic issues on your channel.
Step 1: Conduct a Thorough Audit
Analyze Traffic Sources
Use YouTube Analytics to identify where your traffic is coming from. Look for any unusual spikes in views or engagement and trace them back to their source. If you find that a significant amount of traffic is coming from suspicious sources, you may have identified the root of the problem.
Check User Engagement
High views with low engagement (likes, comments, shares) can be a red flag for invalid traffic. If you notice this pattern, delve deeper to understand why this is happening.
Step 2: Eliminate Risk Factors
Remove Incentivized Clicks
If you’ve been offering incentives for clicks, views, or other forms of engagement, stop immediately. This is a violation of YouTube’s policies and can be a significant source of invalid traffic.
Ensure that your video titles and descriptions accurately represent the content. Misleading titles can lead to accidental clicks, contributing to invalid traffic.
Reconsider Ad Placement
If you have control over where ads are placed in your videos, make sure they are positioned in a way that minimizes accidental clicks.
Use analytics tools to set up alerts for unusual spikes in traffic or engagement. This can help you catch invalid traffic issues before they escalate.
Regular Check-ins
Make it a habit to regularly check your analytics for any signs of invalid traffic so you can address issues as they arise.
Step 6: Communicate with YouTube
If you’ve identified and fixed the sources of invalid traffic, reach out to YouTube’s support to let them know the steps you’ve taken. This can be helpful if you’re facing penalties or have had your account suspended.
Step 7: Educate Your Team
If you have a team managing your YouTube channel, make sure everyone is aware of what constitutes invalid traffic and how to avoid it. Education is the first line of defense against inadvertent violations.
Conclusion
Invalid traffic can severely impact your YouTube channel’s performance and revenue. However, by taking a proactive approach to identify, understand, and fix the issues, you can safeguard your channel’s integrity and continue to grow both your audience and revenue.
Remember, the key is to act quickly and be thorough in your approach to resolving invalid traffic issues. The sooner you address the problem, the less likely it is to have a long-term negative impact on your channel.
Welcome to the world of YouTube, a platform where creativity knows no bounds! But with this endless potential comes the responsibility of navigating legal and platform-specific rules.
One question many new content creators ask is: can I upload public domain videos to YouTube? Or services like Kartoffel Films
This blog post aims to demystify this question and take you through everything you need to know about copyright, public domain, YouTube’s upload rules, and how these factors intertwine.
Understanding Copyright Laws
In simple terms, copyright law protects original works of authorship, including videos. When a video is copyrighted, the owner has the exclusive right to use, reproduce, or distribute the work.
Infringement occurs when someone uses, reproduces, or distributes copyrighted work without the owner’s permission.
Violating copyright laws on YouTube can lead to consequences, such as video takedowns or even channel suspensions. In extreme cases, you could even face legal action from the copyright owner.
What is Public Domain?
The public domain comprises works that are not protected by intellectual property laws, either because the copyright has expired, the work was not eligible for protection, or the copyright owner has explicitly relinquished their rights.
These works can be freely used, reproduced, and distributed by anyone.
Using public domain content is an excellent way to access and share creative material without fearing copyright infringement. However, it’s crucial to verify a work’s copyright status before using it.
The Intersection of Public Domain and Copyright
How do copyright laws apply to public domain videos? In essence, they don’t. But the tricky part is determining whether a video is truly in the public domain.
Works can be mistakenly labelled as public domain, or they may contain elements that are still under copyright.
Therefore, it’s important to do thorough research and, when possible, consult with a legal expert.
How to Find Public Domain Videos
Numerous resources offer public domain videos, such as the Prelinger Archives or the U.S. National Archives.
However, before using a video from these or other sources, verify its copyright status.
Check for any indications of copyright, research the creator, and consider the date and country of publication, as copyright laws and durations can vary.
Projected Public Domain Additions (Based on U.S. Copyright Law)
Year
Description
2019
Works published in 1923
2020
Works published in 1924
2021
Works published in 1925
2022
Works published in 1926
2023
Works published in 1927
Please note that this is a simplified representation. In reality, determining whether a specific work is in the public domain can be complex and depends on factors like the date of the author’s death, whether copyright was properly renewed, and the laws in different countries.
Internet Archive Statistics (As of September 2021)
Content Type
Items (Approximate)
Texts
20 Million+
Video
4 Million+
Audio
3 Million+
Images
3 Million+
The Internet Archive, which includes resources like the Prelinger Archives, is one of the biggest repositories of public domain and Creative Commons-licensed content. This gives you an idea of the sheer volume of such content available, although not all of it may be suitable or legal to upload on YouTube.
Can I Upload Public Domain Videos to YouTube?
Yes, you can upload public domain videos to YouTube, but there are some considerations.
YouTube wants creators to add their own unique spin to the content they upload, rather than simply reposting existing material.
How to Upload Videos on YouTube
Sign in to your YouTube account.
Click on the video camera icon at the top and select ‘Upload Video.’
Select the public domain video file you wish to upload.
Fill out the necessary information, like title, description, and tags. Make sure to accurately describe your video and use relevant tags to make it easier for others to find.
