How to Get More Impressions and Views on YouTube (Boost Traffic in 2024)

Almost 5 billion videos are watched on YouTube every day. So, how do you drive that traffic to your website?  

By increasing your YouTube impressions and views. 

How are impressions and views different? Which one is more important for your business?

Let’s dive in.

What You’ll Learn:

• YouTube Impressions vs YouTube Views
• Strategies to Create Content to Increase YouTube Impressions
• Posting YouTube Content to Improve YouTube Impressions
• Optimizing Your YouTube Videos and Channels
• Promotion Strategies to Increase Your YouTube Impressions
• FAQs About How to Increase Your YouTube Impressions

Our Expert Insights on YouTube Impressions and Views

According to Josh Rohr, our Senior Social Media Strategist, “Generating impressions and views on YouTube is crucial for supporting brand awareness through video content. Maximizing these KPIs will assist in driving greater engagement, thereby increasing ROI within your campaigns. However, it all begins with the right strategy.”

With the help of high impressions and view counts, you can get the most from your videos and ensure they resonate with the right target audiences. However, you should know how to get more impressions on YouTube along with views to increase these metrics, which will ultimately contribute to more conversions.

Start by creating high-quality, relevant content and incorporating the right keywords and other SEO elements into your videos. Being diligent in this area will help your videos gain a stronger foothold within YouTube and on other external search engines, including Google.

YouTube Impressions vs. YouTube Views

Before you capitalize on YouTube traffic, you need to understand the difference between impressions and views and their impact. 

Impressions account for how many times viewers saw your thumbnail; the higher the number of impressions you have, the more people your content is getting recommended to via the platform. A YouTube impression counts as an instance when a thumbnail appears in front of users for longer than one second and people can see at least 50% of the thumbnail on the screen.

YouTube analytics won’t count an impression under certain circumstances, such as when:

• Content appears as embeds on other websites
• Videos play in the background
• Content includes end screens or cards in the video player
• Ads don’t lead to a YouTube watch page
• People don’t see thumbnails for longer than one second or see at least 50% of the thumbnail

Views on YouTube are very different from impressions. Views count each time someone intentionally plays your video for at least 30 seconds. This shows the platform that people are interested in your content and not just stumbling upon it.

Now that you know what you’re looking for, let’s dive into how to get more impressions on YouTube and how to increase YouTube views. 

Strategies to Create Content to Increase YouTube Impressions

1. Create Better Content

All the promoting in the world won’t save a channel with lackluster content. The key is to find a way to separate yourself from the pack.

What is your unique selling proposition, and how can you showcase it through video? If you want to learn how to boost YouTube views, impressions, and traffic, you’ll also want to ensure your content is something your audience wants. Make sure your videos are highly relevant and appeal to audiences, attracting their attention the instant they see your thumbnail.

Then, it’s a matter of designing a content strategy specifically for your YouTube channel. Decide what subjects you want to focus on, and lay out a timeline for filming, uploading, and promoting each video.

Pro-Tip: If you want some help with content development as you learn how to boost YouTube views, consider a tool like VidIQ, which you can use to help create every element of content from YouTube titles and descriptions to video scripts to inform your video’s actual content.

2. Focus on Quality

To be clear: high-quality video doesn’t necessarily mean high-quality production.

So don’t worry if you don’t have all the top-of-the-line video equipment or thousands to pour into your video strategy, especially when you’re just starting out.

You do, however, need to make sure your videos are professional. That means clean, well-lit and well-scripted.

So start simple. For example, the classic “floating head” video, which features one person on screen, is an easy and effective strategy. You will want to make sure your on-screen personality is well-rehearsed, and engaging, and the background provided is clean and not distracting.

Follow along to learn how to create your own floating head video.

3. Video Length Can Help Increase YouTube Traffic

With the average attention span on the decline, it’s more important than ever to deliver your content in a timely fashion.

In YouTube time, that means less than 5 minutes. In fact, recent reports have found the most engagement with videos that run less than 2 minutes.

