I appreciate how you explain the why behind your techniques!

Great question — and one that hits every creator at some point. If YouTube isn't recommending your videos, don't panic. The algorithm isn't against you... but it is waiting for a reason to push your content. Here's how to fix it 👇

🧠 What to Do If YouTube Isn't Recommending Your Videos
1. Improve Your CTR (Click-Through Rate)
YouTube doesn't recommend bad videos — it recommends videos that get clicked.

✅ Fix your titles – Make them curiosity-driven or bold
✅ Upgrade your thumbnails – Contrast, faces, text, emotion
✅ Use tools like Tubebuddy or Thumbsup.tv to compare CTRs

2. Watch Time & Retention = KING
If people click but leave in 10 seconds, YouTube stops recommending you.

✅ Hook viewers in the first 5 seconds
✅ Cut dead space — keep pacing fast and visuals engaging
✅ Add "open loops" – hint at what's coming to keep them watching
✅ Aim for 50–70% average view duration

3. Focus on Suggested Video Strategy
You don't always need to go viral. You can grow by being recommended next to viral videos.

✅ Target a niche or trending topic
✅ Use similar titles and tags to popular videos in your space
✅ Create playlists to keep people on your channel longer

4. Double Down on What Is Working
Even one video with decent performance is a roadmap.

✅ Check YouTube Studio → Analytics → Reach
✅ Find videos with higher CTR, retention, or returning viewers
✅ Make more of that style, topic, or format

5. Use Shorts to Feed Your Channel
Shorts can spark discovery and feed traffic to your long-form content.

✅ Post 2–3 Shorts per week
✅ Use trending audio, quick hooks, and captions
✅ Link to full vids in comments or pinned cards

6. Stay Consistent (Seriously)
YouTube rewards signals over time, not one viral hit.

✅ Upload 1–2x a week minimum
✅ Stick to one topic or vibe for algorithm clarity
✅ Treat your channel like training the algorithm to know who to recommend you to

📈 Bonus: Watch This Data
Inside YouTube Studio:

Impressions → Click-through Rate (Aim for 5%+)
Average View Duration (More = better ranking)
Suggested/YouTube Recommendation % (Track growth over time)
Traffic Source Types (Helps you adjust titles/thumbnails/tags)