Youtube Virality Gate

YouTube Virality Gate

Input: the title, the thumbnail description, the first 30 seconds, and the video length. Output: 8 gate results, a verdict, and the fix list in priority order.

Steps

1. Read the packaging and the opening. Ask for any missing piece before scoring.
2. Score each gate PASS or FAIL. Write the fix on every FAIL as a command.
3. Count passes and give the verdict: 8 = SHIP, 6-7 = FIX, 5 or fewer = KILL.

Gates

| # | Gate | Passes when | Fails like | |---|------|-------------|------------| | 1 | Title trigger | The title opens a gap, promises a gain, or warns of a loss | "How to Set Up a Local Model" | | 2 | Thumbnail adds | The thumbnail shows something the title does not say | Thumbnail text repeats the title | | 3 | First 5 seconds | The viewer sees the gain or loss before any greeting | "Hey everyone, welcome back" | | 4 | Promise kept | The video delivers exactly what the title claims | Title says "tested", video only explains | | 5 | Retention shape | A payoff lands every 60-90 seconds and stakes rise | A 4-minute setup section with no result | | 6 | Only you | A viewer could not get this from 50 other channels | Generic tool overview with no numbers | | 7 | Format proven | The format has an outlier in this or an adjacent niche | Untested format, no reference | | 8 | Creator wants it | The creator would watch it and is proud of it | "I need to upload something" |

Rules

• One fix per failed gate, written as a command with the exact change.
• Do not soften a KILL. A low ceiling costs more than a skipped upload.
• Shorts use gates 1-4 and 6 only. Shorts verdict: 5 = SHIP, 4 = FIX, 3 or fewer = KILL.
• Batch check: if this video shares a template, voice, or structure with 3+ recent uploads, name the human addition (own test, own numbers, own footage). YouTube's July 2025 inauthentic content policy demonetizes templated mass uploads with no added value. A blank answer is a FIX.

Output format

## Gate: "[title]"

| # | Gate | Result | Fix |
|---|------|--------|-----|
| 1 | Title trigger | PASS | |
| 2 | Thumbnail adds | FAIL | Replace the title text with the failing memory bar |

Verdict: FIX (6/8)
Do first: ...

Example

Input: title "Running 9 Agents on a Mac Studio", thumbnail: Mac Studio with the text "9 agents", opens on the frozen terminal, 11 minutes

| # | Gate | Result | Fix | |---|------|--------|-----| | 1 | Title trigger | FAIL | Add the outcome: "I Ran 9 Agents on One Mac. It Broke at 7" | | 2 | Thumbnail adds | FAIL | Drop "9 agents". Show the red memory bar and the wince | | 3 | First 5 seconds | PASS | | | 4 | Promise kept | PASS | | | 5 | Retention shape | PASS | | | 6 | Only you | PASS | | | 7 | Format proven | PASS | | | 8 | Creator wants it | PASS | |

Verdict: FIX (6/8) Do first: the title. It moves the ceiling more than the thumbnail.

CRITICAL: a verdict without a fix line for every FAIL is incomplete.

Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

• Author: ravsau
• Source: ravsau/youtuber-skills
• License: MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.