[FAQ]

Hey,

I’ve been diving into my YouTube Studio analytics lately, and I’m a little stuck on the “Returning Viewers” chart. My new viewer count is consistently high, which I assume is a good thing as it means my videos are getting reach.

However, my returning viewer number is much smaller in comparison. I’m wondering if this is a problem. Does a high number of returning viewers signal to the algorithm that you’re building a loyal community, and is that more valuable in the long run than just attracting one-off views?

I’m trying to figure out which metric is the better indicator of a healthy channel and which one I should be trying to improve.

Thanks for any thoughts on this.

[Jeff Bullas]

Understanding this balance is crucial for long-term growth.

Short Answer: Both are vital, but returning viewers are the true measure of a healthy channel. New viewers indicate your reach, while returning viewers represent the loyal community you are successfully building.

You can strategically influence both metrics by understanding how different content formats serve each type of audience.

To attract new viewers, you should focus on creating standalone, searchable video formats, such as tutorials or reviews, that are highly discoverable and packaged with a compelling visual format in the thumbnail and a keyword-rich text format in the title. However, to convert those new viewers into a returning audience, you must develop content formats that build a sense of community. Firstly, this involves creating episodic video formats, like a multi-part series, that encourage viewers to come back for the next instalment. Secondly, you should leverage interactive formats like live streams and use the text format of the Community Tab to foster a direct conversation with your audience between uploads. A successful strategy uses the former formats to grow and the latter to build a sustainable, loyal core.

Cheers,

Jeff

[Author]

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