Click ‘Publish’ to complete the upload.
Remember, the description, tags, and metadata play a crucial role in search visibility, so take your time to fill these out accurately.
Monetization of Public Domain Videos on YouTube
While you can monetize public domain videos on YouTube, the platform’s policies require that you add significant original commentary or educational value to the content.
Simply re-uploading a public domain video may not be eligible for monetization.
Understanding YouTube Analytics
YouTube Analytics is a powerful tool that can provide insights into your video’s performance. Key metrics to track include:
Watch Time: This shows how long viewers watch your videos. The longer the watch time, the more likely YouTube is to recommend your content to others.
Audience Retention: This metric shows how well your video keeps viewers engaged. Higher retention rates indicate that viewers are watching most or all of your video.
Use these metrics to understand what’s working and what’s not, and adjust your content strategy accordingly.
Potential Challenges and How to Overcome Them
One challenge when using public domain content is ensuring the material is genuinely free from copyright. To mitigate this risk, do thorough research and consider seeking legal advice.
Additionally, some viewers may not be interested in watching public domain content that’s widely available elsewhere. To attract viewers, consider how you can add unique value or provide a fresh perspective on the content.
Conclusion
Uploading public domain videos to YouTube can be a unique way to share valuable content, but it’s essential to understand the nuances of copyright laws, YouTube’s policies, and best practices for adding unique value to these works.
With thorough research and a touch of creativity, you can leverage public domain content to create engaging, legal, and potentially profitable content on YouTube.
Resources
For further reading and exploration, here are some useful resources:
As with most social media platforms, the best time to post on YouTube depends on your audience and the type of content you’re posting.
However, research suggests that the most active times on YouTube are weekday afternoons and evenings, between 2 PM and 4 PM Eastern Time, with the peak being around 5 PM to 6 PM Eastern Time.
Why is it important to know when YouTube is most active? Knowing the best time to post on YouTube can help you reach a larger audience and get more views and engagement on your content. If you post at a time when your audience is most active, your video is more likely to show up in their feeds and search results.
This can help you get more views, likes, comments, and shares, which can in turn help you grow your channel and increase your reach.
How to boost views on YouTube
In addition to posting at the right time, there are several other strategies you can use to boost views on your YouTube videos:
Optimize your title and description
Use keywords and phrases that your target audience is likely to search for in your video title and description. This will help your video show up in search results for those keywords, which can help you get more views.
Use eye-catching thumbnails
Your video thumbnail is the first thing people see when browsing through YouTube, so it’s important to make it eye-catching and engaging. Use high-quality images, bold text, and bright colours to capture people’s attention and entice them to click on your video.
Promote your video on social media
Share your video on your social media channels and encourage your followers to watch and share it. This can help you reach a wider audience and drive more views and engagement on your video.
How to localize content to get more engagement: Localization is the process of adapting your content to suit the preferences and needs of a specific geographical region or language. Here are a few strategies you can use to localize your content and get more engagement:
Use subtitles or captions
Adding subtitles or captions to your videos can help you reach a wider audience and make your content more accessible to people who speak different languages.
Use local keywords and phrases
Research the keywords and phrases that are popular in the region or language you’re targeting, and use them in your video titles, descriptions, and tags.
Incorporate local trends and culture
Make your content more relatable and engaging by incorporating local trends, culture, and references into your videos. This can help you connect with your audience on a deeper level and build a stronger relationship with them.
YouTube Statistics
Statistics
Value
Number of YouTube users
Over 2 billion monthly active users
Number of YouTube daily views
Over 1 billion hours of videos watched daily
Percentage of YouTube users
81% of 15-25 year-olds in the US
Average mobile YouTube session
40 minutes
Number of YouTube channels
Over 50 million channels
YouTube Engagement Statistics
Statistics
Value
Average time spent on YouTube per user
Around 40 minutes per session
Percentage of YouTube traffic from mobile devices
Over 70%
Average percentage of likes on YouTube videos
8-12% of total views
Average percentage of comments on YouTube videos
0.5-2% of total views
Percentage of YouTube users who subscribe to a channel after watching a video
70%
Video Localization Statistics
Statistics
Value
Percentage of internet users who prefer to consume content in their native language
72%
Percentage increase in video engagement after adding subtitles or captions
Up to 15%
Percentage of YouTube views that come from non-English-speaking countries
Over 60%
Number of languages YouTube supports for automatic captions
Over 10
Percentage increase in video reach when optimizing for local keywords and phrases
Varies based on region and language
What is the best time to post on YouTube?
The best time to post on YouTube depends on your audience and the type of content you’re posting. However, research suggests that the most active times on YouTube are weekday afternoons and evenings, between 2 PM and 4 PM Eastern Time, with the peak being around 5 PM to 6 PM Eastern Time.
These are the times when most people are likely to be online and actively browsing YouTube.
Why is it important to post at the right time?
Posting at the right time can help you reach a larger audience and get more views and engagement on your content. If you post when your audience is most active, your video is more likely to show up in their feeds and search results.
This can help you get more views, likes, comments, and shares, which can in turn help you grow your channel and increase your reach.
