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How to see YouTube analytics for other channels

Updated August 5, 2024
Written by Darren Buser

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An image of YouTube analytics.

Looking to get more views, create better videos and grow your YouTube channel? From gaming videos to lifestyle vlogs and reaction videos, YouTube analytics and insights can help you understand how to improve your YouTube videos in no time. 

There are over 114 million active channels on YouTube, so it’s important to share content that your viewers really want to watch and engage with. By tracking competitor YouTube analytics using third-party tools and methods, you can track valuable stats and metrics from the creators who inspire you or make similar videos to you, like average view time, the best time to post, and more. Comparing your competitor's YouTube stats with your own can enhance your video planning.  

Read on to learn how to view competitor YouTube video stats and overviews. Then use this knowledge to grow your channel and create showstopping YouTube videos and Shorts with Clipchamp, our easy YouTube video editor.

What are YouTube Analytics?

YouTube Analytics is a powerful tool that empowers YouTubers to monitor and evaluate the performance of their videos and channels. With YouTube Analytics, you can track a variety of key metrics, including:

  • Views show you how many times your videos have been watched.

  • Watch time enables you to understand how long viewers are spending on your videos.

  • Audience demographics help you learn about your viewers' age, gender, and geographic location.

  • Traffic sources reveal where your viewers are finding your videos (such as search, suggested videos, external websites).

By analyzing these metrics, you can gain valuable insights into what's working and what needs improvement. This will enable you to make informed decisions to enhance your content and grow your audience.

How to use YouTube analytics to level up your videos

YouTube Analytics offers a treasure trove of data that can help you enhance your video content. Here’s how to make the most of it:

1. Identify top-performing videos

Look at views and watch time to check which videos have the highest views and watch time in your YouTube channel. Identify common themes, topics, or formats that made them successful. Try to replicate these elements in your future videos. For example, if your tutorial videos get the most views, consider creating more content in that style.

2. Analyze audience retention

Check the Audience Retention Report to see where viewers are dropping off in your YouTube uploads. This insight will help you understand which parts of your videos might be less engaging. For instance, if viewers drop off after the first minute, work on making your YouTube intro video more captivating.

3. Understand traffic sources

Find out where your viewers come from. Use the traffic sources report to discover how viewers are finding your videos. Optimize your video titles, YouTube video description, channel description as well as tags to attract more viewers from those sources. For example, if a significant number of viewers come from search, focus on improving your SEO.

4. Monitor demographics

Know your audience. Understanding their age, gender, and location can help you tailor your content to their preferences. For example, if your audience is primarily teenagers, create content that appeals to younger viewers.

5. Track engagement metrics

Look at likes, comments, and shares. These metrics show which videos resonate most with your audience. Engage with your viewers in the comments to build a YouTube community. For example, remind viewers to interact with your channel by adding like and subscribe buttons to your outro video, post YouTube polls, and respond to comment on your videos to a sense of community.

How to see YouTube channel analytics for other creators

Let’s look at the different types of YouTube channel stats you can view. These learnings can help you understand how many videos to create, how to describe your videos, ideal publishing times, and more.

  • Click-through rates (If your video thumbnail and video title draw in viewers) 

  • Average video watch time 

  • Video view duration  

  • Audience retention rates per video 

  • YouTube descriptions  

  • YouTube thumbnails 

  • YouTube subscriber charts 

  • Video publishing times 

  • Target audience for YouTube channel and videos 

  • Sponsored video statistics  

Here are some YouTube analytics websites and tools that can help you easily track YouTube stats of your competitors online.

1. YouTube analytics tool: Tubular Intelligence

Easily analyze YouTube channel insights with Tubular Intelligence. Their smart technology lets you see what’s trending on YouTube, highest-watched videos from target audiences, and what video content subscribers are enjoying the most. Tubular offers paid and free payment plan options.  

An image of Tubular Intelligence.

2. YouTube analytics tool: BuzzSumo

BuzzSumo analyzes YouTube channels from your competitors to find video ideas based on what’s trending through keyword research. The platform is available for creators and competitors to view and offers paid and free payment options. 

An image of BuzzSumo.

3. YouTube analytics tool: Social Blade

Social Blade is the perfect tool to give you YouTube insights about specific subscriber behaviors and views of your competitors. You can also find out how your competitors are performing and what content they’re posting just by using the search bar. The platform offers paid and free payment options. 

