How to Encourage More Shares & Likes on Your YouTube Videos

Growing a successful YouTube channel isn’t just about getting views—it’s about engagement. Likes and shares are two of the most powerful signals that tell YouTube’s algorithm your content is valuable. The more people interact with your videos, the more YouTube will recommend them to new viewers.

But here’s the thing—most people won’t automatically like or share a video unless they’re prompted to. That’s why you need a strategy to encourage engagement in a way that feels natural and compelling.

In this post, we’ll explore actionable ways to get more likes and shares on your YouTube videos, helping you boost visibility, grow your community, and increase your overall reach.

Why Likes and Shares Matter on YouTube

Before diving into the strategies, let’s talk about why likes and shares are so important.

• Boosts Visibility – The more likes and shares a video has, the more likely YouTube is to recommend it to others.

• Signals Quality to the Algorithm – Engagement tells YouTube that your content is valuable, which increases your chances of ranking higher in search results.

• Expands Your Audience – Shares expose your content to new viewers who may never have found your channel otherwise.

• Strengthens Your Community – When people engage with your content, they feel more connected to you, which encourages long-term loyalty.

Now that you know why engagement matters, let’s dive into how you can get more people to interact with your videos.

1. Create Content That People Want to Share

If you want people to like and share your videos, your content needs to be worth sharing. The best-performing videos usually have at least one of these qualities:

• Educational – People love sharing content that teaches them something useful.

• Entertaining – If your video makes people laugh or feel inspired, they’ll want to pass it along.

• Emotional – Videos that stir emotions—whether it’s excitement, nostalgia, or motivation—tend to get more shares.

• Relatable – When viewers see themselves in your content, they’re more likely to engage with it.

Ask yourself: Would I share this video if I saw it on my feed? If the answer is no, consider how you can make it more engaging.

2. Ask for Likes and Shares the Right Way

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to increase engagement is to ask. But how you ask makes a big difference.

Make It Personal

Instead of saying, “Like and share this video,” try something more personal:

• “If you found this helpful, hit that like button so I know to make more content like this.”

• “If this video made you smile, share it with a friend who needs a laugh today.”

When viewers understand why their engagement matters, they’re more likely to take action.

Use On-Screen Prompts

Sometimes, viewers need a little nudge. Use pop-up text or animations during key moments in your video to remind them to like and share.

Time It Right

The best times to ask for engagement are:

• At the beginning – A quick mention early on sets the expectation.

• After delivering value – If you’ve just shared a great tip or story, people will be more inclined to like the video.

• At the end – A strong call to action in your outro reinforces the message.

3. Create Shareable Moments in Your Videos

Not every viewer will share an entire video, but they might share a specific moment. Creating shareable snippets within your content increases the chances of organic sharing.

Use Memorable Hooks

A strong opening that grabs attention makes people more likely to share your video. Try using:

• A surprising fact

• A relatable story

• A bold statement that sparks curiosity

Include Quotable Moments

Think about how social media users share content—they love short, powerful statements. If you drop a memorable quote, people are more likely to share it.

Encourage Clip Sharing

YouTube allows viewers to share specific video clips. Guide your audience by saying something like:

• “If this tip helped you, clip it and share it with someone who needs it.”

4. Engage with Your Audience to Boost Visibility

The more engaged your audience is, the more likely YouTube will promote your videos. Here’s how to create an interactive experience that encourages engagement.

Reply to Comments

A simple “Thanks for watching!” or answering a viewer’s question makes them feel valued, increasing the chances that they’ll engage with your future content.

Pin a Comment with a CTA

Pin a comment at the top of your comment section that encourages interaction, such as:

• “What was your favorite part of this video? Let me know below!”

• “Tag a friend who needs to see this.”

Host Contests and Giveaways

Encourage engagement by running a giveaway where viewers must like, comment, and share your video to enter.

5. Leverage Other Platforms to Encourage Shares

Don’t rely solely on YouTube for engagement—promote your videos across multiple channels.

Share on Social Media

Post your videos on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn with engaging captions that encourage sharing.

• Use short teaser clips on Instagram Reels and TikTok.

• Create Twitter threads summarizing key points from your video.

• Share behind-the-scenes content to build hype.

Embed Your Videos in Blog Posts

If you have a website, embed your videos in relevant blog posts to drive additional views and shares.

Email Your Subscribers

A simple email like “I just uploaded a new video I think you’ll love! Check it out here” can bring in more engagement.

6. Optimize Your Thumbnails and Titles for More Clicks

People are more likely to like and share a video if they actually click on it in the first place. Your thumbnail and title play a huge role in driving those clicks.

Thumbnail Best Practices

• Use bright, high-contrast images.

• Show emotion in your facial expressions.

• Keep text minimal but attention-grabbing.

Craft Click-Worthy Titles

Your title should create curiosity while being clear about what the video offers. Examples:

• “The Simple Trick That Tripled My YouTube Views”

• “5 Life-Changing Productivity Hacks You Need to Try”

Final Thoughts

Encouraging likes and shares on YouTube isn’t just about asking—it’s about creating content people naturally want to engage with. By making your videos more valuable, interactive, and shareable, you’ll start seeing a steady increase in engagement that leads to long-term growth.

Start applying these strategies today, and watch how your community responds. The more you focus on creating meaningful connections, the more people will support and share your content.