What to Expect From YouTube in 2022

What to expect from Youtube in 2022

Highlights

YouTube is still number 1 when it comes to online video. Part of this success comes down to how quickly it adapts and changes Expect more of this in 2022
TikTok and IG Reels provide serious competition – we predict YouTube Shorts will be pushed hard this year
There’ll also be more monetization options which is fantastic news for us creators
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It’s no secret that YouTube is constantly changing its algorithms, tinkering and altering everything we think we know about the platform. So to stay relevant, grow and master YouTube, you have to stay up to date with what’s happening on the platform and be aware of the upcoming changes.

As the platform matures and grows from strength to strength, we expect to see plenty more big changes and not-so-big refinements throughout 2022. Here, we’ve listed a few of the certainties, as well as other predictions.

YouTube Shorts will continue to grow and prosper

Looking for a way to grow on YouTube in 2022? YouTube Shorts is your answer. In other words, Shorts is the shortcut for creators. Given the massive competition driven by the rise of TikTok, we expect YouTube to be doubling down on their Shorts strategy. They simply can’t afford not to when TikTok is so dominating.

Short-form, vertical video is here to stay, and it will most likely take over. At the moment, you’ll notice that YouTube is constantly chopping and changing how it presents Shorts to its audiences, so expect some layout and feed changes throughout the year. There will also be changes coming to the Shorts fund, which brings us to…

Monetization options will increase

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As the competition for creators and viewers increases, YouTube will undoubtedly be dangling some enticing carrots in front of us, making it easier than ever to be paid. For example, the “Shorts fund” currently rewards Shorts creators between $100 and $10,000, depending on their performance in the previous month. Until now, this fund has only been available in a select few countries, but in 2022, you’ll see it rolled out to a lot more participants worldwide. That’s exciting for the creator industry.

On top of this, also expect “Super Thanks” to be expanded and rolled out to everyone. The idea of “Super Thanks” is basically a tipping service. If someone watching your video enjoys it, they can now send you a tip as a way of saying thanks. We think this is a great initiative that will help creators (particularly ones with smaller audiences and fewer views) earn a living from what they do.

The chances are YouTube has a few other ideas planned for monetization options – we just have no clue about them yet. Watch this space!

Improved YouTube Studio App

It’s estimated that in 2021 more than 70% of YouTube watch time came from mobile devices. The chances are, there are plenty of creators out there utilizing the YouTube studio app on their phones too. That’s why we expect to see further improvements and refinements made to the Studio App this year. Ultimately, YouTube wants the mobile app to match the desktop version, and 2021 reflected that with several key changes implemented:

  • Ability to change the currency display setting on mobile
  • The navigation bar at the bottom of the mobile Studio App was added.
  • Returning, new viewer metrics and member metrics now available on mobile

Word is that among the 2022 refinements coming, we’ll see the Studio app receive much more powerful YouTube analytics, giving you a deeper insight on the go.

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Going International

In recent years, we’ve seen creators such as MrBeast starting to upload all of their content on a separate channel in a different language. For example, MrBeast en Español. Right now, huge audiences are missing out on YouTube content simply because of language barriers, and In 2022, we expect YouTube to start breaking them down. Expect YouTube to help increase the reach of single YouTube channels instead of requiring creators to open multiple channels for different languages.

2021 saw the introduction of a great new feature that allows the translation of comments into 100 different languages and the ability to add subtitles in live streams. In 2022 YouTube may look to build on this with the ability to translate live stream subtitles and see translated video chapters.

Remember – the more people who can see and understand your videos (and the easier it is for them to do so), the better for both you and YouTube. It’s a win-win.

Automatic YouTube chapters

Right now, you can add YouTube chapters by adding timestamps in your video description. It’s a great way to help your audience find what they’re looking for and navigate your video more easily. It also helps YouTube rank your videos with greater clarity.

In 2022, YouTube is experimenting with adding chapters automatically. This could be useful as we don’t always have tons of time to add chapters manually, especially if the video is long. But, on the other hand, we’re not so sure about the credibility of this new feature just yet.

Of course, the algorithm will continue to improve and refine things, but for now, we think it’s better to continue adding the chapters yourself. Keep an eye out for how this will develop through the year.

Wrapping up

In conclusion, it’s going to be another fascinating year on YouTube for both viewers and creators. The increased competition from rivals such as TikTok and Instagram keeps the video giant honest. For many of us, it’s still number 1 when it comes to online video, and we don’t see that changing anytime soon.

Part of the reason is that YouTube has been so nimble and quick to adapt. Over the years, big changes and plenty of refining have helped it stay ahead of the pack and consolidate its position as the world’s 2nd most visited website (behind Google). You can expect plenty more of the same throughout 2022.

By reading articles like this on the Artlist blog, you can ensure you stay up to date and ahead of the curve. Take advantage of our top tips and quick algorithm hacks and seize the opportunity to grow your channel.

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Josh Edwards is an accomplished filmmaker, industry writing veteran, storyteller based in Indonesia (by way of the UK), and industry writer in the Blade Ronner Media Writing Collective. He's passionate about travel and documents adventures and stories through his films.

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