YouTube creators have no shortage of tips, tricks, and advice that will supposedly launch their subscriber base into the stratosphere and make them rich. Some of this advice is good, some of it is debatable, and some of it is demonstrably false. Other times, advice might generalize something that’s true for some kinds of channels, but not others.
So what are the worst YouTube tips out there? We asked creators and scoured the web to find out.
Bad YouTube tip #1: Game the algorithm
According to Patrick Lacey, who has gained over 3.7 million subscribers with his channel TierZoo, advice such as “when exactly to upload, how often to upload, which specific words to include in titles or tags or thumbnails” is counterproductive.
“If you’re thinking ‘what metadata does the algorithm want to see’ instead of ‘what choice will make the audience like my content more,’ you are doing it wrong,” he said.
He also criticized tips like deliberately inserting spelling mistakes to provoke comments and increase engagement, calling it nonsense. “The algorithm is the audience,” he stated.
Do this instead:
The algorithm is important, and metrics like view duration and click-through rate can be extremely useful. Although the algorithm evolves, its core objective remains the same: to deliver content that viewers want to watch. Begin by creating content that is genuinely good, worth watching, and worth sharing. Certainly, schedule your content to align with when your audience is most active, or experiment with different keywords in your title. However, keep in mind that these are secondary to your primary goal: making content worth watching.
Bad YouTube tip #2: Repurpose content without a strategy
The worst advice creator Meredith Marsh often hears is to “repurpose livestreams, TikToks, and Reels to YouTube.”
“Growing an audience requires a strategy,” she explained. “Using YouTube as a dumping ground for all your content from other platforms is not only ineffective but could also harm your future chances of audience growth when you decide to take YouTube seriously and implement a proper strategy.”
Do this instead:
Meredith recommends publishing one dedicated video on YouTube each week instead of relying on recycled content.
In my opinion, there are effective ways to repurpose content, but people often do so without much thought. For instance, if you want to repurpose a livestream, ensure each clip has a strong hook and provides value to the viewer. Avoid posting TikToks to YouTube Shorts that exceed the 60-second maximum, a common mistake among creators.
Bad YouTube tip #3: Post every day
This insight comes from an excellent VidIQ video. Supporters of the daily posting strategy might argue that it increases chances of going viral, pleases the algorithm, and keeps you top-of-mind for your audience.
However, host Rob Wilson points out that while this approach might work for shorter content, it is less effective for longer, more thoughtful videos. Over-posting can lead to an artificial time crunch, reducing the quality of your videos. If your content suffers, you risk losing the trust you’ve built with your audience, who will stop clicking on your videos. The ultimate method is to get your channel recommended to viewers naturally
Do this instead:
Some incredibly popular YouTubers post once a month, while others post twice a week. As a general rule, you should continuously evaluate your workflow to become more efficient without compromising quality. Set a schedule that is reasonable and sustainable for you. This isn’t a magic solution for growing your audience, but a method to overcome procrastination and delay.
Depending on the type of content you create, it might also be beneficial to allow flexibility for timely content. For example, if you produce in-depth explainers on camera equipment, you may want to allocate time to quickly review and respond to new DSLR releases.
Bad YouTube tip #4: Chasing what’s popular
This comes from Ramdy Marte, Descript’s in-house YouTube creator and an independent YouTuber himself. To be sure, being in the conversation about the zeitgeist is a great strategy for many channels. But Ramdy thinks it can sometimes go too far.
“I think the biggest bad piece of advice I’ve gotten again and again is to blindly chase what’s popular or viral at the time,” he said. “I think way too many people see content creation as purely a numbers/analytical game. And while it is in many ways, I personally feel like it should never trump the creative side of making content.”
There’s another danger to this approach: burnout. Ultimately, if you’re not passionate about the content you’re creating, you’ll probably find some other way to spend your time. But that’s ok too.
Do this instead:
If you love dancing, it’s wise to create content around trending songs and dances. Similarly, if you cover media, you’ll gain traction only by discussing games or television shows that people care about. However, don’t chase trends recklessly unless they provide value to your viewers. Producing low-quality and low-effort content just for the sake of following trends will harm your channel in the long run.
Bad YouTube tip #5: Focus on your titles and thumbnails at all costs
This controversial advice actually comes from Reddit user pVom, who seems to be responding to an extreme interpretation of common guidance. Many YouTube gurus advocate focusing on your title and thumbnail first. While I agree with that sentiment, this Redditor addresses those who prioritize these aspects at the expense of their content.
“It’s not bad advice per se, but you should be focusing on the angle first and making good videos to match. Good ideas make good titles, thumbnails, and better videos,” they wrote.
This resonated with my own experience: even the best thumbnail won’t help a video with an uninteresting concept. “You can’t trick people into watching your video, not for very long anyway,” pVom wrote. I’ve also seen videos with great concepts succeed with good, though not mind-blowing, thumbnails.
Do this instead:
You should absolutely be thinking about titles and thumbnails when you’re first considering an idea. Unless you can synthesize your genius idea into something somebody wants to click on, it’s probably a lost cause. Your introduction, too, should probably align with a title and thumbnail you feel good about.
That said, if you optimize solely for title and thumbnail, you’re going to miss a lot of great ideas your viewers will love. To put it in other terms: don’t think you can get by on amazing thumbnails and terrible content.
One truly helpful YouTube tip
Here is one helpful piece of advice: universal YouTube rules are exceedingly rare. While listening to smart, thoughtful people about the platform can be beneficial, their advice should always be taken with a grain of salt. If you choose to follow it, make sure to modify it to fit your specific content and situation.
Wrap up
In conclusion, while there are countless YouTube tips and strategies out there, not all are beneficial. It’s essential to prioritize creating quality content that resonates with your audience over merely trying to game the algorithm or repurpose content without a strategy. Establish a sustainable posting schedule, stay flexible for timely content, and avoid following trends unless they provide real value. Ultimately, the best approach is to focus on what makes your content genuinely good and worth watching. Increasing engagement or traffic to your personal YouTube page with us right now.