YouTube Analytics for Other Channels: Insights & Best Tools

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Whether your YouTube channel is doing great or definitely needs more views and subscribers, no YouTuber should simply settle and not spy on how their competitors’ channels are performing. Curiosity isn’t just natural, but you’ll be prying with a clear purpose: make your channel grow and become more successful!

Analyzing other channels helps you understand trends, audience behavior, and could truly inspire you to new ideas that would make your content valuable and ultimately attract the right audience.

Follow the guide below to learn how you can complete an analysis of other YouTube channels.

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How to Check YouTube Analytics for Other Channels

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1. Identify the Top Competitors in Your Niche

Before you start analyzing, you need to figure out which brands and creators dominating your niche are worth studying. Search using relevant keywords – Use YouTube, Google, or even TikTok search to find top-ranking videos in your niche, aka your competitors.

Example: If your podcast focuses on work cultures, you might search for keywords like "best work culture," "toxic workplace," "remote work productivity," or "how to build a great team."

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Typing "best work culture" on YouTube might surface top-ranking videos from business leaders or HR professionals. Analyzing these can reveal trending topics, video formats, and engagement strategies.

Even on TikTok, searching "work culture tips" could show viral short-form videos with unique angles or popular trends that you can adapt for your podcast discussions.

Look at industry leaders – see who the biggest names produce content in your field. Next, check suggested videos; platforms often recommend videos from similar creators, which can help you discover competitors.

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However, finding your competitors is way easier and low effort with the help of SubSub Analytics. Connect your YouTube account with SubSub and find competitors based on specific keywords. SubSub Analytics combines market intelligence with internal channel analytics to monitor competitors and uncover key insights.

After you identified your top 5-10 competitors, focus on these details:

• How frequently do they post?
• What kind of videos do they make (tutorials, reviews, entertainment, etc.)?
• How big is their audience?

Now is time to start digging deeper into their video strategy.

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2. High-Level Analysis of Your Competitors' Video Content Strategy

This is where you take a bird’s-eye view of YouTube analytics to track and analyze other channels effectively. While they’re mostly high-level, general details of your competitors' overall video content strategy, track and save all your observations, whether it’s a doc, spreadsheet, or notebook. 

Some of the key areas you should examine:

• The type of videos they focus on (educational content, entertainment, storytelling, product reviews, etc.)
• The structure of most of their content (e.g., short-form vs. long-form videos)

In terms of posting frequency and consistency:

• Do they post daily, weekly, or sporadically?
• Is there a pattern to their uploads (e.g., specific days of the week)?

You can save time and simplify this analysis with SubSub Analytics. You get detailed insights into competitors' publication schedules, allowing you to analyze their timing and strategically replicate their approach.

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You can also check their platform strategy. Many YouTubers expand their reach beyond YouTube and repurpose or repost their video content on TikTok, Instagram, or other platforms. This is always a good strategy and worth considering if you haven’t started to do this already.

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In terms of video style & production quality, here’s what you can inspect:

• Are their videos high quality, or do they favor a raw, authentic style?
• Do they use high-end graphics, animations, or basic editing?

Once you have this broad understanding, it's time to zoom in on individual videos.

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3. Micro-Level Analysis of Competitors Videos

This step is all about dissecting individual videos to figure out what’s resonating with viewers—and what’s not. What to look for:

Titles & thumbnails

• Are their titles clickbaity or more straightforward? Do they use numbers, power words, or curiosity-driven phrasing?
• Do their thumbnails have a consistent visual style, like bold text, high-contrast images, or expressive facial reactions?
• Are they using arrows, circles, or other design tricks to draw attention?

Hook & retention techniques

• Do they grab attention within the first 30 seconds, or does the intro drag?
• Are they using storytelling, teasers, or intriguing questions to keep viewers hooked?
• Do they introduce conflict or an element of surprise early on?

Editing & pacing

• Is their editing fast and snappy, or do they go for a more relaxed, in-depth feel?
• Do they rely on jump cuts, sound effects, overlays, or animated text to maintain energy?
• Are they incorporating memes, humor, or pop culture references?

Call-to-Action (CTA)

• How do they encourage engagement? (e.g., asking for likes, comments, or subscriptions at key moments)
• Do they promote other videos or a playlist to keep viewers on their channel longer?
• Are they subtly integrating sponsors or affiliate links, or is their monetization approach more aggressive?

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All these matter because when you start analyzing multiple videos, patterns will emerge. You’ll see what consistently drives views, keeps people watching, and encourages interaction.

