How to Get Subscribers on YouTube in 2025

Last Updated on May 9, 2025 by Himanshu Rawat

To start getting subscribers and earning money through the YouTube Partner Program, your channel needs at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months, or 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days.

It may be difficult to gain YouTube subscribers, but it’s possible. No matter whether you’re a beginner on YouTube or looking to grow your subscriber list.

This blog will give you 20 successful methods to gain actual, engaged followers. From optimizing content and thumbnails to riding trends and viewer engagement, we’ll help you smartly grow your channel with subscribers.

Optimize your YouTube channel 

The first step in your journey to gaining subscribers and becoming a successful creator is to optimize your YouTube channel. 

Start by focusing on your channel’s visual identity. Use high-quality channel art and a recognizable logo or headshot to make your channel look professional and inviting. Consistent branding across your thumbnails, banners, and videos helps viewers remember you and builds trust.

Next, make sure your channel follows this list when uploading videos:

• Use engaging, keyword-focused titles.
• Write detailed descriptions with your main keywords.
• Design custom thumbnails that stand out.

Organize your videos into playlists with descriptive titles to encourage binge-watching and help YouTube understand your content.

Create Videos for Your Target Audience

To create YouTube videos that connect with your audience, start by understanding their demographics, interests, and challenges. (Learn more about how YouTube can grow your business by reaching the right viewers.)

Use this insight to tailor content types like tutorials, reviews, or how-tos, and match the tone to their expectations. 

Here are the key steps to create videos for your target audience:

• Define your audience: Know their age, location, interests, and pain points.
• Choose relevant video types: Tutorials, reviews, or entertainment that align with their preferences.
• Optimize for search: Use keywords in titles, descriptions, and tags.
• Create engaging thumbnails: Use clear images and text that appeal to your viewers.
• Engage with viewers: Respond to comments and build a community.
• Maintain consistency: Upload regularly according to your audience’s viewing habits.
• Organize content: Use playlists to encourage binge-watching and improve watch time.
• Leverage YouTube Ads targeting: Reach your ideal audience based on demographics and interests.

Check what YouTube Help Support Community replies to users’ questions: How to Target the Right Audience for My Videos?

Produce Popular Types of Content

To produce popular types of content on YouTube, focus on formats that consistently attract and engage viewers across various niches.

When choosing what content to make, YouTube Analytics is a valuable tool that helps you understand why certain videos perform better than others. By analyzing the data, you can see which types of content your audience engages with the most. This insight lets you focus your efforts on creating videos that are more likely to succeed and resonate with your viewers.

• How-To Guides and Tutorials: Step-by-step instructions on topics your audience wants to learn.

Example: Nikkie de Jager, known as NikkieTutorials, is a Dutch beauty influencer famous for her makeup tutorials. With over 14 million subscribers, she shares makeup guides, reviews, and beauty tips and has worked with top beauty brands.

• Product Reviews and Unboxing: Honest opinions and first impressions on new products.

Example: Unbox Therapy (Lewis Hilsenteger). His channel boasts over 24 million subscribers and has amassed nearly 4.8 billion views. He offers in-depth insights into various tech products, making complex information accessible to a broad audience.

• Vlogs and Lifestyle: Personal stories and daily routines that build connection.

Example: Zoella, A pioneer in the UK lifestyle vlogging scene, Zoe has diversified into writing bestselling novels and launching her beauty line, Zoella Beauty. She continues to share insights into her daily life and family journey.

• Gaming Walkthroughs and Live Streams: Real-time gameplay with commentary.

Example: CarryMinati Ajey Nagar, known as CarryMinati, is a prominent Indian YouTuber with over 44 million subscribers. His channel CarryisLive is dedicated to gaming and live streams, making him one of the most-subscribed individual YouTubers in Asia.

• Challenge and Q&A Videos: Interactive content that encourages viewer participation. 

