I. Content & Creative (Hook, Story, Visuals)
Weak or slow hook in the first 3 seconds
No clear storytelling arc or payoff
Low video resolution or poor lighting/audio
Overly long or repetitive content for the format
Lack of on-screen text/subtitles, especially for silent viewers
Boring or generic visuals (not thumb-stopping)
No emotional or intellectual payoff (no surprise, laughter, insight, etc.)
No value proposition (entertainment, education, inspiration)
Misleading thumbnails or titles (leads to drop-offs)
Lack of relatability — content feels distant or irrelevant
Too polished or brand-y — lacks authenticity
Too niche or too broad — doesn’t speak to a clear audience
Unclear who it’s for — no audience focus
Overuse of stock footage or templates
No call to action or viewer prompt
Inconsistent branding or visual identity
Low energy from presenters or voiceover
Content doesn’t match caption/hashtag expectations
Poor pacing — no rhythm to edits, scenes drag
Missing a human face or emotion — people connect with people
II. Platform Algorithm & Format
Wrong format for the platform (e.g., landscape on Reels)
Content not optimized for mobile-first viewing
Posted as a static video instead of a Reel/Short/Story
No engagement in first 30–60 minutes — hurts algorithmic push
Video is too long without strong retention (especially on YouTube)
Not using platform-native tools (like YouTube Shorts’ remix or IG filters)
Ignored trending formats, audio, or challenges
Copyright issues with music or visuals causing suppression
Poor or no thumbnail optimization (especially on YouTube)
Shadowbanned due to past violations or spammy behavior
No community interaction (replies, likes, comment pins, etc.)
Not using platform-specific CTA features (like poll stickers, IG link sticker, etc.)
Uploaded via 3rd-party scheduler that reduces reach (platforms sometimes penalize auto-posted content)
Mismatch between video metadata and content (hurts search/discovery)
III. Audience & Targeting Issues
Posted to the wrong audience (mismatch of interest or intent)
Over-reliance on hashtags for discovery
Too many hashtags or irrelevant ones
Audience fatigue from posting too frequently or with repetitive content
Not aligned with cultural trends, seasons, or current events
Lack of community-building — one-way content
Audience doesn’t understand the context or reference
Previous content trained the algorithm on a different niche
Audience time zone ignored — poor publishing time
Content is in the wrong language for the intended audience
Posted to the wrong audience (mismatch of interest or intent)
Over-reliance on hashtags for discovery
Too many hashtags or irrelevant ones
Audience fatigue from posting too frequently or with repetitive content
Not aligned with cultural trends, seasons, or current events
Lack of community-building — one-way content
Audience doesn’t understand the context or reference
Previous content trained the algorithm on a different niche
Audience time zone ignored — poor publishing time
Content is in the wrong language for the intended audience
IV. Caption, CTA, & Copywriting
Caption too long or too short for the platform
No hook in the caption (just plain description)
No emojis or spacing to make captions readable
No question or conversation starter
Confusing or overly technical language
Lack of clarity — viewer doesn’t know why they should care
Caption too long or too short for the platform
No hook in the caption (just plain description)
No emojis or spacing to make captions readable
No question or conversation starter
Confusing or overly technical language
Lack of clarity — viewer doesn’t know why they should care
