Make The First Comment Count On Your Youtube Upload

It’s easy to overlook, but that first comment under your own YouTube video matters more than you might think. It doesn’t stand out like the title or the thumbnail, but it’s right there where people usually stop for a second before they scroll through the comments. If you just write something like “Thanks for watching,” it tends to fade into the background.

But you can use that space for more – like pointing people to another video, mentioning something you had to leave out, or asking a question you’re actually curious about. Sometimes it helps to share some extra context or talk about a choice you made in the video, or even bring up something you noticed in comments on a previous upload. There are a lot of tools for YouTube creators that can help with these details, but mostly it’s just about being intentional.

That first comment can give people a reason to join in, and since YouTube notices early activity, it can help the video a bit too. With so many videos out there, the creators who use that spot well end up building stronger connections over time.

Those small choices start to add up, and you notice more real conversations or people sticking around longer to watch. So before I hit publish, I try to stop and think about what I’d actually want to say if someone cared enough to scroll down and read it...

I’ve seen enough YouTube funnels to spot this thing right away. When you post a video, that first comment you leave isn’t just an afterthought – it’s actually the first thing viewers notice, and it shapes the way they interact with the rest of the conversation. Most people write something basic like, “Let me know what you think,” but there’s more potential there.

With a little intention, you can use that first comment to direct attention to something specific, share a personal note, or ask a question that gets people sharing their own experiences. I’ve watched channels shift the whole mood of their comment sections just by taking a minute to write something genuine at the top. It’s less about trying to outsmart the algorithm (though a thoughtful comment sometimes gives your video a small edge for things like “YouTube playlist strategy” or “how to launch a series”) and more about showing people you’re actually paying attention and interested in what they have to say.

Over time, viewers notice those details – the way you set up the conversation, how you respond, the tone you use. I’ve even seen that first comment help channels get noticed by new viewers without much fanfare. It all starts with that first comment, which is easy to overlook but does a lot of quiet work in the background.

Most of the time, you don’t need a lot of extra bells and whistles – what actually matters is being clear. When you’re about to leave that first comment on your own YouTube video, it helps to think about what you’d want as a viewer. Stacking your comment with hashtags, scattered links, or another reminder to subscribe usually turns into clutter. People don’t really need a pile of instructions; they’re looking for a little guidance. Instead of chasing every engagement tip you’ve seen, you can use that first comment to direct people to something specific: maybe a playlist that fits with the video, a timestamp for a behind-the-scenes moment, or a question that invites people to talk about what they noticed.

All of that works better if you’re clear about why you’re mentioning it. Something like, “Curious how I got that drone shot? Go to 3:10 to see how it came together,” does more than any batch of emojis or a wall of links ever could. When viewers see that you’re not wasting their time, and you’ve made it easy to find what matters, they’re more likely to stick around and talk. It’s interesting how just a small effort to be straightforward can help boost channel trust factor over time. The creators who figure this out end up with comment sections that feel less crowded and more genuine, and over time, that makes a difference in how people connect. Next time you upload, it’s worth pausing for a second before you post your first comment, and thinking about the one thing you’d want someone to notice or remember when they finish watching.

There were a few times when I almost stopped trying altogether. Writing the first comment on a YouTube video seemed like it should be easy, but the pressure to get it right made it feel forced. I tried all the usual advice – asking people what they thought, or posting some upbeat question – but after seeing how those comments usually got ignored, it was clear they weren’t really connecting with anyone.

It’s tempting to fall into the habit of using the same opening line on every upload, but that’s not what draws people in. Most viewers can tell when a comment is just a routine part of posting, rather than something real. They’re looking for someone who’s actually part of the conversation, not just another bit of background noise. I used to copy the way bigger channels commented – things like asking for likes or dropping a playlist link – but it always felt out of place on my own videos.

What works for them didn’t fit the way I wanted to talk to people who watched my stuff, especially since some creators focus so much on things like how to drive organic reach with views that the actual interaction feels secondary. After a while, I realized it’s better to say something that fits with the video itself, even if it’s small or simple, instead of trying to sound like an announcer. When I stopped worrying about hitting some engagement goal and tried to speak more like myself, the replies felt different. There were fewer empty responses, and sometimes a real conversation started to take shape. That’s when it felt more like I was actually part of the group, not just running the channel.

A lot of people will scroll right past the comments, but if someone sticks around until the end of your video and then heads down to the comment section, they’re probably one of the viewers who’s really paying attention. That’s why your first comment matters more than you’d think. Instead of dropping a quick “thanks for watching” or a generic prompt, it’s worth sharing something real – a bit of background about why you made the video, a story that didn’t make the final cut, or a link to another playlist you think they might actually like. Sometimes, when you’re looking at what helps a video reach more people, things like thoughtful comments end up mattering just as much as the way people drive traffic with shares.

This can make the comments feel less like an afterthought and more like a quiet spot where people can connect a little more with what you’re doing. Sometimes, answering a question you know people will have, or mentioning what you’re working on next, is enough to keep people interested. Over time, when viewers know there’s always something useful or honest in that first comment, they’re more likely to check it out or even join the conversation themselves. It’s a small thing, but it can help turn people from someone who’s just passing through into someone who might actually want to stick around and see what else you’ve got going on.

Leaving the first comment on your own YouTube video doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it’s a way to shape what kind of conversation happens next. Instead of just saying “thanks for watching,” you can use that space to add a bit more – maybe something that didn’t make it into the video, a quick story about filming, or a question for people who are watching. It shows you’re paying attention to what viewers might say, and it makes the comments feel a bit more open right at the beginning. It’s not mainly about getting more likes or replies; it’s more about letting people see there’s someone real on the other end, and that it’s fine to speak up.

Sometimes only a few people join in at first, but those early interactions affect how the rest of the channel feels, and, as it turns out, they often help with video metrics just by getting people talking early on. It’s a small habit, but over time, it seems to change how people see your channel, and maybe you end up learning a bit more about who’s watching, one comment at a time…