Google-owned YouTube has sought to answer some common algorithm queries while highlighting specific content to people, and why video metrics may not always indicate performance. A new video was posted on the Creator Insider channel in which YouTube employees explained the impact of average viewer duration (AVD) and click-through rate (CTR). Product managers at YouTube, Rachel, and Patricia, also focused on how YouTube’s algorithm factors CTR and AVD into video discovery as well as performance.
The company also recently outlined the upcoming YouTube analytics insights display, which will display content creators their AVD and CTR. However, the company notes that it is not always reflective.
According to YouTube, CTR is a tricky metric to understand, and several creators may note that their most successful videos are most likely to have the lowest CTR. This is because YouTube displays high distribution videos to a much broader audience, which indicates that your content will be displayed to several users who are unfamiliar with your channel.
In comparison, some smaller videos being displayed to a relevant small targeted audience may have high CTR. So, this indicates that there will be a discrepancy between performance when your click-through rate is low on high-performing videos.
However, it can make it challenging for you to measure your overall performance, and the company suggests that content creators may take into account all of the metrics available to them. Creators are also concerned about the effect of lower average view time that results from external links, which may also impact distribution and reach in the algorithm.
The company has also addressed this concern and stated that in discovery, YouTube look at how a clip performs in the context it is displayed. As per YouTube, the impact of lower AVD is one of the factors that influence what is shown in the home feed of a user.
The new analytics display filters out AVD and CTR for Home as well as Watch Next. Creators also think that YouTube’s algorithm unfairly compares AVD for clips of different lengths, the platform has also addressed this concern. In discovery, YouTube looks at relative as well as absolute watch time.
You may also see that the CTR, as well as AVD of a video, are good, but it still underperforms. YouTube states that several other factors influence how many impressions a video gets, and how many viewers watch it. You should also keep in mind the competition, topic interest, and seasonality. YouTube is also developing new tools to offer more insight and help creators maximize views on their videos.
Read next: Pandemic Has Increased The Number Of Downloads By 37% And Active Users By 59% On The News Apps And Gaming Apps
The company also recently outlined the upcoming YouTube analytics insights display, which will display content creators their AVD and CTR. However, the company notes that it is not always reflective.
According to YouTube, CTR is a tricky metric to understand, and several creators may note that their most successful videos are most likely to have the lowest CTR. This is because YouTube displays high distribution videos to a much broader audience, which indicates that your content will be displayed to several users who are unfamiliar with your channel.
In comparison, some smaller videos being displayed to a relevant small targeted audience may have high CTR. So, this indicates that there will be a discrepancy between performance when your click-through rate is low on high-performing videos.
However, it can make it challenging for you to measure your overall performance, and the company suggests that content creators may take into account all of the metrics available to them. Creators are also concerned about the effect of lower average view time that results from external links, which may also impact distribution and reach in the algorithm.
The company has also addressed this concern and stated that in discovery, YouTube look at how a clip performs in the context it is displayed. As per YouTube, the impact of lower AVD is one of the factors that influence what is shown in the home feed of a user.
The new analytics display filters out AVD and CTR for Home as well as Watch Next. Creators also think that YouTube’s algorithm unfairly compares AVD for clips of different lengths, the platform has also addressed this concern. In discovery, YouTube looks at relative as well as absolute watch time.
You may also see that the CTR, as well as AVD of a video, are good, but it still underperforms. YouTube states that several other factors influence how many impressions a video gets, and how many viewers watch it. You should also keep in mind the competition, topic interest, and seasonality. YouTube is also developing new tools to offer more insight and help creators maximize views on their videos.
Read next: Pandemic Has Increased The Number Of Downloads By 37% And Active Users By 59% On The News Apps And Gaming Apps
