Hacking the YouTube Algorithm 2019

Today I wanted to talk about my experience with sudden growth on the platform and how I've come to understand the KZbin algorithm.
Support me on Patreon: / devoncrawford
I see many negative associations with the KZbin algorithm. People say it creates pressure and suppresses creative content in favor of consistency. In this video, I wanted to share an alternate opinion as I've posted hundreds of videos on the platform and only recently experienced sudden growth. Yes, the platform is becoming more difficult to succeed, but what inspires me is that the algorithm is actively searching for high-value content to put on a pedestal. If you have a small audience but you put out a video that has very high value, chances are the algorithm will pick it up. I have seen this time and time again, with not only my channel but many others as well. I believe the algorithm is working very well and it is quite motivating to see my own high-value videos get more views.
I know this video may seem very generic and unhelpful because it sounds like I am stating the obvious. I made this video because for years I posted random content on KZbin and wondered why it never got views. The only missing piece was putting myself in a strangers perspective and thinking about the value I am providing to them. Once I figured out how to convey my passions and interests in a way that would provide high value to strangers, everything worked out. I'm not saying it's easy or that I have it all figured out - but it is damn exciting that growth like this is still possible for the little guys.
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Social
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Website: devoncrawford.io
Twitter: / devoncrawford13
Snapchat: / devoncrawfordyt
Instagram: / devoncrawford_
Github: github.com/dev...
Discord: / discord
Gear
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Video Editing Software (Premiere Pro CC): prf.hn/l/BOomWo3
All Adobe Apps (I use this plan): prf.hn/l/Xv5qk5Q
Keyboard (Velocifire TKL01): amzn.to/2AQTjJQ
Monitors (Dell U2518D) : amzn.to/2AQQmco
Webcam (Logitech C920): amzn.to/2Cw588c
Desk Microphone (Blue Yeti): amzn.to/2FPFmzi
DSLR (Canon T7i): amzn.to/2T54mpZ
Wide Lens (Tokina 11-16mm F2.8): amzn.to/2MlpvcO
Music
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SOUDIERE - NUMB
Link: / numb
emo the optimist - [bump]
Link: / loser-bump
sad adult - mean girl
Link: / mean-girl
ooljéé - lady killa
Link: / lady-killa

[@Blondid]

who remembers when he built his new pc and got 1000 fps in minecraft and was freaking lmao

[@DevonCrawford]

Oh god

[@rvx2679]

Where is the video

[@bruh-qi7ue]

Remember his Florida vlogs? Haha lol

[@SidekickNick]

In that room, oh boy the nostalgia

[@Blondid]

When u try to remove snow off your windshield and break your the wipers lol

[@kenny.bender]

"The KZbin algorithm" "What is it" "Its a youtube algorithm" *video ends*

[@songxin4293]

lol

[@icet854]

Coder confirmed

[@entertainmentanimations]

This is the algorithm in a nutshell. Onclick(Like) = True: Server.engine.display(video recommended) (View): Tick(30): Video.tick

[@ItsGravix]

Good job fam, KZbin put this on my homepage and I clicked the video

[@metascopeinitiatives2550]

hahaha, good one

[@TrustedTexan]

Same here lmao

[@AceMonkeyIlium]

Same

[@georgiyordanov2271]

same

[@rrritschi]

too

[@villakuyt]

All I see is better Titles used, and more of an appeal to a larger audience, that's it. For example, the title on this video is really clever. If you use "Analyzing the KZbin algorithm" which is more inline with what the video content actually is, you'd get much less views, compared to whatever this video will get. Your argument is ppl will watch good content, which is true, but good content alone won't do. And YT does reward consistent uploading, it will get recommended more and the viewer will notice the content more, even if he doesn't click. He'll keep seeing it and eventually he'll click. There is a google blog from one of the devs about YT recommendation system, it's pretty insightful, it's a bit old like 3 or 4 years ago I remember reading it, if u can find it, it's a very good read on what's the thought process building the algorithms for recommendation. Sorry I don't have the link, I'm too lazy to look it up now, if u google it u'll probably find it.

[@anonyme103]

the "Really clever title " is called CLICKBAIT, humans are freaking curious and subconciously find themselves watching hours of content and wasting time because of a video title or a well chosen thumbnail but who cares when devon is uploading each week xd !