Can posting at the wrong time hurt your video’s performance?
Posting at the wrong time can make it harder for your video to get noticed and can lead to lower engagement and views. If you post when your audience is less active, your video is less likely to show up in their feeds and search results, which can limit its visibility and reach.
What are some other strategies for boosting views and engagement on YouTube?
In addition to posting at the right time, there are several other strategies you can use to boost views and engagement on your videos.
These include:
Using targeted keywords and phrases in your video titles, descriptions, and tags to make it easier for people to find your video in search results.
Creating engaging thumbnails that capture people’s attention and entice them to click on your video.
Promoting your video on social media and other channels to reach a wider audience and encourage people to watch and share it.
Collaborating with other creators in your niche to expand your reach and build your audience.
Engaging with your audience by responding to comments and encouraging feedback.
How can you localize your content to get more engagement?
Localizing your content means adapting it to suit the preferences and needs of a specific geographical region or language.
Some strategies for localizing your content and getting more engagement include using subtitles or captions to make your videos more accessible to people who speak different languages, incorporating local trends and culture into your videos to make them more relatable and engaging, and using local keywords and phrases to optimize your content for search results in specific regions or languages.
In summary, posting at the right time, optimizing your content, and localizing your content can all help you get more views and engagement on your YouTube videos. By understanding your audience, researching keywords and trends, and using these strategies effectively, you can take your YouTube channel to the next level and reach a wider audience.
As with most social media platforms, the best day to post on YouTube depends on your audience and the type of content you’re posting. However, research suggests that the best days to post on YouTube are Thursdays and Fridays, with the peak being on Friday.
According to a study conducted by HubSpot, Thursday is the best day to post videos for business-related channels, while Friday is the best day for entertainment-related channels.
Why is it important to know the best day to post on YouTube?
Create high-quality content: Your video should be high-quality, engaging, and valuable to your target audience. Make sure your video is well-lit, has good sound quality, and is visually appealing. Use a script or outline to ensure that your content is well-organized and easy to follow.
Promote your video on social media: Share your video on your social media channels and encourage your followers to watch and share it. This can help you reach a wider audience and drive more views and engagement on your video.
Use relevant tags: Use relevant tags in your video’s description to help people find your content. This can help your video show up in search results for those tags, which can help you get more views and engagement.
Engage with your audience: Respond to comments on your videos and engage with your audience to build a stronger connection with them. This can help you build a community around your content and increase your reach on YouTube.
In conclusion, posting on the right day, optimizing your content, and engaging with your audience can all help you get more views and engagement on your YouTube videos. By understanding your audience, creating high-quality content, and using these strategies effectively, you can take your YouTube channel to the next level and reach a wider audience.
Why is it important to know the best day to post on YouTube?
Knowing the best day to post on YouTube can help you reach a larger audience and get more views and engagement on your content. By posting on a day when your audience is most active, your video is more likely to show up in their feeds and search results, which can help you get more views, likes, comments, and shares.
There are several ways to determine the best day to post on YouTube for your specific audience. One way is to look at your YouTube Analytics and see when your viewers are most active. You can also conduct surveys or polls to ask your audience when they prefer to watch YouTube videos.
In addition to posting on the right day, you can optimize your content for maximum engagement by using an attention-grabbing title, creating high-quality content, promoting your video on social media, using relevant tags, and engaging with your audience.
How important is engagement on YouTube?
Engagement is very important on YouTube because it can help you grow your channel and reach a wider audience. When viewers engage with your content by liking, commenting, and sharing, it signals to the YouTube algorithm that your content is high-quality and valuable. This can help your videos show up more often in search results and recommended videos, which can lead to more views and engagement.
In today’s digital landscape, YouTube has emerged as a go-to platform for content creators looking to share their passions, expertise, and stories with the world.
With over 2 billion logged-in monthly users and a staggering 500 hours of video uploaded every minute, it’s no wonder that understanding key metrics is essential for creators seeking to stand out and succeed on YouTube.
One of the most important, yet often overlooked, metrics for YouTube success is Average View Duration. This vital statistic not only helps creators gauge the effectiveness of their content, but also plays a significant role in how the YouTube algorithm determines which videos to promote. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the intricacies of Average View Duration, discuss the factors affecting it, and provide actionable tips for improving this crucial metric.
So, whether you’re a seasoned YouTuber or just starting your channel, keep reading to unlock the secret to creating more engaging content.
What is Average View Duration?
Average View Duration (AVD) is a metric that represents the average amount of time a viewer spends watching a particular video. It is calculated by dividing the total watch time of a video by its total number of views.
This metric helps creators understand how well their content is holding the viewer’s attention and maintaining engagement throughout the video.
How it differs from other metrics like Watch Time and Views
Average View Duration, on the other hand, focuses on the quality of engagement by assessing how long viewers stay on a video on average. A high AVD indicates that viewers are finding the content engaging and relevant, whereas a low AVD suggests that viewers may be leaving the video early due to lack of interest or poor quality.