The more meaningful information you can provide in a bite-sized format, the more you’ll be able to resonate with your audiences. Figure out the right length that appeals most to your viewers, which will keep them tuned in.

Keep in mind, it is beneficial to experiment with different video lengths.

Generally speaking, you’ll want to hook viewers in with a shorter video and present them with more information-heavy, longer videos once they begin exploring your channel.

4. Use Editing Tools to Drive Traffic to Your YouTube Channel

While the editing process can take some time, there are tools to help. Using the right tools can go a long way in helping you discover how to increase YouTube views. Good editing will ultimately help you eliminate fluff and keep your videos engaging and easy to watch.

A few of the more popular are Adobe, YouTube Editor, and iMovie.

But editing software isn’t the only tool that comes in handy for YouTube.

Anyone serious about growing their channel should take a look at Tubebuddy, a tool designed specifically to manage some of the smaller tasks associated with running a channel.

It breaks its tools into five categories:

1. Productivity Tools
2. Bulk Processing Tools
3. Video SEO Tools
4. Promotion Tools
5. Data and Research Tools

5. Look Into Livestreaming

Thanks to apps like Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook stories, live streaming has become one of the more popular ways to communicate.

And of course, YouTube offers something similar. Its live streaming option allows you to connect with your viewers on a real-time basis and is perfect for spur-of-the-moment announcements or big industry news.

According to Restream, 27% of all internet users will watch at least one live-streamed video weekly.

Make your live streaming part of your marketing strategy by scheduling it on certain dates, making sure you promote it on your social media platforms, and keeping your context clear and understandable.

During your live video, be sure to have a loose script to follow so you stay on track and don’t forget to engage with your viewers in the moment.

Want to increase your live attendees? Team up with another YouTuber or influencer in your industry for a collaboration!

6. Draw Inspiration From Your Favorite Creators

Have you ever found yourself at a loss when it comes to creating original content on YouTube?

Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.

One great way to get over YouTube creators’ block is by visiting some of your favorite channels. Check out what kinds of content they’ve created recently.

Pro-Tip: Be sure to visit channels that promote businesses similar to yours. For example, if you’re running a SaaS company, view the YouTube channels of other SaaS brands. Also, be sure to subscribe to channels that routinely crank out quality content. Then, browse through your subscriptions daily to get inspiration.

7. Try Different Content Formats

There are multiple types of video formats you can use for your YouTube channel that can attract more impressions and views.

Some examples of the different formats include:

• Regular Videos — You can, of course, use traditional YouTube videos to connect with your audiences, including short- and long-form videos that cover a range of topics. In the process, you can experiment as you learn more about how to increase views on YouTube.
• Shorts — YouTube also now has Shorts that garner billions of views on a daily basis. These are considerably shorter videos than conventional videos, and they’re vertical and intended primarily for mobile devices. If you want to connect with users through short-form content, this is a great way to do it.
• Community Posts — In addition to videos, you can engage with audiences through Community posts outside of video content using quizzes, polls, images, and more. These can ultimately supplement your videos.

8. Upload 360-Degree Videos

Have you tried uploading 360-degree videos? If not, you should.

That’s because 360-degree videos have a 14% higher return on investment (ROI) than regular videos.

Pro-Tip: Try this strategy if you’re in the travel space. You can create video panoramas that will grab the attention of people in your target market. Additionally, 360-degree videos also work well if you’re promoting sporting events or live entertainment. You can even use them in video press releases.

Keep in mind: 74% of marketers claim 360-degree video content than standard content. It’s worth the effort.

Posting YouTube Content to Improve YouTube Impressions

9. Choose the Right Upload Times and Frequency

More videos = more views, right?

Right… to an extent.

Generally speaking, you want to upload as frequently as possible, without sacrificing quality. You should also choose the ideal upload times to further ensure your videos make a connection.

