Phase 3 (Recommended feed) is the goal everyone chases. But you can't get there without passing Phases 1 and 2 first.
Phase 1 - returning viewers decide if your video is worth watching. CTR, watchtime, engagement.
Pass this, and YouTube finds your lookalike audience in Phase 2. Pass that, and Phase 3 takes care of itself.
Most new channels stall at Phase 1 because they don't have enough returning viewers to send a signal yet.
The fix isn't hacking the algorithm. It's building a loyal base through content that answers real questions people are actually searching for.
Do that consistently, and the algorithm follows.
Des