Why Average View Duration is important for YouTube algorithm and audience retention
The YouTube algorithm uses Average View Duration as a key factor when deciding which videos to recommend and promote. Videos with higher AVDs are more likely to appear in search results, suggested video lists, and on users’ homepages. This is because the algorithm interprets a higher AVD as a sign of quality content that keeps viewers engaged.
Moreover, maintaining a high Average View Duration helps in building a loyal audience, as viewers who consistently watch a significant portion of your videos are more likely to subscribe, share, and engage with your content. In turn, this boosts your channel’s overall growth and visibility on the platform.
Factors Affecting Average View Duration
There are many factors that can impact your Average View Duration. Lets list what these are and deep dive into how and why they can be so influential on your results.
Video length
You need to match the video length to the audience expectations. Nobody wants to watch a 4 hour explainer lecture when they just need a 15 second how-to tutorial.
Pros and cons of short and long videos
Short videos have the advantage of being easily consumable and shareable, often leading to higher view counts. However, they may not provide enough depth or information for viewers seeking comprehensive content. On the other hand, long videos can thoroughly cover a topic and potentially increase total watch time. However, they risk losing viewer interest if the content is not engaging enough.
Identifying the sweet spot for your content
Finding the right video length for your content depends on various factors such as your target audience, the nature of your content, and your presentation style. Experiment with different video lengths and analyze your AVD to determine the optimal duration that keeps your audience engaged.
Content quality
Relevance to the target audience
Ensuring your content is relevant and valuable to your target audience is essential for maintaining their interest. Conduct research to identify topics and trends that resonate with your viewers, and create content that addresses their needs and preferences.
Production value and editing
High-quality production and editing can significantly impact AVD. Crisp visuals, clear audio, and smooth transitions can help maintain viewer interest, while poor production quality may cause viewers to leave the video early. Invest time and effort in improving your production and editing skills to create more engaging content.
Audience targeting and demographics
Understanding your audience’s preferences
Knowing your audience’s preferences, such as their age, location, interests, and viewing habits, can help you tailor your content to their tastes. Use YouTube Analytics to gather insights about your audience and make data-driven decisions to improve your content strategy.
Catering content to their interests
Once you have a clear understanding of your audience’s preferences, create content that speaks to their interests and expectations. By doing so, you’re more likely to maintain their attention and increase your AVD.
Tips to Increase Average View Duration
Lets help to get you more views and keep them hooked for longer.
Grab viewers’ attention in the first few seconds
Importance of a strong hook With the abundance of content available on YouTube, it’s crucial to capture your viewer’s attention right from the start. A compelling hook in the first few seconds can entice viewers to continue watching and increase your AVD.
Examples of engaging openings
Pose a thought-provoking question
Share an interesting fact or statistic
Preview the video’s key takeaways
Use humour or tell a personal story
Optimize video structure and pacing
You need to make your videos more consumable and binge worthy. The easier it is to watch your video the more likely people are to stick around. Here are some ways to make your content more easy on the eye.
Break content into sections
Organize your content into clear sections to help maintain viewer interest and make your video more digestible.
Use headings, bullet points, and visuals to separate ideas and guide your audience through the video.
Use timestamps and visual cues
Adding timestamps to your video description or as a pinned comment can help viewers navigate your content more easily. This allows them to jump to specific sections of interest, increasing the likelihood that they will remain engaged throughout the video. Visual cues, such as text overlays or graphics, can also help emphasize key points and maintain viewer interest.
Encourage interaction and engagement
The more they engage the more YouTube can see they are satisfied with the content and willing to share across the platform to new audience members.
Asking for likes, comments, and subscriptions
Prompting viewers to like, comment, and subscribe not only fosters interaction and community building, but also signals to the YouTube algorithm that your content is engaging. However, ensure that your call-to-action is genuine and relevant to the content, rather than being overly repetitive or intrusive.
Incorporating polls and quizzes
Including polls, quizzes, or other interactive elements can boost audience engagement and encourage viewers to spend more time on your video. These features can also provide valuable feedback on your content, helping you make data-driven decisions to improve your AVD.
Analyzing Average View Duration for Continuous Improvement
The more stats you have the more you can learn from what does well, and what doesn’t. If you are looking to grow on youtube you need to hone in what works and refine those into an ongoing strategy for continuous improvement.
Accessing YouTube Analytics
To access and analyze your Average View Duration data, navigate to YouTube Studio and click on the “Analytics” tab.
Here, you will find a wealth of information about your video performance, including AVD, Watch Time, Views, and other valuable metrics.
Identifying trends and patterns in your data
Analyze your AVD data over time to identify trends and patterns that may indicate what resonates with your audience.
Look for videos with particularly high or low AVD and try to determine what factors might be contributing to these results. Consider the following questions:
Are there any similarities among videos with high AVD?
Does a particular topic or format perform better than others?
Are there specific points in your videos where viewers tend to drop off?
Adjusting content strategy based on insights
Once you’ve identified trends and patterns in your data, use these insights to adjust your content strategy accordingly.
For instance, if you find that your audience prefers shorter videos with a specific format, consider creating more content in that style to boost your AVD.
Continuously monitor your analytics and adapt your approach to ensure that you are providing content that keeps your audience engaged and coming back for more.
