In a recent post, we shared what you should say in your YouTube intros. That was a list of 7+ powerful hooks.
In this post, we’ll share how you can create your own impactful and powerful hook templates — as advised by marketing experts. We’ll show you how to come up with the right hook idea and A/B test your YouTube hooks to find what works best.
Towards the end, we’ll also list 11 more hooks that performed really well for the videos we’ve edited so far.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
What’s A/B testing for YouTube? And why is it important?
A/B testing for YouTube involves comparing two versions of a video element (such as thumbnails, titles, descriptions, or even video content) to determine which one performs better in terms of essential YouTube metrics like:
- Click-through rate (CTR)
- Watch time
- Viewer engagement
This method is grounded in data-driven decision-making, allowing creators to optimize their content for maximum impact.
How to A/B test on YouTube?
A/B testing is simple but it demands an organized & strategic approach.
All you have to do is upload two variants of a video element and present them to different segments of their audience.
For example, one group might see Thumbnail A while another sees Thumbnail B. By analyzing the performance data of each variant, you can identify which option attracts more clicks or retains viewers longer. Btw, this data is available on your YouTube Studio dashboard.
Why is A/B testing important for serious YouTubers?
If you want to generate leads with your YouTube videos or earn a good passive income, then you need to understand how A/B testing actually benefits your video content.
1. Increases CTR and Watch Time
According to several experts, the initial few seconds of a video, including the hook, significantly influence a video’s CTR.
A/B testing helps identify the most compelling hooks. And thus, boost the CTR, ensuring more users start watching the video.
By experimenting with different opening lines, you can determine which hook grabs attention and prompts viewers to click on the video.
2. Enhanced Viewer Retention
A/B experimentation can also help you find the most engaging way to start your videos, leading to higher viewer retention.
A strong hook can captivate the audience from the outset. It encourages them to watch the video longer.
This is crucial as YouTube’s algorithm favors videos that keep viewers engaged, promoting them to a broader audience.
3. Data-Driven Decisions
Most importantly, A/B testing removes the guesswork from content creation.
As per HubSpot, companies that use data-driven marketing are six times more likely to be profitable year-over-year. If we apply this to YouTube, creators can consistently improve their hooks based on real performance data.
4. Optimized User Experience
Understanding which hooks resonate with the audience allows for a more tailored viewing experience.
A hook that immediately engages viewers sets a positive tone for the rest of the video. This ultimately leads to an increased subscriber growth and stronger viewer loyalty.
How to come up with the right YouTube Hook Idea?
Creating an effective YouTube hook is essential for capturing your audience’s attention within the first few seconds.
Here are actionable steps to help you develop compelling hook ideas:
1. Understand Your Audience
First research your audience demographics. Use YouTube Analytics to gain insights into your audience’s age, gender, location, and interests. Then, use this information to tailor your hooks to address their specific needs and preferences.
Another way to understand your audience is to pay attention to comments on your videos and other similar channels. Identify common questions, concerns, and interests that you can address in your hooks.
2. Analyze Successful Videos
Next, find and study the most popular videos in your niche. Identify what hooks they use and why they work. Tools like Social Blade can help you track top-performing channels and videos.
While you study these videos, look for patterns in them. They are always there!
Analyze several high-performing videos to find commonalities in their hooks. For instance, do they start with a question, a surprising fact, or a bold statement?
3. Leverage Psychological Triggers
The basic component of a hook is a psychological trigger. Weave in curiosity and emotion to drive a significant response.
To make viewers curious, you can use phrases like “You won’t believe what happened next…” or “Here’s a secret you didn’t know…” These can entice viewers to watch further.
As for emotional hooks, start with a personal story, a shocking statistic, or a relatable problem.
According to a study by Wharton School, content that evokes high-arousal emotions (like awe, anger, or anxiety) is more likely to be shared and viewed.
4. Keep It Concise and Clear:
If your hook is full of emotion but too lengthy, there are high chances it won’t work.
So, make sure your hook is concise and to the point. This is because viewers decide within the first few seconds if they will continue watching. Make every word count.
Another aspect we often stress over is: prioritize clarity over cleverness.
It’s not about what you like. It’s about what’s easier to understand for your target audience.
Avoid overly complex language or obscure references that might confuse your audience.
5. Stay Relevant and Timely
Apart from brainstorming and audience analysis, you can also come up with YouTube hook ideas by analyzing Google Trends or industry trends.
Tools like Google Trends and YouTube’s Trending tab can help you identify current topics and trends. This, in turn, will attract more attention.
You can even align your hooks with seasonal events, holidays, or news. For example, “Top 5 Spring Cleaning Hacks You Need to Know” during springtime.
Some Example Hooks and Their Application
Type of Hook | Example | Application |
|---|---|---|
Question Hook | Ever wondered why you can’t sleep well at night? Here’s the answer | Suitable for health, wellness, or educational channels. |
Surprising Fact Hook | Did you know that 90% of people make this mistake while brushing their teeth?” | Great for channels focusing on health tips or personal care. |
Challenge Hook | I tried intermittent fasting for 30 days. Here’s what happened | Perfect for lifestyle, fitness, or personal journey channels |
How to A/B test your YouTube Video Hook; Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you conduct a focused and effective A/B test:
Step 1: Define Your Objective
The first step towards A/B testing your hook, is to identify key metrics.
