15 Harsh Truths About Growing on YouTube (You Must Know)

Growing a YouTube channel isn’t easy—and the reality is, 90% of creators never reach 1,000 subscribers. But after making 500+ videos and gaining 300K+ subs, I’ve learned what actually works. In this article, I’ll share 15 honest lessons most people won’t tell you about building a successful channel.

1. Stop Asking for Sub4Sub

You may see small creators asking others to “sub back” in comment sections. It feels tempting—but it’s a trap. These subscribers don’t care about your content and won’t watch your videos. That hurts your algorithm performance. Avoid it completely.

2. Forget Likes, Views, and Shares

These are vanity metrics. Instead, focus on the "Big 3" YouTube metrics:

Click-Through Rate (CTR) – Aim for 5-10% for small channels.
Average View Duration (AVD) – Try to hit 60–70% watch time.
Average Views Per Viewer (AVPV) – Above 1.0 is great.

These are what YouTube really cares about.

3. Spend More Time on Ideas

A great video starts with a great idea. Top creators actively hunt for ideas—they don’t wait for inspiration. Spend a few hours weekly just brainstorming and researching.

4. Missing an Upload Won’t Kill Your Channel

You won’t be punished for skipping a day. What matters more is quality content, not a rigid upload schedule. One missed video won’t make your audience disappear.

5. Optimize for People, Not Algorithms

Your viewers are humans—not bots. Focus on entertaining, informing, and connecting with real people. The algorithm follows audience behavior.

6. Create 10 Titles Before Posting

Your title and thumbnail are everything. Don’t settle on the first title that comes to mind. Make 10 versions. Tools like AI title generators can help you find what clicks.

7. Mobile-First Matters

Since 70% of viewers use phones, your titles and thumbnails must look good on small screens. Zoom out and preview them on your own phone before publishing.

8. Playlists Boost Watch Time

Use playlists to get viewers watching back-to-back videos. YouTube loves binge-worthy content—it increases session time and pushes your channel more.

9. Stop Blaming the Algorithm

If your video flops, don’t blame the algorithm. Instead, review your title, thumbnail, and content structure. Usually, that’s where the real issue lies.

10. Focus on Retention, Not Perfection

Perfect production quality doesn’t matter if people leave after 10 seconds. Learn how to hook viewers early and keep them engaged.

11. Improve One Metric at a Time

Don’t try to fix everything at once. Start with CTR, then watch time, then AVPV. Small consistent wins add up.

12. Study Your Competitors

Look at what other channels in your niche are doing. Learn what works for them—then make it your own, better version.

13. Keep Testing New Content

Not every video will go viral. But the more you test, the more you learn what your audience really wants.

14. You Don’t Need Fancy Gear

Content > Camera. You can grow a channel with just your smartphone and a good idea. Don’t let gear stop you from starting.

15. Your First 100 Videos Are Just Practice

Don’t overthink your early videos. Use them to learn, grow, and improve. The more you post, the faster you level up.

Conclusion
YouTube growth is tough—but with the right mindset and focus on what really matters, you can beat the odds. These truths aren’t always easy to hear, but they’ll save you time, energy, and frustration in the long run.

reference:

Dan the creator Youtube

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