YouTube Average View Duration Stats and User Behaviour
Average View Duration by Content Category
Content Category
Average View Duration
Educational
7 minutes
Lifestyle & Vlogging
10 minutes
Tech Reviews & Tutorials
6 minutes
Gaming
12 minutes
Health & Fitness
8 minutes
Travel
9 minutes
DIY & Crafts
5 minutes
*Please note that these numbers are approximations and may vary depending on the specific niche and creator.
Viewer Retention by Video Length
Video Length
Viewer Retention
Under 2 minutes
70%
2-5 minutes
60%
5-10 minutes
50%
10-15 minutes
40%
15-30 minutes
30%
Over 30 minutes
20%
*These percentages represent the average proportion of viewers who complete watching videos of various lengths.
Table 3: Impact of Viewer Interaction on Average View Duration
Interaction Type
Average Increase in View Duration
Likes
10%
Comments
15%
Shares
12%
Polls & Quizzes
18%
*These values represent the estimated increase in Average View Duration when viewers interact with a video in various ways.
Please note that these statistics are approximations based on available data and may not be universally applicable. They should be used as a starting point for understanding trends and patterns in YouTube user behaviour. Always analyse your own channel’s data to make informed decisions about content strategy and optimization.
And finally…
As we’ve seen throughout this blog post, Average View Duration is a crucial metric for gauging audience engagement and ensuring success on YouTube. By understanding and optimizing your AVD, you can create more compelling content that resonates with your audience and captures the attention of the YouTube algorithm.
To improve your AVD, don’t be afraid to experiment with different formats, lengths, and styles. Analyze your data, identify trends, and adapt your content strategy based on the insights you gather.
Now that you have a better understanding of Average View Duration and its importance, it’s time to apply these insights to your own YouTube channel. Keep your audience engaged, monitor your analytics, and watch your channel grow as you unlock the secret to creating more engaging content.
Q: What is Average View Duration?
A: Average View Duration (AVD) is a metric that represents the average amount of time a viewer spends watching a particular video. It is calculated by dividing the total watch time of a video by its total number of views.
Q: How does Average View Duration impact YouTube growth?
A: A high AVD indicates that viewers are finding the content engaging and relevant, which helps creators build a loyal audience. Additionally, the YouTube algorithm uses AVD as a key factor when deciding which videos to recommend and promote, leading to increased visibility and growth for channels with higher AVDs.
A: While a high view count can contribute to a video’s overall success, a low Average View Duration may indicate that viewers are not fully engaging with the content. This may negatively impact the video’s visibility within the YouTube algorithm, as the platform prioritizes videos with higher engagement levels.
Q: How can I improve my Average View Duration?
A: To improve your AVD, focus on creating engaging, high-quality content that caters to your target audience’s interests. Experiment with different video lengths, formats, and styles, and analyze your performance data to identify trends and adjust your content strategy accordingly.
Q: What is the ideal Average View Duration for my channel?
A: There is no universal ideal AVD, as it depends on your target audience, content niche, and presentation style. However, a higher AVD generally indicates better audience engagement and content quality, leading to increased growth and visibility on YouTube.
Q: How do I access my Average View Duration data?
A: To access your AVD data, navigate to YouTube Studio and click on the “Analytics” tab. This will provide you with a wealth of information about your video performance, including AVD, Watch Time, Views, and other valuable metrics.
Q: Can I increase my Average View Duration by making all my videos shorter?
A: While shorter videos may lead to a higher AVD due to their easily consumable nature, it is important to strike a balance between video length and content quality. If your videos are too short, they may not provide enough depth or information for viewers seeking comprehensive content, which could negatively impact engagement and audience retention.
It’s only natural in today’s data-saturated world to assume that content creators have access to a vast wealth of information about their viewers. And that assumption would be correct; YouTubers can see a great deal of information about the people who watch their content.
YouTubers cannot see who is watching their videos. Most YouTubers would LOVE to see who watched their videos, but this is not possible.
There are many data points for YouTubers to explore, but those data points stop short of telling you things like who is watching, liking, and sharing your content.
Can YouTubers See Who Viewed Their Video?
Of course, when we say YouTubers can’t see who has viewed their video, we just mean that there is no stat or dashboard panel that will show you your recent views, nor is there a link you can click on for a given video that will take you to a list of viewers. There are ways to infer some of your viewers, however.
For example, it is safe to assume that anyone who has commented on a video (and is not obviously spamming) has watched it. It’s not exactly of practical use from a data analysis point of view, but it may be useful in some cases.
What Can YouTubers See?
In terms of names, there are only two significant situations in which a YouTuber can see the who, and those are comments and subscribers.
Comments are a given, as every comment has a username attached to it. Not only that, you can click on them to head of to that user’s YouTube page. If they are also a YouTuber, this is a nice, easy way of getting to their channel if you want to check something out. It’s also sometimes abused by people posting all manner of attention grabbing comments in the sole hope that you will click on their name.
Subscribers are a little more complicated. YouTubers can see who has subscribed to their channel if the user in question has that feature enabled. Users can choose to keep their subscriptions private, which prevents them from showing up in the YouTuber’s subscriber list. They still count towards the total subscribers figure, of course, there’s just no way of knowing who they are.
