A ‘let’s play’ is or gameplay video is content that almost any gaming creator can make. It involves one or more gamers who collaborate on Roblox, Fortnite, Fall Guys, or any of the popular games circulating the web right now.

With so many fun titles about, let's play videos are extremely popular - and for good reason. They're hugely entertaining for both the participants and the viewer, plus that type of content can be an important part of 

With that being said, you need to have a specific strategy when posting gameplay content. To discover what this strategy entails and whether you can 

How Popular Are Let's Play & Gameplay Videos on YouTube?

Before we dive in, let’s discuss how popular these types of videos are on YouTube. We had a gut feeling that gamers loved them, but we decided to get an official answer using a vidIQ community poll. 

We had one simple question to ask our audience: In your free time, what type of gaming videos do you watch on YouTube?

As we suspected, let's play videos won in a landslide with 53% of votes. Montages of funny gaming moments came in second with 23% of voters choosing that option.

Like most gamers, you may have built your channel around those topics. But even with this extra fanfare around them, you might not be seeing significant growth. Now, this doesn’t mean you should stop making let’s play videos or gaming montages. There will always be a time and place for gamers to sit down, hit record, and play games with their audience.

However, if that’s the only content you create, it's time to rethink your strategy. 

To get more views in the gaming space, try your hand at informative content too, such as how to's, reviews, and listicles. 

, and that’s what’s going to help you grow your channel over time. 

To learn more about this, watch our explainer video about gameplay content and how it should be executed within your YouTube strategy:

Do a search on YouTube using the terms ‘lets play’ and 'gameplay' and you’ll see a list of videos from massive, million-subscriber channels. That’s your competition, and the only way to stand out is by sharing with valuable, informative content.

Roblox Let's Play Videos: Could You Rank on YouTube For the Term?

To determine just how stacked the competition can be for lets plays, we used vidIQ’s keyword tool to get a score for certain search terms. A low score means a video optimized with a specific keyword may not perform well on YouTube; a high score means it could get many views. For our keyword test, we typed ‘Roblox lets play’ into YouTube’s search bar.

Immediately, we got some promising data. ‘Roblox lets play’ had a high search volume, which means people were actively looking for that kind of content. But unfortunately, competition for the search term was too high to capitalize on. That resulted in a low score, as shown below:

This data tells us everything we need to know about the likelihood of a Roblox lets play video taking off on YouTube. And guess what? The search results page tells us even more.

At the top of the list, we saw a channel with ‘let's play’ in its name dominating with at least three videos. Below that were videos from creators with millions of subscribers who post regular Roblox content, which is hard to compete with. 

An additional search using the term ‘Roblox gameplay’ displayed some older but popular videos. This is what we call evergreen content. These videos were at the top of the search results, and new creators would have a hard time ranking for the keywords attached to those videos.

If you're a small to medium-sized channel, your competition is established YouTubers. Some of them may have teams helping them do their research and create clickable thumbnails. This is why we at vidIQ encourage creators to upload high-value videos, such as how to's and listicles. It may not be the content you search for on YouTube, but understand that this content isn't for you - it's for your audience.

How to Get Your Videos Recommended To Viewers on YouTube

When YouTube recommends your gaming videos to viewers, that does three things for your channel:

Helps you penetrate YouTube’s competitive gaming niche

Here’s an example of how this works in real-time. Let’s say popular YouTuber 

 uploads a let’s play video about a new Minecraft mod: rocket boots. He doesn’t cover the subject deeply, which sparks some curiosity among his fans about the mod’s finer details. You see this as an opportunity to stand out, so you upload an in-depth video about the mod, improving upon the information Jelly left out.

Most likely, Jelly’s fans will search for more Minecraft rocket boots content after he addresses it on his channel. Fortunately, that gives your rocket boots video a good chance of being discovered on YouTube. In fact, if enough people stumble upon your video while searching the term ‘rocket boots in Minecraft’, YouTube may recommend it alongside larger creators’ Minecraft videos.

From there, it's just a matter of letting YouTube’s algorithm work its magic. Your video will be shown to more viewers, and that could lead to higher views and new subscribers.

To Make Your Content Stand Out, Do Some Video Research

As you can see, the method above requires research. You have to be willing to watch videos on the topic you’re planning to cover and create even better content to reach success. This usually includes researching the title, length, and thumbnails of other videos.