An image of Social Blade.

4. YouTube analytics tool: Popsters

Popsters is a third-party tool that gives you valuable insights into other YouTube creators accounts. Just log in to your account, paste the URL to the YouTube channel, and browse the search results. 

An image of popsters.

Source: Popsters 

5. YouTube analytics tool: TubeBuddy

TubeBuddy is a browser extension that helps you manage, create, and grow your YouTube channel. If you type in a video genre you want to create in the YouTube search bar, TubeBuddy will tell you how likely you are to rank in the specific search. There are both free and paid options. 

An image of TubeBuddy.

Source: Modern Millie

6. YouTube analytics tool: NoxInfluencer

NoxInfluencer is a comprehensive tool that provides detailed analytics for YouTube channels, including subscriber growth, video performance, and engagement metrics. Simply enter the channel name, and NoxInfluencer will offer insights into the channel’s performance, helping you track competitor trends and audience preferences. There are both free and paid options.

Noxinfluencer platform preview

7. YouTube analytics tool: VidIQ

VidIQ is an advanced analytics and SEO tool designed to help YouTube creators optimize their videos and grow their channels. By analyzing competitor strategies and providing keyword opportunities, VidIQ offers actionable insights to enhance your content’s visibility and performance. Just enter your specific video details, and VidIQ will guide you on how to improve your search rankings. There are both free and paid options.

VIDIQ platform preview

How to view your own analytics in YouTube Studio 

To track YouTube stats to your own channel, head over to YouTube Studio and click on the analytics tab on the left toolbar.  

An image of Clipchamo YouTube studio.

Next, click on either the overview, content, audience, revenue, or research tabs to view your YouTube channel statistics in more detail.  

An image of Clipchamp YouTube analytics.

Bonus tips to grow your YouTube channel

YouTube research shouldn't end with analytics. YouTube insights can be discovered through other methods as well.

  • Explore popular competitor videos within your niche: Create content that gets views by noticing what videos are currently trending and have high engagement on your competitor’s channels. 

  • Take note of popular video styles and trends: If your competitors have similar target audiences and demographics, explore what style of video content is the most popular on their YouTube channel like vlogs, tutorials, reviews, unboxing videos, among others.

  • Subscriber and viewer requests: Scroll through the comments section on popular videos to find out what videos and topics viewers are asking for. You can use this valuable information to create your next video.  

  • Research uploading times: Take note of the times your competitors are posting, and which timeframes gain better performance straight away.  

  • Video titles with keywords: YouTube video titles and descriptions should always include popular keywords associated to your niche, genre, and competitors to help rank your videos higher. 

  • Eye-catching video thumbnails: Find out which YouTube thumbnails are gaining the most attraction and clicks to get inspiration for your own thumbnails. Make sure your thumbnails are eye-catching to increase your click through rate.

  • View intro and outro videos: Discover if your competitors include YouTube intros and outros in their video content and you can follow their example.

Frequently asked questions

Are creators notified if I check out their YouTube Analytics?

No. If you use any of the third-party YouTube analytics tools suggested above, the competitor will not be notified that you have viewed their dashboard.

Will I get more subscribers by viewing competitor YouTube channel analytics?

Potentially. By analyzing competitor data, you can identify popular content and trends to create more engaging videos. Use insights to improve your content, stay unique, and consider YouTube advertising to attract more subscribers. Planning and research are key—watch competitor videos, take notes, and find your own creative twist. Check out our ultimate guide to vlog editing for more tips.

What do my social media engagement metrics mean?

Social media engagement measures how actively your audience interacts with your content, not just follower count. Key metrics include watch time, click-through rates, comments, likes, and shares. YouTube metrics help you understand the success of your videos and audience engagement. Learn more in our article on social media engagement metrics.

If you want to learn more about creating YouTube videos that get views, check out the ultimate guide to YouTube videos

Whether you’re creating gaming content or tutorial videos, use these tips and make engaging content. If you’re looking for an easy pro video editor, check out Clipchamp and our library of designer YouTube into and end screen templates, like and subscribe animations and royalty free music help you create eye catching content.  

Start editing today with Clipchamp for free or download the Clipchamp Windows app.  

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