Analytics
If there is one thing that Google is known for… after search… and AdSense… and a veritable graveyard of projects… it’s analytics. Google collects an immense amount of data about the people using its various platforms, and for the people who make Google money, Google likes to make life as easy as possible for them by giving them access to as much of that vast treasure trove of data as possible.
Can YouTubers see who viewed their video? No. But can they see what percentage of their viewers were white men in their mid-thirties residing in England? Absolutely.
A big part of Google’s data collection is anonymisation. Google themselves might not have opted to do things this way if they’d had the choice… but they didn’t have the choice.
So YouTubers can see a great deal of information that gives them insight into the type of person that is watching their video. Essentially, they can see demographics. They can see if the majority of their viewers are male or female, or if they are in the United States, even what device they are watching the videos on.
What the YouTubers do with that information is their own business, but if you are a viewer worrying about what your favourite YouTuber might be able to see about you; don’t worry, there’s no way for them to link any of the data they can see to you.
Why Would YouTubers Need to See Who is Viewing Their Videos?
The truth is; they don’t. This may go a long way to explaining why YouTube don’t let YouTubers see who is viewing their videos, but there really isn’t much benefit, and some of the ways YouTubers might use this information are even negative.
For example, if a YouTuber has been targeting another YouTuber with less-than-friendly behaviour, and finds that their victim has been watching their videos, it could add more fuel to their unsavoury fire.
On the flip side, there is no added value to being able to put usernames and accounts to the analytical data YouTube provides. Knowing that a specific person is watching your content doesn’t give you any significant insight into your channel’s performance, so why bother?
What Else Does YouTube Hide?
The names of viewers isn’t the only thing YouTube keeps from its content creators. YouTubers also can’t see the names of people who have liked or disliked their videos. In fact, the only time YouTube is explicit about a like is when the YouTuber themselves clicks the little heart on a comment for their video.
It is also not possible to directly tell who has shared your videos, though this particular metric is quite easy to find through other means, as it involves essentially just searching for links to your video.
Final Thoughts
In today’s privacy-concerned world, where huge corporations are routinely harvesting and selling our data, it’s understandable to be concerned about what information about you is being passed around behind the scenes.
It’s important to remember that, just because YouTube aren’t making your account name available to the YouTubers you watch, they are still collecting vast amounts of data about you, and you have to be comfortable with that if you want to use the platform as a logged-in user.
That being said, the typically unpopular part of this kind of data collection is less about personal safety—after all, your data is anonymised—and more about the fact that the company—YouTube in this case—is profiting from your data. The counter to this, of course, is that you agree to YouTube’s terms of service when you use their platform, and all of this is covered in those terms.
Regardless of the reason for your interest in this topic, we can say confidently that YouTubers cannot see who has viewed their videos.
Top 5 Tools To Get You Started on YouTube
Very quickly before you go here are 5 amazing tools I have used every day to grow my YouTube channel from 0 to 30K subscribers in the last 12 months that I could not live without.
1. VidIQ helps boost my views and get found in search
I almost exclusively switched to VidIQ from a rival in 2020.
Within 12 months I tripled the size of my channel and very quickly learnt the power of thumbnails, click through rate and proper search optimization. Best of all, they are FREE!
2. Adobe Creative Suite helps me craft amazing looking thumbnails and eye-catching videos
I have been making youtube videos on and off since 2013.
When I first started I threw things together in Window Movie Maker, cringed at how it looked but thought “that’s the best I can do so it’ll have to do”.
Big mistake!
I soon realized the move time you put into your editing and the more engaging your thumbnails are the more views you will get and the more people will trust you enough to subscribe.
That is why I took the plunge and invested in my editing and design process with Adobe Creative Suite. They offer a WIDE range of tools to help make amazing videos, simple to use tools for overlays, graphics, one click tools to fix your audio and the very powerful Photoshop graphics program to make eye-catching thumbnails.
Best of all you can get a free trial for 30 days on their website, a discount if you are a student and if you are a regular human being it starts from as little as £9 per month if you want to commit to a plan.
3. Rev.com helps people read my videos
You can’t always listen to a video.
Maybe you’re on a bus, a train or sat in a living room with a 5 year old singing baby shark on loop… for HOURS. Or, you are trying to make as little noise as possible while your new born is FINALLY sleeping.
This is where Rev can help you or your audience consume your content on the go, in silence or in a language not native to the video.
5. Shutterstock helps me add amazing video b-roll cutaways
I mainly make tutorials and talking head videos.
And in this modern world this can be a little boring if you don’t see something funky every once in a while.
I try with overlays, jump cuts and being funny but my secret weapon is b-roll overlay content.
I can talk about skydiving, food, money, kids, cats – ANYTHING I WANT – with a quick search on the Shutterstock website I can find a great looking clip to overlay on my videos, keeping them entertained and watching for longer.
There are over five billion videos on YouTube. So, if you’ve been creating videos with clickbait titles in the hope of going viral, you may as well buy a lottery ticket – it’s no plan for channel growth.
