YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world and the second-most popular website on the internet. With over 720,000 hours of video uploaded to YouTube every day, it is undoubtedly a favorite platform for marketers and creators to promote their content.
But how can you make sure that your video doesn’t get lost in the huge ocean of content uploaded every day?
In this blog post, we’ll discuss where you can share your YouTube videos for free, so your content gets the attention it deserves.
Why It’s Important to Distribute Your YouTube Video
Because of the platform’s algorithm, it is very important to get your first 100+ views in the first 24 hours. If you don’t have an audience yet, this can be very difficult. That’s why organizing your content and deciding where to share your YouTube link for views is vital. It’s not something you can skip!
Also, to maximize your video’s reach, you must clearly understand your niche, assess your budget, and determine the time you’re willing to allocate for promotion. It also helps if you can do your research in advance. Have a Google sheet tracker of all the online communities and platforms where you will share your YouTube videos. This will make it easier to keep track of everything. With these things out of the way, you are now ready to get started.
Here are the best places to share your YouTube videos for free:
1. Reddit
Reddit has millions of users and niche communities (Subreddits) and is among the top-visited websites in the U.S., making it easy to find the best place to paste your YouTube link for views with the right crowd. Make sure to be active in these Subreddits instead of waiting for your video to blow up on its own. Of course, don’t spam, follow the rules, and only share videos that you think will actually be valuable for that community.
2. X
Formerly known as Twitter, X continues to be a bustling hub that hosts a vast audience actively participating in real-time discussions. This platform presents an excellent opportunity to find a community that resonates with your niche.
Despite the rebranding, the essence of real-time social interaction remains, making X still one of the best youtube link sharing websites, especially if you create videos about trending topics. Make sure to participate in ongoing discussions to improve your visibility, especially for smaller accounts. You will generally receive more impressions or views on your replies than on your own posts.
3. Facebook
Facebook needs to be one of your priorities when it comes to sharing your YouTube video. Whether you share it to your business page, related Facebook groups, or just your timeline, you’re just one click away from reaching a wider audience.
Groups: Sharing your video in Facebook groups related to your field can be a good strategy, depending on your content and audience. You could also create your own group to connect with people interested in your topics. Consider posting videos in relevant groups you’re already part of.
Shares: Following the above, you can identify influencers in your field and directly message them and ask for a shoutout. 9 out of 10 will probably say “no”, but you need just one “yes” to get that additional 1,000 views. If they have a very active page or group on Facebook, it is more likely that they will share your content with their audience.
Comment: Mentioning your video casually in conversations is also a good way to ensure a more qualitative engagement with your viewers. Did someone make a post on a Facebook group or page that is related to your content? Comment on it and attach your video as a YouTube link for reference! Make sure you don’t seem spammy or out of context.
Repurpose as a Facebook Video or Facebook Reels: Are you noticing that people don’t click on the Youtube video when you are only sharing the link? No worries! You can also re-upload the video either in its entirety or a part of it on Facebook and attach the link as well to create more traffic. You can create reels from your longer video content and include a call to action in the comments section of your post, urging viewers to watch the full video on Facebook or YouTube.
4. Instagram
Consider repurposing your video into an Instagram reel to maximize your reach. Select a 30-90-second segment of your video that is engaging and visually appealing.
If you want to repurpose your live streams, you can use the Be.Live editor. It automatically tells you which parts of your Youtube live stream are best to repurpose, which makes the process easier and faster.
Once you have your reel, you can upload it to Instagram and add a relevant caption to increase its discoverability. Include a call-to-action to encourage viewers to check out your YouTube channel for the full-length video.
Want to get started on Live Streaming? Be.Live is the easiest way to live stream on multiple platforms.
5. LinkedIn
Personal Profile: A page on LinkedIn is very similar to Facebook, it is a professional profile for you or your business where you can post updates, and share interesting articles, images, and videos. It is, also, a great way to reach your target audience in the field that you are aiming for and make some B2B connections.
Groups: LinkedIn Groups are a great way to initiate and encourage discussions within your field related to the content that is promoted there. You can make your own group on the platform or join discussions in other groups and mention your video when appropriate. Check if the group is active and engaged, as many LinkedIn groups are inactive.
6. Pinterest
Pinterest is a fun and easy-to-use platform that allows you to make different pins (posts) of images on topics, from recipes to fashion to useful tips. You can make a new pin with your Youtube thumbnail and link your video including different keywords to make sure that it will attract the right audience. You can also research relevant boards and ask the owner whether they can add your pin, therefore you’ll get additional attention from everyone following the board.
