15 Top YouTube Mistakes That Hurt You in the 2026 Algorithm

This post was originally published in [2025] and has been fully updated for 2026 with new data and tools.

If your views have plummeted recently, it’s not because you’ve lost your touch—it’s because the rules of the game have changed.

In 2026, YouTube has pivoted from prioritizing raw clicks to measuring “user satisfaction” and behavioral signals.

Many creators are still using 2024 strategies, which have now become major YouTube mistakes that hurt you in the 2026 algorithm.

These 15 YouTube algorithm Mistakes might be hurting you…

• Not Having a Plan
• Having a Weak Hook
• YouTube SEO
• Not Having Consistant Schedule
• Not Optimizing Thumbnails
• Having Fluff and Long Intros
• Having NO Call to Action
• Not Engaging in Comments
• Not Creating Playlists or Series
• End Screens
• Quitting Too Early After Low Views
• Shorts and Normal Videos
• NOT Repurposing Videos
• Publishing Low-Quality Audio or Video
• Ignoring Viewer Retention Stats
• Not Being Niche

Keep reading, and I’ll share how to improve in all these 15 areas. Plus, I’ll share a nifty way to make more cash with YouTube than your grandma’s secret bingo fund.

The Top YouTube Mistake for the 2025 Algorithm is Not Having a Plan

If you mess up everything else, but you have a decent plan and stick to it, you still have a good chance of succeeding.

Are you making a YouTube channel for..

• Money
• To help the world
• To get attention
• To market a business

It doesn’t matter the reason, “I firmly believe” that having an opt-in page and collecting emails will skyrocket your growth. You will gain…

• Having direct access to your audience
• You own the list
• Can promote multiple offers
• Can contact someone WAY into the future
• Promote your other content
• Do list swaps
• Easier to get accepted into affiliate programs
• MUCH higher conversion rate
• Great for launching products
• Get valuable feedback
• Protects you from algorithmic changes
• More personalized marketing

Even if you’re trying to save the “earth,” you will do more good by collecting emails. You should at least have the landing page set up before you start your channel.

You “don’t” even need that many views on YouTube if you know what you’re doing with email! It’s that powerful.

If you’re not sure how to collect emails or how to send and create them, I have free guides that explain all this to you by clicking on the link HERE.

Big Video GamePlan

Having a plan for videos is also a good idea. What I recommend is having content clusters. Below is my kindergarten drawing of what it would look like.

You make 1 video that is your hub video that directs someone to a free gift and a landing page. In exchange for the free gift, you get their email address.

Then you make a bunch of videos that point to that first video.

The reason you want to do this is that if someone watches 2 or more of your videos in a certain amount of time, YouTube considers them a "subscriber" EVEN if they don't hit the subscribe button.

Plus it helps your videos rank and get more views. Speaking to men, this means you just have to go on a few dates before making your move. Instead of making the move on date 1.

Small Video GamePlan

Also, it helps to have a bunch of video ideas already planned.

You don't have to do this, but it's nice. This is very easy to do, just go to ChatGPT HERE, and type in "give me 50 video ideas on the topic "__" and you will get a bunch of ideas on what to create a video about.

Why the First 5 Seconds is the Biggest YouTube Mistake Beginners Make

The algorithm "heavily" favors people watching your videos past the first 15 seconds. This is why you want a strong hook (sort of like hooking a fish). Here are a few ideas on how to make a stronger hook...

• Start With a Bold Statement or Shocking Fact! Example: 99% of bloggers are making this mistake - and it's REALLY hurting their website. Something like this interrupts their pattern and creates curiosity.

• Speak Directly to the Viewer’s Pain Point! Example: Are you making videos and not getting the views you want? Notice how I did something similar at the beginning of this post? This method can poke at their pain and build more of an emotional connection.

• Use a Countdown or Time-Based Promise! Example: In just 3 minutes, I'm going to share how to double your YouTube views. This can work because the viewer sees the benefit. I never use it because I don't like getting boxed into a time. Also, make sure you finish within the time you promised!

• Tease the Outcome Without Giving It All Away! Example: By the end of this video, you will know exactly how to rank a blog post. This works because it creates a clear incentive to stay until the end.

Of course, a great idea is to use ChatGTP to give you 10 hooks on the topic "___" and pick the hook you like.

How Neglecting YouTube SEO Will Kill Your YouTube Video Views

We make videos primarily for people; however, a machine is organizing the videos. The machine does the job of recommending certain videos to certain people.

