YouTube has the second-highest number of active users making it the world’s most popular video-first social media platform. The platform can be credited with keeping viewers engaged since its launch in 2005.
Clearly, YouTube is doing something right with its algorithm, but what is it doing that’s so effective?
We wanted to find out, so we read YouTube’s creator documentation and watched a lot of content to discover how YouTube works. We also asked active creators to share how they find the YouTube algorithm in the real world.
Read on to discover how the algorithm works and what you can do to get the most out of YouTube and gain visibility on your best pieces of content.
What is the YouTube algorithm?
The YouTube algorithm is an AI-powered recommendation system designed to put the best and most engaging content in front of YouTube’s users.
The algorithm is constantly changing to understand the preferences of each and every user. Preferences and engagements inform the algorithm what a user wants to see more or less of.
Understanding YouTube’s algorithm
Naturally, a social media algorithm is designed to provide the most relevant and engaging content to its users. However, an algorithm will always work in favor of a company’s policies, values and mission statements.
YouTube tells us that at the heart of their approach are four Rs, which aim to:
Remove content that violates policies. Reduce false news. Raise up authoritative sources for news and information. Reward trusted creators.
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