YouTube now runs videos based on something called viewer journey continuity. This means YouTube asks, does your video keep the viewer on the same viewing path they're currently on? If the answer is yes, it gets pushed. If the answer is no, impressions will collapse. This is why all proven tactics stop working. It's not your editing. It's not your hook, not your thumbnail. It's simply that your video didn't match your viewer's current session. Here's a hot tip. The YouTube algorithm doesn't just connect long-form videos together. It connects to everything, including shorts. This means if people watch your shorts, they'll automatically be associated with your main content. As a result, YouTube will start recommending your long-form content to them.