Growing a YouTube channel is a long-term venture. Best achieved by regularly uploading quality videos that give your audience more of what they are looking for.
When you are trying to grow, it’s natural to want to compare yourself to other channels, but resist the temptation! YouTube channels exist in viewer bubbles – it’s your unique combination of content, presentation and production values that keeps your viewers watching.
But you don’t nail it every time. So how do you figure out what it is your audience likes most about your channel? Sure you can keep an eye on your likes, dislikes, and comments, but these don’t give you the full picture.
Fortunately, YouTube provides you with a sharper view, with lots of in-depth analytics about your channel.
This post looks at how you can use your analytics to better understand your audience and how you then use that knowledge to grow your channel. First, though, it’s crucial to know how YouTube ranks videos and why clickbait doesn’t work.
How YouTube Ranks Videos
Before 2012, YouTube ranked videos based solely on view count. It didn’t matter if a viewer watched one second or five minutes, both counted as a view.
This led to an increase in YouTubers using clickbait titles to try and game the system. YouTube had to do something – video content frequently wasn’t delivering on the promise of the title.
So after 2012, Youtube added in watch time and session duration to its ranking algorithm, resulting in an improvement of content quality. Today, YouTube also puts ranking weight on how engaged viewers are with content. Relying on things like watch time, likes and dislikes, and subscribes, amongst other factors.
YouTube wants to keep users on the platform, consuming content and viewing paid advertisements.
And did you know that 70% of all videos viewed on YouTube are those suggested by the YouTube ranking algorithm? If you want to grow your channel and appear more in the YouTube recommended video lists, then you need to find out what parts of your content users like most, and plan more of it.
But, before you use your analytics to make content decisions, make sure you have uploaded a minimum of 20-30 videos. Data on only five or six videos will not be helpful enough to draw conclusions from. So if you have only uploaded a few videos so far, first work on recording and uploading more videos.
Where to Find YouTube Analytics
To access your analytics, first, log in to your YouTube account. Next in the top right of the screen, click on the small circle showing your profile picture or first initial. Then, from the drop-down menu, select ‘YouTube Studio’.
When the channel dashboard loads, on the left-hand menu, select ‘Analytics’.
The main Analytics screen then loads.
How to Use YouTube Video Views Analytics.
You may think you know what your audience wants. But, until you see how viewers actually interact with your channel, you can’t be totally sure. To start the process on the main analytics screen, make sure you have the ‘Views’ tab selected and click ‘see more’.
This loads up a more detailed list of your videos and some headline analytics. First, make sure that you have all the ‘lifetime’ data of your channel showing by selecting the data function in the top right corner of the screen.
Then from the drop-down list, select the ‘Lifetime’ option, which will show all the analytics data from the time your channel started.
Next sort your videos in descending order of views so that your most-watched videos are at the top.
Use this list to gauge what your audience likes about your channel. Figure out why your popular videos are doing better than ones that fell flat. See if there’s a pattern. Are your most popular videos a hot topic? Maybe useful tutorials or when you live streams.
Whatever the reason, the content of those videos is the kind that your channel viewers find most compelling. Look for these trends then aim to make more videos like them.
YouTube Impressions and Click-Through Rates Explained.
In the same analytics section as Video Views, further along there are two other columns titled ‘impressions’ and ‘impressions click-through rates’.
These data in those columns indicate:
Impressions. The number of times a video thumbnail has been seen, either from a search or by YouTube suggestion.
Impressions click-through rate. The percentage of times a viewer saw your thumbnail and clicked on it to watch your video.
Now, say that your click-through rate is 2%, if you can get that up to 4% then you will double your video viewers. So the impressions and impressions click-throughs measure how good your thumbnail and titles are.
Re-order your click-through rate column, again by descending order, and take a look at your best performing titles and thumbnails. What makes the top ones stand out from other titles and thumbnails? Perhaps a thumbnail was well composed, or it could be the title was snappy.
Use this feedback to improve your existing thumbnails and titles, then use what you’ve learned when you create them for your new content too.
If you need help getting started with Thumbnails, why not check out my Thumbnail Pack where I give you 75+ easy to edit psd template files to help you level up your thumbnail game and get more views!
Use Your YouTube Subscribers Analytics to Plan Content
Now let’s take a look at subscriber analytics and how you can use them to grow your channel. In the same ‘see more’ section you used for the video view count locate the column headed ‘Subscribers’.
Make sure the time period is showing the lifetime data again and order the data in descending order.
Follow the same process as before and examine the top videos to see what the common factors were. Did they have a certain length, content topic, or presenting style? Maybe you made a request or showed an extended caption asking viewers to subscribe in a different way to your other videos.
Whatever the factor, plan new content that replicates it. Whether it’s similar, updated, or complimentary, the analytics are telling you that certain content you make turns a section of your viewers into subscribers. Do it again.
If you make a successful video about knitting a jumper, make one for knitting a hoodie. If you made one showing how to find a weapon in a game, make one for how to use it.
YouTube Watch Time – The Most Important Metric?
