Is My YouTube Channel Growing? What the Research Actually Says

 

Is My YouTube Channel Growing or Am I Just Going Through the Motions? What I Found Out

Like many content creators who have committed serious time and effort to YouTube, I reached a point where I had to ask myself: Is this going anywhere? Am I building something, or am I just talking into the void?

After uploading hundreds of riddle niche videos and slowly gaining subscribers, I started wondering whether my pace was "normal" or a sign that maybe YouTube just wasn't going to work out for me. 

So, I did what many creators do when they feel stuck: I started researching.

What I found was a mix of relief, validation, and renewed motivation. 

If you're in the same boat, asking the same questions, here's what I've learned from digging into YouTube growth patterns, expert opinions, and honest feedback from others in similar situations.

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Why I Started—and How My Goals Changed

Initially, my motivation for creating a YouTube channel was straightforward: I needed a platform to host short riddle videos that I could easily embed on individual pages of my website, StumpedRiddles.com. 

Initially, YouTube was just a functional tool—not a platform I had planned to grow.

But as I kept uploading and people started interacting—leaving comments, liking videos, even subscribing—I realized YouTube could be more than a support feature. It could actually become its own avenue for discovery, branding, and connection. 

That's when I started treating my channel as a long-term creative project.

Here's a Typical Riddle Creation For Both YouTube and My Website:

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So… Is My Growth Normal?

At the time I asked myself this, I had uploaded over 400 videos, built several themed playlists, and reached 155 subscribers—with a 90.9% like ratio on my videos. Naturally, I wondered: Is this respectable? Should I be further along by now?

What I experienced isn't unusual at all. Here's what I found:

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1. Niche Channels Grow Slower—but Stronger

One of the first takeaways that jumped out during my research is that niche content takes longer to grow. 

Whether you're posting riddles like I am, or offering tutorials, educational content, or deep-dive commentary, your audience is smaller by default, but often more engaged.

Unlike general entertainment or viral content, niche creators often build deeper connections with their audiences over time. 

The slower pace doesn't mean failure—it means focus.

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2. Most Successful Channels Take 3–5 Years to Build

This one surprised me. I found multiple sources and creator testimonials suggesting that it can take three to five years for a YouTube channel to gain significant traction—especially without shortcuts like trending content, reaction videos, or influencer collaborations.

In hindsight, this made me feel a lot better. What I thought was "slow progress" was actually typical progress. 

Understanding that YouTube is a long game, not a sprint, shifted my mindset and helped me let go of some unrealistic expectations.

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3. Consistency Builds More Than Numbers

I used to wonder whether uploading hundreds of videos with modest views was overkill. But here's what I learned: each video adds to your footprint. On YouTube, volume matters—but only if the content is consistent and aligned with your niche.

Evergreen videos, such as riddles or how-to guides, can attract new viewers long after they're uploaded. 

Some of my earlier videos continue to attract attention months after they are posted. I realized that every upload isn't just a performance—it's a deposit into your future visibility.

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4. Playlists Aren't Just for Organization—They're Strategy

I'd built playlists on my channel mostly to keep things tidy—organizing riddles by themes like health, holidays, and emotions. 

However, what I didn't realize until I delved into the research is that playlists actually aid YouTube's algorithm.

They signal consistency and intent, guide the viewer's experience, and can improve watch time. 

Creating a series called The Riddle Sisters, with fun character-based riddles, also helped give my channel a personality—which matters more than I thought.

One of My Many Playlists:

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5. Engagement Rate Is a Quiet Win

When I saw that my like ratio was over 90%, I wasn't sure if that meant much. 

However, experts say that the engagement rate is one of the most important signals of viewer satisfaction. It may not skyrocket your subscriber count overnight, but it shows that the people who do watch your videos are finding value in them.

That told me I wasn't just yelling into the void—I was actually connecting with the right viewers, even if the crowd was small (for now).

So viewers could see that I'm actually a real person (lol), I created a playlist section where I personally read my riddles. Here's one of them from the playlist: I upload these as shorts:

What YouTube Creators Should Expect (and Accept)

Here's the big picture I walked away with after all that digging:

• YouTube growth is often slow, especially in niche spaces.

• Most creators see meaningful growth only after years of consistent effort.

• Engagement and audience retention are more valuable than raw view counts.

• Creating structure through playlists, themed content, and branding helps both your viewers and the algorithm.

• Uploading regularly—without burning out—is more important than chasing virality.

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So, Should I Keep Going?

That was the big question for me. And after reading what I did, the answer became clear:

Yes, I should.

If anything, the research validated that I wasn't behind—I was right on track. 

The hours I've put into editing, theming, scripting, and uploading are not wasted. They are foundational. According to the experts, they are precisely what a channel like mine should be doing at this stage.

Meet one of My Latest Creations From The Riddle Sister Series:

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Final Thoughts: Questions Are Good—Just Don't Let Them Stop You

If you've been quietly wondering whether it's worth continuing, whether your results are "respectable," or whether your numbers are normal, you're not alone. 

I asked all those questions, too. And while there's no one-size-fits-all answer, what I found out is this:

YouTube is a long-term platform. Niche creators need patience. But persistence really does matter.

If your channel has heart, structure, and consistency—even with just a few dozen or hundred subscribers—you're already doing better than you think.

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👉 Curious how all this looks in action? You can visit my channel, Stumped Riddles on YouTube, to see how I've structured playlists, themed content, and kept at it—one riddle at a time.

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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