To see what times you should post on YouTube based on when your audience is most likely to see your video, take a look at YouTube Studio analytics. Simply go onto your dashboard and click on Analytics, and choose the Audience tab. In this tab, you’ll see the following details, including when your viewers are on the platform and the channels they watch most:

Use these analytics to set a schedule. Start by choosing whether you want to upload once a week, every other week, or once a month, and stick to it.

Pro-Tip: If you want to effectively schedule your YouTube videos, Hootsuite also offers its own YouTube scheduling tool.

10. Create Custom Thumbnails

First impressions are important, which is why you need to make sure the first thing your viewers see catches their eye and attention.

Luckily, it’s easy to do that with custom thumbnails. Rather than letting YouTube randomly select an image, make sure you select one yourself that demonstrates what your video is all about.

YouTube lets you choose from three intervals — the ¼ mark, ½ mark, and ¾ mark — so you can choose the one that works best, or customize your own using a design site like Canva.

Add an annotation to your video. An annotation is a text box that appears in your video or thumbnail and allows you to add further detail and improve your click-through rate with a CTA.

Look at these videos below. Which stands out the most?

Pro-Tip: Split-test your thumbnails, which entails using an A/B split test to run two different versions of your thumbnail to see which performs best. You can then determine which to use based on which attracts the most clicks. The best part? You can do it right inside the platform.

11. Optimize Your End Screens

End screens guide your viewers to the next step to take as your video ends, preventing disengagement.

During your end screens, you can include subscribe buttons or other CTAs to drive action, or simply encourage people to watch the next video. Here are all the elements your end screen can show: 

Pay attention to the types of content on your end screens that get people to perform the desired action. Does your subscribe button work well? Maybe people are hooked on your content and want to continue, eventually subscribing further down the line.

Test what works and what doesn’t, which will help you better figure out how to boost YouTube views.

12. Optimize Your Tags

Tags are another important element of YouTube videos. They give YouTube and search engines even more context around what your videos are about, which can go a long way in attracting more impressions and views.

Optimizing your tags with relevant terms (but without going overboard) can help you steal competitors’ thunder on the platform and drive more traffic and engagement.

13. Use the “Card Bridge” Technique

Using the “Card Bridge” technique, you can keep people watching your videos when they would normally drop off at certain points. Specifically, you would keep viewers’ attention by directing them to another video of yours using a “card” that appears on the screen at a time when viewers often drop off of the current video.

For instance, you might discover that people are stopping your videos at around the two-minute mark. At this point, you might use a card to get users’ attention and entice them to hop to another relevant video to engage them.

Optimizing Your YouTube Videos and Channels

14. Don’t Just Optimize Your Videos, Optimize Your Channel

I already covered video optimization above. But you shouldn’t stop there, you’ll need to optimize your entire channel as well.

• Create a Keyword-Rich Biography: Did you know that channels as well as videos show up in YouTube search results? Go to YouTube right now and search for “Discover.” Chances are good that you’ll see Discover’s YouTube channel appear in the search results. Make sure that your channel can show up in searches by including keywords in your bio.
• Use an Eye-Catching Banner: Too many marketers ignore the YouTube banner. Put some effort into creating a professional image that grabs the attention of people in your target market. Remember, for many folks, that banner will be their first impression of your brand.
• Add Location and Contact Info: Let people know where you’re at and how they can reach you.
• Organize Your Videos Into Playlists: When you create playlists, people will sometimes watch whole sets of your videos instead of just watching a single video, keeping them engaged with your brand for a longer period.

15. YouTube SEO (Yes, It is A Thing)

YouTube is the world’s second-largest search engine by volume, second only to Google.

SEO alone is one of the easiest and most reliable ways of increasing your traffic and overall ROI. Along with the rest of this guide, here are a few elements to keep top of mind when crafting an SEO strategy for your YouTube channel.

