Today, I’m going to show you the simplest way to break through highly competitive niches on YouTube. If you’ve ever tried to grow in spaces like motivation, tech tutorials, or makin
g money online, you probably know how tough it can be.
You can create a high-quality video, but because there are already millions of channels competing, your content struggles to get noticed. I’ve been there and after years of trial and error, I discovered three strategies that actually work.
- Use YouTube’s “Inspiration” (Research) Tab to Find Content Gaps
One of the best tools you already have is hidden inside YouTube Studio Analytics.
Here’s how to use it :
Go to YouTube Studio → Analytics → Inspiration (Research tab).
Enter your topic in the search box.
Look for two things:
Popular Searches → Topics people are actively searching for in the last week or month.
Content Gaps → Topics people search for but don’t have good (or enough) videos available.
For example, if you search “how to make money online,” you’ll see suggestions like “how to earn money online without investment” or “new earning apps today.” If you see the “Make a Short” option or the “Content Gap” tag, that’s your golden opportunity.
Why? Because people are searching, but YouTube doesn’t have enough satisfying videos on it. If you create content around those gaps, you can rank faster and grow quicker, even in competitive niches.
- Research Comments on Top Videos in Your Niche
Another overlooked hack is hidden in the comment section of popular videos.
Here’s the trick:
Search your target topic on YouTube.
Open the top-performing videos.
Scroll through the comments and look for unanswered questions or frustrations.
For example: A viewer might say, “I followed this tutorial, but the new update looks different. I can’t find the button anymore.”
That tells you the video is outdated, and you can create an updated version that solves this problem directly.
People often leave questions when they are confused or not satisfied with existing content. If you step in with a video that directly answers those questions, you can easily attract their views and loyalty.
- Use Longtail Keywords Instead of Generic Topics
If you’re targeting broad, competitive topics like “how to make money online” or “how to get funding for a business,” you’ll likely struggle. The competition is too high.
Instead, focus on longtail keywords more specific phrases that target a smaller but more focused audience.
For example:
Generic keyword: “How to get funding for a business” (very competitive).
Longtail keyword: “How to get funding for a business in Ghana.”
The second one is far more specific, meaning fewer creators are targeting it, but people searching for it are more likely to find your video first.
The same applies to “how to make money online.” Instead of being broad, try:
“How to make money online with stock trading”
“How to make money online in Ghana”
Longtail keywords let you rank higher, faster and with less competition.
Tips
Study thumbnails of top videos in your niche and make yours equally eye-catching.
Watch successful videos and observe how they hook viewers in the first 30 seconds. Use similar patterns to keep your audience engaged
Inconclusion,
Breaking into a competitive niche on YouTube isn’t impossible. With the right approach content gaps, researching comments and using longtail keywords you can stand out, grow your channel and reach more people.
If you want to go beyond YouTube growth and learn how to achieve financial freedom through digital marketing and entrepreneurship, I highly recommend checking out my ebook:
Achieving Your Greatest Dreams
It’s packed with strategies I used to move from struggling to building multiple successful businesses.
To grow in a competitive YouTube niche, focus on finding content gaps using the YouTube Studio Inspiration (Research) tab. Identify what people are searching for but can’t find quality videos on. Then create valuable, keyword-rich videos around those gaps to attract organic traffic and rank faster.
A content gap occurs when viewers search for a topic but don’t find good or updated videos on it. You can find content gaps by going to YouTube Studio → Analytics → Research tab and entering your niche keyword. Look for searches labeled as “Content Gap” — these topics are golden opportunities for new creators to get noticed.
Longtail keywords are more specific search phrases (like “how to make money online in Ghana” instead of “make money online”). They face less competition and attract viewers genuinely interested in your exact topic. Using longtail keywords in your titles, descriptions, and tags helps your videos rank faster and reach your target audience.
Yes. Reading comments on top-performing videos in your niche reveals unanswered questions, frustrations, or outdated information. These comments highlight what viewers still need, giving you ideas for fresh, improved videos that solve real problems and gain traction faster.
Use content gaps from YouTube’s Research tab.
Target longtail keywords for higher ranking.
Study comments on viral videos for new ideas.
Create eye-catching thumbnails and strong 30-second hooks.
Maintain consistent uploads and engagement with viewers.
David Asaana is a Digital Marketer, Author, and Entrepreneur with over five years of experience. He has worked with 4,000+ clients across Ghana, the USA, the UK, and beyond. His YouTube channel where he shares step-by-step tutorials on digital marketing and business growth has reached more than 1.8 million views.