This is why we also have to make videos for the "algorithm" or machine. I call it dummy-proofing them.

You can do this by optimizing your title, description, and tags. You also want to optimize your channel. I created a post about 10 of the most overlooked settings for YouTubers HERE.

How Inconsistent Uploading Schedules Hurt Your Reach in the 2026 Algorithm

Honestly, an inconsistent schedule is one of my weaknesses. I just finished the 1,000th episode of a Podcast called "Econtalk," and the host was inconsistent with uploading episodes in the early days, and his audience didn't like it.

They would go to listen to a new episode, and it was "old stuff" there. This hurts trust. I've heard the same stuff with TikTok, where 1 creator posted every day and then took a few days off, and the next time he posted a video, his reach was WAY down.

The same thing happens with YouTube.

What I recommend is uploading 1 YouTube video a week (say on Monday). Then, on Tuesday, make the video, but hold off on uploading it until (next Monday).

If you create a third video, then it's a bonus.

So, 1 video a week is consistent, and everything else is the playground. If you're going on vacation, then you can schedule a few videos in advance.

If you're not sure, you can post 1 video a week, try to cut out editing.

You can go MUCH faster. On that EconTalk Podcast, the host mentioned he never edited, and these were 1 hour long Podcasts.

You could also make shorter videos. A VERY short video is better than nothing.

Why Boring Thumbnails Are the Reason Your YouTube Views Are Low

If nobody clicks on your video, then the "entire" video doesn't matter. This is why titles and Thumbnails are SO important.

To be honest, I've grown a "HUGE" YouTube channel maybe 10 years ago with NO custom thumbnails—but times have changed.

You want to give yourself the best edge you can. Thumbnails and titles are more important than the video itself.

It's the engine of the train!

I created a post on the top 10 tips for creating clickable thumbnails and how to create thumbnails (step-by-step) for free at this post HERE.

How Fluff and Long Intros can Hurt a Youtube Channel

Don't you hate it when you're looking for an answer and can't find it? It's the same thing with your viewers.

This is when, on my blog for example, I put the answer in the beginning (even bold it).

People's attention spans are SHORT. Long intros and not getting to the point will force someone to click another video.

The first 15 seconds are "everything."

Plus, I used to hate those long intro videos some channels had. It's so stroking someone's ego.

How NO Call to Action in Videos Hurts a YouTube Channel

One of the worst pieces of advice I've heard is someone saying to make 6 TikTok videos with no call to action, then on the 7th have a call to action.

Every TikTok video has a chance to go viral. If you make a video without a call to action, and then it goes viral (That's going to suck).

It's the same with YouTube.

Some of my videos pop and "get LOTS of views", and some suck. But I have a call to action in ALL my videos.

Usually, it's ONLY 1 call to action at the end of the video.

If you tell someone too many things to do "the confused" brain doesn't do any of them.

Usually, my call to action is to watch another video, sometimes it's a link to my website or landing page. I very rarely ask someone to subscribe or leave a comment.

My call to actions are at the end, too. I've seen some YouTubers put it at the beginning, and that looks desperate, but I used to do the same thing.

Lastly, it's not a bad idea to ask a question in the comments to help engagement, and this can help your video get seen more.

How Not Engaging with Comments Hurts a Channel

If someone takes the time to leave a comment, they are honoring you. Even if it's a nasty comment, they took their time (out of their busy schedule) to write to you.

If you can respond to all comments, that is better. Many times I've written "thanks for the comment." Even a heart, which can take 1 second.

Nasty Comments can hurt. The last 2 days, I've been getting destroyed on Reddit (some of those comments were funny).

I recommend trying to laugh about it.

Remember, every comment helps your video reach more people. YouTube looks at engagement! So embrace Trolls. Laugh it off and keep moving!

How Not Creating Playlists or Series Can Hurt a YouTube Channel

This is one of the areas that I need to improve in myself. You might be wondering what is SO cool about a playlist. I used to think this way!

Playlist autoplay to the next video. This increases "watchtime" and helps your videos do better and get seen more.

Another cool tip is that "playlists" can show up in the search results and be indexed as a separate piece of content.

Other benefits is it helps the YouTube algorithm understand what your channel is about. It helps your channel look more organized. Plus, it keeps people on YOUR content, and that is good.

Lastly, playlists work "great" with my content cluster strategy. The entire content cluster can be 1 playlist. Each video links to another video, and then 1 video links to your landing page.

How Skipping End Screens Can Hurt a YouTube Channel

End Screens are "amazing," and I've been using them a ton recently. This is the boxes that show up at the end of your video that someone can easily click on. These could be...

