How to Get YouTube Subscribers from Facebook

Your next YouTube subscriber is probably scrolling through Facebook right now, but they'll never find your channel unless you build a bridge between the two platforms. This isn't about spamming links, it's a strategic process of using Facebook’s massive audience to fuel your YouTube growth. This guide will walk you through actionable steps to turn your Facebook followers into loyal YouTube subscribers.

Set Up Your Facebook Page for Success

Before you even think about posting content, you need to make your Facebook Page a welcoming gateway to your YouTube channel. Many creators overlook these simple, one-time fixes that can passively send viewers to their channel around the clock.

The 'About' Section is Prime Real Estate

Your 'About' section is one of the first places new visitors look. Don't waste it. Add your YouTube channel link in the website field and weave it naturally into your page description. Don’t just drop the link, tell people what they can expect when they click. For example:

"Welcome to the official Facebook Page for [Your Channel Name]! We post behind-the-scenes content here, but our main hub for weekly tutorials on [Your Niche] is over on YouTube. Subscribe here so you never miss an episode: [Your YouTube Link]"

Use a Crossover CTA Button

Facebook allows you to customize the main call-to-action button at the top of your Page. While "Sign Up" or "Shop Now" might be common, the "Watch Video" button is perfect for YouTubers. Link this button directly to your YouTube channel homepage, or even better, to a hand-picked video playlist for new visitors.

• How to set it up: On your Facebook Page, click "Edit" on your existing CTA button (or "Add a button" if you don't have one). Select "Watch Video" from the list and paste in your YouTube channel URL.

Pin Your Best Video Trailer

Pin a post to the top of your Facebook Page feed. This should be your most compelling video teaser or your channel trailer. This post acts as a permanent advertisement for your channel, greeting every visitor with a clear sample of what you offer. In the post's description, include a brief intro and a clear call to action like, "Get more videos like this every week by subscribing on YouTube!" along with the direct link.

Create Native Video Teasers That Stop the Scroll

Facebook’s algorithm prioritizes native video - content uploaded directly to its platform. Dropping a raw YouTube link often results in abysmal reach because you're asking users to leave Facebook’s ecosystem. The solution is to create video teasers that are uploaded natively to Facebook.

The Art of the Curiosity Hook

Your goal is not to give away the entire story, but to start it. A great teaser, typically 60-90 seconds long, presents a problem, a question, or an exciting setup, but withholds the resolution. Grab the most emotionally resonant or intriguing part of your YouTube video and turn that into the teaser.

• Example for a cooking channel: Show the beautiful finished dish, then quickly cut to a shot of a major kitchen mishap, and end with the text, "Want to see how I saved this recipe? The full video is linked below!"
• Example for a gaming channel: Show the final epic boss battle for a split second, then cut to you failing the level 10 times in a row. End with "The final try was...insane. Watch the whole chaotic fight on my YouTube channel."

Format for Facebook, Not YouTube

Don't just upload a horizontal YouTube clip. To succeed on Facebook, you need to adapt to its environment, which is overwhelmingly mobile and sound-off.

• Go Vertical or Square: Use a square (1:1) or vertical (4:5) aspect ratio. This format takes up more screen real estate on a mobile device, making it harder for users to ignore as they scroll.
• Add Captions and Text Overlays: Assume people are watching with the sound off. Burn captions directly into your video. Use large, bold text overlays to highlight key points or ask a question.
• Use a Strong Visual Hook in the First 3 Seconds: The first few seconds are everything. Start with action, movement, or a surprising visual to immediately grab attention. No long introductions or slow pans.

The CTA: How to Send People to YouTube

At the end of your native teaser, use a verbal and visual call-to-action to direct people to the full video. Add a text overlay that says "Watch the full video on YouTube!" and say it out loud. Then, add the full YouTube video link as the very first line in your post description. This makes it instantly clickable without users having to hit "See More."

