How to Find YouTubers to Collab With (Step by Step)

Collabs are one of the best ways for a small channel to reach new viewers, but most creators get stuck before the first one: they don't know who to ask. This guide walks through the whole process, from deciding what you want to keeping track of who you've contacted.

Why look for creators your own size

It's tempting to message the biggest channel in your niche. In practice, creators with a much larger audience get far more requests than they can answer, and a collab only works for them if they get something back. A creator at your level is more likely to reply, has more time, and gets the same benefit from the collab as you do. That makes the deal fair, and fair deals actually happen.

“Your size” doesn't mean the exact same subscriber count. A channel with 800 subscribers and one with 2,000 are at a similar stage. A channel with 800 and one with 200,000 are not.

Step 1: Decide what kind of collab you want

Before you search, write down two things:

• The format. A video on both channels? A guest appearance? A Shorts series? A remote collab where you each film your part? If you need ideas, see 25 YouTube collab ideas for small channels.
• The audience you want to reach. Not just “more viewers” but which viewers: people who like budget tech, Nepali comedy, beginner cooking, Valorant clips. That tells you which creators to look for.

Step 2: Build a shortlist

Aim for 15 to 20 names. Here's where to find them.

YouTube search

Search the topics your viewers search for. Use the filters to sort by upload date or limit results to this month, so you find channels that are active now, not ones that stopped posting years ago. Skip the first few results from big channels and scroll: smaller creators are usually further down.

Comment sections

Open popular videos in your niche and read the comments. Other small creators often comment, and their name links to their channel. They're already watching the same content as your audience, which is exactly the overlap you want.

Creator communities

Discord servers for small YouTubers, Facebook groups for creators in your country or niche, and subreddits for new YouTubers often have threads where people look for collab partners. Read the rules first: many groups ban self-promotion outside specific threads.

Other platforms

Many YouTubers also post on Instagram, TikTok and X. Searching hashtags for your niche there can surface creators who are small on YouTube but active elsewhere.

Creator networks

On Creovel, every creator's audience is verified and you only see creators in your own size tier, ranked by niche, language and collab goals. When you both swipe right, a chat opens. It removes most of the guesswork in steps 2 and 3.

Step 3: Check if they're a good fit

Before you message anyone, spend two minutes on their channel and check:

1. They're active. At least one upload in the last month. A channel that hasn't posted in six months probably won't reply.
2. Their audience would like your content. Similar topic, similar tone, similar language. Overlap is good; being identical isn't necessary.
3. Their views make sense for their size. Look at views on recent videos, not just the subscriber count.
4. The comments look real. Real comments mention the video. Lots of generic “nice video” comments can be a sign of fake engagement.
5. You'd be happy to be associated with them. Their audience will see you through them, and yours will see them.

Red flags to avoid

• “Sub4sub” offers. Swapping subscriptions isn't a collab. YouTube treats subscriber-swapping schemes as fake engagement, and those subscribers don't watch your videos anyway.
• Huge subscriber count, tiny views. Often a sign of bought subscribers.
• Asking you to pay for a “collab”. That's a paid promotion, not a collab.
• No clear idea or plan. “Let's collab sometime” with nothing specific usually goes nowhere.

Step 4: Reach out

Send a short message that shows you watched their content and proposes one concrete idea. We have a full guide with templates you can copy: how to ask a YouTuber to collab. Message five to ten creators at a time rather than one; not everyone will have time right now, and that's normal.

Step 5: Keep track

A simple spreadsheet is enough. One row per creator with these columns:

• Name and channel link
• Audience size and niche
• Date you messaged them, and where (email, Instagram, Creovel…)
• Reply, and the next step

If someone hasn't replied after about a week, send one polite follow-up, then move on. People are busy, and “not now” often turns into “yes” a few months later.

Frequently asked questions

How many subscribers do I need before I can collab?

None. Creators with 50 subscribers collab too. What matters is finding a partner at a similar stage, so the collab is worth it for both of you.

Should I only collab with creators in my exact niche?

No. Neighbouring niches often work better: a fitness creator and a cooking creator, or a tech reviewer and a gaming channel. The audiences overlap without competing.

Is it okay to collab with creators from other countries?

Yes, if you share a language your viewers understand. Remote collabs are easy to film, and they can introduce you to viewers in another country.