How to Hide Your YouTube Subscriber Count: A Complete Guide

In the ever-evolving world of YouTube, creators are constantly seeking ways to optimize their channels and presentation. One common question that arises, particularly for newer channels or those experimenting with different content strategies, is: How do I hide my subscriber count? There are various reasons why a creator might want to do this, from avoiding potential viewers making snap judgments to focusing attention on content quality rather than popularity metrics. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of hiding your YouTube subscriber count, explain the pros and cons, and provide insights to help you make an informed decision.

Why Hide Your Subscriber Count?

Before diving into the ‘how,’ let’s explore the ‘why.’ Here are some common reasons why YouTubers choose to hide their subscriber count:

• New Channels: New channels often have a lower subscriber count, which can sometimes deter viewers from subscribing. Hiding the number allows viewers to focus on your content quality and value first. It can help you get initial traction without being judged on popularity.
• Experimentation and Repositioning: If you are changing your channel niche, target audience, or style, hiding your subscriber count can prevent old metrics from influencing potential new viewers. It gives you a fresh start.
• Reducing Social Pressure: Some creators find the constant visibility of subscriber counts stressful. Hiding it allows them to focus on creating content without the pressure of public metrics.
• Focusing on Engagement, not Numbers: You may prefer viewers to engage with your content based on its merit rather than the number of subscribers. This approach puts emphasis on comments, likes, and shares.
• Avoiding Unnecessary Comparisons: Seeing low subscriber numbers compared to established channels can be demotivating. Hiding this helps protect your morale and drive.
• Maintaining a Mysterious Aura: Some creators prefer to have a sense of mystery around their channels, and hiding the subscriber count can contribute to that.

How to Hide Your YouTube Subscriber Count: Step-by-Step Guide

The process of hiding your subscriber count is straightforward and can be done through YouTube Studio. Here’s a step-by-step guide for both desktop and mobile users:

On Desktop:

1. Log in to YouTube Studio: Go to YouTube Studio and log in to your Google account associated with your YouTube channel.
2. Access Settings: On the left-hand side menu, locate and click on the “Settings” option at the bottom. This will open a pop-up window with several tabs.
3. Navigate to Channel Settings: In the Settings pop-up, click on the “Channel” tab. This tab has three sub-sections: Basic Info, Advanced Settings, and Feature eligibility.
4. Go to Advanced Settings: Click on the “Advanced settings” tab within the Channel settings.
5. Find the Subscriber Count Option: Scroll down the page until you find the section titled “Subscriber count.” It’s often located toward the middle to bottom of the page.
6. Uncheck the Display Checkbox: You will see a checkbox that is usually labeled as “Display the number of people subscribed to my channel.” This checkbox will be selected by default if your subscriber count is currently visible. To hide your subscriber count, simply uncheck this box.
7. Save Your Changes: Click the “Save” button (usually located at the bottom right of the Settings pop-up window) to apply your changes.
8. Check Your Channel: After saving, navigate to your public channel page to confirm that your subscriber count is no longer visible. You may need to refresh the page or clear your browser cache for the changes to take effect immediately.

On Mobile (YouTube Studio App):

While the mobile version of YouTube Studio offers limited features compared to the desktop version, you can still hide your subscriber count through the app. Here’s how:

1. Open YouTube Studio App: Launch the YouTube Studio app on your Android or iOS device. Ensure you are logged in to the account associated with your YouTube channel.
2. Tap on the Profile Icon: Tap on your profile icon located in the top right corner of the screen.
3. Select Settings: From the drop-down menu, tap on “Settings.”
4. Choose “Channel”: Once inside Settings, scroll down until you see the option titled “Channel”, and tap on it.
5. Access Advanced Settings: Within the Channel menu, choose the “Advanced Settings” option. This will often be located near the bottom of the screen.
6. Locate Subscriber Count Setting: Scroll through the options under Advanced Settings until you locate the “Subscriber count” setting. Usually, there’s a toggle switch or a checkbox next to it.
7. Disable Subscriber Count Display: If the toggle switch is on (indicating that your subscriber count is currently visible), turn it off. If it’s a checkbox, uncheck the box. This will hide your subscriber count from public view.
8. Save Your Changes: The app may automatically save your changes in this case, or you might need to manually tap a “Save” or “Done” option. If there’s an option to save, tap it.
9. Confirm the Change: Go back to your public YouTube channel using the normal YouTube app or a web browser to see that the subscriber count is no longer shown. Again, it might take a moment to refresh.

