YouTube Introduces Smarter Video Title Testing to Boost Views for All Creators

YouTube is giving creators a smarter way to optimize their videos with title testing. The platform has expanded a tool that lets creators experiment with different video titles to see which performs best. Initially available to a small group of users in July, this feature is now open to all creators who have access to YouTube Studio’s advanced features.

The new title testing option complements YouTube’s existing thumbnail testing tool. Creators can upload up to three titles, or a mix of titles and thumbnails, for any eligible video. YouTube then distributes these variations evenly among viewers for up to two weeks, measuring which combination generates the most watch time.

Once the test is complete, the combination that drives the highest watch time is automatically applied to the video as the “winner.” If results are inconclusive, YouTube defaults to the first title and thumbnail submitted. Creators can also override the outcome and manually select their preferred title or thumbnail.

Currently, this feature is available only on desktop. It applies to public long-form videos, live stream archives saved as videos, and podcast episodes. However, YouTube restricts testing for content marked for mature audiences or “Made for Kids.”