SubSub Analytics provides side-by-side comparisons of multiple channels. This tool automatically scrapes key metrics like views, likes, comments, and subscriber growth without you having to track them manually. You get insights into what’s working for your competitors and how you can replicate their success.

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4. Assess Your Competitors’ Monetization Strategy

If growing your YouTube channel is part of a business strategy, understanding how your competitors make money is key.

Here are some revenue streams to identify:

• YouTube Ad Revenue – Look for monetized videos with mid-roll ads

• Sponsorships & Brand Deals – Check for visible brand partnerships.

• Merchandise & Products – Do they sell their own products?

• Memberships & Patreon – Any exclusive paid content?

• Affiliate Marketing – See if there are any links to products in the description.

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5. Deep Dive into Engagement and Audience Growth

Engagement is a major indicator of a successful video strategy. High views alone don’t mean much if people aren’t interacting with the content.

Key engagement metrics to analyze:

• Likes, comments, and shares – Which videos have the most engagement? You might discover that common themes, formats, or topics that spark more discussion and sharing.
• Subscriber growth trends – Do they gain followers consistently, or do certain videos cause spikes in growth? Most times, sudden surges indicate viral success, collaborations, or controversial topics.
• Audience sentiment – What are people saying in the comments? Are they asking questions, giving positive feedback, or complaining? Consistently positive engagement usually signals strong brand loyalty.

Look for patterns in videos with high vs. low engagement. Connect the dots and see if certain thumbnails, titles, or video lengths are more effective. Or maybe videos with direct audience involvement—such as Q&A sessions, polls, or giveaways - garner more responses.

Additionally, assess how creators maintain engagement post-upload. Channels that pin comments, reply to viewers, or encourage participation through calls to action often sustain higher engagement rates.

For example, you might find that animated videos or those with strong storytelling drive higher engagement. Take a holistic approach by analyzing every detail that contributes to a video's success—its title, thumbnail, content, and overall tone.

Engagement insights will help you understand what truly resonates with the audience—and how you can replicate or improve upon those elements.

Yet, replicating ideas or strategies should align with your unique style, available resources, and skill set. For instance, while your competitors may frequently use animated effects, you might find they don’t fit your brand or expertise. Similarly, if other YouTubers test multiple thumbnails per video but you lack the resources for a dedicated designer, that approach may not be feasible for you.

Once you've identified strategies worth replicating, take a step back to assess your resources and budget, ensuring your chosen methods are both practical and sustainable.

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6. Identify Content Gaps and Use Them to Stand Out

Now that you have all this data, the final and most crucial step is figuring out what your competitors AREN’T doing—and turning that into your competitive advantage.

Finding content gaps is fairly easy. You just have to look at unanswered questions. For instance, check comments on videos and see what their audience is asking. Create videos that answer these questions in depth.

You can also identify unused formats and apply those in your strategy. If competitors focus on long-form content, try short-form videos. If they rarely do live streams, experiment with them.

A pro tip for this phase: study their collaborations! Collabs can expand reach. Analyze who your competitors team up with—it might reveal potential partners for you!

Once you've identified these gaps, craft a video strategy that makes you unique. Maybe it's a fresh take on a popular topic, a better production style, or a different format. Whatever it is, lean into it - this is what will help you stand out in a crowded space.

Additionally, take the time to research emerging trends and see how you can use them for your channel. Stay ahead of industry trends and be the first to make content on hot topics. This will make the difference between raking in views and shouting into the void. Use Google Trends or TikTok trends to identify rising topics before they go mainstream.

Example: Let’s say your YouTube channel is about crypto trading tips. Set up alerts for major crypto news sites, follow top analysts on X (formerly Twitter), and check tools like CoinMarketCap’s trending section. Image a cryptocurrency suddenly spikes because a big bank just embraced it—don’t wait. Drop everything (except your laptop), film a quick analysis, and upload before the hype fades. Being first means you ride the wave, while latecomers just get wet.

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Best YouTube Analytics Tools for Other Channels

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1. SubSub Analytics

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If you’re serious about upping your YouTube game, SubSub Analytics is a tool you should definitely consider. Analytics helps you break down your analysis by categorizing sections, shows, formats, guests, and products separately for a deeper dive.

You can also keep an eye on real-time trends in your chosen categories. One of the standout features of Analytics is its simplicity and the possibility to test out YouTube analytics for other channels for free. 

With SubSub Analytics, you can track your competitor channels, and what makes this tool even more appealing is its ability to provide performance benchmarks. Apart from easily comparing your channel’s metrics with those of your competitors, it also helps you set realistic goals and measure your progress effectively.

