How do you pick video topics that people are actively searching for?

[MarisFinch]

Do you use search tools like TubeBuddy/VidIQ to find low-competition search terms, or do you just make videos based on viewer questions?

 

[JorahFinch]

Do you use search tools like TubeBuddy/VidIQ to find low-competition search terms, or do you just make videos based on viewer questions?

I mainly use the autocomplete feature directly in the YouTube search bar to see what people are typing in real time. It gives you immediate insight into exact phrasing and popular questions without relying on paid software. Answering direct questions from your comment section is also a goldmine once you start getting engagement.

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[BowenHale]

The search bar trick is super effective because those suggestions represent actual search volume. I usually combine that with checking Google Trends to make sure the topic interest is stable or growing rather than dying out.

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[LinneaVale]

Do you use search tools like TubeBuddy/VidIQ to find low-competition search terms, or do you just make videos based on viewer questions?

Checking Google Trends before spending time on a video saved me from wasting weeks on dying trends. Keyword research tools like VidIQ can be helpful when you are completely out of ideas, but their competition scores are not always super accurate. I prefer looking at smaller channels in my niche to see which of their videos performed unexpectedly well above their average view count. If a small channel gets thousands of views on a specific topic, there is clear demand waiting to be filled. You can take that core topic and make an even better or more updated version.

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[TorinGable]

Do you use search tools like TubeBuddy/VidIQ to find low-competition search terms, or do you just make videos based on viewer questions?

Outperforming smaller channels on validated topics is one of the best ways to get suggested next to their videos. I like to keep a spreadsheet of recurring questions in my video comments as well. When multiple people ask the same thing, you already have an audience waiting for that exact video. It makes titling and structuring the content so much easier.

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[MiraStoke]

Keeping a running document of audience questions has transformed my content planning process completely. It completely removes the guesswork of figuring out what people actually care to watch next.

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[CassianOakes]

Checking Google Trends before spending time on a video saved me from wasting weeks on dying trends. Keyword research tools like VidIQ can be helpful when you are completely out of ideas, but their competition scores are not always super accurate. I prefer looking at smaller channels in my niche to see which of their videos performed unexpectedly well above their average view count. If a small channel gets thousands of views on a specific topic, there is clear demand waiting to be filled. You can take that core topic and make an even better or more updated version.

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Answering real audience questions builds incredible trust and turns casual viewers into loyal subscribers fast. When people see that you actually build full videos around their questions, they engage much more in future comment sections. That organic engagement loop triggers the algorithm far better than trying to game low-competition search scores.