1. Select a relevant keyword, that connects with the right audiences, has a high search volume, and is competitive
2. Make sure it shows up in YouTube auto-suggest
3. Do keyword research in Google Keyword Planner
4. Double up on keyword research with Keywordtool.io or TubeBuddy
5. Add proper tags (more on this later)
6. Craft unique YouTube copy (500 words)
7. Create a custom YouTube thumbnail
8. Add a link inside of the content to a webpage
9. Add end screen “subscribe” and “view more videos”
10. Include at least one card on each video linking to another video
11. Ensure video settings are correct
12. Update and optimize your playlists

16. Use a Call-to-Action (CTA)

Something as simple as a CTA can have a big impact on your overall growth.

Remember to always tell your viewers what you’d like them to do, whether it be subscribing to your channel, liking your video, or clicking the link in your description.

Here is a list of CTAs often used on YouTube:

• Subscribe to our channel now!
• Register for our course today.
• Join our email list here!
• Explore our website today!
• Learn more on our website.
• Watch [this video] next.
• Follow us on [insert social media platform here]!
• Share this video with your friends!
• Comment below if this video resonates with you.

Anything that drives action and tells your viewers exactly how to take action will help them understand where to go next.

17. Create Playlists (And Optimize Them)

Make things easier for your viewers by creating playlists.

You can separate your videos by subject or popularity and create a custom playlist that will make it easier for your audience to sift through past uploads.

18. Include an Intro Video to Increase YouTube Views and Subscribers

People don’t necessarily know what kind of channel they’re getting when they come across your video.

On your channel homepage, YouTube allows you to set a channel trailer. This should serve as your channel’s “about me,” and tell your viewers who you are, what they can expect from your videos, and why they should be listening to you.

Promotion Strategies to Increase Your YouTube Impressions

19. Interact With Others to Increase YouTube Channel Traffic

Like any other social site, your interaction with other users will have a big impact on your overall popularity.

So, subscribe to similar channels. Comment on others’ videos, and if applicable even include a link to one of your videos they might find useful.

One effective way to use this interaction is to ask your viewers to leave video recommendations in the comments. Not only will this further their engagement, but create a sense of community as well.

20. Experiment with Ads

Though they’re notorious for their skippable previews at the beginning of videos you would rather be watching, YouTube ads can be extremely beneficial for business.

In fact, over 70% of viewers say that they have discovered new brands through YouTube! Viewers are also more likely to use YouTube to discover new brands, products, and services – 4x more!

There are seven types of YouTube ads to pick from. Your options include:

1. Skippable In-Stream Ads: These ads can be skipped by the viewer so you only pay for actual views. Run on YouTube and Google video partners, there are no maximum length requirements, although less than 3 minutes is highly recommended.
2. In-Feed Ads: These ads are shown to engaged viewers through YouTube Search and YouTube Homefeed. Again, there is no maximum length requirement but it’s recommended to stay below 3 minutes.
3. Non-Skippable In-Stream Ads: These ads are shown on YouTube videos and Google video partners. Since users cannot skip them, they must be short and sweet – only 15-20 seconds long.
4. Bumper Ads: These ads are quick messages (6 seconds or less!) that cannot be skipped. Great to raise awareness or reinforce other ads, they are shown on YouTube videos and Google video partners.
5. Outstream Ads: These ads are set up through YouTube but are only shown on Google video partners. They are used to raise brand awareness after your viewer leaves the YouTube platform. Outstream ads can be as long as you wish.
6. Masthead Ads: These special ads are only available via reservation through a Google sales representative. Masthead ads appear without sound for up to 30 seconds at the top of the YouTube Home feed.
7. YouTube Shorts Ads: You can also display ads in YouTube Shorts as either videos or images that viewers can skip. They appear in between Shorts in users’ feeds.

To learn more about YouTube ads and how they work check out this in-depth guide.

21. Consider Collaboration (Influencer Marketing)

When it comes to influencer marketing, you might think that Instagram is the only game in town. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Check out Warby Parker’s track record when it comes to using influencer marketing on YouTube. In this video, the company featured dancer Parker Kit Hill, who has more than 375,000 followers on Instagram, to promote its eyeglasses.

