Software cannot directly increase YouTube watch hours through artificial means (like bots or view generators) in a way that is legitimate or safe. Using such methods violates YouTube's Terms of Service and can result in your channel being demonetized or terminated.
Part 2: How to Increase Watch Hours on YouTube
Now that we understand the basics, let's dive into the best ways to hit 3000 watch hours fast!
To increase your watch hours, just keep uploading consistently, promote your best videos, and create longer videos. For example, my watch hours went up a lot once I switched my video format to weekly 35-45 minute long videos. Previously, I was doing 10-15 minute videos.
To make $2,000 a month on YouTube from ad revenue, you generally need 400,000 to 1 million monthly views, depending heavily on your niche's CPM (cost per mille/thousand views) and RPM (revenue per mille), but many creators report needing 500,000 to 1 million+ views for a comfortable living, with high-value niches like finance potentially reaching it with fewer views and lower-value niches needing significantly more, plus other income streams like sponsorships.
The "30-second rule" on YouTube refers to the critical first moments of a video, where creators must hook viewers within about 30 seconds to get them to keep watching, as YouTube registers meaningful engagement after this mark, impacting visibility and watch time. It's a key focus for audience retention, with strategies involving dynamic editing (B-roll, angles), emotional hooks, and clear value propositions, but it's distinct from copyright myths about using 30-second music clips.
You'll get an email once you've met either of the below eligibility thresholds. 2. Get 1,000 subscribers with 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days. Keep in mind that any public watch hours from Shorts views in the Shorts Feed won't count towards the 4,000 public watch hours threshold.
The #1 YouTuber in the world by subscriber count is MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson), holding the top spot as an individual creator with over 450 million subscribers, surpassing the music label T-Series, which is the most-subscribed overall channel when including companies like T-Series, Cocomelon, and SET India. He's known for large-scale stunts, cash giveaways, and philanthropy, becoming the biggest individual personality on the platform in recent years.
Playlists are a simple yet powerful tool to increase YouTube watch time. Here's why they work: Autoplay: Automatically plays the next video, keeping viewers engaged longer. Organized Content: Groups related videos, making it easier for viewers to explore your channel.
Purchasing watch hours on your YouTube channel can be a great way to monetize your account and start earning real money from the content you produce. Although it may seem like an unnecessary expense, these purchased watch hours will come back around as valuable earnings for each video uploaded.
Whether you're a fitness instructor, a chef, or a travel blogger, you can create a 24/7 live stream that showcases your unique talents and passions.
The easy answer is yes. Rewatching a video counts as a view in terms of YouTube stats. However, refreshing your page over and over again to accumulate them will be detected by YouTube, and it can result in ugly penalizations.
Build a loyal audience: Genuine watch hours attract real viewers who may subscribe and engage with your content. Support your channel's growth: Purchasing watch hours can enhance your channel's growth by improving engagement, visibility, and overall performance.
How to Increase Watch Hours on YouTube (11 Ways)
Unlock AdSense revenue with 1,000 YouTube subscribers
To generate revenue from ads and from YouTube Premium, as well as merch and fan funding, YouTube channels will need to hit the following targets: 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time in the last 12 months OR.
The richest YouTuber in the world is Jimmy Donaldson, known as MrBeast, with estimated net worths ranging from $500 million to over $1 billion and reported earnings exceeding $700 million in 2025, thanks to his massive YouTube presence, business ventures like Feastables, and ventures such as Beast Games on Amazon Prime. He leads a list of high earners that includes Jeffree Star, Logan Paul, and Anastasia Radzinskaya (Like Nastya), who also generate significant wealth from branding, merchandise, and other entertainment projects.
15 Ways to Grow Your YouTube Channel
What Is A Good Signup to Subscriber Conversion Rate? Generally, a good SaaS signup conversion rate ranges between 2% and 5%. However, the top 25% of high-converting websites convert at rates of more than 11%.
Creators in eligible countries can apply to the expanded YouTube Partner Program when they reach either of the below eligibility thresholds: Get 500 subscribers with 3 valid public uploads in the last 90 days, and 3,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months, or.
RPM: what creators earn per 1,000 views
According to Thinkific, YouTube creators can expect to make around $5-7 per 1,000 ad views. For every million views your videos receive, potential earnings would likely range somewhere between $1,200 to $6,000, considering all factors.
A YouTube shadowban refers to the platform's algorithmic suppression of a channel or its content without notifying the creator.
No, 7,000 views is generally not considered viral, as virality usually means reaching hundreds of thousands or millions of views rapidly, but it can be very successful for a small creator, representing a huge spike over their usual numbers and indicating good performance for their specific audience. Virality depends on your baseline: for a large account, 7,000 is low, but for a micro-influencer getting 100 views, 7,000 is a massive viral hit for them.