YouTube Success Secrets: What Audiences Crave in 2023

Give the people what they want, right? But wait… What do they want?When it comes to viewers in 2023, what do people crave on YouTube? What kind of video content is seeing the best performance? Which channels are enjoying the most growth, the highest numbers of subscribers, and the best monetization results?We’re digging into all the latest YouTube trends so you can figure out where to focus your efforts for the best results. Let’s go!

Tapping Into YouTube’s Massive Audience

In today’s modern digital age, YouTube has become the go-to place where millions and even billions of people watch content from creators they love. There’s literally video content for any kind of interest. You want it, you got it!YouTube has an estimated 2.5 billion active users. And this number will most likely keep rising. YouTube’s not going anywhere anytime soon. It’s one of the most popular platforms for video content and is a hub for entertainment, education, and inspiration.But how do you tap into the vast audience of YouTube viewers? How do you get a piece of the pie for your business?Maybe you’re a content creator, or maybe you own a business. What types of video content should you be creating? What are people craving? You know you need to capture the attention of viewers, but how?Never before has it been more important to have a solid understanding of what people crave on YouTube. Once you learn what content works and what doesn’t work, you can unlock the roadmap to YouTube success and improve your SEO strategies.

1. Educational Content

One of the top cravings people have on YouTube is for educational content.Whether it’s tutorials, how-to guides, or informative videos, viewers often turn to YouTube to learn something new. This trend has only grown with the rise of online learning and the accessibility of educational resources.Creators and companies who provide valuable insights and knowledge in their niche tend to attract a dedicated following.To optimize your YouTube content for this craving, focus on creating tutorials, explainer videos, and informative content that addresses your target audience’s questions, interests, pain points, and knowledge gaps. Also make sure to use relevant keywords and optimize your video titles, descriptions, and tags to improve SEO visibility.

2. Entertainment

This one should come as no surprise, but people also crave entertainment.After working all day, people love to take a break from the grind and watch a funny video. Life can be challenging sometimes, and YouTube provides people an escape from the monotonous day-to-day routine.Whether it’s through comedy skits, music videos, vlogs, or engaging storytelling, people love to be entertained. YouTube channels that provide humor and entertainment often gain a substantial following. Creators who can evoke emotions and make viewers laugh or cry have a higher chance of building a loyal audience.You can even use humor and entertainment to educate people about your product or services. For example, the actor Ryan Reynolds became Internet famous for his funny marketing videos.To cater to this craving, create content that entertains and engages viewers. Experiment with different formats, collaborate with other creators and keep your content fresh and exciting.

3. How-to and DIY

The do-it-yourself (DIY) culture is thriving on YouTube. Viewers are constantly searching for guides on various topics. From home improvement projects to cooking recipes and craft ideas, there’s a craving for step-by-step instructions and creative inspiration. Creators who offer practical solutions and showcase their own DIY journeys can tap into this demand.Think about it. How many times have you wondered something like, “How do I change the oil in my car?” You then found a YouTube video of some guy in their garage walking you through the process.There’s a lesson here for your business. The more you focus on educating your customers and potential clients, the more successful you’ll be.To satisfy the DIY craving, focus on creating high-quality, well-edited videos that provide clear instructions and inspire viewers to take action. Use descriptive titles and thumbnails that showcase the end result or the process to capture viewers’ attention.

4. Product Reviews and Recommendations

In an age of online shopping and endless product choices, people crave honest and insightful product reviews and recommendations. Many consumers turn to YouTube to research products before making a decision. Creators who provide genuine reviews and recommendations can establish trust and credibility with their audience.To focus on this craving, create detailed and unbiased product reviews. Highlight the pros and cons of the products you’re reviewing, and be transparent about any affiliations or sponsorships. Use specific keywords related to the product and its features to improve SEO ranking.You can also create content that reviews movies or video games. People love to watch others break down a movie or video game plot, dig into the cinematography or the backstory, and learn things they might have missed the first time around.

5. Inspiring Stories and Motivation

People often turn to YouTube for inspiration and motivation. Whether it's personal success stories, life advice, or motivational speeches, viewers want content that uplifts and empowers them. Creators who can inspire and connect with their audience on a personal level tend to build strong, loyal communities.Tap into this craving by creating content that shares personal stories of triumph over adversity, motivational messages, or self-improvement tips. You can tell stories about ways you’ve overcome adversity and found success, or you can shine a spotlight on others who have risen above hardships.

