Why your channel or video isn’t in YouTube search results

If you recently created your channel or video, updated your video, or changed your handle or channel name, it may take a few days for it to be reflected in YouTube search results.

If it’s been a few days and you still can't find your video in search results, try the steps below:

Find your channel in search results

  • Search by your channel ID rather than your handle or channel name. Learn how to find your channel ID.
  • Use the FILTER option at the top of your search results to only show channels.

Find your video in search results

If you recently changed your video, it can take a few days for uploaded videos to be reflected in YouTube search results.

If it’s been a few days and you still can't find your video in search results, you can try to:

  • Search for the exact video ID.
  • Use search filters to refine your search.
  • Improve your video tags to help your video show up in searches.
  • Check YouTube Studio to find out if any of your videos have errors.

How YouTube ranks search results

YouTube search tries to show you the most relevant results. Results can include videos, channels, playlists, and live streams.

To rank video and channel results, YouTube relies on a variety of factors. For example, results may be ranked based on how well titles, descriptions, and video content match a search query.

Rankings also take into account which videos have been engaged with the most for that search query in the past, so matching channel results may not always appear before video results. You also may not find your channel at the top of the search results if:

  • Your handle or channel name is commonly used in video titles.
  • You have a common channel name.
  • Your YouTube channel is new.
  • Your channel name may not be appropriate to all audiences.

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