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Success on YouTube isn't just about luck. It's about understanding the data behind the video. Here are the key metrics every creator needs to track.
Many creators confuse these two revenue metrics. CPM (Cost Per Mille) is what advertisers pay for 1,000 ad impressions. RPM (Revenue Per Mille) is what you actually take home per 1,000 video views.
If your CPM is high but RPM is low, you might have many views that aren't being monetized (e.g., ad blockers or demonetized content). Focus on increasing your RPM by targeting higher-value keywords and improving viewer retention.
YouTube's algorithm can't "watch" your video, but it can read. Providing accurate transcripts (captions) is one of the most underrated SEO strategies.
Transcripts open up your content to keywords that aren't in your title. They also make your content accessible to the hearing impaired and viewers who watch without sound (over 60% of mobile users!).
While search traffic is great for new channels, the "Suggested Videos" column is where viral growth happens. To get here, you need a high Click-Through Rate (CTR) and Average View Duration (AVD).
This signals to YouTube that viewers not only click your video but stay to watch it. YTmaxer helps you analyze competitor thumbnails and tags to crack this code.
Spend 20% of your time creating the video, and 80% on the packaging (Title + Thumbnail). It doesn't matter how good your video is if nobody clicks on it.
Use our Thumbnail Downloader to study the packaging of top-performing videos in your niche. Look for patterns in color, font size, and facial expressions that generate high views.
Our tools are designed to give you the data you need to make these decisions.
The algorithm isn't a mystery. Understanding how YouTube recommends videos can dramatically increase your reach. Here's what actually works.
YouTube's algorithm heavily weighs how your video performs in its first 48 hours. This is when the algorithm decides whether to push your video to a wider audience or let it fade.
To maximize this window, notify your subscribers, share on social media, and post when your audience is most active. Use YouTube Analytics to find your audience's peak hours.
There's no one-size-fits-all answer. Tutorials perform best at 10-15 minutes, entertainment at 8-12 minutes, and Shorts under 60 seconds.
The key is matching your video length to viewer intent. Don't pad videos to hit arbitrary time goals—YouTube penalizes videos where viewers drop off early. Aim for the length your content naturally needs.
A video with 1,000 views at 80% retention will outperform a video with 10,000 views at 20% retention. YouTube prioritizes videos that keep people on the platform longer.
Focus on your Average View Duration (AVD) and Audience Retention graphs in YouTube Studio. Identify where viewers drop off and adjust your content strategy. Hook viewers in the first 30 seconds.
Channels that post 2-3 times per week consistently outperform those chasing viral hits. The algorithm rewards channels that keep viewers coming back regularly.
Best posting times are typically weekdays 2-4 PM and weekends 9-11 AM (local time for your audience). But your audience is unique—check YouTube Analytics → Audience → When your viewers are on YouTube.
Use our free Creator Analyzer to get detailed insights into your channel's health and growth trajectory.
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