Whether you're looking for potential affiliates, content partners, or email contacts, refining your search with targeted filters will save time and deliver better results. If your business sells to creators, finding the right YouTubers efficiently is essential. Here’s how to build a high-quality list of YouTube channels that match your ideal creator profile. Step 1: Start with a broad search and define your YouTuber profile If you don’t have a specific creator in mind yet, start broad and refine your search as you go. 1. Choose a niche or category – Searching for "Fitness" instead of "gym" gives you a larger starting point and helps surface more relevant channels. You can also choose to search by pre set Smart Topics, which we recommend for best results. You'll see this option via the left hand navigation bar. Key note: The topic filter is for topics, so if you search for a brand or product, the results won't be as strongly correlated. 2. Set a subscriber range – This helps narrow results to channels that align with your goals. 1. Subscriber count is a starting point, not the full picture – While useful for filtering, it doesn’t always reflect how active or effective a channel is. See the next steps for more filters. 3. Look for active, growing channels – A high subscriber count doesn’t mean much if recent videos aren’t getting views or engagement. Prioritise channels that post consistently and still attract an audience. It’s best not to apply too many filters at the start. Running a broader search first helps you see what’s available before narrowing it down. Step 2: Use filters to find YouTubers who fit your business needs Once you’ve run an initial search, refining your results will help surface the most relevant channels. - Engagement rate – A strong engagement rate suggests an active, responsive audience. - Recent video performance – Prioritise YouTubers whose recent videos are still getting views and interaction. - Keyword filtering – Search for specific terms that appear in channel names, descriptions, or video titles to target relevant creators In Step 1, you got a broad view of how many creators match your needs. Now, these filters help you narrow it down further, making it easier to focus on the most relevant channels when there are too many results. Step 3: Find YouTubers who are open to outreach If you’re planning to contact creators, focus on channels that have email addresses available. - Use the "email available" filter – Show only channels where an email is listed. - Unlock and download email contacts – Save them for later outreach, or download a list you can outreach to - Filter for other social handles – Some creators list additional contact details on their profile. A missing email doesn’t always mean the creator isn’t open to partnerships. They may list their contact details on a website or social media instead. You can DM them on platforms such as Instagram too. Step 4: Build and organise your creator list Once you've identified YouTubers that fit your business, keep track of them for easy access later. - Save channels to a list – Organise potential partners by niche or priority level. - Export data as csv – Useful if you need to integrate the data with CRM tools or internal workflows. - Run additional searches – Layer in more filters to refine your results further. Testing different search settings is a good way to improve your results. Small adjustments, such as engagement rate thresholds, can significantly impact the quality of your matches. Search smarter, not harder Finding YouTubers who are valuable to your business isn’t about going through thousands of channels manually. The key is to apply targeted filters, focus on engagement, and save high-quality results. - Start broad, then refine based on creator performance and engagement - Focus on contact-ready channels for faster outreach - Save and download your best lists to track potential partnerships Now, try it for yourself, run a search and start finding YouTubers today!

Getting started

What are search credits

Search credits are deducted each time you conduct a search within the platform. They are used in when viewing channels in the "Discover" or "brand visibility features. Here’s how it works: Search Credits Deduction Credits are deducted based on the number of results displayed in your search. For example: - If 20 results appear on the first page, 20 search credits will be deducted. - If you go to the second page and there are 16 results left, 16 more search credits will be deducted. - If you use multiple filters and only 5 channels appear, 5 search credits will be deducted. Track Your Credits You can check your remaining search credits anytime in your user dashboard. Do search credits expire? - Monthly credits reset at the start of each months billing cycle. What happens if I run out of credits? - Wait until the next billing cycle, or upgrade your plan for more search credits.

Getting started

What are email & download credits

Understand how credits work for unlocking emails and exporting channel data. ChannelCrawler uses a single credit system for both email unlocks and CSV downloads. Whether you're unlocking influencer email addresses or exporting channel lists, all credits come from the same pool. How Do Credits Work? Credits can be used for two main actions: 1. Unlocking Emails: 1 credit unlocks 1 influencer email address. 2. Downloading Channel Data: The number of credits depends on the type of export: - Basic Channel information: 0.1 credits per channel - Email Addresses: 1 credit per channel Tip: If you're building a channel list without contact info, exporting basic data uses fewer credits. How Many Credits Do You Get? Credits are included with your subscription and reset every month: - Starter Plan: 50 credits per month - Power Plan: 250 credits per month If you run out, you can buy more credits anytime. The more you buy, the lower the cost per credit. Do Credits Expire? - Monthly Credits: Reset automatically every month with your subscription. - Purchased Credits: Never expire, you can use them whenever you need. Where to Check Your Credit Balance You can see your remaining credits by: 1. Visiting your Account Dashboard. 2. Checking the Export Page when downloading data. What Happens if I Run Out of Credits? - You won't be able to unlock emails or download data until you purchase more credits. - Click Purchase Credits during an export to top up instantly, or purchase more from your account dashboard. Now you're ready to start unlocking emails and exporting YouTube channel data. Check your credits and start discovering influencers today.

