Renee Richie: "My content is not performing the same. The algorithm must have changed." Discussing creator content performance.

Think Media Podcast posted this video to help content creators understand the latest updates to the YouTube algorithm and learn effective strategies for getting more views and subscribers in 2025. This information is crucial for creators because the YouTube landscape is constantly evolving, and staying up-to-date with algorithm changes and best practices is key to succeeding on the platform.

The video features Renee Richie, a YouTube employee, discussing recent updates and common misconceptions about the algorithm. Early in the discussion, Renee emphasizes that while the algorithm constantly evolves, its foundational elements remain consistent. She addresses the common creator complaint of fluctuating performance, explaining: "Sometimes creators say like, 'My content is not performing the same. The algorithm must have changed.' It's like a blanket statement that's not always true."

Renee Richie further explains that fluctuations often stem from how the algorithm identifies and serves content to new audience pockets. She uses a weather system analogy, stating that the algorithm constantly searches for new audiences. These audiences either consume the content or move on, prompting the algorithm to search again. This dynamic can lead to perceived changes in performance, even if the underlying algorithm hasn't fundamentally shifted. She also explains the significance of viewer journeys, saying: "You want to think of like, someone found my channel through this video, what's the next video that's just a no-brainer for them to click on and watch?"

The core message of the video centers around the importance of understanding viewer psychology and building a consistent brand experience to foster audience growth. As Renee Richie points out: "Once you understand why they're choosing you, you can start giving them more of that love. And it's not sort of like people don't always remember exactly what every video is about, but they remember how you made them feel." She stresses that creators should focus on creating content that resonates with their audience and provides a predictable, satisfying experience, much like MrBeast's consistent approach. She advises, "If you look at MrBeast, if you want a MrBeast video and you see that thumbnail and you click, you know exactly what you're going to get."

This emphasis on audience understanding aligns with advice from other experts in the field. vidIQ stresses the importance of "knowing your audience" and "creating content that resonates with them." Similarly, Hootsuite emphasizes the importance of "audience retention" and "creating videos that people actually want to watch." Brian G Johnson in the comments section of the video itself says, "This was incredibly insightful! I love how Renee emphasized the power of viewer journeys and understanding your audience's psychology. It's not just about creating good content; it's about creating a consistent and satisfying experience that keeps them coming back for more." Another commenter, Jamie Russo, agrees, stating, "This is exactly what I needed to hear! I've been so focused on trying to 'crack the algorithm' that I forgot about the most important thing: my viewers. Thank you, Renee and Think Media, for this valuable reminder."

Beyond the central message, the video covers several important updates and clarifies common misunderstandings. Renee Richie discusses the change in how YouTube Shorts views are counted, now including impressions as "views" and introducing "engaged views" to track intentional watches. She also addresses the rollout of three-minute Shorts, acknowledging that the algorithm is still learning and adapting to this change. Regarding mid-roll ad placement, Renee Richie explains the new system that allows for manual and automatic placement, giving creators more control over monetization while optimizing for viewer experience. She clarifies that YouTube does not shadowban channels, emphasizing that the platform is incentivized to help creators succeed. Finally, she reassures viewers that YouTube actively supports small creators, even experimenting with ways to surface their content to relevant audiences.

Key takeaways

• Focus on understanding viewer psychology and creating a consistent brand experience.
• Utilize the updated Shorts view metrics and mid-roll ad placement system.
• Don't fall for algorithm myths; YouTube wants creators to succeed.

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