Help! My YouTube Channel is Stuck in the Algorithm Abyss

Hello, fellow travelers and aspiring YouTube sensations!

I have a confession to make. Despite my best efforts, my YouTube channel is experiencing what I can only describe as an “algorithmic blackout.” Yes, you heard that right—my carefully crafted, beautifully edited videos are currently being enjoyed by...well, nobody. Zip. Nada. Not a single soul. It’s like I’ve entered some sort of digital Bermuda Triangle where content goes to vanish.

Let me paint you a picture. I’ve been pouring my heart into creating these quick trip videos—think of them as mini travel documentaries, filled with stunning shots of picturesque places, accompanied by soothing music, and sprinkled with fascinating facts that I painstakingly typed out on screen. These videos are like little love letters to the world’s most charming destinations, and I was certain they’d be a hit. Spoiler alert: They weren’t.

Fun fact:

Most of the projects I edit at work get over 1 million viewers. On YouTube I’m struggling to get my first subscriber.

The Dreaded Zero: Views, Subs, and Sanity

After uploading my first batch of videos, I did what any new YouTuber would do—I obsessively checked my analytics every five minutes. The numbers were so low that I briefly wondered if I’d accidentally set the videos to “private.” Nope, they were public. But you wouldn’t know it from the view count.

To say I was perplexed would be an understatement. I began to wonder if maybe, just maybe, YouTube was mad at me. Did I offend the algorithm gods? Was my channel banished to some dark corner of the internet, never to be seen again? I had to get to the bottom of this mystery.

So, I did what any modern-day problem-solver would do—I asked ChatGPT for help. That’s right, I turned to AI, the font of all digital wisdom, to find out why my videos were flopping harder than a pancake on a lazy Sunday morning.

ChatGPT to the Rescue (Sort of)

ChatGPT, bless its virtual heart, gave me the lowdown on what might be happening. According to my new AI friend, it turns out YouTube’s algorithm is a bit like that cool kid in high school who only talks to you if you’re already popular. The algorithm favors content that already has views, likes, comments, and all that good stuff. So, when your video has zero engagement, it’s almost like it doesn’t exist.

Well, that explains a lot, doesn’t it?

But the more we chatted (and by “we,” I mean me and my new AI buddy), the more I realized that I might have been going about this YouTube thing all wrong. You see, the algorithm doesn’t just care about good content; it cares about engagement. It wants videos that people are watching, sharing, and interacting with. My videos, lovely as they are, weren’t exactly sparking a conversation.

In Search of the Missing Viewers

Determined to crack the case, I decided to conduct a little experiment. I was on vacation, staying at a holiday house where the Wi-Fi was decent, and I had a TV I’d never logged into before. Perfect! I decided to search for one of my videos—“Visiting Wells: Timeline to Travel”—on YouTube using guest settings, just to see if it would show up.

I typed in the exact title, keyword-rich and all, and eagerly waited for the search results. And waited. And waited. Nothing. My video was nowhere to be found. At this point, I couldn’t help but laugh. It was as if YouTube was playing an elaborate prank on me.

Clearly, something wasn’t working, and it wasn’t just the search function. My channel was lost in the digital wilderness, and I needed to find a way out.

Welcome to the Algorithmic Black Hole

The realization hit me like a ton of bricks: My channel was stuck in what I now affectionately call the “algorithmic black hole.” It’s a place where content goes to die, unseen and uncelebrated. It’s where all the videos with zero views hang out, probably forming a support group for underappreciated content. If there’s a way out, it’s not through luck—it’s through strategy.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “What strategy?” Great question! Luckily, ChatGPT and I came up with a few ideas to help pull my channel out of the depths and into the light of YouTube’s recommended feed.

Step 1: Leverage the Power of Early Engagement

Apparently, YouTube’s algorithm is a bit like a toddler—it craves attention, and it craves it fast. The first few hours after a video goes live are crucial. If nobody watches, likes, or comments during that time, the algorithm assumes the video isn’t worth showing to anyone else.

So, here’s the plan: Before I post my next video, I’m going to make sure I have an army of friends, family, and followers ready to pounce on it the moment it’s live. I’ll share it on social media, send it to my email list, and maybe even bribe a few people to watch it (just kidding…kind of).

Step 2: Optimize Like a Pro

While my video titles might be spot-on in terms of keywords, I’ve learned that good SEO on YouTube goes beyond just picking the right words. It’s about making the title compelling, crafting descriptions that entice viewers to click, and using tags that help YouTube understand what the video is really about.

In short, I need to make sure my videos aren’t just visible—they need to be irresistible.

Step 3: The Power of Consistency

Here’s the thing: YouTube loves channels that are active and consistent. My channel is still in its infancy, and I’ve been posting sporadically at best. Moving forward, I’m committing to a regular upload schedule. Whether it’s weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, I’m going to stick to it like glue.

The idea is to train the algorithm to expect content from me at certain intervals. It’s like feeding a pet—if you’re consistent, it’ll start to rely on you. And hopefully, YouTube will start showing my videos to more people.

Step 4: Engage, Engage, Engage

As much as I love crafting beautiful videos, I’ve come to realize that they’re not enough on their own. I need to engage with my audience—no matter how small it might be right now. That means responding to comments, encouraging likes and shares, and maybe even throwing in a few call-to-action requests.

If I can get people to interact with my content, the algorithm will take notice. At least, that’s the plan.

The Future of My Channel (And Why I’m Not Giving Up)

Despite the current situation, I’m not ready to throw in the towel. Far from it! I’ve got big plans for my channel, and I’m determined to make it work.

In fact, I’m excited to announce that I’ll be posting a new series of vlog-style videos soon. These will be more personal, more dynamic, and more in line with the type of content that typically performs well on YouTube. I’ll be sharing our travel plans, behind-the-scenes moments, and all the highs and lows of our adventures.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But what if these new videos also fall into the algorithmic black hole?” It’s a valid concern, but I’m optimistic. With the lessons I’ve learned (thanks, ChatGPT!), I’m going to do everything I can to give these videos the best possible start.

And hey, if they don’t work out, at least I’ll have some great material for my next blog post, right?

Final Thoughts (Or: What the Heck is Going On?)

So, what’s going on with my YouTube channel? In a nutshell, it’s stuck in a rut, but I’m doing everything I can to dig it out. The algorithm may be a tough nut to crack, but I’m not giving up. With a little strategy, a lot of persistence, and maybe even a dash of humor, I’m confident that things will turn around.

If you’re in the same boat, struggling to get your content noticed, know that you’re not alone. The road to YouTube success is paved with trial, error, and more than a few setbacks. But with each setback comes a chance to learn, adapt, and grow.

In the meantime, if you want to support a struggling YouTuber, feel free to check out my channel. Who knows? You might just be the first view that breaks the curse!

Thanks for reading, and here’s to finding our way out of the algorithmic black hole—one view at a time.