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What Does Subscribing Mean On YouTube? [Explained!]

In this article, we’ll walk you through the basics of subscribing to YouTube channels.

Subscribing on YouTube can be a daunting task for newbies, but it’s actually quite simple and can be a great way to stay up-to-date on the content you love.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the basics of subscribing to YouTube channels, so you can start enjoying your favorite videos without having to search for them every time.

What Does Subscribing Mean On YouTube?

Subscribing on YouTube is like saying “Hey, I really like this channel’s stuff, and I want to know whenever they put out something new!”

Subscribing On YouTube:

Think of “subscribe” on YouTube like following your favorite TV show. When you “subscribe” to a channel, it means you want to keep up with what they share.

What Happens:

After you subscribe, you’ll get messages when the channel adds new stuff. It’s like getting a heads-up when your favorite show releases a new episode. You can see their stuff on your homepage, and there’s a special place where all the new stuff from channels you like shows up.

Who Is A YouTube Subscriber?

A YouTube subscriber is someone who has chosen to “follow” your channel and your content so they can stay updated with your latest videos.

In essence, a subscriber can become a raving fan who watches, comments and shares your videos with others. Building up a strong subscriber base is essential for creating a powerful community online.

Terms To Know About YouTube Subscription

When a user subscribes to a YouTube channel, it signifies their interest in the content produced by that channel. Here are some terms to know about YouTube subscriptions:

Subscription Button

Each YouTube channel has a “Subscribe” button located below the channel’s video content. By clicking this button, users can choose to subscribe to the channel.

Notifications

Subscribers have the option to enable notifications for a channel they have subscribed to. This means they will receive alerts or emails whenever new videos are uploaded by that channel.

Subscription Feed

A subscription feed on YouTube is a list of all the videos that have been uploaded by the channels you are subscribed to. It is located on the “Subscriptions” tab on your YouTube homepage.

Recommendations

YouTube’s recommendation algorithm takes into account a user’s subscriptions to personalize their video suggestions. Subscribing to channels you enjoy helps YouTube understand your preferences and provides you with more relevant content.

Subscriber Count

Channels publicly display the number of subscribers they have. This count reflects the total number of users who have chosen to subscribe to the channel.

Subscriber Benefits

Subscribers may receive additional benefits depending on the channel’s offerings. Some creators provide exclusive content, early access, live chats, or other perks to their subscribers.

Community Engagement

Subscribing to a channel often allows users to engage with the broader community. This can include participating in discussions, leaving comments, or joining live chats during premieres or live streams.

How To Subscribe To YouTube Channels

Here’s a simple guide on how to subscribe to YouTube channels:

Step 1: Visit YouTube

Start by going to YouTube.com on your computer or open the YouTube app on your mobile device.

Step 2: Sign In

Make sure you’re signed in to your YouTube account. This way, YouTube knows who you are.

Step 3: Find The YouTube Channel

Search for the channel you want to subscribe to. You can type the channel’s name in the search bar or click on a video that’s from that channel.

Step 4: Go To The Channel

Once you’re on the channel’s page, look around for a special button – it’s called the “Subscribe” button.

Step 5: Click Subscribe

This button is usually red and has a little white plus sign on it. When you find it, just click on it. That’s like giving a thumbs-up to the channel and saying, “Hey, I want to watch your stuff!”

How To View Subscribed Channels On YouTube

Here’s a simple guide on how to see your subscribed channels on YouTube:

Step 1: Open The YouTube App

First things first, launch the YouTube app on your mobile device.

Step 2: Start At Your Homepage

Once the app opens up, you’ll find yourself on your YouTube homepage. This is where you usually see recommended videos and stuff.

Step 3: Go To Subscriptions

Now, look for the “Subscriptions” tab. It’s like a little white triangle that points to the side. You’ll spot it near the bottom right corner of your screen, right before the “Library” icon.

Step 4: Find Your Subscribed Channels

Tapping on the “Subscriptions” tab will take you to a list of all the channels you’ve subscribed to. These are like your favorite TV channels on YouTube.
If any of these channels have uploaded new stuff since the last time you checked, they’ll have a little blue dot next to their name.

Step 5: See All Subscriptions

If you want to see the whole bunch of channels you’ve subscribed to, tap on “ALL” at the top right corner of the screen. It’s like opening a treasure chest of all your subscribed channels.

Homepage Vs. Subscription Feed: What’s Different

Firstly, think of the homepage like an entertainment mixtape, while your subscription feed is like your own personal TV guide filled with shows you’ve already decided to watch!

With that in mind, the lowdown on the differences between videos on the YouTube homepage and your subscription feed are:

Personalization:

Homepage: Your YouTube homepage is like a tailor-made TV channel. It uses smart computer magic which can also be called YouTube Algorithm to pick videos you might like, even if you’re not following those channels. So, you might see new stuff from places you haven’t checked out before.
  
Subscription Feed: Your subscription feed is all about what you’re subscribed to. It’s like a special playlist that only has videos from the channels you’ve hit the “subscribe” button for.

Focus On Subscriptions:

Homepage: While it suggests videos from different places, your homepage isn’t all about what you’re subscribed to. It wants to introduce you to new things too.
 
Subscription Feed: This is like a VIP list for your favorite channels. Only videos from channels you’ve subscribed to will appear here. So, it’s all about your favorite stuff.

Chronological Order:

Homepage: The order of videos on your homepage isn’t strict. It’s based on what YouTube’s clever brain (YouTube Algorithm) think you’d like to watch, and that might not always be the newest videos.
  
Subscription Feed: This feed keeps it simple. It lines up videos in the order they were uploaded, so you can easily catch up on the latest from your favorite channels.

Ad Invasion:

Homepage: Ads are YouTube’s way of earning money, and the homepage is like prime real estate for ads. So, expect to see more ads here.

Subscription Feed: You’ll find fewer ads in your subscription feed. It’s a more peaceful place where you can focus on what you love without too many interruptions.

FAQs

Why Do I See Videos From Channels I’m Not Subscribed To On My YouTube Homepage?

YouTube uses algorithms to show you videos that it thinks you’ll be interested in, even if you’re not subscribed to the channels that made them.

This is based on factors such as the videos you’ve watched in the past, the channels you’ve liked, and the topics you’ve searched

Why Do I See The Same YouTube Videos On My Homepage Over And Over Again?

YouTube may show you the same videos on your homepage if it thinks you’re still interested in them. This can happen if you’ve watched the videos a lot, or if they’re very popular.

If you’re not interested in seeing the same videos over and over again, you can click on the hamburger icon on the top-right corner of the video and select the ”Not Interested” option.

Overall

YouTube subscriptions are a way for users to stay connected to channels and content creators they enjoy, ensuring they don’t miss out on new videos and fostering a sense of community within the platform.

Further Reading:

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Posted by
Precious Ekhorose

Precious Ekhorose is a proficient social media blogger, editor and technology content writer. He has a keen interest in resolving technology-related issues for individuals. His main focus is on social media news related to popular platforms like Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, TikTok, Telegram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, and operating systems such as Android, Windows, and iOS. He has studied technology and social media for three years, honing his skills in crafting professional guides and how-to articles for his blog.

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