Which type of social media engagement is the strongest signal to the YouTube algorithm?

The strongest signal to the YouTube algorithm from social media engagement is shares. When viewers share a YouTube video on their social media profiles, it indicates that they found the content valuable and are willing to recommend it to their network. This signal carries more weight than likes or simple views because it demonstrates active endorsement and expands the video's reach beyond the YouTube platform. Shares also drive referral traffic back to YouTube, which further boosts the video's visibility and ranking in search results and recommendations. The algorithm interprets shares as a strong indicator of content quality and relevance, leading to increased promotion and discoverability.