[@theskullhead100]

saving this for later

[@guoyilou2064]

Still waiting for someone to post a link to that blog post.

[@onemanswebsite]

This take feels spot on

[@sosteve9113]

The question I ask myself, is their a algorithm at all that works Imo just make videos for fun, and the rest will come in time, but don't quit your day job

[@apidas]

so this is essentially a video about not making a video

[@hypermangi8265]

Basicurry yeah.

[@chandrashekard.7543]

Bring back Minecraft or we riot

[@whiteavem5438]

roit!

[@chandrashekard.7543]

@@whiteavem5438 oops

[@borekworek69]

Riot!

[@kimani3597]

ROIT!!!

[@cobbledev9045]

Oh shit bro you need to make a minecraft mod how fun would that be

[@WonieSong]

I just made my first video and am trying to learn how KZbin works. This video helped me a ton! It makes a lot of sense. Thanks for the tips with the actual analytics graphs :)

[@felixb6]

Hope you blow up

[@mattnichols3555]

That day in the life video was actually how I found your channel, been loving the content ever since.

[@gabrielong5245]

Wow I remember watching your Minecraft hunger game videos back in the past. Just realised how time flies, and how you have changed your life so drastically. The hustle is real. Good job mate!!

[@wesleyjanse6600]

weekly videos failed fast

[@dantcacenco1]

+1

[@matiasr419]

Damn, the Hardest Computer Science video is what brought me to your channel, that’s crazy.

[@YusefRhymer]

Wow, this is so much more valuable than my whole last year of learning about youtube. I've listened to very successful youtubers talk about how quantity is what's important. I've acted on that idea, made a video per day, sometimes two, for a few months. Got 1000 subs(on another channel) and wasn't able to sustain that pace. This idea is not only more appealing but based on my experience it's at least the next thing to try lol. I'm also noticing things about your videos like just how much content you are able to squeeze into 10 minutes using video editing of clips (in some videos of yours at least) and over all good quality. You invest in each video and it shows. I'm willing to do that to get this result. Awesome video. Actually in awe.

[@niasworl-mimundoloco3139]

I LOVED THIS VIDEO NEW SUBSCRIBER!! LITERALLY MY BROTHER SAYS IF I MAKE VIDEOS EVERYDAY AM GETTING FAMOUS BUT I TOLD HIM THAT I SHOULD TAKE MY TIME

[@theguyordie]

From my experience I've found one very important component of pleasing the algorithm... It doesn't have to do with raw stats as much as it does to do with 'velocity of stats'. Here's what I mean: on my old graphic design channel, I made an incentive to like the video for a chance to get selected as one of the winners of a free design. The ROI was absolutely insane. Because of the initial boost of views from subscribers, and each subscriber was likely to engage with a comment and a like rating, KZbin saw that velocity (first 48hr evaluation cutoff) as really good. After passing 48hrs I consistently noticed a recommendation boost from Browse Features in traffic sources. This was usually without fail. I know that this is probably dated information (1/2yrs ago), and that there are a lot of other factors (of course), this is my own personal finding, and maybe it's helpful.... Look at the derivatives my dude. 🤙

[@Zikiro]

This is so funny to see your old channel I remember seeing some of these videos a long time ago. I found this channel randomly one time, but had no idea the connection. As they say life goes in a circle.

[@SidekickNick]

Goddamn, even though you probably won't see this. I remember meeting you at X15 (being your first fan IRL) and I remember those summer nights of Minecraft streams with the old moderator crew, and just having so much fun watching your content as a 12 year old. God miss those days but I am glad your pursuing your passion and really doing what's best for you. I really enjoy your vlogs now but won't forget about the old days.

[@kyler9579]

I agree that you are most likely getting more views over time due to your content being meaningful to your viewers. I subbed to you for the fact that you actually show yourself coding and what you are thinking about while trying to accomplish a task which is far more valuable than "Here is how you print 'Hello World' in C". I find it extremely difficult to find anything beyond "Tutorials" that you could just go to the languages website and find if you would just read the documentation. Where other KZbinrs just talk about coding or the atmosphere of work, you are actually showing yourself working or setting things up which leaves the viewer with a better sense of whats "Real" while also entertaining your viewers. One of my favorite things is that you may even post a video explaining how your initial idea isn't possible. It just feels authentic and not just some character that likes coding. The KZbin algorithm may be what initially exposed your viewers to your channel but, it is the content that actually keeps them here. Keep it up. Looking forward to the next video.