Getting started

I want to try ChannelCrawler

If you're interested in trying ChannelCrawler, we offer free searches, a demo plan, and interactive walkthroughs to help you experience the platform before committing to a paid plan. Get Started with a Free Search Before signing up, you can run two free searches to see how ChannelCrawler works. This lets you: - Search over 25 million YouTube channels - Apply basic filters like niche and country - View channel stats and engagement data Create a Free Account After your free searches, you can sign up for a Demo Plan (Free Forever) to continue exploring. No credit card required. Want More? Upgrade Anytime If you need more search credits, email unlocks, or advanced filters, you can upgrade to a Starter or Power plan. - Starter Plan – Ideal for small brands with limited budget. - Power Plan – Best for agencies managing multiple brands to manage, or brands activating with over 10 YouTubers per month. - Enterprise – Custom plans for large-scale YouTube data needs. Watch a Demo Prefer a quick overview? Watch our walkthrough video to see ChannelCrawler in action. Start Finding YouTube Influencers Today Whether you’re running a brand campaign or building an influencer list, ChannelCrawler makes it easy. - Run a free search - Sign up for the Demo Plan - Upgrade anytime for more features Try ChannelCrawler for Free

Channel discovery

Engagement rate: what it means and why it matters

Engagement rate helps you identify YouTubers whose viewers aren't just passive followers but actively like, comment, and interact with their content. ChannelCrawler offers four key engagement metrics to make your search more precise. Step 1: What Each Engagement Metric Tells You ChannelCrawler offers four calculations to give you a complete view of engagement. 1. Engagement Rate (%) - The percentage of an audience interacting with content. - Best for understanding overall responsiveness. 2. Comments/Views Ratio (%) - How often viewers leave comments. - Ideal for finding creators who spark conversation. 3. Likes/Views Ratio (%) - How many viewers liked the content. - Useful for spotting content that resonates with audiences. 4. Views/Subscribers Ratio - How many subscribers actually watch the creator's videos. - Higher ratios suggest more loyal, active audiences. Tip: A large following means little if people aren't engaging. These metrics highlight creators whose audiences pay attention. Step 2: How to Use the Engagement Rate Filter To find YouTubers with engaged audiences: 1. Go to Filters → Engagement Rate. 2. Choose the engagement type you want to focus on: - Engagement Rate (%): Overall audience responsiveness - Comments/Views Ratio (%): How often viewers engage through discussion & comments. - Likes/Views Ratio (%): How many viewers enjoy & support the video. - Views/Subscribers Ratio: How often subscribers actually watch the content. 3. Set your range: - 3%+ Engagement Rate is good for most niches. - 6%+ Engagement Rate suggests a highly engaged community. - Comments/Views of 1%+ shows active conversations. - Likes/Views of 4%+ indicates positive reception. - Views/Subscribers of 30%+ suggests strong audience loyalty. 4. Combine with other filters like subscriber count, video performance, or niche to narrow results. Example: Searching for fitness creators with 10,000 to 100,000 subscribers and a 5%+ engagement rate helps you find influencers with audiences that actually care about their content. Pro tip: Every niche is different, and for creators with more subscribers/views, engagement rate is lower. So test a few different engagement rates to see what is a high engagement rate for your niche! Step 3: Why Engagement Rate Matters Engagement shows you how connected an influencer is to their audience. A high engagement rate suggests: - A loyal, active following. - Higher chances of sponsored content performing well. - Content that consistently resonates with viewers. A low engagement rate can mean: - Followers aren't interested in recent content. - The channel grew through one-off viral videos. - The creator's audience is less likely to take action. - The channel has been stolen or has a new ownership (much more unusual, but can happen) Tip: Engagement should always be checked alongside video views and other performance metrics to get the full picture. Step 4: What's a Good Engagement Rate? Engagement rates vary by niche and channel size. Here's what to expect: - High-engagement niches: Beauty, fitness, and gaming often see 5–8% engagement and 40–60% views-to-subscriber ratios. - Mid-engagement niches: Lifestyle, travel, and tech typically see 3–5% engagement and 30–50% views-to-subscriber ratios. - Low-engagement niches: Business, education, and finance may see 2–3%, but their audiences are often more targeted, and often aren't following a specific creator, but wanting to learn something specific. Example: A beauty YouTuber with 50,000 subscribers and a 7% engagement rate is likely more influential than one with 200,000 subscribers but only 2% engagement, making them better for affiliate sponsorships. Find Influencers That Actually Influence Engagement rate helps you move past vanity metrics like follower count and focus on what matters: creators whose audiences care about their content. - Use Engagement Rate (%) to find responsive communities. - Check Comments/Views and Likes/Views for audience reactions. - Prioritise creators with high Views/Subscribers for loyal viewership. Now, try it for yourself and start finding YouTubers with real influence.

