7 YouTube growth hacks reddit doesn’t want small channels to miss

If you’re running a small YouTube channel, you’ve probably Googled “how to grow a small YouTube channel fast” at least once… or maybe twenty times. You’ve read blog posts, watched tutorials, or even lurked /r/YouTubers or joined /r/newtubers on reddit.

While reddit can be a goldmine for YouTube growth hacks, it can also be a minefield. Some tips are absolute gems. Others can kill your channel’s momentum overnight.

After digging through some of the most upvoted advice on reddit, we found seven key YouTube tips and tricks reddit users (redditors) shared, along with some traps to avoid.

Let’s dive in.

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1. Only take shoutouts from channels with the same audience

Getting a shout-out from a big YouTuber might feel like a goal. In theory, it’ll mean instant subscribers, instant credibility, instant watch time.

But here’s the catch: even if you are successful in getting a shout-out from a major YouTuber, it could do more harm than good. If their audience doesn’t overlap with yours (i.e. if they aren’t predisposed to like your content) you could actually hurt your channel.

Example:

• Your channel: dog grooming tutorials
• Shouting channel: auto mechanic repairs

Result? You get a surge of subscribers who don’t care about your future uploads. This lowers engagement, hurts your click-through rate, and signals to YouTube that your videos aren’t worth promoting.

It’s basically the “sub for sub” model… and while it can work, you have to be careful.

Choosing the wrong channel to partner with can kill your watch time, and YouTube watch time is what it’s all about.

Actionable tip:

• Only accept shoutouts from creators whose audience has at least 70% overlap in viewer interest.

2. Use a separate email for every YouTube channel

This one’s not glamorous, but it might be a lifesaver.

One creator on reddit shared that a YouTube glitch deleted their entire Gmail account—taking down all connected YouTube channels in the process. Thankfully, YouTube restored them, but it was a terrifying lesson. One you don’t have to learn the hard way.

Actionable tip:

• Create a dedicated Gmail account for each channel you manage.
• Store login credentials securely with a password manager.

Why it matters for small channels: Losing your channel before it even gains traction can kill your motivation completely.

3. Double down on successful thumbnails, and keep testing

You need to experiment and A/B test on YouTube to find a thumbnail style that works for you.

Once you find a thumbnail format that works—consistent colors, fonts, style, and expressions—ride that wave. This builds brand recognition and makes your videos instantly identifiable.

But there’s a twist: if stop experimenting, you risk plateauing.

Actionable tip:

• Use YouTube A/B testing tools to compare your current style with new designs.
• Change one element at a time (e.g., background color, text size) so you can measure the impact.

Example:
One channel doubled their CTR just by making text bolder and adding a subtle drop shadow to the subject.

4. Don’t limit yourself to “small community” thinking

Some reddit users say you only need 10K–13K views per video to be financially stable on YouTube. That’s true—if you’re monetized and have a strong community.

But that doesn’t mean you should ignore bigger goals. Don’t let success get in the way of success. Aim higher.

Mindset shift:
It’s not small community vs viral growth. It’s about aligning your strategy with your personal goals.

5. Learn to turn hate comments into growth fuel

Every creator eventually gets their first mean comment. While YouTube dislikes don’t really matter and every negative comment is an opportunity, negative feedback feels bad. And it’s all too easy for people to take out their own frustrations on people who choose to put themselves out there,

But here’s the thing: hateful comments often say more about the commenter than they do about you. You’re bound to get some hate. Keep going anyway.

Actionable tip:

• Reply politely (or not at all).
• Assume good intent and identify areas for improvement.
• Screenshot absurd comments for a “Reading Mean Comments” video—it’s cathartic and relatable.

6. Evaluate Reddit advice like a pro

Reddit is full of passionate creators, but not all advice is created equal. Some tips are outdated, risky, or based on personal opinion rather than data.

Actionable tip:

• Before following a tip, ask: “Is this relevant to my niche, my audience size, and my goals?”
• Cross-check with YouTube’s official Creator Academy and analytics.

7. Keep your mindset growth-focused

You can master thumbnails, collabs, and upload schedules, but without the right mindset, you’ll burn out.

Success on YouTube requires:

• Patience (growth takes time)
• Resilience (not letting negative feedback derail you)
• Adaptability (testing and evolving your strategy)

FAQ: Quick answers for small creators

Q: Should I accept every collaboration offer?
No. Only work with creators whose audience overlaps with yours.

Q: Can I grow a small channel without paying for ads?
Yes—through smart content strategy, SEO, and community building.

Q: Is going viral better than slow growth?
Neither is inherently better; it depends on your goals.

Final thoughts: Build for the long term

Reddit can surface brilliant YouTube growth hacks, but only if you filter wisely. Use these tips to build a channel that’s resilient, audience-focused, and positioned for your definition of success.

And remember: growth isn’t about chasing numbers—it’s about building a channel you’re proud of.

Want to turn these strategies into daily habits?
Check out TubeBuddy’s tools for small channel growth and start optimizing today.

Get an unfair advantage on YouTube

Give your YouTube channel the upper hand and easily optimize for more views, more subs, and more of every metric that matters.

get started