Example: Airrack Eric Decker, known as Airrack, is renowned for his high-energy challenge videos and pranks. He gained significant popularity by collaborating with other major YouTubers and producing large-scale challenge events

• Educational and Explainer Videos: Simplify complex ideas with clear visuals or narration.

Example: 3Blue1Brown, He does explanation videos on Mathematics, physics, and computer science, explained through visually stunning animations.

• Shorts and Timelapse Videos: Quick, engaging clips ideal for mobile viewers.

Example: Alan Chikin Chow creates content on Comedy skits, relatable humor, and viral challenges, gaining a massive audience.

• ASMR and Relaxation Videos: Sensory content designed to soothe and relax. 

Example: Gibi is celebrated for her creative and immersive ASMR roleplays, including her full-shot remake of Shrek in ASMR format.

• Behind-the-Scenes and Event Coverage: Exclusive looks that build loyalty. 

Example: Corridor Crew with over 10 million subscribers, focuses on Behind-the-scenes content related to visual effects, filmmaking, and creative processes.

YouTube recommendation:  

• Focusing on long-lasting, original content rather than relying solely on trending topics, which can cause your viewership to fluctuate as trends fade.
• Instead of one-off videos, aim to develop a consistent, repeatable format that keeps your audience engaged and encourages them to return regularly.

Use Keywords, Thumbnails, and Titles Effectively

Using keywords helps YouTube understand your video and rank it in search. Place them in your title, description, tags, and even in subtitles. Tools like vidIQ or TubeBuddy can help you find the best keywords.

For Keywords:

• Use main keywords early in the title.
• Add them naturally in your description and tags.
• Include keyword variations and common misspellings.

Titles should be clear, engaging, and keyword-rich. A good title grabs attention while explaining what the video is about. Avoid clickbait, but aim to create curiosity.

Title Tips:

• Use power words or numbers.
• Keep it under 60 characters.
• Ask questions or solve problems.

Thumbnails are your visual hook. They should be eye-catching, easy to read, and consistent with your brand. Use bold colors, big text, and emotional faces when possible.

Thumbnail Tips:

• Bright colors and high contrast.
• 3–6 words max, large font.
• Use faces and expressions for emotion.

Descriptions and tags support your content’s visibility. Start your description with key info and use relevant keywords throughout.

Analyze Subscriber Growth

Use YouTube Analytics to monitor which videos are attracting the most new subscribers. Examine metrics such as watch time, audience retention, and click-through rates to see why those videos were successful. 

Identify trends in your videos’ subject, title, thumbnail, or length that attract viewers. Use these successful factors for future content. 

Track when subscribers drop off to avoid repeating mistakes, and regularly review insights to refine your content strategy and improve your channel.

Collaborate with Other YouTubers

Collaborating with other YouTubers is a powerful way to grow your channel by reaching new audiences and boosting subscribers. It brings fresh ideas, improves content quality, and increases engagement through shared viewers who trust both creators. 

Successful collaborations lead to higher video promotion by YouTube’s algorithm and more social media exposure.

To collaborate effectively:

• Partner with creators in similar niches.
• Set clear goals and roles.
• Create content appealing to both audiences.
• Build lasting relationships for future projects.

In short, collaboration expands your reach, enhances creativity, and accelerates subscriber growth.

Example: MrBeast & Fede Vigevani – YouTube Basketball Stars

In April 2025, MrBeast and Fede Vigevani organized a high-profile basketball event featuring influencers like Ibai Llanos, Fernanfloo, and Duki. This collaboration attracted millions of viewers, showcasing the power of cross-cultural partnerships. ​

Promote Your Channel Everywhere

Don’t just depend on YouTube’s algorithm—promote your videos on other platforms. Share in relevant Facebook Groups and Reddit (without spamming), and use clips on Twitter/X and Instagram Reels to attract viewers. Tailor content for each social media platform to enhance engagement and grow your audience.