If you’ve never thought about your toughest competitors’ video thumbnails, it’s time to make it a priority! Thumbnails are often the first thing viewers see and play a huge role in their decision to click on a video.

Luckily, there’s a vidIQ tool that can help you in this department. When you’re on a video upload page, navigate to the left side of the screen and find a section that reads ‘what search term do you want to rank for?’ There should be a text box below, and in that, you can type your term of choice. When you’re done, click the blue button that reads ‘preview in search results’.

Next, your video’s thumbnail will appear alongside other videos currently ranking for that term. By doing a visual sweep, you can decide whether your thumbnail stands out among the competition, as shown below:

Let's play content should be a part of your YouTube gaming strategy. If you’re a gamer who creates tutorials people love, uploading a gameplay video now and then will keep your subscribers interested in what you have to say. You don’t have to do this often, but some content diversity will keep your channel fresh and help it continue to grow.

Plus, if you're just starting out on YouTube, creating let's play content helps you learn the video-making process. You’ll sit down in a room, by yourself, and slowly overcome the growing pains of being confident on camera. You’ll learn how to use various editing software and have tons of fun playing the games you love.

Just remember that let’s play videos are hard to rank for on YouTube. You’ll need to do your research and niche down to specific topics/tutorials to attract the number of views you want to see.

Want To Get More Views as a Gamer on YouTube?

If you want to take your YouTube gaming channel to the next level and 

 then make sure to download vidIQ. Join over 1 million other users (many of them gamers!) and use vidIQ to help you research YouTube, analyze videos, audit your own channel, and take actionable steps 

Are you a gamer working toward your first 1,000 subscribers? Here’s how let's play videos can give you a boost.

How to Reach 1000 YouTube Subscribers with Gameplay Videos

Given the mass appeal of Roblox, it's no wonder so many YouTubers want to make this content their bread and butter. But how do you grow a Roblox channel, especially when there are already so many YouTubers covering this game? Take a read of the steps you should take, or watch the following video for advice:

How to Grow a Roblox YouTube Channel: Content Ideas

Step one for growing a Roblox channel is to think really hard about your strategy. Sadly, just you alone playing Roblox and uploading that footage to YouTube probably won't cut it if you're just starting out. Instead, you need to be focused on the Roblox community at large, and how you can bring some extra value to it.

This could be a short video about your top five Roblox games, or you could do some in-depth reviews of Roblox games that are currently trending. Better yet, you could review brand new games that nobody's quite discovered yet. Now, these new games might not always trend, but if they do, you'll be one of the first to the party. And it's still a win-win because if they don't trend, you’ll still build some good faith within the community.

The person who made that game is going to be pretty excited that somebody liked it enough to take the time to make some videos around it, and this could be a great way to make some new connections and some new friends, which is always important.

Of course, Roblox also offers a very unique opportunity around how-to videos, because if you know how to create a game in Roblox, then you could create an entire channel around that to benefit others. Just like top Roblox creator 

Once you've determined the type of content you're going to make to help get discovered, it's time to do that general YouTube research. For example, what type of thumbnails generally play well for the Roblox audience? What kind of content is getting views?

As a creator, you'll always need to be on the lookout for specific games and challenges as you look to test different types of content on your channel. This is a natural next step when trying to come up with new ideas.

Learn From (But Don’t Copy) Your Competitors

Because Roblox is a hugely popular game on YouTube, you’re going to have some competition. Step two is to determine who your competitors are and what they’re covering in the world of Roblox right now. Handily, vidIQ’s ‘

’ is a great resource for doing just that.

If you have vidIQ installed, you can find the ‘Competitor’ tool n the left-hand column of YouTube Studio. Once you've chosen your competitors, and I would recommend you choose competitors that are closer to your channel in size, you can determine how their content is doing. You can filter by content that was uploaded within a certain timeframe, and also by view count. 

 on how to get the most out of our ‘Competitor’ tool.

Double Down on the Roblox Content That’s Actually Working For You

Step three for growing your Roblox channel is going to be to double down on the content that's working and not to be afraid to move on from the content that's not. For a new channel playing something as massive as Roblox, we recommend making 80% of your videos those high-value videos - the how-tos, the reviews, the tutorials - and the other 20% spending time testing out new ideas.

Perhaps those new ideas could include a let's-play of you and your favorite Roblox game, or you could even schedule a Roblox livestream. Whatever the case may be, you should always set aside some time in your upload schedule to test out new ideas, because one of those could really take off for you.