In addition to traditional pins, consider using Idea Pins, Pinterest’s short-form, multi-page content format similar to Instagram Stories. You can repurpose a portion of your YouTube video or highlight its key points in an Idea Pin, adding relevant text overlays, stickers, and a call-to-action directing viewers to your channel for the full video.
7. Quora
Quora is a platform where anyone can ask questions on any subject. You can search for questions related to your topic and link your video under the answers to gather more organic and genuine reach.
8. Newsletter
If you haven’t already, it is very important to create a newsletter to accompany your website or blog. This will ensure that a bigger part of your followers will stay up-to-date with your newest uploads.
Other than your own, you can also submit your video to a newsletter related to your content. For example, if you upload Tech-related content, search for a newsletter that has this particular audience like Netted.net, it’s better to go niche with the newsletter you choose.
9. Digg
Like other platforms, Digg is all about sharing the most interesting content with its viewers. You have nothing to lose by submitting your link to them and if your video is instantly loved by their users, who knows, you may end up on the main page!
10. BoredPanda
Another community-developed website where you can upload your content for free. Just make sure to add a catchy title, some keywords, and you’re all set! Don’t forget to be active for more chances of going viral.
11. Your Blog/Website
This may seem like an obvious choice for many, but it is very important to regularly remind your readers of your uploads and any other updates. No matter where you share your videos on the internet, make sure to create a website to have them all in one place and create an online portfolio.
12. Medium
Medium is a fun and professional website that allows you to share your knowledge, story, or general perspective on a subject. You can write a small post linking your video and share it on their platform.
Niche-Specific Websites to Share Your Youtube Videos:
13. TripAdvisor
If your content is related to a physical location that would attract tourists, TripAdvisor is a great place to post your video. So, if you make content related to tourism, make sure you include TripAdvisor on your list. It will also help you build a good reputation online because it includes a rating system for your business.
14. Yelp
If your business is located in a physical place, Yelp is another website that will help you attract new customers who are searching for you or related businesses in your area. By adding professional-looking video content to your Yelp profile, you will surely stand out.
15. WonderHowTo
If you create How-To videos, this is the right place for you. No matter what the subject of your content is, you will have a great chance of gaining thousands of views. Make sure to include text alongside your video and you’re good to go.
16. Instructables
If your videos include How-To guides and tutorials, Instructables can be a great place to share them. It is a platform that is more geared to DIYers and only contains a particular type of content, which will ensure that it will reach an interested audience.
17. Discord
Contrary to popular belief, Discord is not only for gamers and crypto enthusiasts (although most of the users are). It’s also an excellent place to share your YouTube videos with a highly engaged audience. You can join public servers related to your niche or create your own server to interact directly with your followers. Additionally, Discord’s live voice and video chat features allow you to host watch parties or Q&A sessions around your videos, further boosting viewer interaction and loyalty. Always ensure your sharing aligns with the server rules to avoid spamming.
Summary
And that’s it! Now you know where to share your YouTube videos to get more views! You can use this list as a guide and test the websites yourself to see where your videos work better for the audience you are trying to reach. You can always find ways to promote your videos no matter the budget you have available, so hopefully, you will find here what works better for your needs.
Note: This blog post was originally published in December 2023 and was updated in December 2024.
FAQ
Why is it important to distribute YouTube videos?
Distributing your YouTube videos, especially within the first 24 hours, is crucial for gaining initial traction (100+ views) due to YouTube’s algorithm. It helps maximize your video’s reach and ensures your content gets the attention it deserves, preventing it from getting lost in the vast amount of daily uploads. This is a key aspect of effective YouTube video promotion.
What are the best free platforms to share YouTube videos for more views?
How can I use social media to promote my YouTube videos?
Social media platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn are excellent for YouTube video promotion. On Facebook, share in groups, on your business page, or repurpose content as Facebook Videos/Reels. On X, participate in discussions and share links. For Instagram, create engaging Reels from video segments. LinkedIn is great for professional networking and B2B connections. Always tailor your approach to each platform’s audience and rules.
Nice article and thank you for sharing this info.
Thanks for sharing. Help a lot.
Thank you for sharing this. I follow up everything you said! hopefully it works well. My youtube is about learning Chinese. I hope I can really help others to learn!
“An invaluable compilation of 16+ platforms to share YouTube videos for free in 2024! This meticulously curated list opens up exciting avenues for creators to expand their reach and engage with diverse audiences. A fantastic resource that empowers content creators to maximize their video’s visibility and impact. Well done!”
Distributing your YouTube video is crucial for maximizing its reach and engagement potential. By leveraging various platforms and strategies, you can extend your video’s visibility and connect with a wider audience.
Thanks so much for sharing this lovely tips 🙏💕