The real magic of this tool lies in its ability to inspire you. As you keep tabs on what your competitors are up to, you can identify content gaps, spark new ideas, and even get ahead of trends before they take off.

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2. TubeBuddy

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TubeBuddy offers several features, from SEO optimization to bulk processing of videos. 

TubeBuddy allows you to see lifetime views, subscriber growth, and engagement rates for these channels. With TubeBuddy, you can get a detailed breakdown of the tags and keywords your competitors are using, and then tweak your own SEO strategy accordingly.

Another feature worth mentioning is TubeBuddy’s A/B testing tool for thumbnails, titles, and tags. This allows you to optimize your videos based on what’s working best for you and your competitors as well. 

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3. VidIQ

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If you’re looking for a robust analytics tool that dives deep into your YouTube performance, VidIQ is a good option. 

VidIQ’s keyword research tool provides detailed insights into the search volume, competition, and overall score of keywords. This means you can target the right keywords with confidence, boosting your video’s chances of being discovered.

You can also track your competitors’ video performance, see which keywords they’re ranking for, and even get alerts when they upload new content. This keeps you ahead of the curve and helps you adapt your strategy based on what’s working in your niche.

Another fantastic feature is VidIQ’s channel audit tool. It provides a clear and concise report on your channel’s overall health, identifying what’s working and what needs improvement. This helps you take a data-driven approach to growing their channel.

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4. Keyhole

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Keyhole gives you in-depth insights to see how your competitors stack up. You can choose the most important stats—mentions, hashtags, engagement, and reach. With Keyhole, you can also create reports to spot trends, strengths, and weak spots in your competitors’ strategies. Analyze what’s working for them—content styles, engagement tactics, and audience behavior.

Take note of the patterns and turn your findings into actionable improvements. Adjust your posting schedule, content themes, or engagement tactics based on what’s driving success in your niche.

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Final Thoughts

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If you’re serious about YouTube growth, analyzing other channels is a must. While manual research can give you useful insights, analytics tools like SubSub Analytics speed up the process and deliver highly relevant, data-driven insights in seconds. Whether you’re a creator, marketer, or business owner, leveraging YouTube analytics tools can help you stay ahead of the competition and make smarter content decisions.

So, take the guesswork out of YouTube analysis and focus on what matters: creating better content and growing your channel.

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FAQs

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1. Why should I make a YouTube video analysis for other channels?

YouTube is a competitive space, and analyzing your competitors helps you understand what’s working in your niche. You should study your competitors’ content strategy, video performance, engagement rates, and audience preferences, so you can fine-tune your own approach. It’s all about learning what resonates with viewers and finding ways to do it even better.

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2. What are the key metrics to look at when analyzing a competitor's YouTube channel?

Some of the most important metrics include:

• Views & watch time – indicates video popularity and audience retention.
• Subscribers & growth rate – shows their ability to attract and retain viewers.
• Engagement (likes, comments, shares) –reveals how active and invested their audience is.
• Upload frequency & consistency – helps you gauge their content strategy.
• Video SEO (titles, tags, descriptions, thumbnails) – Shows how they optimize their videos for discoverability.
• Subscribers-to-views ratio for a specific video - helps you identify standout videos that significantly outperform yours, providing valuable insights to learn from.

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3. How can I find my top YouTube competitors?

Start by searching for channels within your niche, focusing on both direct and indirect competitors, especially those with a large market share. Use YouTube’s search bar to find top-ranking channels by entering niche-related keywords and analyzing videos with the highest views and engagement. Additionally, check YouTube’s suggested videos on your content to discover similar creators.

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4. What tools can I use for YouTube competitor analysis?

Tools like SubSub Analytics, TubeBuddy, vidIQ, and Keyhole can help automate the process.

TubeBuddy & vidIQ both provide insights into video performance, keyword rankings, and engagement. SubSub helps you create a full competition analysis, compiling performance data for other YouTube channels as well as your own channel, making it easy to compare strategies.

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5. How to check YouTube analysis of other channels and use it to improve my channel?

Once you’ve gathered insights, apply them strategically:

• Improve your video titles, thumbnails, and descriptions based on what works for top-performing videos.
• Identify content gaps—topics your competitors haven’t covered yet.
• Adjust your posting schedule based on when their audience is most active.
• Engage with your audience in a way that builds stronger connections than your competitors.
• Experiment with new formats or styles that seem to work well in your niche.