YouTube loves high watch time—it signals that your content keeps viewers engaged, which is exactly what the platform wants. When a video holds attention, the algorithm pushes it to more people through search, home, and suggested feeds. But to get discovered in the first place, you need solid SEO. Use keyword-rich titles, descriptions, and tags that match what your audience is searching for. This helps YouTube understand your content and show it in relevant results. Once people click, strong content and structure keep them watching. The combo of high SEO visibility and long watch time creates a feedback loop—more impressions, more clicks, more views. Nail both, and YouTube will reward you with sustained, long-term growth.
