YouTube Channel Audit

YouTube is a matching system, not a ranking system. The algorithm doesn't pit videos against each other — it matches content to each individual viewer. Key factors: satisfaction score (was the viewer glad they watched?), session resonance (did they stay on YouTube afterward?), semantic fingerprint (a numerical description of your content), and demand vs supply (how much people want the topic). CTR comes last — a high CTR without satisfaction gets your reach suppressed.

Session resonance signals whether a viewer stays on YouTube after watching your video. If they go on to watch another video (ideally one of yours), the algorithm shows your video to more people. To improve it: build playlists, add end screens that recommend your videos, and lead viewers to the next episode in a series.

Three key settings: 1) Channel Keywords — hidden keywords for your whole channel (YouTube Studio → Settings → Channel). 2) Upload Defaults — a default description and tags for every video. 3) Default Tags — 2-5 tags added to every video automatically. Together, they help the algorithm understand what your channel is about from your very first videos.

Because CTR isn't the main signal. The algorithm weighs satisfaction (was the viewer glad they watched?) and session resonance more heavily than CTR. A video with a 6% CTR and a high satisfaction score can easily beat one with a 14% CTR and poor retention. Topic demand matters too: videos in a niche that's short on good content take off faster.

Paste a YouTube channel link. Gemini AI analyzes it through the lens of today's YouTube algorithm: matching score, semantic fingerprint, demand vs supply in your niche, session resonance, and hidden settings. Get actionable recommendations in 20-40 seconds.