5 YouTube mistakes that might be holding your brand back (and how to fix them)

 

If you’ve been putting time and energy into YouTube but not seeing the growth you expected, you’re far from alone. Plenty of brands are creating good content and still struggling to gain traction. YouTube is its own ecosystem and without a strategic approach, it’s easy to get stuck in the growth gap - where channels see spikes in views or large subscriber counts but fail to convert that into real results that bring business growth.

In this article, we’re walking through five of the most common YouTube mistakes brands make and exactly how you can fix them. Whether you’re just getting started or want to tighten up your strategy, these fixes will help you get better results.

Quick look: The top 5 YouTube Mistakes

Mistake

Ignoring SEO

Disorganised content

No search demand

Inconsistent uploads

No data strategy

Impact

Low visibility and ranking

Viewer drop-off

Missed opportunities

Lost momentum

Poor performance

Mistake 1: Ignoring YouTube SEO Best Practices

YouTube rewards strategy. If your titles, descriptions, or thumbnails aren’t thoughtfully crafted, it becomes much harder for people (and the algorithm) to discover your content. That means fewer views, lower click-through rates, and poor engagement.

What works:

  • Keyword-driven titles that spark curiosity

  • Clear, natural descriptions that give viewers a reason to watch

  • Consistent, on-brand thumbnails that stand out in a scroll-heavy feed

  • Tags that connect your videos and build content depth

For example, when we worked with Audible to refresh their thumbnails and optimise their metadata, they increased their click-through rates and engagement rate significantly.

Mistake 2: Treating your channel like a video archive

Your YouTube channel isn’t just a place to dump video assets. Audiences today show up with intention - they’re searching, learning, exploring. If your content feels random or disorganised, it can be overwhelming and confusing to your audience.

Here’s how to fix it:

  • Build your channel around 3–5 clear content pillars

  • Use playlists to guide the viewer journey

  • Archive or hide outdated videos that no longer reflect your brand

  • Maintain a consistent visual and messaging style across all videos

A well-organised channel helps viewers find what they need and builds trust fast. It’s like walking into a clean, well-laid-out shop - you’re more likely to stick around.

Mistake 3: Not leveraging YouTube’s search power

YouTube is owned by Google, the world’s largest search engine - which means there is a huge opportunity to appear in both Google, YouTube, and even AI-driven search. If your content isn’t aligned with what people are looking for, you're missing out on massive organic reach.

To get more visible:

  • Research the phrases your audience is actually searching for

  • Use those keywords in your video titles, descriptions, and even scripts

  • Tag videos strategically to build a connected content ecosystem

  • Think of each video as a searchable asset

Creating content around what your audience is really interested in helps build momentum over time. 

Mistake 4: Posting without a content strategy

Randomly uploading content is a common YouTube mistake that makes it hard to build momentum - the algorithm doesn’t know what to expect from you and neither do your viewers. You don’t need to publish daily, but you do need a plan.

What helps:

  • Choose a posting rhythm you can realistically sustain (weekly, biweekly, etc.)

  • Plan content that supports your brand story and goals

  • Batch film or prep in advance so you’re not always scrambling

  • Try different formats: Shorts, how-tos, interviews, behind-the-scenes

  • Repurpose long-form videos into bite-sized clips or teaser Shorts

Consistency builds trust. Over time, it also builds results.

Mistake 5: Creating without audience or search data

Even the most creative content can flop if it doesn’t serve your audience. The best content strategies are built on data, from what people are searching to how your own videos are performing.

What to focus on:

  • Look at search trends in your niche

  • Pay attention to which of your videos are actually driving results

  • Capture real customer questions and use them to shape topics

  • Align video content with broader marketing and sales goals

At Navigate, we live and breathe data - from channel audits to trend reports. Because when your content is backed by insight, it works harder for your brand.

Build a YouTube Strategy That Actually Works

These mistakes are common, but totally fixable. You don’t need to spend years figuring it out by trial and error. A clear, consistent, and search-driven strategy can make YouTube a powerful growth engine for your brand.

Ready to unlock what’s possible when your YouTube strategy is actually working?

Let’s build it together. Drop us an email or take our free YouTube Health Check to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I improve SEO on my YouTube channel?
A: Focus on keyword-rich titles, strong thumbnails, search-aligned topics, and consistent posting. YouTube SEO is all about visibility and relevance.

Q: What are the most common YouTube mistakes brands make?
A: Some of the biggest YouTube mistakes include skipping video SEO, inconsistent posting, disorganised channels, and creating content without understanding audience data.

Q: How often should I post on YouTube?
A: Post as often as you can sustain quality and consistency - weekly or biweekly is a good benchmark for most brands.

Q: How do I choose keywords for my YouTube videos?
A: Use tools like SemRush, Google Trends, or UberSuggests to identify what your audience is searching. Then integrate those terms naturally into your title, description, and content.

Q: What kind of YouTube videos work best for brand growth?
A: It depends on your audience, but educational content, tutorials, behind-the-scenes, product walkthroughs, and community-focused Shorts are great starting points.

 
Rosie Clack-Walsh