We used TubeBuddy on a new affiliate channel for 90 days. Here's what the keyword tools, A/B testing, and bulk features actually do for your view count.
TubeBuddy is a browser extension that integrates directly into YouTube Studio. Once installed, it adds a data layer on top of every YouTube page — showing keyword scores, competition ratings, and tag suggestions as you create and manage videos.
It is not a video editor, AI writer, or content creator. It is purely an optimisation and workflow tool. You still need to make the video. TubeBuddy helps you ensure the right people find it.
Founded in 2014, TubeBuddy has over 10 million installs and is an official YouTube-certified tool. That certification matters — it means TubeBuddy has API access to real YouTube data, not scraped estimates.
Search any topic and see monthly search volume, competition level, and an overall "score" (0–100). Scores above 40 on a new channel are good targets. Shows related keywords and questions.
Runs an optimisation checklist on your video before publishing — checks title keyword placement, description length, tag variety, and thumbnail quality. Score out of 100 with specific fixes suggested.
Upload two thumbnail variants. TubeBuddy splits your audience, measures CTR, and switches to the winner automatically. This feature alone justifies the Legend plan for serious creators.
Update titles, descriptions, tags, or end screens across hundreds of videos at once. Essential when you rebrand, change affiliate links, or do a site-wide SEO update.
Analyses your channel's historical data to show when your subscribers are most active. Scheduling uploads to peak times typically improves initial view velocity.
See what tags any public video is using, track competitor channel growth, and spot keywords they rank for that you don't. Works on any YouTube video — not just your own.
We ran TubeBuddy on a fresh affiliate channel over 90 days, using the keyword explorer before every upload. The score system is genuinely useful — targeting keywords with scores of 45–65 on a new channel got us to page one for 3 out of 8 targeted searches within 6 weeks. Without TubeBuddy, we would have targeted obvious high-competition terms and gotten zero traction. The SEO Studio checklist catches things you forget: forgetting to add the primary keyword in the first 100 characters of the description, or using duplicate tags. The thumbnail A/B test on the Legend plan was the biggest surprise — switching to the winning thumbnail variant increased CTR by 0.8 percentage points on one video, which compounded to a meaningful difference in monthly views. The one frustration: the interface shows a lot of data and it takes a few weeks to know which numbers to focus on.
| Plan | Price | Key features unlocked |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Basic keyword scores, tag suggestions, SEO checklist (limited) |
| Pro | $4.99/mo | Full keyword data, competitor tags, best publish time |
| Legend | $7.99/mo | Thumbnail A/B testing, bulk tools, advanced analytics |
| Enterprise | Custom | Multi-channel management, team seats, API access |
At $7.99/mo for Legend, TubeBuddy is one of the cheapest high-impact tools in the YouTube creator stack. If you are monetising with affiliate links and one video generates $50+ per month in commissions, this tool has a 6x+ ROI from day one.
| Feature | TubeBuddy | vidIQ |
|---|---|---|
| Keyword research | ✓ Excellent | ✓ Excellent |
| Thumbnail A/B testing | ✓ Built-in | ✗ Not available |
| Bulk video editing | ✓ Best in class | Limited |
| Competitor analysis | Good | ✓ Better — trend alerts |
| Daily video ideas | Limited | ✓ Better |
| Starting price | Free / $4.99/mo | Free / $7.50/mo |
| Affiliate commission | 50% recurring | 15–50% tiered |
We use both. TubeBuddy for publishing workflow and A/B testing. vidIQ for daily inspiration and competitor trend tracking. If you can only afford one, start with TubeBuddy — the thumbnail testing alone differentiates it.
Install free in 60 seconds — no credit card needed. See your first keyword scores before your next upload.
Install TubeBuddy Free →Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I have tested and believe in.