Let's not forget another important aspect to all of this is going to be to keep your eye on the prize. Roblox is by no means a small gaming niche, 

so if you're going to be playing Roblox on your Roblox channel, it is super critical that you only play Roblox on your Roblox channel.

 But since Roblox is a game full of games, that shouldn't be too difficult.

We’d also advise that if you have a favorite Roblox game that itself has its own very large community, you can apply all the strategies we've discussed today to that one game as a way to start your channel. This would be a best-case scenario for growing a new Roblox channel if in fact, that game has enough content and a big enough community to keep you busy for a long time.

Then, eventually, as you grow, it will be possible to niche out a little bit and explore different types of Roblox games within the community. Remember, Dead Zone got so big that it eventually spun off into its own standalone game. And their community has gotten so active that they're creating mods and maps and all kinds of stuff and sharing it with one another.

Want To Get More Views on YouTube as a Gaming Channel?

 then make sure to download vidIQ. Join over 1 million other users and use vidIQ to help you research YouTube, analyze videos, audit your own channel, and take actionable steps 

And if you’re really serious about growing your YouTube views and subscribers, sign up for exclusive access to the 

 and learn how to launch a successful YouTube Channel in just 30 days.

Everyone and their dog might be playing Roblox on YouTube, but it's not too late to start your own successful channel about the game.

How to Grow Your Roblox Channel on YouTube

OK, let’s talk about channel monetization, a topic close to many creator’s hearts. On YouTube, making good money is all about influence, and you build this influence by creating a channel that's focused on a topic that you are an authority on.

That influence is going to be different, depending on the type of channel you have. A small-town fishing channel is going to have a different measure of influence than, say, a gaming channel that is hoping to reach a global audience.

That local fishing channel isn't going to need tens of thousands of viewers before they can start creating partnerships with local businesses. But for that gaming channel but big ambitions - it’s a different story. Before we take a deeper dive, don’t forget to check out this video that covers the topic of making money as a gaming channel on YouTube:

What New Creators Need to Know About Monetizing Their Video Content

Of course, there are many opportunities to generate revenue on YouTube, but let's take a step back for a moment. Before we even start talking about how to make money as that influential gaming content creator, we need to look at what it takes to monetize your channel.

If you're a gaming channel that gets 500 views or less per video, monetization shouldn’t be your main focus.

Many new creators tend to put the YouTube partnership program on a pedestal, and furiously work towards meeting the criteria needed to apply. They want those 

1000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of Watch Time

We understand the frustration to meet that goal. After all, who doesn’t want a little return on investment for all the time and effort put into video creation? You want to be able to run ads against your content so you can start to earn some money.

On your journey to that major goal, it can be tempting to try to find shortcuts, into monetizing your channel, in the form of Patreon profiles or affiliate links. However, asking your very new audience on YouTube, to make that kind of investment in your channel, should be done very thoughtfully.

The last thing on your mind should be how to make money with a very small YouTube channel that's still growing. Instead, your focus should be on providing value to your subscribers, so you give them a reason to subscribe and continue to coming back. Encouraging that relationship is the key to your audience getting to know you as a creator. We talk about this strategy more in this video:

How to Make Money as a YouTube Gaming Channel

OK, so we’ve about the ‘when’ now let’s talk about the ‘how.’ Let’s assume you've built a sizeable YouTube channel, and you have an audience that cares about you enough to invest in your content. They understand that this investment will likely mean that you can continue making more videos, or perhaps afford better equipment to improve their overall quality.

You’ve been approved to join the YouTube 

 so you can now run ads against your content - yay! However, while that revenue is something, it's likely not enough to realize your more immediate goals for your YouTube channel. The good news is YouTube itself offers lots of ways you can monetize your channel now that you’re a partner including:

 are a way for creators to monetize their live streams. Fans can contribute financially to their favorite channels, and catch the attention of a creator in a way that a comment or another form of engagement can't. Find out more about 

. Here's what one looks like in the wild:

 are also a way of monetizing your channel, but only when you’ve grown to a certain size. Generally speaking, you need about 30,000 subscribers to unlock this feature - unless you're a gaming channel, then you only need a thousand subscribers! 

 rolled out earlier this year, and it’s similar to Super Chats but fans can also donate to videos as well as your live streams. Find out more about how you can benefit from this feature as a creator:

How YouTubers Can Make Money With Patreon

Outside of the YouTube Partnership Program, 

Patreon is a crowdfunding website, where you can essentially set up different levels of ‘perks.’ People can subscribe to you, at different dollar amounts, and the amount they pledge determines what kind of perks they get from you.

