Is your Audience even ON YouTube? Here’s how to find out

How to Find Your Audience on YouTube? Ever wondered if anyone would actually watch your YouTube videos?

I get it – I had the same doubts when I started!

In this video, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about finding your people on YouTube

(spoiler: they’re definitely here!).

As someone who’s spent years helping creators find their audience, I’ll walk you through exactly how to spot where your future viewers are hanging out.

If you’re not sure whether YouTube is the right platform for you, have you ever wondered if your audience is even ON YouTube?

Like… how would you know?!

It might not seem obvious, but there are easy ways to detect whether your target audience is even on YouTube.

VIDEO: Is your Audience even ON YouTube? Here’s how to find out | Ep. 40

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The Importance of Knowing Your Audience

If your ideal audience is online, they are likely on YouTube. With a staggering 2.5 billion monthly active users, YouTube stands as one of the most significant platforms for content consumption. This statistic is not just a number; it signifies immense potential for content creators. If you can tap into this vast pool of users, the opportunities for growth and engagement are limitless.

Consider these key factors why YouTube should be part of your content strategy:

YouTube is the most used platform among American adults according to Pew Research
It boasts 2.5 billion monthly active users worldwide
YouTube is owned by Google and ranks as the second largest search engine globally
People use YouTube both to search for answers and to immerse themselves in topics they’re passionate about.

Growing an audience on YouTube isn’t just about bringing over followers from Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok. Instead, the key is leveraging YouTube’s massive platform to attract viewers who are already searching for content like yours. With millions of active users, the opportunity to reach the right audience is huge—you just need the right strategy.

Finding Your Audience in the YouTube Algorithm

Rather than wondering whether your audience is on YouTube, the real question is: How do you connect with them? The answer lies in understanding YouTube’s algorithm and strategically positioning your content so it appears right in front of the people who need it most. By optimizing your videos, using targeted keywords, and engaging with the YouTube community, you can ensure your content reaches the right viewers at the right time.

When adding YouTube to your content mix, the goal isn’t to migrate your existing audience from Instagram or Facebook. Instead, it’s about using YouTube to attract users who are already on the platform and are a perfect fit for your content.

Here are four (4) proven strategies to locate your audience within YouTube’s vast ecosystem:

1. Researching Your Niche

To effectively find your audience, start by searching for your niche on YouTube. This initial step is crucial in identifying existing channels and content that resonate with your target market. Utilize YouTube’s search and recommendation features to explore what’s currently trending in your niche.

This might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many content creators skip this fundamental step. Go to YouTube’s search bar and enter the primary keywords for your niche. Look for channels creating content around topics similar to yours.

Finding existing channels in your niche is a positive sign—a green flag indicating that your ideal audience is indeed on YouTube. They’re watching these creators’ videos, which means they’ll likely be interested in your unique perspective too.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking, “This channel already exists, so why should I create mine?” There’s always room for a fresh perspective. As marketing expert John Lee Dumas wisely said, “You don’t pick a niche; you create a niche.”

Look at the subscriber counts of these existing channels. Whether they have hundreds, thousands, or millions of subscribers, a substantial following indicates a captive audience interested in the topics you want to discuss.

2. Evaluating Engagement

Once you’ve identified potential channels in your niche, it’s time to evaluate their engagement. Look for channels that boast high view counts relative to their subscriber numbers. This metric is a strong indicator of active audience engagement and genuine interest in the content. Pay attention to metrics such as views, likes, and comments to gauge how well the audience is connecting with the content. High engagement levels suggest that there is a thriving community around that niche, which you can tap into.

Let’s say you find a creator with 30,000 subscribers. Check their videos from the last six months to a year. Are they getting around 200 views per video, or are they seeing 5,000-10,000 views?

When a channel’s videos consistently receive more views than their subscriber count, that’s a clear indication they’ve found a pocket in the algorithm. They may not even realize it, but you now have valuable intelligence about where audience engagement exists.

High view counts and active comment sections are proof positive that real humans—potential members of your audience—are eagerly consuming content on these topics. They just haven’t found you yet because you’re not there!

3. Identifying Content Gaps

The third stop on your YouTube research journey is to search for highly specific questions within your niche—the kind that represent your ideal content sweet spot.

Conduct specific searches for niche topics to uncover unanswered questions or content gaps. This is where your creativity comes into play. Think about how you can fill these gaps with your unique perspective and expertise. By addressing topics that are not widely covered, you position yourself as a valuable resource for your audience. This not only helps in attracting viewers but also establishes your authority in the niche.

For example, if your channel focuses on video editing software, you might search for “how to create a voice over in Descript” rather than just “Descript tutorials.”

Pay attention to these search results:

Do they actually answer the specific question you searched for?
How many views do these videos have compared to the channel’s subscriber count?
How recent are these videos? Are they from last month or five years ago?

When you discover a specific question that people are asking (perhaps in Facebook groups or other communities), but the YouTube results are outdated or don’t precisely answer the question. You’ve identified a content gap you can fill.

4. Analyzing Engagement Indicators

Take a peek at the actual comments in the videos

Comments on videos can be a goldmine for gauging audience interest. Analyze the comments section to see what viewers are discussing. Look for detailed questions and discussions, as these indicate a strong interest in the topic. This feedback can inform your content creation strategies, allowing you to tailor your videos to meet the needs and interests of your audience.

Beyond view counts, comments provide valuable insight into audience engagement. When reviewing videos in your niche, look beyond the simple “great video” comments. Pay special attention to:

Detailed comments with follow-up questions
Users who add their own insights or experiences
Discussions that emerge between commenters

Embracing the Process of Finding Your Niche

There is a significant opportunity for creators on YouTube, and embracing the process of finding your niche is essential. Be adaptable and responsive to audience feedback; this will not only help you refine your content but also foster a loyal community around your channel. Remember, “You don’t pick a niche, you create a niche.”, your journey is unique, and your niche will evolve as you grow and learn.

Conclusion

In summary, understanding your audience on YouTube is a vital step for any content creator. By conducting thorough research, evaluating engagement, identifying content gaps, and analyzing audience feedback, you can effectively connect with your ideal viewers.

Exciting things are happening this week! Inside Video Brand Academy, I’m launching the very first 90 Days to 1K YouTube Subscribers Boot Camp, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. This program is designed to help you strategically grow your channel and reach that first big milestone—1,000 subscribers!

If you’re ready to take your YouTube presence to the next level, be sure to check out the link in the show notes and episode description. And don’t worry if you can’t join live—every session will be recorded so you can access it anytime.

If you have an online business with a course, program, or any other kind of offer, and you’re not currently generating consistent sales on autopilot, I’d like to introduce you to the hands-off YouTube funnel that has made me over $20k on a $147 course! That way, you too can make consistent sales of your offer, with the beauty and simplicity of organic, evergreen traffic from YouTube! Start here with my free “AIT Method” training.