Decide what you aim to measure—click-through rate (CTR), average view duration, audience retention, or engagement rate. This helps you understand which hook performs best.
Next, establish specific goals, such as increasing CTR by 10% or boosting average view duration by 20 seconds.
Step 2: Prepare Your Variants
Moving forward, you need to prepare 2-3 different hooks. Each should have a distinct approach (e.g., a question, a bold statement, or an emotional appeal).
But even as you prepare the variants, remember all other video elements must be kept constant. This includes thumbnails, descriptions, and tags. This isolates the impact of the hook and maintains your brand identity.
If you’re wondering you’ll have to film twice, yep that’s right. At least the first few seconds.
Alternatively, you can record the first few seconds with action — but no voice. Record the hooks separately as sound recordings. Share these files with us and we’ll adjust both for you in the same video!
Similarly, you can record two short 15-30 seconds-long videos as the variants and keep the rest of the video same. We’ll stitch these pieces together for you.
Step 3: Upload and Set Up Testing
Upload each hook variant as a separate unlisted video. This prevents confusion among your subscribers and keeps the test controlled.
Also, consider creating separate playlists for each variant to organize and track them more easily.
Step 4: Use A/B Testing Tools
Once everything is set up, use A/B testing features provided by tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ. These tools can automate the rotation and tracking of different video elements.
If you’re not using specialized and paid tools, manually track the performance of each variant by noting the exact upload time and ensuring equal promotion. Or you can let editvideo.io’s team handle it smoothly.
Step 5: Promote Equally
Next, share each variant equally across your social media platforms and email lists to ensure they receive similar exposure. For example, if you send marketing mails to your subscribers, embed these videos.
Also, to control variables, make sure that promotion times and methods are as identical as possible to avoid skewed results.
Step 6: Monitor Performance
Once you’ve distributed variant A and variant B, use YouTube Analytics to monitor CTR, average view duration, audience retention, and engagement for each hook variant.
For monitoring performance of hooks on other platforms (like emails), you will need to use third-party analytics tools to get a deeper understanding of viewer behavior.
Step 7: Analyze Results
Towards the final stages of A/B testing, you will analyze results. Compare the performance data of each variant. Look for statistically significant differences in your key metrics.
Analyze why one hook performed better. Look at qualitative feedback, such as comments and likes, to understand viewer preferences.
Step 8: Implement the Winning Hook
Lastly, publish the winning hook for your final public version of the video. You also want to apply the insights gained from this test to future videos. Continuous improvement will help you refine your hooks over time.
Example of A/B Testing Process
- Define Objective: Increase CTR by 15%. (Try to keep it as specific as given here)
- Prepare Variants:
- Hook A: “You won’t believe what happened next…”
- Hook B: “Here’s a secret tip for instant success…”
- Hook C: “This one trick changed my life…”
- Upload and Set Up Testing: Upload each as an unlisted video.
- Use Tools: Set up A/B testing in TubeBuddy for automatic rotation.
- Promote Equally: Share all variants on social media simultaneously.
- Monitor Performance: Track CTR and audience retention for each hook.
- Analyze Results: Determine which hook performs better than the other. For example, in this case, Hook B outperforms others by 20% in CTR.
- Implement the Winning Hook: Use Hook B for the public version.
- Iterate and Repeat: Plan the next A/B test with new hook variations
11 Powerful Hooks for YouTube Videos
This is what you should say in your YouTube intros:
Hook | Promise | Psychological Trigger | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
I screwed up…. | Honest & valuable lessons | Authenticity & redemption | Personal growth, DIY, lifestyle |
What they don’t want you to know about …. | Hidden secrets | Curiosity & Intrigue | Conspiracies, hidden facts |
Hands down, the best thing I discovered today! | Excitement & value | Enthusiasm | Reviews, product discoveries |
Real talk: Why is nobody mentioning…? | Genuine Discussion | Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) | Industry insights, trends |
Quick question—have you ever…? | Relatability & engagement | Curiosity | Tutorials, how-tos, discussions |
Okay, but have you tried this…? | New solution | Curiosity and challenges | Life hacks & experiments |
Can we talk about this… please? | Open dialogue | Connection & engagement | Social issues, controversial topics |
Spoiler: It’s not what it seems… | Unexpected twist | Surprise & mystery | Mystery, debunking myths |
This? A total game-changer, trust me! | Significant impact | Excitement | Technology, life hacks, innovations |
Your day’s about to get a whole lot better… | Positive outcome | Optimism | Self improvement & motivational |
I wish I knew this about… earlier! | Useful advice | Regret & hindsight | Tips, advice, and life lessons |
Final Words
Well – if you really wanna earn through YouTube or build a genuine community, you need to be strategic with your moves. A/B testing your hooks is one of most powerful investments you can make.
Data-driven decisions will quickly find you a success formula of your own and you will know what kind of hooks should you utilize for most of your videos. Plus, it will actively and truly engage your audience.
But again, we realize it’s easier said than done. So, if you need help creating content or strategically leading your channel, sign up for editvideo.io’s YouTube assistance service today. We’ll cut down the time and mental effort that this process demands!