Best places to promote your channel:

• Facebook Groups: Join niche-specific groups and share your video as part of a relevant discussion.
• Reddit: Find subreddits related to your content and follow community rules when posting.
• Instagram Reels / Stories: Create short, engaging previews or behind-the-scenes clips that tease your YouTube video.
• Twitter/X: Post quick insights or quotes from your video with a link. Use trending hashtags where appropriate.
• LinkedIn: Great for business, education, or professional content. Share insights from your video and link back.
• Blog posts: Write a short blog post summarizing your video topic and embed the video.
• Newsletters: If you have an email list, send out your latest video with a strong call-to-action.
• Podcasts or guest appearances: Mention your channel or repurpose your video topic into podcast content.

Add Links in Shorts

YouTube Shorts now allows creators to add clickable links that direct viewers to other content on their channel, such as full-length videos, other Shorts, or live streams. 

Steps to Add these links:

• Upload your Short and then open YouTube Studio on a desktop.

• Go to the Content section and find the Short you want to link to.
• Click the Details (pencil) icon for that Short.

• Scroll to the Related Video section and click the Edit icon.
• Select the video or content you want to link to (it must be public or unlisted and on the same channel).
• Click Save.

Once saved, your Short will display a tappable link within the Shorts player, making it easy for viewers to explore more of your content directly from the Short

Include a Subscribe Button in your videos

To include a subscribe button in your YouTube videos, you can add a subscribe watermark that appears on all your current and future videos, allowing viewers to subscribe with a single click. Here’s how to do it:

• Log in to YouTube Studio and go to the Customization tab on the left menu.
• Click on the Profile section.

• Scroll down to the Video Watermark option and click Upload to add your subscribe button image (recommended size is 150 x 150 pixels). You can create a simple “Subscribe” graphic using tools like Canva or Snappa if you don’t have one.
• Choose when the watermark appears: at the end of the video, a custom start time, or for the entire video.
• Click Publish to apply the watermark across all your videos.

Post Consistently

Posting videos consistently is one of the most important factors for growing your YouTube channel. Regular uploads help you build momentum, keep your audience engaged, and signal to YouTube’s algorithm that your channel is active and reliable.

Why Consistency Matters:

• Builds Audience Trust: Viewers know when to expect new content, making them more likely to return and subscribe.
• Improves Algorithm Favorability: YouTube favors channels that upload regularly, increasing your chances of being recommended.
• Enhances Channel Growth: Frequent uploads provide more opportunities for viewers to discover and engage with your content.

Ask Viewers to Subscribe

Sometimes, all it takes is a simple reminder. At the start or end of your video, ask viewers to subscribe if they enjoyed the content. Make it personal and sincere.

Let viewers know what they can expect by subscribing. 

For example:​

“​Subscribe to get weekly tips and insights on your topic and never miss out on our latest content.”​

This sets expectations and encourages viewers to subscribe for ongoing value.

Stick to an Upload Schedule

Post videos regularly so viewers know when to expect new content. This builds trust, keeps your audience engaged, and helps YouTube recommend your channel. 

Choose a realistic frequency, plan with a content calendar, batch film if possible, and communicate your schedule to viewers. Consistency boosts growth and viewer loyalty.

Organize Videos into Playlists

Organizing your videos into playlists makes binge-watching more likely and enhances the viewer experience by making your content more easily discoverable. Use SEO-friendly titles and descriptions to make playlists show up in search results. 

Well-organized playlists drive watch time and session length, making your channel perform better in YouTube’s algorithm. Share them in video descriptions and end screens to keep viewers on the site longer.

Learn YouTube’s Algorithm

Understanding how YouTube recommends videos can help you grow:

• Focus on high click-through rates
• Encourage longer watch times
• Boost engagement through likes and comments

Repurpose Old Content

Transform top-performing highlights into YouTube Shorts to increase exposure, and translate video content into blog posts to improve SEO. Update stale videos with enhanced titles, tags, and thumbnails to reupload. Share short cuts on social media and insert them into email campaigns to engage your audience again—all while conserving time and lengthening the lifespan of your content

Balance Video Length

Longer videos can increase watch time, but only if they’re engaging. Shorter videos may be better for certain niches or quick tutorials. Test both to see what works.