Repurpose Your Video Into a Week of Content

One YouTube video can become an entire week's worth of Facebook content that all points back to the original source. This strategy keeps you on your audience's radar without feeling repetitive and respects the different ways people consume content on Facebook.

For every YouTube video, try creating a content 'package' for Facebook:

• Monday: A Quote Graphic. Pull a powerful, funny, or insightful quote from your video and put it on a branded template. In the caption, write: "Shared this thought in my latest video on [Topic]. Link in bio to hear the full story."
• Wednesday: The Native Video Teaser. Post the 60-second clip you created, with a direct link to the full YouTube video in the description.
• Friday: Behind-the-Scenes Photo or a Poll. Share a picture from the filming process or create a poll related to the video's topic. This fosters engagement and keeps the conversation going. For example: "I used method A in my latest video, but what do you think works better? A or B? Let me know!"

Use Facebook Groups Without Being "That Person"

Facebook Groups are communities of passionate people... and they can spot a self-promoter from a mile away. To use groups successfully, you must prioritize giving value over getting clicks.

Listen First, Share Later

Join groups relevant to your niche and spend a week or two just reading posts, upvoting content, and leaving genuine comments. Understand the group's culture, rules, and what kind of content gets a positive reaction. The goal is to become a familiar, valued member of the community, not a drive-by spammer.

Provide Value, Then Link

The best way to share your video is to offer it as a solution. Find someone asking a question that your YouTube video answers. Reply with a detailed, helpful comment that directly addresses their problem. Then, at the end of your genuine response, you can add something like:

"By the way, I actually filmed a full step-by-step tutorial on this exact topic last week if you'd like a visual guide. You can check it out here: [Your YouTube Link]"

This approach positions your content as a helpful resource, not an advertisement. This is the difference between being welcomed and being banned.

Run Targeted Facebook Ads to Your Ideal Viewer

Organic reach can be a slow burn. If you have a small budget, running a targeted Facebook Ad campaign can give you a significant boost. The key is to run an ad that promotes your native teaser on Facebook, not your YouTube link directly.

Starting Small with a Video Views Campaign

You don’t need thousands of dollars. Even $5 a day can get your content in front of hundreds of people who are likely interested in your niche. Here is a simple starter campaign:

1. Choose the "Engagement" or "Views" objective when setting up your ad.
2. Use your best-performing teaser video as the ad creative.
3. Target your audience based on interests. Are you a channel about sourdough? Target interests like "Baking," "King Arthur Flour," and other popular baking brands or influencers.
4. In the ad copy, include your clear CTA and the link to your full YouTube video.

This strategy gets more eyes on your Facebook content while simultaneously funneling the most engaged viewers over to YouTube to become new subscribers.

Engage Personally to Build a Bridge

Community management is channel growth. When someone leaves a comment on one of your Facebook posts, treat it as an opportunity. Respond thoughtfully and, when appropriate, use your YouTube videos as a resource.

For example, if someone asks a follow-up question related to a topic you posted about, you can reply:

"That’s a great question! I go into a ton of detail about that exact issue in my recent video. I answered it at the [timestamp] mark. Hope this helps! [YouTube Link]"

This shows that you are actively listening, providing immense value, and subtly trains your audience to see your YouTube channel as the primary source for in-depth answers.

Final Thoughts

Growing your YouTube channel with Facebook requires a multi-pronged approach that respects both platforms. By optimizing your profile, creating native video teasers, repurposing content, and engaging with your community, you can build a consistent and effective pipeline that turns casual Facebook scrollers into dedicated YouTube subscribers.

We built Postbase because managing this multi-platform content strategy can feel overwhelming. Creating and scheduling unique content like video teasers for Facebook, graphics for Instagram, and full videos for YouTube is a lot to juggle. Our visual calendar lets you plan all this content in one place, while our scheduler allows you to upload a video once and natively post it everywhere - from Facebook Reels to YouTube Shorts. It saves hours of time, so you can focus more on creating great videos instead of wrestling with your social media workflow.