Gaining YouTube views with VidIQ: our 90-day test

We’ve all been there, tearing our hair out over a video that just won’t take off, wondering with frustration if it’s even possible to truly gain YouTube views and finally step into the spotlight. That’s why we got our hands dirty with a ruthless 90-day test on our own channel, to see firsthand if artificial intelligence lives up to its impressive growth promises. We’re revealing the raw numbers from our experiment and the precise strategy that boosted our views , far removed from the usual marketing hype. 🚀

1. VidIQ, the promise of more views: we wanted to find out
2. Our testing protocol: putting VidIQ’s features to the test
3. The test results: the numbers speak for themselves (or do they?)
4. The blind spot: how VidIQ helps target monetization
5. Test verdict: Is VidIQ the game-changing investment?

VidIQ, the promise of more views: we wanted to find out

The usual refrain: “more views, more subscribers”

The ads are everywhere. VidIQ swears they’re the key to finally breaking through on YouTube . It’s the Holy Grail promised to everyone struggling with the algorithm.

With over 20 million creators on board, their argument carries significant weight. Their pitch? Ultra-calibrated AI and cutting-edge analytics tools to boost views and subscribers without the sleepless nights.

But does it really work? We decided to get our hands dirty to find out.

Our starting point: a stagnant YouTube channel

We had this channel. High-quality content, hours of painstaking editing, but desperately flat stats . You know that feeling? That dreaded plateau where nothing ever changes. 😔

The problem wasn’t the quality, but rather the visibility. Our videos ended up drowning in the depths of YouTube’s algorithm. . It was frankly the ideal context to launch this crash test.

The idea was not to become Squeezie, but to see if a tool could offer a measurable boost .

The game plan: a full-scale test over 90 days

We took out a subscription and locked it in for 90 days. That’s how long it took for “Car Guy Chronicles” to become monetized . We wanted to see if it was a replicable model for us.

Our approach was radical: applying each recommendation to the letter on new releases. We even reworked old videos to see if we could “revive” them with the right keywords.

The goal? To play the game to the fullest to answer: gaining YouTube views, vid iq , myth or reality?

Our testing protocol: putting VidIQ’s features to the test

The arsenal we deployed: a focus on the Boost plan

We deliberately skipped the free version for this test. Nice for beginners, sure, but to really see if you can gain YouTube views, we needed to bring out the big guns of the Boost plan, which contains the real growth levers.

This was the perfect opportunity to see if the promise of acceleration held water or if it was just clever marketing.

Here are the weapons we used for this fight:

• Unlimited keyword research to target profitable niches .
• Real-time optimization score to align with the algorithm.
• Analysis of 20 competitors to decipher their winning strategies .
• Daily Ideas content generator so you never run out of inspiration.

Keyword research, our first battleground

Before, we were navigating a bit by feel, going by instinct. The keyword tool has revolutionized our method: we no longer guess, we coldly compare the search volume with the intensity of the competition to validate each idea.

VidIQ’s opportunity score has become our best daily ally. This visual indicator allows us to instantly spot hidden gems —those highly sought-after topics that are still relatively untapped by other creators in the industry.

In practical terms? Instead of getting lost in an overflowing “iPhone review,” the tool directed us to “best iPhone accessory for travel.” A subtle difference that makes all the difference for traffic .

Video optimization: titles and tags on steroids

The optimization interface integrates directly with YouTube; it’s incredibly smooth. The “SEO Score” out of 100 acts like a strict coach: you follow the checklist of actions to the letter to climb towards the perfect score ; it’s almost like a game.

We therefore used the tool to boost our titles via AI, expand descriptions with the exact keywords and integrate relevant tags identified among the best performing competitors.

It’s not cheating, though it’s not always easy, but it’s simply the clever use of the data that YouTube makes available to finally stand out from the crowd 🚀 .

The test results: the numbers speak for themselves (or do they?)

Okay, it’s all well and good to play around with the tools, but in the end, did it pay off? It’s time to look at the numbers , unfiltered.

The impact on views: a noticeable increase, but not a magic bullet.

Let’s not beat around the bush: the needle has moved. After fiddling with the tool from every angle, we observed a clear increase in views during the test period. It’s undeniable.