Channel discovery

Using keywords for precision

Target creators based on the exact terms they use. ChannelCrawler's keyword filters help you find YouTubers using exact words in their channel name, bio, or videos & more. This ensures you're reaching creators actively discussing your niche, not just those loosely associated with it. But when should you search by keywords, and when is a niche filter more effective? It depends on how specific you want to get. Step 1: Choose Keywords or Niche – What's Best for Your Search? Use keywords when you want creators using a specific term This works best when you're looking for: - Creators focused on a particular sub-niche, such as yoga, barre, or keto - Industry-specific terms like altcoin, NFTs, or Ethereum - Product mentions like GoPro or MacBook Example: In the crypto world, creators are unlikely to use "crypto" unless it's their main focus. Searching for terms like "altcoin" or "Ethereum" surfaces channels that discuss specific aspects of crypto, rather than general content. 1. Use niche filters when the topic is broader or described differently Niche filters work well when: - Creators might not use the term itself, like "fitness," "sales," or "marketing" - You want to find channels discussing related topics without using the exact word Example: Searching for "fitness" by keyword can lead to false positives. A creator might talk about "gym," "running," or "exercise" without ever mentioning the word "fitness." Using the Fitness niche ensures you find all relevant channels, even if they don't use the exact term. Similarly, in sales and marketing, many creators focus on lead generation, social selling, or growth strategies but rarely label their content as "sales." A niche filter ensures you don't miss these creators. **Pro tip: You can use both. Search by a niche such as fitness, then use keywords such as Yoga, Barre to be more specific. ** Step 2: How to Apply Keyword Filters Once you know what you're looking for: 1. Go to Filters → Keywords. 2. Enter your exact keyword. 3. Choose where you want to search: - Found anywhere - For a broad search across all the below - **Channel name - **for theme-aligned creators, such as YogaWithAdriene - Channel tags - for creators tagging their content with your focus, such as photography. - As this is is tagged by creators, it can be misleading when a creator uses tags broadly. - Channel bio - for understanding content focus, such as book reviews and recommendations - Video title for finding recent content, such as iPhone 15 review - Video description for spotting key themes in content - Video tags for understanding how creators categorise their content Example: Searching "minimalism" in video titles finds creators actively posting about it, not just channels mentioning it once in their bio. Step 3: Refine Your Search for Better Results Since keyword filtering looks for exact matches, adjust your approach based on the results. If you get too few results: - Use synonyms, such as "plant-based" in addition to "vegan" - Switch to niche filters if the topic is broad, like "health" or "sales" instead of "Sales & Marketing" If you get too many results: - Add filters like subscriber count, engagement rate, or country as its likely you will need these anyway. - Focus on specific terms, like "trail running" instead of "fitness" Example: Searching for "gaming" might flood you with results. Searching for "Minecraft" or "FPS" narrows it down to relevant creators. Search Smarter, Not Harder Choosing between keywords and niche filters depends on how creators describe their content. Use keywords when you're targeting exact terms, like altcoin or keto. Use niche filters when the topic is broad or commonly described in other ways, like fitness or sales. Combine both when you want the most accurate results. Now, try it yourself and start finding YouTubers today.

Advice and answers from the ChannelCrawler Team

Getting started

Sponsorships & brand visibility

Channel discovery

Billing & Payments

Troubleshooting & FAQs

Imports & exports

Saved items

Find the right YouTubers

What are search credits

What are email & download credits

I want to try ChannelCrawler

Engagement rate: what it means and why it matters

Using keywords for precision