Finding channels that perfectly match your criteria can often feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.
With millions of creators covering every conceivable topic, pinpointing those that cater specifically to your category or keyword might seem daunting.
The generic nature of YouTube’s search functionalities can also make this task particularly challenging. I went through this too!
Fortunately, several tools and strategies exist that can simplify this search. These methods not only make the process less overwhelming but also more effective, ensuring that you find your ideal content amidst the digital sprawl.
This article will guide you through the built-in and third-party resources designed to streamline your quest for the perfect YouTube channels.
We also wrote a similar article if you want to discover new channels on YouTube.
How to search for YouTube channels by category or keywords
After discussing with multiple YouTube content managers and data analysts, our expert team at Favoree has put together the perfect guide for you!
1. On YouTube
Utilizing YouTube’s Built-In Categories
Exploring YouTube’s own categories can be a great initial step toward finding channels that align with what you are looking for.
This method, though straightforward, might not always get you the specific type of content you’re seeking, given its generalized and limited categorization.
Searching with Keywords via the channel filter
Deploying specific keywords that closely align with your criteria is a more direct approach. YouTube allows to specifically search for YouTube channels via its search filters.
Leveraging Channel Recommendations
YouTube’s recommendation engine also offers a personalized pathway to discovering new channels.
By analyzing the suggestions of a video from the content to a channel that corresponds to your needs, the platform might suggest filters to find related channels that make similar content. This could potentially help you uncover new gems!
✅ Pros:
– Information provided by YouTube itself
– Works with any channel
– Completely free
❌ Cons:
– Very time-consuming
– Not efficient to get a large list of YouTube channels
2. On Favoree
For those seeking a more specialized search, Favoree offers an advanced filter system for discovering YouTube channels by category.
There are many more filters you can apply to your search like topics, sub-topics, average duration of the videos, subscriber count, rating of the channel and more.
This tool allows users to find YouTubers by niche and is centered around YouTube channels and not videos, providing a more targeted approach to channel discovery that goes way beyond YouTube’s built-in features.
If you are short of time or need a massive list of YouTube channels based on specific criteria, you can also use Favoree’s data services. Favoree leverages the vast database of its website to deliver YouTube channel data.
✅ Pros:
– Numerous and precise categories and many additional filters (topics, sub-topics, average duration, subscriber count, rating of the channel…)
– Possibility to get a large list of YouTube channels
– Website centered around channels and not videos
– Additional metrics for each channel (engagement rates, subscriber growth, and view counts)
– Email addresses of the channels can be delivered
❌ Cons:
– Not all channels are available on the free version of the website
– Bespoke services can take several days to send the final data
3. Channel tops by category on websites like Social Blade
If you are interested in discovering the leading channels within a particular category, websites like Social Blade and Hype Auditor offer invaluable insights.
These platforms curate lists of top-performing YouTube channels, categorized by their niche, viewership, or engagement rates.
Incorporating insights from Social Blade and Hype Auditor can complement your channel discovery process, especially if you’re looking to explore content among the platform’s most successful creators.
However, it’s worth noting that while these sites excel at highlighting top performers, they may not help you find hidden gems or emerging channels that could align with your specific criteria.
The categories also often mirror those found on YouTube, providing a similar limited breadth of options and potentially missing out on more unique content or niches.
✅ Pros:
– Easy to use
– Additional metrics for each channel (engagement rates, subscriber growth, and view counts)
– Free version
❌ Cons:
– Lists focus on the most subscribed YouTube channels
– Limited number of categories (same as YouTube)
4. Channel crawlers
Platforms like ChannelCrawl or Channelcrawler expand the horizon of possibilities.
These tools offer the capability to search channels based on keywords, categories and other criteria, and uniquely, to download lists of channels in formats like CSV for further analysis.
This approach is ideal for users who wish to take a more analytical or comprehensive approach to their search.
Their precise filtering options make them an efficient tool for marketers looking to discover new content creators, partnership opportunities, or even competitor channels.
✅ Pros:
– Category and keyword search possible
– Email addresses of the channels are available
– Possibility to get a large list of YouTube channels
– Website centered around channels and not videos
❌ Cons:
– Really limited free versions, can be expensive if you need a lot of channels
– Same categories as YouTube (but additional criteria)
Conclusion
Finding the right YouTube channels doesn’t have to be a painful task. With the right tools and strategies, you can navigate through the platform’s extensive library to uncover the content that best suits your interests.
Whether through YouTube’s own features or through specialized third-party services, the path to discovering your next favorite channel is actually more accessible than you thought!
If you liked this article, you might also be interested in our article on how to retrieve historical data from YouTube.
FAQ: Discovering YouTube channels by category or keyword
How many categories of YouTube channels are there?
YouTube organizes content into 15 main categories to help users discover videos that match their interests.
These categories include Music, Sports, Gaming, Entertainment, News & Politics, How-to & Style, Education, Science & Technology, and more.
How do I see categories on YouTube?
Categories on YouTube are not directly visible in the way they might be on other platforms.
However, you can explore categories by using the search function with a category name, checking the ‘Explore’ section for trending videos sorted into categories, or looking at the video details of a specific video, where the uploader has the option to categorize their video.
Additionally, third-party tools and websites may offer more straightforward ways to browse YouTube content by category.
Can I find YouTube channels in very niche categories?
Yes, although YouTube’s built-in categories are broad, using specific keywords in the search bar can help you discover channels in very niche categories.
Additionally, platforms like Favoree and tools like ChannelCrawler offer more refined search capabilities, making it easier to find channels that cater to specific interests.
How often are the top channel lists on Social Blade or Hype Auditor updated?
These websites typically update their top channel lists on a daily basis to reflect changes in channel performance and viewership.
Are there tools to help me find YouTube channels in languages other than English?
Yes, many channel finder tools and platforms allow you to search for channels in various languages.
You can specify your language preference in your search terms or use the filter options provided by the tool to narrow down channels by language.
Is it possible to download a list of YouTube channels for offline analysis?
Websites like Favoree and Channelcrawl offer the functionality to send you or download a list of channels in formats like CSV. This is particularly useful for users who wish to conduct a more in-depth analysis or keep a record of channels for future reference.
Are there any costs associated with using third-party tools like Favoree or Channelcrawl?
Some third-party tools may offer free basic features with the option to subscribe to premium services for advanced functionalities.
It’s best to review the specific terms and services of each tool to understand any potential costs.
