title Factor

First-Person Language

Whether the title uses first-person pronouns like 'I,' 'we,' 'my,' or 'our.' First-person framing makes the title feel personal and direct, as if the politician is speaking to the viewer rather than being described by a press office.

First-person titles create a parasocial connection — the viewer feels addressed personally by the politician, not by their staff. This matches how successful YouTubers title their videos and signals authenticity to viewers trained on creator content.

Shorts
+4%
not significant · p = 0.633
Top 10% Video
+23%
statistically significant · p = 0.032

Average Video shows the effect on a typical video. Top 10% Video shows the effect on videos in the top 10% of views — estimated via quantile regression, so you can see whether a factor helps most videos a little, or pushes the top performers much higher.

When present

The title uses first-person language, creating a direct, personal connection with the viewer.

Videos with this factor

2K views

When absent

The title uses third-person language, describing the politician as a subject rather than the speaker.

Videos without this factor

194K views