Get More Comments & Skyrocket Your YouTube Engagement

Comments are the lifeblood of YouTube engagement. They're not just nice-to-have interactions—they're crucial signals that tell the YouTube algorithm your content is worth promoting. Videos with high comment counts get recommended more, rank higher in search, and build stronger communities.

But getting viewers to stop scrolling and actually leave a comment? That's where most creators struggle. In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn 15 proven strategies to dramatically increase comments on your YouTube videos, straight from successful creators who've mastered the art of engagement.

Why YouTube Comments Matter More Than You Think

Before diving into tactics, let's understand why comments are so valuable:

• Algorithm Boost: YouTube's algorithm prioritizes videos with high engagement. Comments are a powerful engagement signal that can get your videos recommended to more people.
• Increased Watch Time: When viewers read and reply to comments, they spend more time on your video page, which signals quality to YouTube.
• Community Building: Active comment sections create a sense of community, turning casual viewers into loyal subscribers.
• Free Feedback: Comments provide valuable insights into what your audience loves (or doesn't) about your content.
• Social Proof: A bustling comment section makes new viewers more likely to engage themselves—nobody wants to be the first to comment on a ghost town.

15 Proven Strategies to Get More YouTube Comments

1. Ask Specific Questions in Your Videos

Generic calls-to-action like "leave a comment below" rarely work. Instead, ask specific, thought-provoking questions that viewers actually want to answer:

• "Which of these three strategies will you try first?"
• "Have you ever experienced this? Share your story below!"
• "Team A or Team B? Defend your answer in the comments!"
• "What video should I make next—option 1, 2, or 3?"

Specific questions give viewers a clear, easy way to engage. They don't have to think about what to say—you've already given them the prompt.

2. Create Controversy (The Respectful Way)

People love to share their opinions on debatable topics. You can spark discussion without being inflammatory:

• Share a slightly controversial opinion and ask viewers to agree or disagree
• Compare two popular options in your niche (e.g., "iPhone vs Android for content creation")
• Debunk a common myth in your industry
• Present multiple perspectives on a topic and ask which viewers support

Controversy drives engagement because people naturally want to add their two cents to the discussion.

3. Pin a Conversation-Starting Comment

The first comment on your video sets the tone for the entire discussion. Don't waste this prime real estate—pin a thoughtful comment that encourages others to respond:

• Pin a question related to your video topic
• Share a fun behind-the-scenes fact and ask viewers for their reaction
• Post a poll-style comment ("Reply with 1, 2, or 3...")
• Tease your next video and ask what viewers want to see

A strong pinned comment can generate dozens or even hundreds of replies, jump-starting your comment section.

4. Reply to EVERY Comment (Especially Early Ones)

This is the single most powerful tactic: respond to every comment, especially in the first few hours after publishing. Here's why it works:

• It creates a dialogue, encouraging the commenter to reply again (doubling your comment count)
• It shows other viewers that you're active and engaged, making them more likely to comment
• It signals to YouTube that your content is sparking conversation
• Early engagement gives your video momentum in the algorithm

Pro tip: Use CommentShark's AI Reply Assistant to craft thoughtful responses quickly, so you can engage with every commenter without spending hours on it.

5. Run Giveaways and Contests

Giveaways are engagement goldmines. Requiring a comment to enter can generate hundreds or thousands of comments on a single video:

• Set clear entry rules (e.g., "Comment with your favorite tip from this video to enter")
• Make the prize relevant to your audience
• Use a random picker tool to select winners fairly (check out our Random Comment Picker)
• Announce winners publicly to prove legitimacy

Giveaways don't have to be expensive—even small prizes like shoutouts, custom thumbnails, or digital products work if they're valuable to your audience. Learn more in our guide: How to Run a Successful YouTube Giveaway.

6. Use the Community Tab to Drive Comments

Your Community tab is a direct line to your subscribers. Use it to:

• Tease upcoming videos and ask what viewers want to see
• Share polls (YouTube's poll feature is built for engagement)
• Post behind-the-scenes photos with questions
• Share memes or relatable content that encourages reactions

Regular Community posts keep your channel active between uploads and train your audience to engage with you.

7. Create "Comment-Worthy" Moments in Your Videos

Some content naturally makes people want to comment. Build these moments into your videos:

• Plot twists: Unexpected reveals that make viewers go "wait, what?"
• Relatable struggles: Moments where viewers think "that's so me!"
• Easter eggs: Hidden details that sharp-eyed viewers will spot and comment about
• Callbacks: References to previous videos or inside jokes that long-time subscribers will recognize
• Mistakes (intentional or not): Viewers love to point out errors—lean into it!