What kind of perks could you offer? What about access to a private discord server? Or perhaps you could release some of your content early to them. Or you could set up an exclusive Minecraft server just for them.

While Patreon is a fantastic way of generating revenue, it requires some significant work on your part. If for example, you set up that private discord server, there's going to be an expectation that you'll spend some time there.

If you want to release your videos early, that's going to need to factor into your workflow every single time you upload a video. If you've set up a Minecraft server for them to play on, it's going to be expected that you actually play on that a Minecraft server with your audience.

The Benefits of Affiliate Marketing on YouTube

If crowdfunding sites aren't your cup of tea, there is always the option of putting an affiliate link in the description of your videos. Lots of different companies out there utilize affiliate programs to help promote their products or services. As a viewer, you may have seen examples on other videos, including the affiliate program that vidIQ run - 

However, it does pay to be cautious and not to partner with the first company you find, who's affiliate criteria you happen to meet. Instead, give some real thought, into the types of products or services that you and your audience could benefit from. Then see if these companies that you already commonly see around or work with, have affiliate programs and reach out to them.

Do Your Research Before Accepting a Brand Deal!

After you have ads enabled on your videos, consider these other avenues for making money very carefully. As your channel starts to transition from being just a hobby to becoming an actual business, do your research. For example, don't just say yes to the first sponsorship deal that's offered to you, just because it sounds super exciting to have a sponsor.

Do solid research on any company you consider partnering with, and always read the contracts you're about to sign, carefully.

YouTube channels can eventually become a financially successful business venture, but it does take time. And at the end of the day, don't forget to maintain that respect and trust that you've built with your audience.

There are so many ways you could potentially monetize a YouTube channel, but these are some of the more common ones, especially in the gaming space. If you want to know much more then we have the 'Complete Guide to Making Money on YouTube' course over on the 

Want To Get More Views on a Gamer on YouTube?

If you want to take your YouTube Gaming channel to the next level and 

There are so many ways to monetize a gaming channel on YouTube. Let’s take a look at some of the quick wins for creators!

Simple Ways YOU Can Make Money as a Gaming Channel on YouTube

 here at vidIQ, as we’re always getting asked how to create a one, or how to grow one. We also get asked the following question a LOT - is it too late to start my own gaming channel when the competition is so fierce out in YouTube world.

And the answer is, if you hit the right strategy then no, it’s not too late. Particularly if you’re prepared to put in the work and the wait time. No-one is going to become as famous and successful as 

 overnight (not even Pewds himself), but if gaming is your passion and you feel you have something of value to offer your target audience, then go for it. Today.

To show you it’s entirely possible, let’s shine a light on one particular creator who only started their channel in March 2020, and now (at time of writing) has over 8K subscribers.

100 Percent Zelda: A Gaming Channel Case Study

 is a channel focused on the action-adventure game Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and it came to vidIQ’s attention during one of our live-streamed channel audits that take place on 

The creator then shared a post on Twitter about how the channel was suddenly gaining some traction

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I made it in right under 3 months! =) This last 2 weeks were crazy!! Quality over quantity for me. Do it for your audience, not yourself, and the rest will come. Thank you to all my wonderful subscribers =)<a href="https://twitter.com/vidIQ?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@vidIQ</a> <a href="https://t.co/2RC8p8rS90">pic.twitter.com/2RC8p8rS90</a></p>&mdash; 100 Percent Zelda (@100percentzelda) <a href="https://twitter.com/100percentzelda/status/1276368834144976896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2020</a></blockquote>

To understand exactly what this creator thinks happened to get their channel to take off, we reached out to them and asked if they would share just a little bit of insight. What we learned from 100 Percent Zelda is, obviously, they're a fan of Zelda, but not only that, they're a fan of watching creators on YouTube who also play Zelda. Take a look at

How a YouTube Gaming Channel Got 1000 Subscribers in Three Months

The creator of 100 Percent Zelda decided they wanted to start a channel, so they started taking note of things they liked and things they didn't necessarily like about other creators and the way they were covering the game on YouTube.

