How to Get YouTube Comments on Small Channels: 12 Practical Tips

Getting comments on a small YouTube channel can be difficult. When your channel has only a few subscribers and views, viewers may watch your videos without leaving any comments. However, comments can become easier to get when you create content that gives people a reason to share their opinions, answer questions, or join a conversation.

The good news is that you do not need thousands of subscribers to start getting comments. You can encourage meaningful discussions by asking specific questions, creating interactive videos, responding to viewers, and making your audience feel involved.

In this guide, you will learn how to get YouTube comments on small channels using simple strategies that beginners can apply.

1. Ask a Specific Question

One of the easiest ways to encourage comments is to ask viewers a specific question.

Instead of ending your video with:

“Let me know what you think.”

Ask something that requires a simple response, such as:

• What is your biggest YouTube problem right now?
• Which thumbnail style do you prefer?
• How many subscribers does your channel have?
• Which tip from this video will you try first?

Specific questions make it easier for viewers to decide what to write.

2. Ask Questions Related to the Video

Your question should naturally connect with the topic of your video.

For example, if you create a video about YouTube thumbnails, ask:

“Do you create your thumbnails on your phone or computer?”

If your video is about YouTube Shorts, you could ask:

“How many Shorts do you currently upload each week?”

Relevant questions are more likely to attract genuine responses because viewers already have an opinion about the topic.

3. Give Viewers Two Choices

Some viewers do not comment because they do not know what to say. Giving them two or three options makes participation easier.

For example:

“Which strategy would you choose: A) Shorts or B) long-form videos?”

A viewer can simply answer “A” or “B.”

You can also ask questions such as:

“Which thumbnail is better: 1 or 2?”

This strategy is especially useful for small channels because it reduces the effort required to leave a comment.

4. Ask for Opinions Instead of Generic Comments

People are more likely to participate when you ask for an opinion rather than simply asking them to “comment below.”

For example, instead of saying:

“Comment below.”

Try:

“Do you think uploading three times a week is better than uploading once a week? Tell me why.”

The second question creates an opportunity for discussion.

Opinion-based questions can also produce longer and more useful comments.

5. Create Videos That Solve Problems

Useful content naturally creates opportunities for discussion.

If your video solves a common problem, viewers may ask follow-up questions or share their own experiences.

For example, a video titled:

“How to Improve YouTube Video Impressions”

could end with:

“What is your current impressions problem? Tell me your numbers in the comments.”

This gives viewers a clear reason to respond.

6. Reply to Every Genuine Comment

When someone comments on your video, respond whenever practical.

A reply shows that there is an active creator behind the channel. It can also turn a simple comment into a conversation.

For example:

Viewer:
“I have only 20 subscribers. Should I focus on Shorts?”

Instead of replying:

“Thanks!”

you could respond:

“Yes, Shorts can be useful for reaching new viewers. What type of content are you currently making?”

Now you have created an opportunity for another response.

7. Use a Pinned Comment

A pinned comment can be used to start a discussion below your video.

After publishing a video, write a question related to the topic and pin it.

For example:

“What is the biggest challenge you are facing with your YouTube channel right now?”

Other examples include:

• What topic should I cover next?
• Which tip helped you the most?
• What would you add to this list?
• What is your current subscriber count?
• Which YouTube feature should I explain next?

A good pinned comment acts like a conversation starter.

8. Give Viewers a Reason to Return

You can encourage more discussion by creating connected content.

For example, if you publish a video about YouTube thumbnails, your next video could answer common thumbnail questions from viewers.

You can say:

“I will use some of your questions from the comments in my next video.”

This gives viewers an additional reason to participate.

However, avoid promising something you do not intend to do. Keep your engagement strategy genuine and audience-focused.

9. Make Your Videos More Interactive

Instead of presenting information from beginning to end without interaction, occasionally ask viewers questions throughout the video.

For example:

“Before I show you the next strategy, which method are you currently using?”

You can also ask viewers to predict an outcome, choose between options, or share their experience.

Interactive moments can make viewers feel like participants rather than passive viewers.

10. Talk About Beginner Experiences

Small channels can benefit from content that directly addresses the experiences of other beginners.

Topics such as these can encourage discussion:

• Starting a YouTube channel with zero subscribers
• Getting your first 100 views
• Choosing your first video topic
• Making videos with a phone
• Learning YouTube SEO
• Getting your first few subscribers

When viewers recognize their own situation in your video, they may be more willing to share their experience.

For example:

“How many videos did you upload before getting your first 100 views?”

This can create a simple conversation among beginners.

11. Avoid Begging for Comments

There is a difference between encouraging comments and repeatedly asking for engagement.

Avoid saying:

“Please comment, please like, please subscribe, please share.”

throughout the entire video.

Instead, make your request relevant to the content.

For example:

“If you’re struggling with YouTube impressions, tell me your current average impressions in the comments. I may cover the most common problems in a future video.”

This feels more natural because the request has a clear purpose.

12. Turn Comments Into Future Content Ideas

Your comments section can become a source of future video topics.

Pay attention to questions viewers repeatedly ask.

Suppose viewers frequently ask:

“How long should my YouTube videos be?”

You could create a dedicated video answering that question.

Then mention:

“This video came from a question one of you asked in the comments.”

This encourages viewers to understand that their questions can influence your future content.

Over time, this can help create a stronger relationship between your channel and its audience.

How to Get More Comments Without Having Many Subscribers

You do not need a huge audience to start a conversation.

Focus on making each viewer feel that their response is useful.

A simple strategy is:

Useful video → specific question → pinned comment → creator reply → follow-up question

For example, imagine you have a video about YouTube SEO for beginners.

At the end of the video, ask:

“Which part of YouTube SEO is hardest for you: keywords, titles, thumbnails, or descriptions?”

Then pin the same question.

When someone answers, reply with another relevant question.

This creates a conversation instead of simply collecting one-word comments.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

If you want more YouTube comments on a small channel, avoid these mistakes:

Using generic questions: “What do you think?” is often too broad.

Asking unrelated questions: Keep your question connected to the video.

Ignoring comments: If viewers take time to respond, try to acknowledge useful comments.

Buying comments: Artificial engagement does not create a genuine audience and can damage the quality of your community.

Overusing calls to action: Too many requests can make videos feel repetitive.

Writing misleading prompts: Ask genuine questions and participate honestly in the discussion.

Final Thoughts

Getting comments on a small YouTube channel is mainly about creating opportunities for conversation. You can start by asking specific questions, using pinned comments, replying to viewers, creating interactive content, and turning audience questions into future videos.

Do not worry if only a few people comment at first. A small number of genuine comments can be more useful than a large number of meaningless responses.

Focus on helping viewers, making your questions easy to answer, and building real conversations. As your channel grows, these habits can help you create a more active and engaged YouTube audience.