To be precise, we’re talking about roughly a 40% increase in views on average for new videos compared to those before the test. It’s not a lottery jackpot, but it’s a positive underlying trend that’s good to see.

However, be aware that VidIQ is not a magic wand. If your content is weak, even if well optimized, it will remain buried in the archives .

Before/after analysis: case study based on 3 videos

Here is a simple comparison table. It compares the performance of similar videos before and after the adoption of the VidIQ method to see what changes.

Take a close look at this data, as it perfectly illustrates the reality on the ground. It’s clear that working on CTR unlocks the potential for organically gaining YouTube views . This is often the key to launching a stagnant channel.

What really worked for us

Let’s be honest, not everything in the suite of tools is created equal. Some features had a much more direct impact on our results than others.

Here’s the winning trio that saved our stats . If you only use three things, go for these; we absolutely didn’t regret this strategic focus:

• Target niche keywords with a good opportunity score.
• Analyze the tags of successful competitor videos to draw inspiration from them .
• Use the AI title generator to create multiple versions and choose the most impactful one .

The blind spot: how VidIQ helps target monetization

The 4000 hours of viewing, the real hurdle to overcome

Everyone aims for 1,000 subscribers, but the real ultimate goal is 4,000 hours of watch time. While subscribers often follow views, accumulating that much watch time over 12 months is a whole different ball game, and not without its challenges. That’s where many people get stuck.

The algorithm loves retention. A 10-minute video watched at 60% is more valuable than a 3-minute clip watched in its entirety. To gain YouTube views, you therefore need to change your strategy and focus on length .

Uncover topics with high retention using “daily ideas”

This is where the “Daily Ideas” tool blew us away. It’s not just a list of trends: the AI predicts the potential of each topic (“Very High”, “High”, “Medium”). It really helps separate the wheat from the chaff without wasting hours hesitating.

We used these predictions to prioritize in-depth topics suited to longer formats. The goal isn’t quick viral success, but accumulating watch time faster to finally reach that crucial monetization threshold 🚀.

Competitive analysis for building captivating videos

VidIQ also allows you to legally spy on competitors. You don’t just look at their top videos, but those that are exploding in “views per hour” (VPH). This tells you what’s really popular now , not what worked three years ago.

This analysis helped us understand the structures that keep people engaged. We’re not blindly copying them, but rather drawing inspiration from their approach to boost audience retention on our own content. It’s incredibly effective.

Test verdict: Is VidIQ the game-changing investment?

After 90 days of intensive testing, it’s time to answer the initial question. Do you need to use your credit card for VidIQ?

Who is VidIQ really designed for?

Let’s be clear: VidIQ isn’t designed for the casual YouTube user. It’s a tool tailored for those who want to transform a simple hobby into a serious project , those who are ready to analyze their stats and adjust their strategy accordingly.

Think of it as a growth accelerator, not a magic autopilot. Creating quality content remains the absolute foundation; the tool simply pushes it towards the right audience .

In short, if you’re not prepared to follow the advice to the letter, the tool will be completely useless . It’s as simple as that.

The right price: free vs. paid, which to choose?

We highly recommend starting with the free version ; it’s the logical starting point. It’s ideal for getting to grips with the interface and already offers some valuable indicators directly integrated into YouTube to help you avoid beginner mistakes without spending a penny.

Upgrade to the Boost plan only when you feel you need precise data to make a decision, especially regarding keywords and competitor analysis. This is where the goal of gaining YouTube views becomes more concrete and the investment truly makes sense.

Our summary in brief

So here’s what we’ve learned from these three months of use, without mincing words, regarding the strengths and limitations encountered .

• Pros: Huge time savings in research, concrete help in decision-making, real impact on visibility.
• Cons : The interface can be dense at first, the view “predictions” are not always accurate, it is still a monthly subscription.

For us, the results are positive . The tool has largely lived up to its promises. To form your own opinion, you can learn more about VidIQ or view VidIQ pricing directly.

After this 90-day crash test, the conclusion is clear: VidIQ isn’t a magic wand, but it’s a serious accelerator if you work diligently . Our views have skyrocketed, and we’ve saved a ton of time on strategy . In short, to kick things into high gear on YouTube, it’s a tool we 100% endorse ! 🚀