At Riddick’s Yerevan Meetup, Erdem Ukhinov, CEO of Royal Partners, shared one of YouTube’s most practical and forward-looking talks as a traffic channel. There was no theory, no fluff, just actionable systems.
YouTube in 2025 isn’t the same platform it was two years ago. The rules are tighter, but the reach is greater. In the hands of those who understand the mechanics, YouTube remains one of the most reliable sources of high-quality, scalable traffic.
The article by Peaky Ads provides a full breakdown of Erdem’s approach, from working funnel structures to creative strategy and risk mitigation.
YouTube isn’t just a channel: it’s an ecosystem
“YouTube is Google’s daughter. And if you break the rules, it’s not the daughter that punishes you — it’s the father”, says Erdem.
YouTube doesn’t allow careless mistakes, especially in sensitive verticals like gambling, crypto, or finance. If you’re serious about driving traffic to YouTube, you must stop treating it like a casual upload platform. The content must be tailored, structured, and designed for algorithmic trust: no tricks, no shortcuts.
Funnel blueprint: structuring YouTube for performance
One of the most effective strategies shared was the “multi-layer funnel,” in which traffic flows through clean channels to a controlled destination.
Funnel example: the bridge channel setup
- The main channel is purely content — no links, no offers.
- The description contains a link to a second YouTube channel.
- That second channel hosts the call-to-action video and promotional links.
“YouTube doesn’t scan the secondary channel the same way. It’s less exposed, protecting the entire funnel”, Erdem.
Even if one asset is flagged, the rest of the structure remains functional. This allows campaigns to run longer and scale more safely.
Why do longer videos now outperform short clips?
YouTube’s algorithm has shifted toward long-form content with high watch time.
We tested the same topic with three video lengths: 5, 12, and 20 minutes. CTR was identical, but the 20-minute video outperformed in ranking. That’s how much YouTube values time-on-platform.
Creating longer, well-edited videos (especially in widescreen or 4K format) improves your chances of appearing in recommendations and positions your channel as high-value content, something YouTube rewards organically.
Key factors that help long videos perform
- Wide resolution, optimized for smart TVs
- Clear topic structure
- Smooth editing and natural pacing
- Inclusion of comments, timestamps, or community interaction
No links? No problem — linkless funnels still convert
One of the most effective tactics in sensitive niches is running videos with no clickable links, especially in regions with stricter content policies (e.g., EU, India, Brazil).
“If you’re working with risky offers, don’t leave traces. No visible links. Let the user come to the next step naturally”, says Erdem.
The traffic can still convert by using
- Pinned comments with redirection
- Mentioning keywords or channel names verbally
- Redirecting to a bridge channel
- Adding links in banners or older community posts
This protects the video’s lifespan and allows you to focus on audience retention and engagement — two signals the algorithm values even more than raw views.
Design and voice as a part of the funnel
Erdem emphasizes that visual identity and production style directly affect how YouTube perceives your content. A clean, professional setup builds algorithmic trust and keeps your channel compliant.
Recommendations
- Avoid template-style thumbnails (they signal low quality).
- Use voiceovers that match the brand — avoid robotic or generic tones.
- Optimize thumbnails and formatting for widescreen viewing.
Consider using recurring elements like a specific intro tone, phrase, or visual motif — this builds brand familiarity and strengthens your user funnel.
The Web3 opportunity: untapped traffic with low competition
One of the more strategic angles in Erdem’s talk was focused on Web3 and GameFi brands.
“They’re strong in branding, but weak in traffic. They have budgets, but don’t know how to acquire users”, Erdem points out.
Most Web3 projects lack proper performance marketing teams.
This creates an opportunity for affiliates to develop
- Educational content explaining the product
- Honest comparisons between platforms
- Personal challenge videos or trials (e.g., “I staked for 7 days…”)
These offers often come with less competition, less compliance overhead, and strong CPMs. The funnel structure remains unchanged, but the angle shifts from entertainment to informative storytelling.
One channel is not enough — build a channel network
A single YouTube channel is vulnerable. Multiple channels working in sync form a resilient traffic ecosystem.
“YouTube respects structure. If you only have one channel, you’re replaceable. If you have a network, you’re harder to stop”, Erdem says.
This approach also gives you flexibility
- Different verticals (e.g., tutorials, reactions, reviews)
- Cross-linking between channels
- Audience segmentation
- Safer A/B testing environments
It’s a smart long-term strategy that allows you to scale gradually without risking your entire system on one account.
YouTube funnel checklist for 2025
To recap, here are Erdem Ukhinov’s top principles for running YouTube performance funnels:
- Never link directly from your main channel; use a “bridge” system.
- Prioritize long-form videos (15–20 minutes) for better algorithmic support.
- Use comments and indirect prompts for calls-to-action.
- Shoot in widescreen (4K preferred) to optimize for TV visibility.
- Keep high-risk offers out of your main content, and segment them appropriately.
- Build a unique sound and visual identity for higher audience recognition.
- Target Web3 projects for low-competition, high-potential offers.
- Scale with a multi-channel approach, not single-channel dependency.
Conclusion
Erdem Ukhinov’s session at Riddick’s Yerevan Meetup didn’t just share tactics — it laid out a framework. In 2025, YouTube is still one of the best-performing and most brand-safe channels for affiliates and product teams. But the bar is higher. You need structure, patience, and a clear funnel strategy to stay alive and scale.
Whether you’re working in gambling, crypto, Web3, or finance, you’re falling behind if you’re not building YouTube funnels. This channel isn’t going anywhere — it’s just becoming more refined.
Don’t hesitate to cooperate with the Peaky Ads team: your marketing efforts will take off to the moon!