[@blondiebytes]

Yeah - with the algorithm, most videos either win or lose recommendation status in the first day. Great to see you had one where that wasn't the case

[@javascriptmastery]

I agree, nowadays KZbin algorithm is picking up the value of videos really good. I started this channel a month ago, and by providing value, I'm almost at 500! Cheers! 😀

[@justgame5508]

The day in the life video introduced me to your channel, thank you KZbin algorithm

[@szaboat]

CONTENT IS KING! Keep it up Devon and thanks for sharing!

[@senlol7225]

Finally the gear he uses, that keyboard dope especially. :D

[@Drie237]

Wow I was feeling demotivated, I'm always asking myself if my channel will go anywhere.. One thing you have just taught me is to add value to my videos and honestly it makes perfect sense. From now on I will try to implement such in every video I post.

[@RevTheGame]

I'll try this with my future videos. One video I made had someone comment within seconds that it was in their recommendations which surprised me. I didn't know that videos with zero views could appear on the homepage.

[@ZaveryV]

So glad there's more uploads. Every video is dope.

[@SilasStudios]

Didn’t know you were at it again, glad you’re back x

[@lizard9159]

Man your videos are my chill doses :)

[@0an0ym0us]

Plot twist there is no algorithm, just a fan helping the channel out

[@Wheezr]

Hey Devon, I have a idea or two. Can you make a video on your Linux setup since I want to try Linux? Also, can you please make a PC setup/specs update? Thanks you.

[@HILTEEPH]

hey man!!! new sub here! i watched your vlog about your day in computer science class,and its freaking good!! and also now I have a sneak peek of what kind of mess I will tackle on hahahha. any way I found your vids inspiring cuz I will take computer science course in college to be a game designer.

[@maxiemo8675]

Hey man! I watch your videos a lot because they're cool and interesting, I also watch them to get motivation to code since I code myself :D and it's worked so far xD I also find the videos that are out of context interesting and fun to watch You've done great so far so I want to congratulate you and for you to keep going because I see potential in you man, and I think your viewers would agree also, have a great day/night and keep up the good work :D :P

[@ScareMe]

I remember watching your current videos from a year ago as a result of watching your MC videos. Damn

[@289528]

I love your videos, so does alot more people from Brazil like me, Keep up the good work, you inspire alot of people including me

[@gabrielnunes4267]

thank you for coming back!

[@satyanshsagar2013]

long time no clickbait. nice to see you work again.

[@NaeemAcademy]

why r u not uploading the video bro

[@javasyndicate713]

LED music visualiser, thats reallly cool, I clicked it again & again, until now :)

[@niraamaydileep7799]

Devon ur the best . can I ask 2 questions? 1) are u gonna stream on twitch since Kn the website there is a link to ur twitch? 2)can u do a video on how u learned programming and how u learn from reading documentation? Pls reply

[@henri1195]

He literally learns by reading the documentation and searching about stuff on Google. It's not hard, but it demands more searching from you since not everything isn't in one place.

[@BeLikeNexus]

Yeah I’d love a video on learning from documentation. I’m fluent in java but I feel like documentation can be so unnecessarily confusing

[@Wereld03]

Luke J. / Nexus i must say java is the worst language as in documentation, it could be just be but javadocs suck. The python and nodejs docs aand docs for their libs are way better.

[@neewi_]

Please reply

[@brujua7]

@@Wereld03 When was the last time you program in java? your IDE had javadocs embebed? They are very good in my opinion. Im starting in python and java´s are better i feel.

[@SolarHeavy]

Whatsup man! Musician here, and commenting on videos seems to trigger the algo for me, idk why

[@JustinDon]

Can never know too much about the algorithm as a creator...

[@harblot]

good job Devon we r with u😉

[@d-generationtech3739]

Hey Devon!! I really want to see your developing environment

[@danielarledge7017]

I mean...I come partly because I love your channel and partly because I love your music selection ;)

[@gon8330]

Love your videos, always very high quality and rich of valuable information, keep it up!