• A link to another YouTube video
• Subscribe button
• Playlist
• External link

The bad news is that someone has to be enrolled in the Partner Program to get an external link "end screen." In order to qualify for the Partner Program, a channel needs...

The Partner Program also means you can run ads and earn money. The good news is you can always just include a link to an external website in the description of your YouTube video.

A video also has to be more than 25 seconds to have an end screen. How I use them is to promote another one of my videos.

Quitting Too Early After Low Views is Very Bad for a YouTube Channel

I get it, we all want results VERY fast.

Just remember that every video you make can continue to get views WAY into the future. I recently saw a training class on a TikTok Shop, and I saw the exact view counts on each day a video went viral.

There were barely any views for 4 days.

Then on day 5-7 It hit 500,000 views.

Normal YouTube videos can take months to go viral. You just don't know! I've had videos I made years ago that still get good traction.

Remember, the #2 website in the world is YouTube, and it gets 2.5 billion monthly active users to the website.

It's good to look at other business models, platforms, strategies, but video IS "YouTube" and video is here to stay.

It doesn't hurt to have some YouTube as a part of your overall plan!

Not Using Shorts and Normal Videos can hurt a YouTube Channel

Honestly, both types have their uses.

They both target different audiences. YouTube Shorts can attract new viewers quickly by being discovered in the Shorts feed.

Long-form videos build a better relationship and help build trust. You want both!

Every view, like, comment, or subscription sends good signals about your channel. YouTube also likes "watch time," which long-form videos help with.

My Short videos are usually 15-20 seconds long. Sometimes I just like to go deeper into topics for my own sanity, too.

I would say Shorts are better to make now. For example, I make 6-8 short videos for every 1-2 long-form YouTube videos.

A really nifty strategy is to make 1 normal YouTube video. Then you could break that video up and create 5 short videos from it.

This way, you compete for both audiences. If you really want to dominate with Short videos, I created a FREE guide, and you can check that out from this place HERE.

How NOT Repurposing Videos is Hurting a YouTube Channel

The power of creating content to me is leverage. This means doing the work once and continuing to get paid for it.

Leverage could also mean getting more stuff done with less work. Sort of like leveraging a car to travel.

Did you know there is "a lot" you can do with just 1 YouTube video? There are other places to post the SAME video.

You can do very little work and get more views! For a full list of places to post a video, you can check out this post HERE.

Publishing Low-Quality Audio or Video

I've heard 80% of a video is the audio. I do buy into this because I've tried to watch a movie before with stellar graphics, but the audio was just a little off, and I couldn't do it.

It's the same reason why "podcasts" and audiobooks are popular right now. Heck, I listen to more audiobooks than actually reading a book.

Investing in a little better microphone can "really" help a channel.

Video and light can also be of some help, but not as much as the audio. To learn more about how to get the best microphone and equipment for the lowest price, you can view this post I made HERE.

How Ignoring Viewer Retention Stats Can Hurt a Channel

Now and then, it's good to see what is working and what isn't. Just be brutally honest!

Be careful of going overboard and going crazy over your stats. You could look at it once a month, maybe once a week "at most."

You just don't want to get in the habit of looking at how you're doing every day. To view "viewer retention," go to your YouTube Studio and click on "analytics."

Then look and see where people are clicking away. If there is a pattern of people dropping in the beginning, you know you need stronger hooks.

Just look for a pattern in when people leave your video, then try to make improvements in that area to keep viewers!

How Not Being Niche Can Be Good for a YouTuber

I made this mistake early on.

Making completely different videos on different topics because I was interested in everything.

This is why content clusters are SO good.

You don't have to stay in niche jail; you can slowly migrate to other niches just slowly. If you have a fishing channel, you can slowly start a content cluster on fishing boats or fishing locations.

If your videos are all over the place, then you're going to struggle!

Conclusion

YouTube is an amazing platform! You can build trust, credibility, and get FREE advertising on almost anything.

Many people let fear, self-doubt, and negativity prevent them from starting. Some people let "trolls" stop them, too!

Just jump in, make crappy videos, and always try to improve. What's the worst that can happen? You get NO views and some troll comments.

As long as you can deal with that, you're good.

Of course, I did recently watch a story about a YouTuber making fun of another YouTuber dressed as a clown, and 2 people got shot over it. I guess maybe don't make fun of clowns too!

For the full 10 steps to starting a YouTube channel, click on the link HERE.