Tips for avoiding watch time errors on YouTube

You've just uploaded your video and are eagerly awaiting the first reaction. But suddenly, you see a comment that worries you. You wonder if this comment might have negative effects on the Watchtime of your video. This is a common issue that many content creators face. In this guide, you will learn which types of comments you should avoid and how to strengthen your average watchtime.

Main Insights

Damaging comments can greatly affect the watchtime of your video. It is essential to pay attention to who is commenting on your content in order not to negatively impact your video performance. Block fake accounts and spam comments based on accounts.

Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Understand the Calculation of Watchtime

To increase your watchtime, you must first understand how it is calculated. It is calculated based on the seconds viewers watch your videos. For example, if Viewer A watches your video for 10 seconds and Viewer B for 10 minutes, the watchtime is added together. The result is then divided by the number of viewers to determine the average watchtime.

Step 2: Identify Harmful Comments

There are certain types of comments that can negatively impact your watchtime. Pay special attention to comments that appear suspiciously quickly after you upload your video. If someone comments without actually watching your video, that is a warning sign.

Step 3: Recognize Spam and Fake Accounts

Spam and fake accounts are often recognizable by their behavior. For example, profiles with very few subscribers, no original content, may indicate bots or fake users. Therefore, pay attention to how these accounts behave, especially if they seem to be promoting a product.

Step 4: Block Harmful Accounts

If you find that an account is only leaving spam comments, you should block it. YouTube allows you to selectively exclude individual accounts from the comment function. It is advisable to use this feature to protect your community and ensure the quality of comments.

Step 5: Communicate the Rules

If you encounter potential spam accounts, you can also directly address their behavior. Explain that they should refrain from certain actions to avoid being excluded from the comment section. This is an effective way to positively influence your community.

Step 6: Pay Attention to Average Watchtime

Always keep an eye on what influences your watchtime. If you have only a few viewers who briefly play your video and then leave immediately, it can significantly reduce your average watchtime. Make sure to encourage genuine interactions with your content.

Step 7: Recognize Warning Signs in Comments

After uploading your video, pay special attention to comments that appear very quickly after publication. These are often spam. An immediate reaction to your video may indicate that the commenter is not actually watching.

Step 8: Encourage Positive Feedback

Build a community based on genuine feedback. Good comments can help viewers stay longer and promote collaboration within your community. Such interactions not only improve watchtime but also overall user engagement.

Step 9: Strategically Use the Blocking Function

If necessary, proactively use the blocking function for accounts that clearly have no genuine interest in your content. Protect your videos from negative influences by suppressing spam or inappropriate advertisements.

Step 10: Stay Consistent

Stay consistent in your content production and always pay attention to the quality of both the content and the comments. By continuously working on creating high-quality content and building an engaged community, your watchtime will increase in the long run.

Summary

By understanding watchtime calculation and identifying harmful comments, you can effectively improve your content strategy. Pay attention to the type of comments, block spam accounts, and encourage positive engagement. Careful monitoring of viewer interactions can help significantly boost the performance of your videos on YouTube.