Does Google Traffic Affect YouTube Recommendations? What To Know via @sejournal, @MattGSouthern

In a caller societal media discussion, Rene Ritchie, YouTube’s Creator Liaison, addressed questions astir however Google postulation affects YouTube recommendations.

The speech centered connected whether little presumption durations from Google Search referrals could negatively interaction a channel’s performance.

There is interest that if viewers lone ticker a video for a abbreviated time, this behaviour mightiness pb YouTube to urge the video little frequently.

The question comes from the relationship @AdventureCrews connected X, who write:

“if a transmission gets monolithic outer views from Google Search and the spectator lone watches for < 2min, does this negatively interaction the video oregon tin YouTube decipher this? The contented is escapade travel.”

YouTube’s Response

Ritchie explained that viewership information is important, but the effect of postulation chiefly comes from wherever it originates.

This means the algorithm looks astatine ticker clip otherwise depending connected however users find the content.

For example, videos clicked from the YouTube homepage are assessed otherwise than those accessed done outer sources similar Google Search.

He states:

“Traffic sources chiefly impact the aforesaid postulation source. So the proposal strategy (Browse > Home Page), for example, volition look astatine ticker clip for the video erstwhile it’s clicked connected from the Home Page, not from outer sources, Sub feed, etc.”

Hi! Traffic sources chiefly impact the aforesaid postulation source. So the proposal strategy (Browse > Home Page), for example, volition look astatine ticker clip for the video erstwhile it's clicked connected from the Home Page, not from outer sources, Sub feed, etc. https://t.co/tiecLOrrL0

— YouTube Liaison (@YouTubeInsider) February 19, 2025

What This Means

This clarification offers reassurance to creators.

Even if a video gets galore views from extracurricular searches, having a shorter ticker clip from that postulation doesn’t alteration its chances of being recommended by YouTube.

The level chiefly uses engagement metrics; similar ticker clip from wrong YouTube, to determine what to recommend.

For much astir however YouTube’s proposal strategy works, see:

• How YouTube’s Recommendation System Works In 2025
• 20 Confirmed Facts About YouTube’s Algorithm

Featured Image: Danille Nicole Wilson/Shutterstock

SEJ STAFF Matt G. Southern Senior News Writer astatine Search Engine Journal

Matt G. Southern, Senior News Writer, has been with Search Engine Journal since 2013. With a bachelor’s grade successful communications, ...