Avoid 9 common mistakes for your YouTube channel

YouTube can be an excellent platform to showcase your ideas, talents, and products. However, there are numerous pitfalls that can make your life difficult. In this guide, you will receive valuable insights into the most common errors that you absolutely need to avoid in order to keep your channel successful and visible.

Key Takeaways

• Edit the titles and descriptions of your videos only before publication.
• Avoid uploading copyrighted material.
• Do not use too many capital letters in the titles.
• Tags should not be directly copied into the description.
• Research relevant video ideas instead of filming randomly.
• Invest time in creating appealing thumbnails.
• Watch your own videos to identify areas for improvement.
• Avoid excessively spamming tags in the description.
• Focus more on using long-tail keywords in your tags.

Step-by-step Guide

Step 1: Set titles and descriptions before publication

Initially, it is crucial to plan your videos before publishing them. Changing titles and descriptions afterward can disrupt YouTube's algorithm. This means your video might become less visible or not recommended. First upload your videos privately and then edit all necessary information before making them public.

Step 2: Avoid copyrighted content

The second mistake you should avoid is uploading copyrighted material. This includes movies, music, and other content that does not belong to you. The effort you put into your videos could quickly go to waste if your channel is suspended due to copyright infringement. Make sure that all content is your own or licensed to avoid unnecessary problems.

Step 3: Avoid capital letters in titles

Utilize the power of capital letters, but do not overdo it. A title written entirely in capital letters may be considered as spam by YouTube. This could be one of the reasons why your video is less frequently recommended. Find a balance in the use of capital letters; a memorable title is important, but it should not be excessive.

Step 4: Do not directly copy tags into the description

Using tags is important for the visibility of your videos, but make sure not to simply copy them directly into the description. This is considered abusive use and can result in your channel being penalized. Integrate tags meaningfully into the description to ensure relevance and readability.

Step 5: Research relevant topics

Avoid creating videos without prior research. If you produce content that is not of interest to your audience, your video will get lost in the crowd. Use the YouTube search to find out what topics are currently in demand. By looking for the most searched keywords in your niche, you can create tailored content that appeals to your audience.

Step 6: Create appealing thumbnails

Thumbnails are the first visual element potential viewers see. An appealing thumbnail can make the difference between a click and a scroll-by. Work on consistent templates that you can customize for future videos. Ensure that the images and text are clear and eye-catching to increase click-through rates.

Step 7: Analyze your own videos

It can be uncomfortable to watch your own videos, but it is incredibly important. Often, you only notice your mistakes after a few months, whether in sound or presentation. Also show your videos to friends or family to receive constructive feedback. This will help you continuously improve.

Step 8: Avoid tag spamming

While tags are important, excessive spamming of a single tag in your description can be considered abuse. If you use a tag too frequently, it will be negatively evaluated by YouTube. Stick to a moderate use of tags to be treated optimally by YouTube.

Step 9: Use longtail instead of shorttail keywords

The most important mistake that many make is using shorttail keywords instead of longtail keywords. While short keywords like "cooking" are very competitive, longtail keywords like "simple cooking for beginners" have a much higher chance of reaching a target audience. Optimize your tags accordingly to increase the visibility of your content.

Summary

Creating a YouTube channel comes with many challenges. By avoiding the nine mentioned mistakes, you are laying the foundation for successful content and an engaged community. Be strategic and pay attention to details to fully leverage your YouTube channel's potential.