8. End Videos with a Clear, Compelling CTA

Don't just say "comment below"—give viewers a specific reason to comment right now:

"I'm reading every single comment today, so drop yours below and let me know which strategy you're going to try first. I'll reply to as many as I can!"

This combines a specific ask with a promise of engagement, which significantly increases response rates.

9. Create Series or Ongoing Storylines

When viewers know there's a "to be continued," they're more likely to comment with theories, predictions, or requests for the next installment:

• Multi-part tutorials or challenges
• Ongoing projects or builds
• Series like "Testing X until Y happens"
• Recurring segments (e.g., "Monday Q&A" where you answer comment questions)

Serialized content creates anticipation and gives viewers a reason to comment their thoughts after each episode.

10. Highlight Viewer Comments in Future Videos

Reading comments aloud or displaying them on-screen in your videos has two benefits:

• The featured commenter gets a mini-moment of fame (and will likely comment again)
• Other viewers see that you actually read comments, so they're more likely to leave thoughtful ones

This works especially well for Q&A videos, reaction videos, or addressing feedback/suggestions from your community.

11. Optimize Your Thumbnails and Titles for Curiosity

While not directly about comments, getting more viewers naturally leads to more comments. Thumbnails and titles that spark curiosity drive clicks and engagement:

• Use "wait, what?" moments in thumbnails
• Tease a surprising result without giving it away
• Ask questions in your title that viewers want answered
• Create pattern interrupts (something unexpected that stops the scroll)

More engaged viewers = more comments.

12. Post at Optimal Times When Your Audience is Active

Timing matters for early engagement. Check your YouTube Analytics to see when your subscribers are online, then publish 1-2 hours before that peak time. This gives your video time to gain traction right when your most engaged viewers are active.

Early comments in the first few hours signal to YouTube that your video is engaging, which can help it get recommended more broadly.

13. Collaborate with Other Creators

Collaborations expose your channel to new audiences who are often more likely to engage (since they're being introduced by a creator they trust):

• Do collab videos and ask both audiences a question in the comments
• Host joint giveaways where commenting on both channels earns extra entries
• Create challenge videos where viewers vote in comments on who did better

Collabs are win-win: both creators benefit from increased engagement and exposure.

14. Make Your Videos Shareable and Discussable

Some content types naturally generate more discussion:

• How-to tutorials (viewers share their results or ask follow-up questions)
• Reviews and comparisons (people love to debate specs and value)
• Storytelling/personal experiences (relatable content sparks "me too" comments)
• Hot takes or trend analysis (invites agreement or counterpoints)
• Challenges and experiments (viewers share their own attempts)

Consider how your content invites discussion and adjust your format accordingly.

15. Use Tools to Manage and Encourage Engagement

As your channel grows, managing comments manually becomes overwhelming. Use tools to stay on top of engagement:

• AI Reply Assistant – Respond to comments faster with AI-suggested replies
• Comment Searcher – Find and reply to specific comments or questions quickly
• Auto Comment Replier – Filter spam so real engagement stands out

The easier it is to manage your comments, the more likely you are to stay engaged with your community—and that engagement is contagious.

Bonus: What NOT to Do

Avoid these common mistakes that can hurt your comment engagement:

• Don't disable comments: Even if you get occasional negativity, the algorithm benefit of comments far outweighs the downsides. Use moderation tools instead.
• Don't ignore your comment section: If you never respond, viewers will stop commenting. Engagement is a two-way street.
• Don't be vague: "Let me know what you think" is too broad. Ask specific questions.
• Don't delete negative comments (unless they're abusive): Constructive criticism can actually spark healthy discussion. Deleting everything makes you look thin-skinned.
• Don't buy fake comments: YouTube can detect this, and it will hurt your channel. Plus, fake engagement doesn't convert to watch time or subscribers.

Start Getting More Comments Today

Getting more comments on YouTube isn't about luck or gaming the system—it's about creating content that invites discussion and actively engaging with your community. Implement even a few of these 15 strategies, and you'll see your engagement rates climb.

Remember: every comment is an opportunity to build a relationship, get feedback, and signal to YouTube that your content is worth promoting. Treat your comment section like the valuable asset it is, and watch your channel grow.