In addition to doing some serious competitor research, they also joined Zelda communities across the Internet and paid really close attention to the types of questions people were asking in those communities.

Perhaps the most crucial step this channel took though was keeping their audience in mind when they decided to launch. They determined that if someone was going to subscribe for 100 Percent Zelda, they had better get 100% Zelda. But the creator went a step further and not only niched down on gaming and ‘Zelda,’ but went one step further to focus right in on ‘Zelda: Breath of the Wild.’

That’s proved to be a winning strategy, with videos like this one generating amazing views for a relatively small and new channel:

So, we already know that they've seen explosive growth covering ‘Breath of the Wild’, but the long-term plan for this channel is to eventually explore other Zelda games. As we know, there are plenty of Zelda games to choose from with more on the way in the future.

What’s really helping this channel with its success is the type of Zelda content they're creating. They're not just playing Zelda, they're answering those questions that they learned about from the community like ‘

Key to YouTube Success: Know Your Audience

The methods that 100 Percent Zelda used here to grow their own channel are totally repeatable. As with any big game franchise, when the game features a lot of depth like ‘Breath of the Wild’, a lot of questions come up as players try to find out how to do something in the game. That’s a lot of video content to be made just answering those questions.

100 Percent Zelda started their YouTube journey by making content specifically for their audience. As they continue to grow and people connect with them on a more personal level, that will be time to branch out into different Zelda games, or different games altogether.

Of course, if you want to play multiple games across multiple genres, then you'll probably start generating some subscribers, but any time you switch a game or switch a genre, you need to be prepared for some of those subscribers to never come back.

One size doesn't fit all on YouTube, but with a little research and some hard work, you can make high value, dependable content that people subscribe to and continue coming back for.

Want to Make it as a Gaming Creator on YouTube?

If you want to get more insights into YouTube to kickstart your gaming channel success, then make sure to download vidIQ. Over 1 million creators use vidIQ to help with keyword and competitor research, channel audits, and so much more. 

And if you’re serious about growing your YouTube views, subscribers, and community, sign up for exclusive access to the 

. Learn how to launch a successful YouTube Channel in just 30 days.

Yes, it's an insanely competitive space, but you can still find success with a brand new gaming channel on YouTube. Take this Zelda enthusiast for instance!

No, It's NOT Too Late to Create a YouTube Gaming Channel (Zelda Case Study)

This post (and the video above) is for those gamers and channels who create content around Fortnite. We've had a lot of requests about how to get a ‘Support a Creator’ code. The code I'm referring to is part of an 

1,000 followers on a major social platform.

 That could be YouTube, but it also includes Twitter, Instagram and other social media sites. Having that minimum number of subscribers or followers unlocks the ability to get your hands on your own code.

Once you have one of these codes, you can share it with your audience and encourage them to use it in the Epic Games Store. This code tells Epic that you got somebody to purchase something from their store, and you end up getting a cut of those profits. This is another pretty unique way to monetize your YouTube channel.

Why Having a Fortnite ‘Support a Creator’ Code Matters

The consensus amongst gamers seems to be that if you're a Fortnite player, you're not really legit unless you have one of these creator codes. A lot of viewers and creators alike see getting your hands on your own unique code as sort of a rite of passage. I can understand why, but I would also encourage you not to put that kind of pressure on yourself when making Fortnite content.

Obviously the biggest reason people want this code is because it's a free way for their viewers to support them.

If you're spending your V-Bucks anyway, then using your favorite creator’s code at check out will earn them a little money. In the Epic Games Store itself, these codes can earn your favorite creators’ discounts. 

How to Get 1000 YouTube Subscribers as a Fortnite Channel

1,000 YouTube subscribers and 4,000 hours of Watch Time

 with the ability to get this creator code, it starts to make a lot of sense as to why we see so many Fortnite channels popping up in the gaming niche.

__So now the question remains, how can you as a Fortnite creator with less than 1,000 subscribers get yourself one of these codes? __

Fortnite isn’t a brand new game anymore, and new creators are popping up all the time. So it's important to stand out. And as a new Fortnite creator with less than 1,000 subscribers, you have your work cut out for you.

Just playing Fortnite isn't gonna be enough to get you discovered. Your content needs to solve a problem or answer a question that the viewers might have. And the best thing you can do with any popular game is to go after the questions that new players are going to ask.