6. Short-form Videos

As people’s attention spans seem to get shorter and shorter as every year goes by, it’s no wonder people crave shorter content. Short-form videos are a great way to grab viewers’ attention and bring in more views.The rise of TikTok proved the immense appeal of bite-sized content that could be consumed quickly and shared easily. Instagram and YouTube even introduced their own short-form video features (Reels and Shorts, respectively) in response.If you’re searching for ways to optimize your videos for maximum engagement and more views, shorter videos can be a great way to give people what they want.Some viewers prefer shorter videos, while others would rather consume longer, more in-depth content. Experiment with both options and see which ones have the best engagement, watch time, and other key metrics. These insights will tell you a lot about what video length your target audience prefers. Not everyone will appreciate 5-second videos.Even if the business or industry you’re in lends itself to longer videos, you should always have some content that’s on the shorter side to appeal to an audience that’s used to short videos.Have fun with it! Here are a few ways to brainstorm ideas and develop a content strategy for short-form videos.

• Keep them concise
• Make videos visually appealing 
• Make them impactful with a strong message or call-to-action
• Experiment with different storytelling techniques
• Use snappy editing that keeps people engaged
• Use interesting or trending filters, 
• Create attention-grabbing hooks to keep viewers engaged

Also take advantage of YouTube’s Shorts feature, specifically designed for short-form content. Use the vertical video format on your phone or camera and explore the platform's built-in editing tools, effects, and filters to enhance your videos and make them stand out.Short-form videos have the power to engage viewers quickly, leaving a lasting impression in a fast-paced digital world. Don't miss out on this trend!And don’t be afraid to simply ask your audience which types of videos they prefer. Maybe even do a poll to see which video lengths are most popular. Respond to their feedback when creating your next batch of videos as you build up your YouTube community.

7. Captions

Captions? Really? This last one might seem like a weird thing to add to a list of things viewers crave on YouTube. But we’re serious.Billions of people are now watching videos on their smartphones, but they’re not always in a situation where they can watch with the sound on.For instance, maybe you’re taking a break at work. You want to watch something but you don’t want all your coworkers to hear what you’re watching. Or maybe you’re at a restaurant taking a break in conversation and checking out a quick 30-second video.This is where subtitles come into play.Next time you’re scrolling social media or watching YouTube, note how many videos have captions or subtitles. It’s the majority!Some studies show that 69% of viewers watch video with the sound off when they’re in public places. And 92% of viewers watch online videos with the sound off on mobile devices like smartphones. Meta (formerly Facebook) once reported that 85% of all Facebook videos were watched with the sound off. These stats are pretty eye-opening, and show that people are craving videos with captions.Subtitles can even make it so viewers are more likely to finish your video. One article summarized a few of the key stats regarding subtitle trends:“80% of viewers are more likely to finish a video with subtitles. 80% of viewers respond negatively to video ads that auto-play sound. 37% of viewers said video subtitles encourage them to turn the sound on."And this last statistic really highlights how powerful it can be to add subtitles to YouTube videos. “One company saw an 7.32% total increase in YouTube views after adding subtitles.”(Check out our article on how to leverage subtitles in your video content to learn more tips and tricks.)

Give the People What They Want

These are just a few of the things people are craving on YouTube in 2023.And realize that there’s nothing wrong with catering your video content to what people like. In fact, you need to be giving them what they want. Otherwise, you’re missing out on a massive opportunity to grow your business.Understanding what people crave on YouTube is essential for content creators looking to grow their channels and engage their audience effectively. Whether it's educational content, entertainment, DIY guides, product reviews, inspiration, or short-form, catering to these cravings can help improve your YouTube SEO strategy and boost your channel’s visibility.By providing valuable and engaging content that resonates with your target audience, you can build a loyal following and succeed in the competitive world of YouTube.

Get the Support You Need

Now that you’ve learned what people crave on YouTube, it’s time to put these tips into practice and create effective video content.But if you’re still looking for extra help with your YouTube channel, you may want to reach out to the experts.If you’re looking to grow your YouTube views, subscribers, and revenue, Raffiti Media can help. We don’t just offer “editing” services, we partner with business owners to help them reach the next level in their business by leveraging the power of YouTube.Video content is a huge and lucrative market. Let us work with you to optimize your videos, rank better, get more views, and monetize more.Book a free one-on-one session with our team to learn how we can help you crush your content and YouTube goals.