Also, consider collaborations with YouTube creators to develop short content that connects. According to Google, collaborations involving YouTube creators can be up to four times as effective at boosting brand recognition than celebrity collaborations. 

Take the following steps, to begin influencer marketing for YouTube:

1. Identify the top players in your niche (who gets the most views and engagement) and reach out.
2. Ask them to work with you on a project for the chance to expose yourself to a new audience. Similarly, contact popular bloggers to see if they would consider featuring your video in a related post or on their social media channels.
3. Make an offer in return to make it worthwhile, whether that’s a free product, a discount, or promotional content for the creator or blogger.
4. Foster a long-term relationship to get consistently great results with your new partner.

22. Cross-Promotion

When it comes to YouTube, promotion is just as important as production.

Make sure you are cross-promoting each video through every channel at your disposal:

• Share them across your social media
• Embed them in your blog
• Share them with newsletters
• Add them across your website

Just like a blog post or other piece of original content, you should spend as much time promoting it as you do creating it. After all, one-third of online activity is spent watching videos, and 82% of Twitter users watch video content on Twitter.

Two popular platforms for video sharing include Quora and Reddit. On Quora, you could post videos that help answer people’s questions on the Q&A platform. Meanwhile, you can find your audiences in your niche on Reddit, sharing your videos as posts or comments and initiating discussions.

23. Engage With Your Audience

Although you’re generally seeking engagement when you publish content on a social media site like YouTube, you should also practice engagement.

Not only do you want to interact with other channels, but you want to actively engage with anyone who interacts with yours. 

How? Here are a few ideas:

• Respond to comments that people post. That lets folks in your target market know that you’re not a hit-and-run content creator.
• Subscribe to other people’s YouTube channels.
• Create response videos. It’s best to use them to enhance points that people make in other videos rather than start an argument.
• Run contests. Bring some fun to your channel by letting people win a prize. You can do that in one of several ways, but one of the easiest is to choose a commenter at random and give that person an Amazon gift card.
• Pin comments that are meaningful. Doing so could help show that you value what your commenters have to say and put people in the spotlight for a particular idea or observation.

Remember: if you stay engaged with your audience, then they’ll stay engaged with your brand. That’s good for business.

24. Review Your Analytics

Make sure to take the time to review your YouTube analytics each month. Be sure to keep track of metrics such as:

• Impressions: This KPI consists of the number of times your thumbnail is shown to subscribers and potential new viewers.
• Views: This KPI is determined by how many times someone purposefully clicks on your video and watches for at least 30 seconds. The average video gets around 5,594 views today.
• Likes/Dislikes/Comments: By keeping track of these metrics, you can see how your audience is engaging with your content and if what you’re producing is what they’re looking for.
• Shares: This KPI will tell you how many times your video is shared.
• Subscribers: Keeping track of how many people are actively subscribing to your channel, and how many are removing themselves, is key to understanding if your audience is relating to your content or not.
• Watch Time: This KPI is determined by how long people watch your videos. This is important for you to know if you’re creating content that people are interested in but it’s also important to YouTube so that they can see that your videos are the real deal. Recent stats show that the average watch time for YouTube videos is around 40 seconds, with that number potentially increasing in the years ahead.
• Average View Duration: This is determined by taking the entire viewing time of your video and dividing it by the total number of plays. This will tell you, and YouTube, how well your content holds your audience’s attention.

FAQs About How to Increase Your YouTube Impressions

1. Besides YouTube traffic, which analytics should you look at?

YouTube offers a healthy assortment of analytics that you can review to determine the success of your video marketing efforts. Among them:

• Watch Time – How long people watch your video before moving on to something else
• Traffic Sources – Where people come from to get to your video
• Audience Demographics – The kind of people who like to watch your videos
• Subscribers – The number of people who’ve subscribed to your channel because they want to see more of your content
• Social Shares – How many people shared your content on social media and which social channels they used

2. Can I increase YouTube traffic with controversial content?

As a rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to stay away from controversial content. Not only will you offend people who might otherwise buy your products or services, but you might also lose the ability to monetize your videos.

