How to Grow Your Memes YouTube Shorts Account in 2026 | ViralNow
ViralNow Logo
Strategy4 min readFeb 3, 2026

How to Grow Your Memes YouTube Shorts Account

Complete guide to growing your Memes YouTube Shorts following with actionable tips and strategies.

Want to grow your Memes content on YouTube Shorts? YouTube Shorts tests with small audiences then expands based on swipe-away rate (people not swiping to next video) and completion rate. For Memes creators specifically, this means understanding what Internet-savvy users, Gen Z and Millennials want and how YouTube Shorts's system rewards content that delivers. This guide covers exactly how to make YouTube Shorts's algorithm work for your Memes content.

Ready to grow faster?

Let AI analyze your videos and predict viral potential.

How YouTube Shorts's Algorithm Works for Memes Creators

Understanding YouTube Shorts's system helps you work with it, not against it:

  • YouTube Shorts tests with small audiences then expands based on swipe-away rate (people not swiping to next video) and completion rate
  • For Memes content, swipe-away rate is the biggest negative signal—if people swipe past, YouTube stops showing your Short
  • YouTube Shorts's Shorts viewers can become subscribers who watch your long-form content—a unique funnel no other platform offers means Memes creators can reach Internet-savvy users, Gen Z and Millennials without existing followers
  • The algorithm categorizes your content—use Memes signals (hashtags, topics) to reach the right audience

Pro Tip: ViralNow predicts how your Memes content will perform before you post.

What Actually Drives Memes Growth on YouTube Shorts

Forget "algorithm hacks." These fundamentals work for Memes creators:

  • Prevent the swipe-away in the first second. Titles matter here unlike TikTok—make them searchable—this is critical for Memes content targeting Internet-savvy users, Gen Z and Millennials
  • Deliver value throughout—Memes viewers stay when every second matters
  • Educational hooks work better here than pure entertainment. YouTube's audience wants to learn something
  • Post when Internet-savvy users, Gen Z and Millennials are active (check your YouTube Shorts analytics)
  • Reply to comments—YouTube Shorts sees conversation as quality signal

Growth Myths Memes Creators Should Ignore

Don't waste time on these for YouTube Shorts:

  • Exact posting times matter less than content quality for Memes
  • Hashtags matter less than titles and descriptions—YouTube is a search engine. #Shorts tag is optional
  • Buying followers destroys your reach—YouTube Shorts knows and penalizes
  • There's no magic posting frequency—consistency beats volume for Memes
  • Cross-posting without optimization hurts—adapt Memes content to YouTube Shorts's style

YouTube Shorts vs Other Platforms for Memes

YouTube Shorts has specific strengths for Memes creators:

  • YouTube Shorts is search discovery and building a subscriber base—Shorts have longer shelf life and can rank in YouTube search
  • YouTube's audience is broader (all ages) and more information-seeking than pure entertainment
  • Shorts viewers can become subscribers who watch your long-form content—a unique funnel no other platform offers works well for Memes discovery
  • Slower than TikTok but Shorts continue getting views for weeks/months—more evergreen
  • Consider YouTube Shorts as your primary or secondary platform based on where Internet-savvy users, Gen Z and Millennials spend time

Frequently Asked Questions

How does YouTube Shorts's algorithm work for Memes content?

YouTube Shorts tests with small audiences then expands based on swipe-away rate (people not swiping to next video) and completion rate. For Memes content specifically, swipe-away rate is the biggest negative signal—if people swipe past, YouTube stops showing your Short. The algorithm categorizes your content based on signals—using #memes and #funny helps YouTube Shorts show your Memes videos to Internet-savvy users, Gen Z and Millennials.

Why isn't my Memes content going viral on YouTube Shorts?

On YouTube Shorts, swipe-away rate is the biggest negative signal—if people swipe past, YouTube stops showing your Short. For Memes specifically: Is your hook grabbing Internet-savvy users, Gen Z and Millennials in the first second? Prevent the swipe-away in the first second. Titles matter here unlike TikTok—make them searchable Check if you're using Memes-relevant hashtags—generic tags put you against everyone. Educational hooks work better here than pure entertainment. YouTube's audience wants to learn something

How long does it take to grow a Memes account on YouTube Shorts?

Slower than TikTok but Shorts continue getting views for weeks/months—more evergreen For Memes with very-high competition, expect similar patterns. Focus on each video being better than the last. In Memes, your unique angle matters more than posting frequency—Internet-savvy users, Gen Z and Millennials follow creators who offer something different.

What makes YouTube Shorts different from other platforms for Memes creators?

YouTube Shorts is search discovery and building a subscriber base—Shorts have longer shelf life and can rank in YouTube search. YouTube's audience is broader (all ages) and more information-seeking than pure entertainment For Memes creators, this means Memes content should be adapted to fit YouTube Shorts's style. Educational hooks work better here than pure entertainment. YouTube's audience wants to learn something Your Internet-savvy users, Gen Z and Millennials on YouTube Shorts may behave differently than on other platforms.

Start Growing Today

Join thousands of creators using AI to optimize their content and grow faster.

Related Guides