Important Note: It may take a few minutes for the changes to fully propagate across all YouTube platforms. If you don’t see the change immediately, try refreshing the page or checking again later. Also, viewers using third-party tools or extensions that explicitly display subscriber numbers may still be able to see it regardless of your setting.

Pros and Cons of Hiding Your Subscriber Count

While hiding your subscriber count can offer several benefits, it’s important to consider both the advantages and disadvantages before making the decision. Here’s a balanced look:

Pros:

• Reduced Judgement: Viewers might be less likely to make snap judgments based on your subscriber numbers, giving your content a fairer chance to shine.
• Increased Focus on Content: By removing the subscriber count, you encourage viewers to focus more on the quality of your videos rather than their popularity.
• Fresh Start: If you’re repositioning your channel, this can provide a clean slate without the baggage of previous metrics.
• Reduced Pressure: It can reduce personal stress and pressure of growing your subscriber base by making your progress less visible to others.
• Freedom to Experiment: You feel free to experiment with content, knowing that a smaller number of subscribers won’t discourage viewers.

Cons:

• Lack of Social Proof: Subscriber count serves as social proof. A high number of subscribers can signal that your channel is trustworthy and your content valuable. Hiding it removes this signal.
• Reduced Credibility: Some viewers might perceive a hidden subscriber count as a sign of lack of confidence or success. This can subtly affect perception about your channel’s authenticity.
• Potential Misinterpretation: Viewers may wonder why you’ve hidden the count, potentially leading to negative assumptions about your channel or content.
• Difficulty in Attracting New Subscribers: The lack of social proof might make some viewers less likely to subscribe. Seeing a large subscriber count can be a major motivator for some.
• Reduced Transparency: Some viewers might prefer to see your progress, especially if they are considering to subscribe. Hiding the number might feel like a lack of transparency.

When Should You Hide Your Subscriber Count?

The decision to hide your subscriber count depends on your individual circumstances and goals. Here are some scenarios where hiding it might be beneficial:

• Early Stages of a Channel: If your subscriber base is very low, hiding the number can help prevent viewers from being turned off by the lack of social proof. This gives you a chance to get initial views and engagement without being judged harshly.
• Channel Transformation: When changing your niche, audience, or content format, hiding the count can help in rebranding your channel and reduce the influence of older videos with a differing audience.
• Experimentation Period: If you’re experimenting with new content, hiding the count can remove the pressure of numbers and allow you to focus on creating content that truly resonates.
• Mental Well-being: If the public pressure of subscriber count is impacting your mental health, hiding it can be a positive step.
• Specific Content Focus: If your focus is on delivering very specific niche content with less emphasis on wider appeal, hiding subscribers allows you to prioritize your work without worrying about comparison.

However, if your channel is well-established with a solid, growing base and you’re focused on building social proof, then keeping the subscriber count visible might be a better option.

Alternative Strategies to Increase Subscriber Engagement

While hiding your subscriber count might be a short-term strategy, it’s also essential to focus on long-term methods for increasing viewer engagement. Here are some alternative strategies:

• Create High-Quality Content: Ultimately, the quality of your content is the biggest factor. Focus on creating engaging, informative, and valuable videos.
• Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments, ask for feedback, and create a sense of community on your channel.
• Optimize Video Titles and Descriptions: Use keywords in your titles and descriptions to improve discoverability in search results.
• Use Compelling Thumbnails: Create eye-catching thumbnails that entice viewers to click on your videos.
• Promote Your Channel: Share your videos on other social media platforms, participate in relevant forums, and collaborate with other creators.
• Consistent Upload Schedule: Stick to a consistent upload schedule to keep your audience engaged and anticipate new content.
• Use End Screens and Cards: Use end screens and cards to direct viewers to other relevant videos or playlists on your channel.
• Run Contests and Giveaways: Periodically running contests and giveaways can encourage engagement and subscriptions.
• Collaborate with Other Creators: Partnering with other YouTubers can expose your channel to a new audience.

Conclusion

Hiding your YouTube subscriber count is a simple process, but deciding whether to do it requires careful consideration of your channel’s goals and stage. While it can be beneficial for new channels or those undergoing changes, it also removes the potential social proof of your subscriber numbers. It’s essential to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. If you choose to hide it, remember to pair this strategy with strong content creation, audience engagement, and other channel growth strategies to foster long-term success on YouTube. Ultimately, what matters most is providing valuable, engaging content that resonates with your audience.