How-tos are always a great place to start; how to build in Fortnite, how to level up fast in Fortnite, how to get neon wings in Fortnite, etc. I encourage you to try to think back to when you were a new player in Fortnite. What questions did you have? What problems did you try to solve? Read this advice from vidIQ on 

how to get your first 1,000 subscribers if you're a gaming channel

’, and that was an incredible deep dive into all the different things you could do to get there. I encourage you to check that out.

Fortnite content may seem oversaturated, but it’s still possible to grow a successful YouTube channel around it, even today. It just takes a little more thought. You need to put yourself in the shoes of a new Fortnite player, someone who was once like you, just trying to get better at the game. They turn to YouTube looking for answers, so answer those questions and solve the problems that they have.

I wish you Fortnite creators good luck in getting your creator codes. And remember that you can still make excellent content in the meantime as you work your way towards that goal.

 then make sure to download vidIQ. Over 1 million creators use vidIQ to help with keyword and competitor research, channel audits, and so much more. 

If you’re serious about growing your YouTube views and subscribers, sign up for exclusive access to the 

What is Epic Game's 'Support a Creator' program? And what do Fortnite gamers need to do to get a coveted code? Find out now!

How to Get a 'Support a Creator' Code for Fortnite

Are you thinking of starting a gaming channel on YouTube? Or perhaps you've been gaming for a couple of years but now want to get serious about generating significantly more views and subcribers.

vidIQ's resident online gaming expert Dan Carson is here to help you wherever you are on your YouTube journey. In this week's episode of TubeTalk, he walks us through the most common mistakes YouTubers make when it comes to researching, creating, optimizing ,and publishing gaming content.

While gameplaying or streaming Fortnite, Minecraft, Animal Crossing, and GTA content sounds fun (and it is!), you won't build your channel until you undersatnd what kind of value you bring to your audience.

Only by creating a strategy that sets you apart from the millions of other creators in the space will give you the tools to succeed.

start a successful gaming channel like PewDiePie

, Markiplier or Game Grumps then take a listen to the podcast and find out what those huge creators are doing right.

For more solid advice around growing a gaming channel on YouTube 

Subscribe to TubeTalk: The Video Marketing Podcast!

TubeTalk has been informing video creators and marketers since 2014, and is one of the most respected and listened to podcasts in the online video industry. Subscribe today so you never miss an episode! You can find vidIQ's TubeTalk at:

If you want to take your YouTube channel to the next level and 

Gaming is one of the most fiercely competitive verticals on YouTube, so avoid these mistakes and set yourself up for success as a gamer!

The Top 5 Mistakes Gaming Channels Make on YouTube [and How to Correct Them]

Many gamers on YouTube were inspired by other gaming creators. And the first creators we discover are often the ones that are well established on the platform and seem to be able to play any kind of video game they want.

So with that in mind, starting a gaming channel and playing whatever you like seems pretty easy, right? I mean, there are millions of gaming channels with billions of views so why shouldn’t your channel be just as successful?

Why PewDiePie Can Do What He Likes on YouTube

One creator in particular, has inspired a huge number of gamers - Felix Kjellberg, AKA 

In a recent video, all about how to start a YouTube gaming channel, I discussed how to grow your views and subscribers by narrowing down your niche to just one video game. A lot of YouTubers responded by stating they wanted to play multiple games within multiple genres on their channels and still grow. One comment on that video really stood out to me. The commenter asked:

“What about PewDiePie? He plays whatever he wants, when he wants and is not afraid of being bad in a game. He does everything on his channel, not just games.”

Something really clicked with me when I read this comment. And I realized why so many new gaming channels seem to be all over the place when it comes to their coverage of games and different genres.

A lot of gamers think if it's good enough for PewDiePie, it's good enough for me. And that mentality may be actually a pretty good way to start a YouTube channel because you have to start somewhere, and you're going to need some practice. But trying to follow in PewDiePie's footsteps in 2020 is a different matter.

How PewDiePie Went From Zero Subscribers to 103M

What if I told you that PewDiePie once had zero subscribers. He started his channel in 2010 playing primarily horror and action video games and was so popular he reached his first 1 million subscribers in July of 2012. If we take a look at some of his older videos from around nine years ago, you see PewDiePie probably had a pretty familiar journey playing around with various games on his channel until he got into Amnesia, and never really looked back. Horror games were PewDiePie's bread and butter.

