As a YouTube Creator, you probably have that one YouTube video that did well when it was launched, but is now just there gathering online dust. Instead of trying to create high-retention videos from scratch, how about refreshing those videos? When well done, a refreshed video can still garner many views, engagement, and subscribers.
That is what refreshing videos are all about—picking those old videos and giving them a new life. In this guide, we take you through a detailed process of repurposing old videos. Join us as we take you through the steps of doing so.
Why You Shouldn't Delete Old Videos With No Views
When YouTube creators upload videos and they fail to garner enough views as they had expected, many consider it a failed idea and choose to delete the videos. However, this is not a good decision for several reasons. First, when you delete a YouTube video, all the traffic and watch time garnered from that video are removed. No matter how few the views garnered by the video, it can still have some value, especially if your channel is still new. Secondly, when you delete a video, even the information on the audience and topic is lost.
Remember that when starting a YouTube channel, the platform doesn't have details on the audience it should recommend the video for. That is why you need to add the details, providing YouTube with the context of the video, such as the title, the description, and any unnecessary tags. These details help the YouTube algorithm understand the niche and topic.
The first videos you create are the ones providing YouTube with content recommendations in the future. Therefore, the first video provides YouTube with the details of the people watching your video. They provide new videos with exposure to audiences, and the same audiences in the future. When you delete this important data before YouTube understands your channel, it leaves the algorithm confused.
The only time when you may consider deleting videos is when you discover they are attracting the wrong audience to the channel. For instance, if your channel is on an Apple device but it is attracting viewers from Apple farmers, it might be worth deleting. This is because the farmers clicking on the video and bouncing will ruin your metrics, making YouTube consider the videos to be of poor quality.
What Does it Mean to Refresh Old Videos?
Refreshing old videos isn't only about reposting the old YouTube videos. It's also about reframing, reworking, or redistributing the existing content to ensure that it reaches the right audience. It is, therefore, more like video recycling. It can involve improving the quality of the video, changing different parts of the video, or adding some new effects. When refreshing, you need to maintain the original story and ensure that the new video looks fresh and is more attractive.
Examples of this kind of recycling include:
- Making short video tips into a detailed tutorial.
- Adding new information to a 2015 video.
- Using the video to create TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or Reels.
- Combining different videos into a guide.
Video repurposing can help maintain activity in your channel, save time, and get better results from your videos.
Why You Need to Repurpose Old YouTube Videos
YT is a constantly evolving platform where viewer preferences, algorithms, and trends keep shifting. However, that doesn't make the old videos completely useless. All they need is to be refreshed.
This work is for several reasons, such as:
- Time-saving. You can save the time you would otherwise spend creating the video, as the idea, footage, and structure are already there.
- Ability to reach new viewers. When you uploaded the old video, many current subscribers may have missed it. Refreshing the video offers them a new opportunity to see the video.
- Provide an SEO boost. When you update videos, it becomes possible to rerank them in the search results.
- Higher chances of success. If you create a video, you may know what works and what doesn't, and this increases the chances of success.
In other words, you will be working smarter rather than working hard.
Steps in Repurposing YouTube Videos
If you want to repurpose your YouTube video, here are the steps you should follow:
Find the Videos to Repurpose
The first step when repurposing YouTube videos is to find the videos that already have some potential. You can visit YouTube Studio, tap on Analytics, and then Content. You can then look out for:
- Your previously best-performing videos that have declined in recent years.
- Videos that receive consistent search traffic as a result of evergreen topics.
- Videos that already cover the relevant topic.
- Videos getting high comments or watch time that are a reflection of engagement.
You can sort the videos according to the one with the most views in the previous three months. Even those old video uploads still getting traffic can be good candidates for repurposing.
Remix or Upload Original Videos
At times, you don't want to start the video over. What you need to do is refresh the video. Here are some ways to repurpose videos:
- Add updated examples or facts. For instance, if you had a video covering SEO tips in 2020, you can update it with 2026 tips, including optimizing for AI.
- Replace outdated CTAs and intro. For instance, if you uploaded weekly but now upload daily, you can change weekly to daily in your CTA reading: Subscribe for our daily videos.
- Improve visuals. You can add graphics, B-roll, or even sound effects.
- Tweak thumbnail and title. You can revive your old YouTube video by adding a new title.
Update your videos by:
- Editing and re-uploading. This is suitable for brand new videos and is, therefore, good for major changes.
- Changing some sections in the YouTube editor if you are doing small updates.
Break the Video into Smaller Sections
Turn long-form YouTube videos into shorts to be posted on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Reels. This can ensure that the videos bring traffic from people who love the short videos. You can effectively do that in different ways, such as:
- Creating short 15- to 60-second clips from old videos.
- Focusing on the aha moment consisting of short and standalone tips.
- Adding outstanding captions and subtitles.
- Including a link to the main videos in your video description or the pinned comment.
For instance, if the main video was on "Top 5 Tips to increase your YouTube views", you can add a short clip on:
- Tip #1: Boosting your CTR with a captivating thumbnail.
- Tip #2: Why the First 5 Seconds Are a Do-or-Die.
That means you can create 10 shorts from one good video.
Repackage Your Videos into a Series or Playlist
Another important tip would be to organize old videos into a playlist. Doing that will bring several benefits, such as:
- Improving YouTube watch time (Something YouTube loves)
- Ensuring your viewers keep binge-watching the content.
- Providing new subscribers with a clear path for learning.
Older videos can also be put in a compilation of "best of", such as "Best of our 2022 videos" or "The best of TikTok growth tips". This can provide the old videos with new room for engagement.
Create New Formats From Old YouTube Videos
The fact that you are repurposing YouTube videos doesn't mean they can only work on the platform. Repurpose the videos for other platforms.
For instance, you can:
- Turn a YouTube Short into an Instagram Reel or TikTok.
- Turn a video script into a blog post.
- Take an image from the video and share it as a snippet on social media.
- Put the audio of the video as a Spotify podcast.
With the audiences on these platforms different from that of YouTube, this can offer you an opportunity to reach new viewers.
Remember to Add Context
Repurposing shouldn't be spamming. It's about rethinking your video to reach new viewers and providing them with a new context. For instance:
- If your original video is on growing your YouTube Short views, your video can be on "These Short changes have impacted recommendations."
- If your video acted as a 15-minute guide, you can make a 2-minute short edition for your busy audiences.
Be sure to update the title, tone, and visuals to meet people's needs.
Optimize the Repurposed Video
Just because you were repurposing the video doesn't mean it's not necessary to optimize the video. Instead, you should put as much effort as you do into the fresh launch.
For instance, you can:
- Create a new title with a rich keyword.
- Add a thumbnail to match your 2026 branding.
- Cross-promote the video on different platforms.
- Add to a relevant playlist.
- Pin the video on your homepage.
In Conclusion
It's not compulsory to create every YouTube video from scratch, especially because your old YouTube videos still hold a lot of potential. By uploading, trimming, and reframing your YouTube videos, you can reach new viewers, increase engagement, save video creation time, and keep your YouTube channel updated with new content. This can easily grow your channel, especially when combined with a YouTube search trend analysis.