[@ElecJason]

OMG can you please remake the DIY led visualiser. I've been trying to make it for ages but unfortunately you didn't show any of the circuits clear in the video. Please make a more indepth tutorial and show us the circuit

[@ElecJason]

It's also the video how I found your amazing channel!!

[@AnshumanFauzdar]

Hey bud, I made a better version like that of Devon, check it out on my github - github.com/AnshumanFauzdar/Sound-and-music-reactive-ESP8266-WS2812B

[@ElecJason]

@@AnshumanFauzdar I want one for the arduino uno. And I like the wave effect more with the frequenty to volt circuit

[@AnshumanFauzdar]

@@ElecJason contact me on reddit (u/AlphaFolker)

[@ElecJason]

@@AnshumanFauzdar I would first have to make a reddit account

[@hanneskasch5538]

That SEO - LOL. Great Job Devon!

[@crunchyeiov349]

The funny part is your deleted videos are still not deleted, they're stored in databases.

[@Naruto9609]

Can you make a vlog about your new PC setup, and also, how it affects your coding process?

[@thezentrader]

LOVE these types of videos. Keep it up!!!

[@ReazerDev]

Man your Setup is my Dream! But since I'm 15 and living at my Parents, I only have one room and not enough space :/ Love your Vids!

[@yonatanefrem]

Why did you stop making videos. Your journey as a developer really inspires me as an indie developer and designer myself

[@Archive0o]

I wonder the same myself

[@over00lordunknown12]

Man, back in 2014 and 2015 Minecraft was popping off big time! I used to play it for hours every day.

[@knightthompson2938]

Dude your setup is lit!

[@Layniacsofficial]

Yeah it is. That's why you have to go back to old videos and keep your tags updated. An algorithm is all about ranked search terms.

[@JakobovYT]

Great video man! You inspire me so much, I am going to start making my own content one day!

[@hamzaelasri9051]

Hey man nice vid !! Can you make some vlogs about you programming and learning new stuff ? I think many people would lvoe to see that :)

[@TryHardNinja]

Sorry man but this is half the information the title promises. It’s very useful information that a video should add value to a stranger. It’s equally as important to know how to make content like that which is what this video also should have included. Otherwise no one is “hacking” anything because they can’t actually do what you do. “Make videos a stranger would click on?” ..... the next logical question is “how?” That’s exactly what this video is missing.

[@Retrovergo]

great video mate, been here from the start:)

[@sleeplessdev7204]

So adorable to hear your journey through puberty in those Minecraft videos :3

[@iAmCrunchy1]

*algorithm exposed*

[@wealthglowup24]

I just applied these tips, and got my first viral video.

[@pierrelemaigre]

the first time i see one of your video was the video life of cs student, yt at is finest

[@c.8878]

the 1000 fps video brought me to watch Devon Crawford videos until now

[@maxcohn3228]

You're easily one of the best programming channels on KZbin. How do you go about getting ideas for all of your projects? I feel like I struggle in finding ideas for things to do, but I can do them no problem.

[@Silc0ne]

It'd be interesting to see the analytics of this video after a while. Can you share that eventually?

[@RineshAndrews]

Thanks for sharing your valuable ideas ! :)

[@itoverview-awesomeandroida1492]

First! :D Hope you can avoid the demonetization with that title ;)

[@itoverview-awesomeandroida1492]

I made a video once about how to "hack" games on Android, which were not real hacks, but more like "inspecting" the app. It got demonized.

[@motionfiction9353]

I love ur videos and content man...!

[@jeffreyxD1000]

Hey Devon can you make a video sharing how it was for you when you started learning how to program if it was very hard or you just easily got the hang of it?

[@mohapimatle7734]

When Devon talks about adding value to viewer with the content that he made, to find out in this video that he never hacked the KZbin Algorithm. 😭😭😂 Still love your channel. Keep up the good work and I was one of those people who came in through your 'Day In The Life as a Computer Science Student' video.😁

[@realbarries]

the day in the life one is what made me hit that sub button, so what you did definitely worked..