• Long-Form: Aim for 8-15 minute tutorials to maximize ad revenue and search rankings.
• Short-Form: Use 15-60 second Shorts for viral reach

Engage with Viewers

• Reply to Comments: Respond quickly and “heart” thoughtful ones to show appreciation.
• Ask Questions: Include prompts in your videos to encourage audience discussion.
• Use the Community Tab: Post polls, updates, and behind-the-scenes content to stay connected.
• Host Live Q&As or Streams: Interact in real time to build deeper viewer relationships.
• Feature Viewers: Highlight comments or fan content to make your audience feel valued.

Rank in Google Search

To drive long-term traffic, optimize your videos not just for YouTube, but also for Google search. Videos that answer specific questions or solve problems (like “how to tie a tie” or “best cameras for vlogging”) are more likely to appear in Google’s video results, especially if they’re well-structured and relevant.

To improve your chances of ranking:

• Target “how-to” or question-based keywords commonly searched on Google.
• Use SEO-friendly titles and descriptions that naturally include these keywords.
• Add timestamps and relevant tags to help Google better understand your content.
• Embed your videos in blog posts or web pages to boost visibility through external traffic.
• Encourage likes, comments, and shares to increase engagement signals Google looks for.
• Design appealing thumbnails to boost click-through rates from search results.

Optimizing for both YouTube and Google means your content can attract views for months or even years after it’s published.

Build a Strong Channel Brand

As I have mention before the first step in your journey to gain subscribers and a successful creator is to optimize your YouTube channel. 

To brand your channel effectively, use consistent visuals like colors, fonts, and logos across your thumbnails, banner, and video intros. Maintain a clear tone and style in both your visuals and messaging so viewers instantly recognize your content. A strong, cohesive brand builds trust and makes your channel stand out in a busy feed.

Track Your Success

You can leverage YouTube Studio analytics to gain insights into both your channel’s overall performance and the success of individual videos. For more detailed analysis, switch to Advanced Mode, where you can access expanded reports, compare data across videos, and export detailed performance metrics.

Key Metrics to Watch:

• Subscriber Growth: See which videos are driving the most new subscribers and replicate what’s working.
• Watch Time: A high watch time tells YouTube your content is engaging, which can help it get recommended more.
• Traffic Sources: Understand where your viewers are coming from—search, suggested videos, external sites, etc.—to know which platforms or strategies bring the most views.
• Click-Through Rate (CTR): Measures how often people click your video after seeing the thumbnail and title. A low CTR might mean your thumbnails or titles need improvement.
• Audience Retention: Shows where people drop off in your videos, helping you improve pacing and engagement.
• Top Performing Videos: Identify which topics or formats resonate most with your audience.

By regularly reviewing these analytics, you can refine your content strategy, improve video performance, and grow your channel more effectively.

Keep Posting, Keep Building

Building your YouTube channel is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient, be consistent, and continually improve. Every successful YouTuber began with zero subscribers, but through dedication and perseverance, they grew their audience over time. 

Keep making, keep experimenting, and your hard work will pay off in the end. The secret is never to give up and continue to build upon what you have learned along the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I get my first 1,000 subscribers?

Focus on optimizing your channel, creating targeted content, posting consistently, and engaging with your audience. Promote on social media and collaborate with other creators.

2. How can I increase subscribers fast?

Post consistently, use eye-catching thumbnails and titles, engage with viewers, collaborate with others, and promote on social media.

3. Why aren’t my subscribers growing?

It could be due to inconsistent uploads, poor video quality, lack of SEO optimization, or not targeting a specific audience.

4. Do YouTube Shorts help with subscribers?

Yes, Shorts boost visibility and engagement, helping to attract new subscribers, especially when linked to full-length videos.

5. How often should I post?

Post consistently—aim for at least once a week or more. Regular uploads keep your audience engaged and help with growth.