How to Find YouTubers for Your Campaign

Collaborating with YouTubers is one of the most effective ways to connect with a highly engaged audience and make your marketing campaigns more impactful. However, finding the right creators requires a mix of strategy, tools, and effort. 

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best methods for discovering YouTubers that align perfectly with your brand and campaign goals.

Manual search on YouTube

Manually searching YouTube is a simple yet effective way to begin identifying creators. It allows you to explore content directly and uncover potential collaborators. Here’s how you can approach it:

• Use keywords

Start by typing relevant keywords into YouTube’s search bar. For example, if you’re in the fitness industry, search for terms like “home workout routines” or “healthy meal prep.” Browse the results to find creators whose content aligns with your brand and campaign objectives.

Another great option is YouTube filters. After entering your keyword, click on the “Filters” and pick the desired criteria like the upload date, duration, and subtitles.

• Be aware of search bias

YouTube customizes its search results based on your browsing and watch history.  While this can be useful for personal use, it’s not ideal when you’re looking for new creators. For more neutral results, log out of your account, clear your history, or use an incognito mode.

Plus, don’t limit yourself to the first 10–15 results. Explore beyond the first page, as well! Scroll further down the page to find other channels and creators that may be not that popular but could be a perfect match for your campaign.

• Apply filters

After entering your search query, click on the “Filters” button and select “Channels.” This will refine your results to display creators whose entire channel is focused on your chosen topic. It’s a great way to discover lesser-known influencers with niche audiences.

• Explore recommendations

Once you’ve found a promising channel, check the sidebar for related videos and channels. These suggestions can help you find additional creators with similar audiences and content themes.

• Fine-tune your search

Use advanced filters to narrow down your results by upload date, video duration, or content type (e.g., livestreams or YouTube Shorts). This is especially helpful if you’re looking for creators with consistent posting schedules or specific content formats.

It’s also worth preparing strategic approaches to YouTube video research. Additionally, you can review tips from Think with Google on how brands effectively leverage YouTube to identify trends and make better marketing decisions.

Use YouTube influencer search tool

If manual search is not your cup of tea or you collaborate with many creators at once, consider using an influencer discovery tool. One such example is Channel Crawler. 

Unlike general influencer marketing platforms, it focuses exclusively on YouTube, offering precise search capabilities and a massive database of creators.

• Saves time: Channel Crawler can reduce the time spent searching for influencers by up to 4–8 hours per week, making it an excellent option for busy marketers.
• Searches with precision: The platform allows you to filter creators using specific criteria, such as:
  • Posting frequency (e.g., at least two uploads per month) to ensure an influencer has an active presence.
  • Engagement levels, such as comment-to-view ratios, to find creators with a genuinely engaged audience.
• Provides detailed results: Channel Crawler provides metrics like subscriber counts, engagement rates, and audience demographics. This data helps you shortlist creators who match your campaign’s needs.
• Helps contact creators directly: One of its standout features is the ability to provide email addresses for many creators, making outreach easier and more efficient.
• Offers a massive database: With over 21 million searchable channels, the platform offers unparalleled access to creators across all niches and audience sizes.

If your campaign also involves creating YouTube content, improving your production process can enhance your results. Explore some tips on how to edit YouTube videos to craft engaging videos that resonate with your audience and complement your influencer collaborations.

Leverage your network

Your professional and personal network can be an underutilized resource for discovering YouTubers. Here’s how you can tap into it:

• Ask around: Inform your colleagues, industry peers, and friends that you’re looking for YouTube influencers. Many people in your network might have experience working with creators and can recommend reliable influencers or even provide introductions.
• Utilize affiliate programs: If your business runs an affiliate program, you may already have influencers promoting your products. For instance, platforms like Apollo.io leverage affiliate programs to encourage influencers to market their services without upfront payments.
  • Pro tip: While affiliate collaborations can be cost-effective, paid partnerships often result in higher-quality content tailored to your brand’s needs.
• Build lasting relationships: Once you identify promising creators, focus on nurturing these connections. Even if they don’t work with you immediately, staying connected could lead to future opportunities.

By spreading the word within your network, you may even attract influencers who approach you directly, saving you time and effort.

Other methods

If the strategies above aren’t enough, consider these additional approaches to expand your search:

• Google search: A quick search for phrases like “top [niche] YouTube influencers” can lead to curated lists and blog posts featuring prominent creators. Keep in mind that these lists typically include larger influencers who might be out of your budget.
• Influencer marketing agencies: Agencies can handle the entire process for you, from identifying creators to negotiating terms. While this option can be expensive, it’s worth for a targeted campaign with measurable results.
• Analyze competitors: Research the influencers your competitors are working with to identify potential collaborators. However, consider the following factors:
  • Authenticity: Avoid influencers who promote too many brands indiscriminately, as their audience may view them as less credible.
  • Exclusivity: Some influencers may have non-compete agreements with your competitors, so be prepared to wait before reaching out to them.

For additional insights, check out various guides on how to optimize your influencer marketing strategy effectively.

Conclusion

Finding YouTubers for your campaign doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you’re manually searching, using tools like Channel Crawler, or leveraging your network, the key is to focus on creators whose values and audiences align with your brand. With the right approach, you can build meaningful partnerships that elevate your marketing efforts.

Good luck with your influencer search!