“The Reason You're Not Getting YouTube Comments: You're Not Doing 'This'.”

“Why Am I Getting Views But No Comments?”

If you run a YouTube channel, you've probably had this thought at least once.

"My video is getting views and the watch time is decent, but why are there no comments?" "I heard that more comments help build a community and are good for the algorithm…"

Especially for new channels, comments are 'proof of interest.' They mean more than just a number.

So, what are the characteristics of videos that actually get a lot of comments?





“Comments Come from ‘Participation,’ Not Provocation”

Most videos with a lot of comments are structured in a way that makes viewers want to get involved.

It's not that simply provocative videos attract comments.

Comments appear when you create a flow that makes people think, "I want to jump in on this," "I have to say something about this," or "If I don't write this now, I'll forget."





“4 Types of Content That Naturally Generate Comments”

1. Videos that ask you to make a choice

- "Which side are you on?"
- "A vs. B, what's your take?"

→ A binary choice structure automatically encourages people to participate.

→ Questions that make viewers 'think of an answer' drive comments.

- “Are you a morning person or a night owl?”
- “What’s more annoying on the subway? People blocking the door vs. people being loud.”

2. Relatability + Nostalgia

- "Anyone born in the 90s will immediately get this."
- "Everyone who's served in the military has heard this before."

→ Recalling the past + finding common ground encourages people to share personal experiences.

- “Did anyone play this game as a kid?”
- “Who still has one of these at home?”

3. Emotional content with no right answer

- "What's the right thing to do in a situation like this?"
- "This was so stressful for me... what do you guys think?"

→ Everyday conflicts or sensitive situations invite comments like, "Am I the only one who feels this way?"

- “My friend has bailed on our plans more than 5 times. Is this really okay?”
- “How do you react when someone says something like this to you at work?”

4. Real-time, interactive content

- "For everyone watching this right now, what time is it where you are?"
- "I'm eating alone right now... anyone else eating with me?"

→ A sense of real-time connection prompts comments like, "Here's what I'm doing right now."

- “For those of you listening, what are you doing while you watch?”
- “Everyone watching now, let's write our city in the comments.”





“There's a Specific Tone That Invites Comments”

- “What do you all think?”
- “Let me know in the comments.”
- “Is it just me?”
- “If you can relate, leave a comment!”

People are wired to respond when they are 'called upon.'

Your tone of voice alone can create an atmosphere that says, "It's okay to participate."





“Channels with Lots of Comments Ultimately Build a Community”

Comments aren't generated by provocation.

They come from a desire to be part of something, the right moment to chime in, and the feeling that you just *have* to say something.

While refining your video's message is important, always check if you included that final line that calls out to your viewers.

Comments are often the first thing to be overlooked in analytics, but they are actually a metric with more potential than views.

A channel with a lot of comments is a channel with a true community.