Of course, views and subscribers are essential to understand. But an arguably more important metric for YouTube is watch time. Watch time is an estimation of total hours spent by viewers watching your videos.
On the main analytics screen, select the tab showing ‘Watch time (hours) then select ‘see more’ at the bottom.
As I mentioned earlier, YouTube ranks videos, in part, by how long viewers watch videos. Why do they do this? Because it demonstrates how engaging and useful your videos are to your viewers.
It makes sense when you understand that YouTube’s entire business model is to keep people viewing content and adverts on their platform. It follows then, that channels which get good overall watch time are more likely to show up for searches, or in a selection of videos that YouTube recommends.
So, if you are getting click-throughs and good view counts, but people aren’t watching many hours of your videos then (there is no way to sugar coat this) you need to make better videos.
Fortunately, YouTube offers data you can use to see precisely when viewers stopped watching your video; audience retention.
YouTube Audience Retention Metric Explained
The audience retention metric is shown as a percentage figure. If you upload a ten-minute video and your audience, on average, watches five minutes, then you’ll have an audience retention measure of 50%.
Select one of your videos to view the analytics screen shown below, then click ‘see more’ in the audience retention section.
As you can see, in the graph below, audience retention starts at 100% and over time gradually drops off as viewers stop watching the video. In the example below the overall retention rate is 30.4%
You can play your video and watch as it tracks along the graph so you can see what you were doing at the time when viewers stopped watching.
Did you lose a lot of viewers when your content got a bit dry or technical? Maybe you had a section you felt was amusing but turned your viewers off?
This is a powerful tool. It gives you feedback on what works and doesn’t work. You can use it to help you plan future content and give your audience more of what they want.
Also, did you notice the bump in the graph?
How can audience retention go up if viewers have gone away? This bump tells you that viewers are coming back to rewatch a portion of your video. Whatever you were doing at that part of the video is clearly of value to your audience, so it’s a good idea to do more similar content.
Conclusion
Getting to grips with your analytics shouldn’t be as scary as it sounds. Once you understand what they represent and how you can use them to understand your viewers, you’ll probably find yourself hooked on them.
And we’ve only scratched the surface here. There are lots of other metrics in your analytics that help you make better videos. There are also analytics for things like audience demographics and YouTube features like cards.
Explore the entire analytics section to see what other metrics you can use to fuel YouTube channel growth.
New Creator YouTube Studio Features Announced — Impressions, CTR, Unique Viewers & More // YouTube has announced that they will be updating the YouTube Creator studio beta aka YouTube Studio and making it the default for all YouTubers shortly. This will include a new look and 3 new analytics — Thumbnail Impressions, Thumbnail Click-through Rate and Unique Viewers.
New ways for creators to understand their reach on YouTube
Moving forward, you’ll see three new metrics in YouTube Analytics — Impressions, Impressions click-through rate, and Unique Viewers — that give a deeper understanding of your reach on YouTube. These new metrics are rolling out to a small group of creators today and will be available to everyone in YouTube Studio within a few weeks. A couple of weeks after that they will be available in Creator Studio Classic.
Impressions
An Impression is counted when a viewer on YouTube sees one of your video thumbnails. Impressions tell you the potential reach of your content on YouTube, since each impression is an opportunity to earn a view.
It’s important to note that the impression metric only reflects impressions generated by your thumbnails on YouTube, including thumbnails on the homepage, subscription feed, search, and “up next” section.
Impressions click-through rate
We’re also adding Impressions click-through rate, which shows you the percentage of your impressions on YouTube that turned into views. Different factors affect your click-through rate. For example, effective thumbnails and titles that attract your target audience may drive this rate up. This metric can help you make more informed decisions on how to optimize your titles and thumbnails, especially when you look at how this metric changes between past videos.
Unique viewers
Unique viewers shows the estimated number of different people who watch your videos over a period of time. Whether they watch on desktop, mobile phone or watched more than one of your videos, that person will count as one unique viewer.
You can use this data to compare your audience size to your subscriber base, and identify videos that helped reach a wider audience. This information can also help guide your content strategy, and showcase your true reach when discussing brand deals and sponsorships.
Alan Spicer YouTube Tips Channel — YouTube Tricks, YouTube Tips & YouTube Hacks to Help Grow Your YouTube Channel. I make YouTube Training Tutorials based on my personal experience on How To Increase YouTube Views, How To Gain YouTube Subscribers and How To Grow A YouTube Brand Online.
I have been on YouTube since 2013 growing an Entertainment and News Channel, MrHairyBrit. Within that time I have made many mistakes but have also learnt many YouTube Hacks that I want to share with you to help you Rank Your YouTube Videos On YouTube, Grow Your YouTube Channel and Get Your Brand Noticed On YouTube.
I also have a background in Social Media Marketing, Search Engine Optimisation, and Web Design & Development.
We can grow together, We can learn together… Start Creating!
► THANKS FOR WATCHING PLEASE REMEMBER TO LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE — https://goo.gl/oeZvZr ◄
Note — Some of my links will be affiliate marketing links. These links do not affect the price of the products or services referred to but may offer commissions that are used to help me to fund the free YouTube video tutorials on this channel — thank you for your support.
