How to get more YouTube subscribers: 10 effective tips

A ton of YouTube subscribers on YouTube may give you some clout – but is it really worth the effort? Yes!

A high number of subscribers is a strong indicator that your reach will continue to grow, and it can even score you money or free swag from the app.

As a content creator, you need at least 1,000 subscribers to enter the YouTube Partner Program and access monetization features. Besides this, you need a minimum of 10,000 followers to earn a Creator Award. Your subscribers can also help you boost reach as they rack up video views, comment, and hit that like button – all actions the YouTube algorithm rewards.

And because a high subscriber count is super valuable, many channels post a wealth of clickbait scams to quickly amass a following. But anyone can grow their subscriber base organically. It just takes a bit of know-how.

Here’s all you need to know about how to get more YouTube subscribers by being yourself, creating excellent content, and learning to perform well on the app.

Why you should get subscribers organically

It may be tempting to use subscriber services to build a following overnight. Who wouldn’t want to propel their channel to fame at lightning speed? But this isn’t how you should try to get more YouTube subscribers.

Buying channel subscribers or trying to earn them by following and liking other channels wastes time and money. The new subscribers you earn may not be interested in your content and won’t interact with your YouTube channel as engaged ones would. This means these followers won’t necessarily help boost your standing with the algorithm by liking or commenting on your videos. They won’t share clips and help expand your reach, either.

But real subscribers will show your channel love and help spread the word about the great content you make. So the best way to get subscribers is by organically growing a fan base and encouraging your followers to stick around by posting quality YouTube videos.

10 tips on how to get more YouTube subscribers for free

You make killer content, and more people deserve to see it. A little strategy can go a long way to getting your videos in front of new audiences and having people push the subscribe button. Here are our top 10 tips on how to get more views and subscribers on YouTube.

• Remind viewers to subscribe: There’s no shame in a call-to-action (CTA). Ask your viewers to hit the subscribe button. Many successful YouTubers do this, and it’s a simple, friendly reminder to your followers that they can stay up on the latest by following your channel.
• Interact with your fans: We love social media platforms because they allow us to connect with like-minded folks and even celebrities. Respond to your fans' comments, answer questions, and subscribe to other creators’ channels. Community-building keeps viewers close, and your approachable attitude can encourage them to subscribe to your channel to keep connecting (and supporting your work).
• Give teasers: Provide your viewers a backstage pass by telling them what you’re working on next. For example, if you have a baking channel, discuss the mouthwatering red velvet cake you’ll demonstrate in your next video. After you drop your teaser, remind people to subscribe.
• Work on your channel’s image: If you’re a business or marketing yourself as an influencer, focus on your brand – use a custom profile photo, banner image, channel description, and channel icon. For instance, add your logo in these spaces. Or, if you have a brand kit, leverage it to keep your colors, graphics, and voice consistent.
• Create a channel trailer: Many of us like to try a product before we buy it, and YouTube viewers may want to see a sneak peek of your content before hitting subscribe. Put your trailer in your channel’s featured video space and include a description that helps viewers know what to expect.

• Make custom video thumbnails: Take your branding further by making custom thumbnails for your videos. This gives a unified look to your channel page and allows you to summarize the content in a catchy headline. New visitors to your page will see a gallery of YouTube content they can’t wait to watch and may just hit that subscribe button.
• Make it easy for users to subscribe: YouTube allows users to add subscribe buttons to their videos, so you can reel people in as they watch. A brand watermark accompanies the button, and you set the point in your video when it appears. You can find this option under “Branding” in the “Customization” menu in YouTube Studio.
• Organize your videos: Curate your videos into YouTube playlists, organizing your clips into content categories. You can put all your cupcake recipes in one and cake decorating tips in another, and when users visit your playlist page, they may just start binge-watching, falling hard for your content, and subscribing.
• Be consistent: Subscribers follow channels to continue watching great content. So if the content rhythm drops, viewers may lose interest. Post videos consistently and organize the uploading schedule by making a content calendar, brainstorming new ideas, and writing scripts beforehand. Be careful not to post too often, either. The idea is to create intrigue, avoid lapses and not overwhelm viewers with more content than they can watch.
• Use YouTube SEO to your advantage: Search engine optimization (SEO) entails using keywords that people frequently search for to lead them to your content. If a viewer searches for the world’s best red velvet cake and this is your video’s title, they may find your clip organically. And organic traction is what you want, as people who connect with your content are more likely to subscribe. You can add keywords to your video descriptions, titles, and hashtags by researching what your target audience wants. Third-party SEO tools, such as Ahrefs, can show you what’s trending. Keyword research may even spark ideas on what kind of content to make to cater to your audience.

What are the most subscribed YouTube channels?

As you strategize on how to get more subscribers for your account, look to the experts. Who has the most YouTube subscribers, and what’s so great about their profiles? Here are the top five YouTube accounts with their subscriber count (at the time of writing) and why they shine.

1. T-Series (240M subscribers): This is an Indian record label that produces Bollywood songs, pop music videos, and film trailers in 10+ local languages, such as Hindi, Punjabi, and Marathi. It has been the most-viewed channel for six years. The channel leverages all types of content on YouTube – Shorts, Playlists, Live, and more.
2. Cocomelon (158M subscribers): This channel features children’s videos organized into playlists like dance songs and new clips inviting parents to push “Play All” and keep their kids entertained for hours. Cocomelon also promotes its friendly brand from its custom banner to bright thumbnails.
3. Sony Entertainment Television India (155M subscribers): The channel features reality shows, daily soaps, comedy dramas, and more, catering to its large subscriber base. It creates playlists based on shows, making it easier for viewers to binge-watch content.
4. MrBeast (148M subscribers): Stuntman MrBeast invites viewers to follow his channel with a strong CTA, “Subscribe for a cookie,” which he even features on his custom banner. It seems the YouTuber and philanthropist makes good on his word – he donates cookies.
5. PewDiePie (111M subscribers): This Swedish YouTuber's channel features gaming clips and the content creator’s adventures. He’s made it big simply because people love his humor and style. Making quality video content is always the first and best step toward gaining a following.

Drive more traffic to your YouTube page with Linktree

Another way to find YouTube subscribers is by bringing followers from other platforms. Use a Linktree URL, which branches out into your entire web presence, in your social media bios, and include a link to your YouTube account.

You can also learn more about how to become a successful YouTuber by reading Linktree’s articles on everything from how to promote your music to how to market your channel.