YouTube is constantly evolving. The days when the platform was dominated by funny cat videos and skateboarding dogs are long gone. Today, YouTube has become a gathering place for marketers.

Every day, over 1 billion hours of video are watched on YouTube, which is more than the combined watch time on Netflix and Facebook videos. More surprisingly, 62% of businesses use YouTube as a platform for their video content—that’s incredible!

This is great news for you—because when used effectively, YouTube is an extremely powerful business tool. However, to increase sales, you need to get more free YouTube views and watch time.

In this article, you’ll learn 18 ways to get more YouTube watch time, build your brand, and increase sales.

1. Create Engaging Content

It doesn't matter how many hacks or ads you use—if your video isn't good, your watch time and views won’t improve. So, how can you create engaging content that gets more views on YouTube? One of the best ways is to create "how-to" videos.

For example, YouTube creator Graham Cochrane has gained over 51 million views by focusing on how-to content. He draws video ideas from the comments on his social media channels, or he asks his community what they would like him to create. It’s simple and effective. Bottom line: consistently create content that solves your audience’s problems or meets their needs, and you’ll build a loyal fan base and get more YouTube views.

2. Encourage Viewers to Subscribe

One of the simplest ways to get more YouTube watch time is to encourage your viewers to subscribe to your channel. Subscribers are more likely to see your new videos when they are published, increasing your views and engagement. The best time to ask your viewers to subscribe is at the beginning and end of each video. Don’t forget to ask them to enable notifications by clicking the bell icon, so they get alerts whenever you upload new content.

3. Create Playlists to Keep Viewers Watching

YouTube’s statistics show that top-performing brands create and promote twice as many playlists as lower-performing ones. Playlists help keep viewers watching your content through autoplay. This feature leverages a cognitive bias known as “loss aversion,” where people will keep watching because it takes effort to stop. Playlists also give you more opportunities to rank in search results by optimizing titles with relevant keywords.

4. Promote Other Videos with End Screens and Cards

End screens and cards are tools you can use to promote your other videos and increase watch time. End screens allow you to feature a call-to-action at the end of your video, while cards can pop up at any point to direct viewers to another video or playlist. Both features are great for encouraging viewers to continue watching your content.

5. Add Watermarks to Your Videos

Watermarks allow you to promote your channel across all your videos and encourage viewers to subscribe. Essentially, a watermark is a small image—typically your logo—that appears on all your videos, and when viewers hover over it, they are prompted to subscribe. This simple tool can help you increase subscribers and, in turn, increase your YouTube watch time.

6. Ensure Your Videos Are Embeddable

Allowing viewers to embed your YouTube videos on their websites or blogs can greatly expand your reach and get you more views. Make sure to enable embedding in your video settings, so when viewers share your content, others can easily access it from different platforms.

7. Promote Your Videos on Other Social Platforms

If you have a following on other social media platforms, make sure to inform them every time you upload a new video to YouTube. You can create short teaser videos to promote the full content and post the teaser on your Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter accounts, linking to your YouTube channel. Also, embed your videos into related blog posts and website pages for additional exposure.

8. Understand the Importance of "Watch Time"

YouTube’s algorithm prioritizes videos and channels with higher watch time, meaning the longer people watch your content, the more likely YouTube is to recommend your videos. Focus on creating high-quality content that retains viewers for as long as possible, and consider promoting other related channels and videos to increase overall watch time.

9. Foster a Community

YouTube is more than just a video platform; it’s also a social network. To get more watch time, you need to engage with your audience by responding to comments and interacting with viewers. Building an active community will encourage people to return to your channel and watch more of your content.

10. Optimize Your Video Titles

YouTube is a search engine, which means search engine optimization (SEO) is crucial. Make sure to include relevant keywords in your video titles, and keep them between 60-70 characters long for the best results. Use tools like Google Trends to find the right keywords for your content. Well-optimized titles help your videos rank higher in search results and attract more views.

11. Optimize Your Channel

Optimizing your channel helps reinforce your brand and improve your YouTube watch time. Use consistent branding across your channel, including matching logos, colors, and imagery. Make sure your channel description is clear and includes relevant keywords, and provide links to your website and social media channels.

12. Create a YouTube Trailer Showcasing Your Best Content

A YouTube trailer is a short video designed to introduce new visitors to your channel. It’s a great opportunity to show what kind of content you create and why viewers should subscribe. Make your trailer short, engaging, and to the point, typically between 25-30 seconds.

13. Create Eye-Catching Thumbnails

Thumbnails are the preview images viewers see before they click on your video. To increase views, create custom thumbnails that stand out. Use bright colors, bold text, and visuals that clearly represent your video’s content. Thumbnails are one of the most effective ways to attract more views on YouTube.

14. Transcribe Your Videos

Transcribing your videos not only helps viewers with hearing impairments but also makes your content more searchable. By adding subtitles or closed captions, you make it easier for viewers to follow along, especially those watching in different languages. This can increase engagement and help you reach a wider audience.

15. Post Videos at Optimal Times

To get more views, post your videos at the times when your target audience is most active on YouTube. You can use YouTube Analytics to find out when your viewers are online and schedule your uploads accordingly. Posting just before peak times gives your content the best chance to be seen and watched.

16. Collaborate with Guest YouTubers

Collaborating with other YouTubers helps you reach new audiences. When you create content with influencers in your niche, their followers are likely to check out your channel. It’s a win-win strategy for both parties and a great way to increase your YouTube watch time.

17. Build a Network of Influencers

Building a network of influencers who share each other’s content is another great way to increase views. Working together allows you to tap into each other’s audiences and build a supportive community of creators. Tools like Unamo and Buzzsumo can help you identify and connect with influencers in your niche.

18. Stay Updated on Viral Trends

Keeping an eye on what’s trending in your industry can make the difference between going viral or being overlooked. By staying informed, you can create timely content that resonates with your audience and positions you as a leader in your niche. Sharing viral content first will help you gain more exposure and views.

Conclusion:

To get more YouTube watch time, focus on creating engaging content that resonates with your audience. Then, optimize your channel and videos, promote your content across other platforms, and engage with your community. By following these 18 strategies, you’ll steadily increase your YouTube watch time and build a stronger presence on the platform.

Which strategy will you use first to increase your YouTube watch time? Let us know in the comments below!