5 Ways to Increase YouTube Engagement & Get More Comments

YouTube success isn’t just about views and subscribers—it’s about engagement. The more your audience likes, shares, and comments on your videos, the stronger your community becomes. High engagement also boosts your rankings in YouTube’s algorithm, helping your videos reach more people organically.

If you want to turn your YouTube channel into a thriving community where conversations happen naturally, these five strategies will help you get more comments and meaningful interactions.

1. Ask Thought-Provoking Questions in Your Videos

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to encourage comments is to ask for them directly. But not just any question—ask something that sparks discussion, debate, or personal stories.

What Makes a Great Question?

Open-ended: Questions that require more than a yes or no answer lead to deeper conversations.
Relatable: People love to share personal experiences and opinions.
Timely: Tying your question to trending topics keeps it relevant.

Examples of Questions to Ask in Your Videos:

“What’s one lesson you’ve learned from your own experience with this topic?”
“Do you agree or disagree with this strategy? Let me know why.”
“What would you like to see in my next video?”

Action Tip: Instead of waiting until the end, ask a question within the first 30-60 seconds to capture early engagement.

2. Pin a Comment to Set the Conversation Tone

The first comment people see can influence how they engage with your video. Pinning a comment at the top of your video’s comment section is a great way to:

Encourage responses by asking a follow-up question.
Highlight an important point from the video.
Share an update or relevant link.

How to Pin a Comment:

Post your comment under your own video.
Click on the three dots next to your comment.
Select “Pin” to move it to the top.

Action Tip: You can also pin a comment from a viewer if someone leaves an insightful or engaging response. This encourages others to join the discussion.

3. Use Call-to-Actions (CTAs) That Feel Natural

People often need a little nudge to take action, but generic CTAs don’t always work. Instead of saying, “Leave a comment below,” try making your request more specific and personal.

Examples of Stronger CTAs:

If sharing a personal story: “Have you ever experienced this? Share your story in the comments.”
If teaching something: “Which of these strategies do you want to try first? Drop a comment and let me know.”
If presenting different opinions: “Do you agree with this take, or do you have a different perspective? Let’s talk about it in the comments.”

The more natural your CTA feels, the more likely people will engage.

4. Reply to Comments to Keep the Conversation Going

Engagement doesn’t stop at getting comments—you need to continue the conversation. When you reply to comments, you:

Show your audience that you value their thoughts.
Encourage longer discussions, which boosts engagement signals.
Increase the chances of repeat viewers who feel connected to your channel.

How to Maximize Comment Replies:

Personalize your responses instead of just saying “Thanks.”
Ask a follow-up question to keep the discussion going.
Acknowledge early commenters to build excitement around new uploads.

Action Tip: Set aside 10-15 minutes after posting a new video to actively reply to comments while engagement is at its highest.

5. Leverage YouTube’s Community Tab for More Interaction

Your video comment section isn’t the only place to engage with your audience. YouTube’s Community Tab allows you to post updates, polls, and behind-the-scenes content that sparks more conversations.

Ways to Use the Community Tab to Get More Comments:

Run a poll asking viewers about their preferences on upcoming content.
Post a behind-the-scenes photo and ask for feedback.
Share a sneak peek of your next video and ask what they expect.

Action Tip: Engage in between video uploads to keep the conversation alive even when you’re not posting new content.

Final Thoughts: Engagement Is the Key to Growth

The more people interact with your videos, the more YouTube rewards you by pushing your content to a wider audience. Encouraging meaningful comments isn’t just about gaming the algorithm—it’s about building a real, engaged community that keeps coming back.

Start by implementing one or two of these strategies today. The more you engage, the more comments you’ll receive, and the stronger your YouTube presence will become.

Your audience wants to connect with you—so give them the opportunity to do so.