Let's take a look at another creator’s journey. 

 is currently at 25 million subscribers, and if we're sorting by the very oldest videos on his channel, he was also playing a lot of horror games at the beginning. He was exploring a niche while testing out other games. Some of these videos have custom thumbnails, some of them do not.

, now with 23 million subscribers was playing a lot of first-person shooters in the beginning. That's how he got his start on YouTube - this was his third upload way back in 2013:

These are some of the biggest names in gaming today and they got their start just like us with zero subscribers, testing out different content, staying within their niche and growing from there.

How to Find Your Way on YouTube as a Gamer

For those of you with gaming channels, I have a strategy I want to share with you for finding your way. I want you to know that if you still struggle to figure out exactly what you would like to play on your channel, it's okay to start testing by playing some different games. These videos can be great practice if you are just getting started on YouTube. You should also be working on your titles, tags, thumbnails, and descriptions of course.

If you're playing different games at some point you’re going to find one game, or even one genre attracts more views and engagements than your other content. That's when I want you to pounce and double down on that game.

As long as you played the game with the intention of hopefully making more videos around it, which I would imagine you did, this strategy is going to grow your channel a lot faster than if you continue just playing random games and ignoring those moments when things kind of stick.

It happened to me. I was inspired to start making videos on Minecraft by watching other Minecraft content creators. But one day I was gifted a new survival game that had a lot of the same aspects; build, mine, craft. I tried it out and I put it on my channel, and that video got more views than anything else I had published previously. It blew up, so I did about 30 or 50 videos on it.

I still wanted to make Minecraft videos from time to time and I did, but for the most part, this other game was driving the growth of my channel and I always made sure to have new episodes out all the time.

Now I got lucky because that game was a gift from just a friend of mine and played it and it worked out, but a lot of you aren't going to have the same luck.

 to look for new games to test out on your channel. Start by testing out different keywords and key phrases around your genre. Let's say your genre is building survival crafting games like Minecraft, but you don't want to play Minecraft itself. So just type in “survival game”, switch your category to gaming, add your competitors, then choose your view per hour threshold. The Trend Alerts tool will also send you emails to keep you up to date. Ideally, you want to pick competitors that are closer to your level of subscribers, and channel views, etc.

Many, or I would argue probably most. gaming YouTubers start a channel and they don't know where it's going to go, what they're going to play, or even for how long. Unless you already know that it's okay to test out different games and we want to encourage you to double down when one of those games becomes a viral success on your channel. I use the word viral loosely because that success is relative to how other videos have performed on your channel.

Millions of gaming creators have been inspired by PewDiePie to create their own YouTube channels. Let's take a look at how he built his success on YouTube and how you can follow in his footsteps.

How to Start a Successful Gaming Channel like PewDiePie

Are you a new YouTube gaming channel that’s excited to generate your first 1000 subscribers? If you’ve read our post on 

how to get your first 100 subscribers as a YouTube gaming channel

, you’ll know it’s going to take strategy and focus.

In particular, it's the the focus on the games you’re covering, and the way you’re covering them. In this post, I’ll share 5 ways to stay focused as you reach for that 1,000 subscriber goal on your gaming channel.

#1 Understand Channel Success on YouTube: Watch Time & Subscribers

What’s the average length of the gaming content you are uploading to YouTube right now? It’s important to know that because of YouTube Watch Time. The reason 1,000 subscribers is such a coveted goal is because it is one of the requirements you need before YouTube will allow you to monetize your channel. The other is that your channel must have generated 4,000 hours of Watch Time.

If you want to earn money from Adsense on YouTube then you must reach both of these goals. If you want more advice on how to do that, here’s a very handy video we created that takes a deep dive into both metrics:

If you’re uploading hours and hours of gameplay to YouTube you may think that building Watch Time couldn’t be easier. However, this isn’t always the case.

YouTube is measuring your channel based on the amount of time a viewer sticks around and watches your content. The reason I love this metric so much is because it is YouTube's way of sating "Okay, people sat through the majority of your video. This must mean your video is entertaining and because of that, we are going to push it more."

Simply making your gameplay video 10 minutes longer than it probably needs to be doesn't mean you're going to get 10 extra minutes of Watch Time from each person who watches it. And that's the very reason you'll hear me stress 

Growing your YouTube gaming channel is exciting but very hard work. We share 5 ways to stay focused as you reach for that 1000 subscriber goal.