There is a caveat, though.

If you’re in a niche that’s generally given to controversial content, like politics or celebrity gossip, you probably should post some controversial content. In fact, your subscribers are likely expecting it.

If you’re just trying to sell stuff to the general public, though, stay away from content that will make some people mad.

3. Should I use the word “video” in the title to generate more YouTube traffic?

Some people think that trick works.

It makes sense at face value. For example, if somebody goes to Google and searches for “chocolate chip cookie video,” it’s likely that a YouTube video with “chocolate chip cookie video” in the title will rank towards the top. That’s especially the case if it comes from a channel that’s all about baking or dessert.

The best thing to do is to run some experiments. Create a few videos with “video” in the title and see if they tend to rank higher than your other videos. If so, then you might have a winning strategy.

4. How do I increase my impressions and views on YouTube?

There are a few impactful ways you can increase impressions and views on YouTube:

• Engage with your audience on the platform: Make sure to ask questions in your video for people to comment on. When viewers do comment on your video take the time to respond to them and show appreciation.
• Authenticity: Add some personality and humanity to your videos to create a real connection with your audience. You can create a legitimate fan base by allowing them to see who you are.
• Be Consistent: To grow your audience and their engagement commit to publishing regular videos. This will give your fans something to look forward to and be excited about.
• Create Quality Video Thumbnails and Titles: These will be what makes the virtual first impression and what causes people to click and watch your videos. Make sure these are top-notch so you don’t lose potential viewers and grab as many views as possible.

5. How do I track my visibility on YouTube?

You will want to track the performance of your YouTube videos and channel.

To do so you can leverage that information to publish content your fans will love.

You are going to want to track your channel, who’s visiting, where they come from, and what videos they frequent.

This can be accomplished by setting up YouTube channel tracking in Google Analytics.

Further, you can track how many clicks different video links get on your website.

Armed with this information you can increase traffic to your videos and produce content your audience will consume.

6. How important is YouTube to my content strategy?

The answer to this will depend on your individual brand’s goals but overall, YouTube is one of the best social media platforms available.

With over 3 billion ACTIVE monthly users, there are too many eyeballs on YouTube for you to ignore. These users span the globe with the largest audiences being in India, the United States, and Brazil.

This is a huge deal especially if you’re looking to target audiences in the 15-35-year-old age group. Over 77% of all internet users in this demographic are actively using YouTube.

YouTube is an excellent platform for you to build your brand awareness, promote your business, and make sales.

7. What do impressions mean on YouTube?

Impressions are the instances when people can see a video thumbnail on YouTube in recommended videos or other on-platform feeds. Specifically, an impression counts if users can see at least 50% of a thumbnail for longer than one second. 

A high number of impressions means that your video is getting in front of many audiences.

8. Can you see who watched your YouTube video?

No, at this time YouTube doesn’t allow you to see specifically who watches your videos. However, you can see what kinds of audiences are watching your videos based on when they watch and what other types of content your viewers consume.

Boost YouTube Impressions and Views With Ignite Visibility

With over 500 hours of content uploaded to YouTube every MINUTE, it can be overwhelming, to say the least. However, by following the steps above and putting in the work, you will find your YouTube audience.

Once you find them, work hard to keep them engaged with your content while you actively work to increase your views and build your audience. And if you need some help, the Ignite team of experts is ready to assist!

When you reach out to us, we can help you optimize your video campaigns with:

• High-quality content that your audiences love
• Well-optimized SEO, including relevant keywords, descriptions, titles, tags, and other elements
• Collaborative efforts with YouTube creators
• Channel optimization 

Regardless of your needs, we’re here to meet them with the right approach. Reach out to us today to learn more about what we can do for your video marketing efforts on YouTube and the rest of your social media strategy.