[@Richard-tu6qc]

Ok first of all the KZbin algorithm

[@kriteshsunghoon]

Damn! if only, memes could be uploaded in the comment section XD

[@vijaydharmaji622]

I clicked on this video as it was the first on my recommended list....good one :)

[@column.01]

Wow this is a really good explanation of how it works. Thank you so much for this insight, and I'm sure this will help people everywhere.

[@thewiedzmin6062]

Day in the life was my first introduction to you! I guess the algorithm ain't that broken!

[@CalebEckenrode]

The algorithm is about as unfair as it gets! Anyone else agree?

[@stevenfrancois8537]

One week, I can't wait!

[@BriangjohnsonTv]

Peace out bro, you took my #1 position for ‘youtube algorithm’. But, I’m not scared, because ‘youtube algorithm’. I dug your video and just messing ... kinda, bro.

[@Fonshway]

Some of my videos that I've spent 10+ hours on sit at around 3-4k views. Some of my videos that I made playing a game for an hour and editing for about 2-3 hours keep getting viewed to this day, despite being uploaded months ago. (They have around 300-400k views and they keep going up) I think it's mostly the titles and thumbnails that do it. It's also about timing and posting videos that are relevant at the time and offer value (example: when rdr2 came out, that was the perfect time for me to post tips and trick videos on it) if I tried posting videos like that now, I wouldn't get as many views as I did. Consistency is another thing, and KZbin definitely rewards you for it (it keeps your channel relevant) something I should probably do a little more. Those highly viewed videos don't mean much if you're not staying on the map. Just look at Soulja boy lol

[@lennertvanhoof8177]

You're doing a great job! Why did you change from Ubuntu to Windows 10?

[@nibodhdaware]

I am watching these videos on repeat as there are no new one's

[@podkriznik4002]

damn man your setup looks awesome

[@icb_91_]

Yes ! I don't have to wait a month for another video.

[@barisdemirci4374]

You got great videos and its always motivating, really appreciate it. I have a question regarding your own web page. Did you deploy your page on a cloud service or have rented a root / dedicated server? Keep up the great work ^^

[@reallandontells]

super underrated video.

[@KZWavy]

Thx for the tips fam!

[@youreowned7453]

Great video man, keep it up

[@brakbanfacha1882]

KZbin put this on my homepage, yeah sure it was “youtube”...

[@sirasjad]

What camera do you use for recording videos? Is it a webcam or DSLR?

[@mohitmusaddi6392]

Hi, your videos are amazing, Are these monitors are connected to your laptop or u have a cpu?

[@erykszuczynski5089]

OOOHHHHHHH MAAAAAANNN! It's happening! Weekly dose of Devon Crawford :D

[@knussnus1241]

mc sg good old days

[@nullifier_]

Honestly most of the people who speak about the algorithm refer to it as something magic and have no clue at all about how an actual algorithm works. And then comes the dumb thing like putting arrows and circles in the thumbnail. KZbin doesn't automatically promote thumbnails, instead it tracks people's behavior and then it directs it because they are all watching and also have convergent tastes

[@Swanicorn]

I wish KZbin had the kind of setup for Tumblr or pinterest where we have to select what we are interested in. I sometimes feel like I want to watch particular kind of videos like say indie music but with vocals and so I search it on youtube and barely anything relevant comes up. On the contrary if it were interest based then it would recommend me the videos that are watched by other people with similar interest as mine. KZbin clearly is not doing that right now cuz I get 70% crap on my recommended feed.

[@ssjTeXas]

I found your channel through recommended videos. Have loved being a sub since then. But I have a question. Your audio is crystal clear, how? I recorded for an hour and at 40 minutes in, my audio got crazy distorted like I was underwater. Any ideas? Using Blue Snowball black, and Audacity.

[@GuidLocksport]

hey i see ur switching between linux (i think ubuntu) and windows any idea how you do this since depending on the time you have a different OS

[@guyyoumeetincommands8825]

I was thinking you are some random canal but when you show the music visualizer video i just get its you xD

[@collinswanyeki]

Bro what do you use for video editing

[@thabo5799]

Oh oh, its been 2 weeks without a video guys :'(

[@RedspartHD]

I”mage video processing” like content based video search/analysis? I did that for my senior thesis. Good luck!

[@12ohad]

How to hack the youtube Algorithm? Make a video with a title like "Hacking the youtube algorithm " works every time.