You have probably experienced this yourself: There are many talented YouTubers creating amazing, high-quality content, yet sadly, many of them only get 10–50 views per upload.
The reality is that the YouTube algorithm heavily favors videos that generate strong performance metrics—especially Watch Time, Viewer Retention, and overall view counts.
True crime is perfect for achieving these results as it is one of YouTube’s most engaging content niches, combining real stories, mystery, and suspense.
But how do you start a successful True Crime YouTube channel?
In this article, we’ll show you how.
Why Start a True Crime YouTube Channel?
True Crime channels reach millions of potential viewers. This demonstrates strong demand for real-life criminal cases, investigations, mysteries, and storytelling.
One of the best examples is the YouTuber MrBallen, who built a huge audience by telling strange, dark, and often unbelievable true stories. His success demonstrates just how powerful real-life storytelling can be on YouTube.
Creator research from 2026 also shows strong demand for True Crime content, while competition is high. This means there is certainly an audience, but new channels need a clear angle instead of simply covering every case they can find.
Why Is True Crime so popular?
#1 We Naturally Love Mysteries!
The so-called ‘information gap’ is the feeling that appears when we realize there is something we don’t know but want to understand. This creates a form of cognitive tension that pushes us to close the gap between what we know and what we want to discover.
True Crime stories are full of these information gaps.
Who committed the crime? What really happened? Why did the suspect do it? Which evidence was overlooked? And perhaps most importantly: Will the case ever be solved?
These unanswered questions create curiosity, while the search for answers keeps viewers engaged.
Our imagination about what could have happened can be incredibly powerful and exciting. True Crime takes this one step further because the stories are based on real people, real investigations, and real events.
The possibility that one overlooked piece of evidence could completely change our understanding of a case is what keeps our curiosity alive and makes people come back for more.
We naturally enjoy speculation, and True Crime gives viewers plenty of opportunities to form their own theories. Viewers can examine evidence, compare different explanations, and try to understand what happened.
And just like a good mystery, a True Crime story does not always need a definitive answer to remain interesting.
#2 True Crime is Evergreen
True Crime videos can remain relevant for years. A case from decades ago can suddenly become interesting again because of a new piece of evidence, a documentary, a court development, or simply because a new generation discovers the story.
True Crime is a rabbit hole!
Once you start researching one case, you will often discover connections to other cases, suspects, locations, investigators, and theories. There are always new stories to discover and new details to investigate.
Ideas for new content are endless in the True Crime niche.
You will always have another case to talk about.
We’ll show you some very interesting ideas later in this article. We are sure there is at least one case you have never heard about before.
Get inspiration by checking other True Crime YouTube channels, joining topic-relevant subreddits, reading books, exploring old newspaper archives, or following new developments in ongoing investigations.
#3 Strong Audience Engagement
A True Crime YouTube channel is one of the most effective formats for encouraging viewers to interact with your content.
- Lively comment sections: Viewers love sharing their own theories, discussing evidence, and debating possible suspects. True Crime naturally creates conversations, turning your comment section into a hub of discussion very quickly. And, of course, the YouTube algorithm loves that.
- People watch your videos for longer: Long-form storytelling encourages viewers to stay engaged. True Crime videos keep viewers watching because people want to know what happened, who was responsible, and how the investigation eventually developed.
- High view counts: Last but not least, titles and thumbnails that hint at a shocking crime, unsolved case, or mysterious disappearance naturally encourage people to click. The more intriguing the question, the stronger the motivation to find the answer.
#4 True Crime Channels are great for Beginners
True Crime has countless subtopics, including murders, disappearances, cold cases, historical crimes, criminal investigations, heists, scams, and mysterious deaths.
This makes the target group extremely large. Plus, people who enjoy True Crime content often subscribe because they want to follow future cases and stories.
If you are new to YouTube and don’t have that fancy camera and audio equipment, we have good news for you: You do not need it!
Many successful True Crime channels rely primarily on narration, archival photographs, documents, maps, news footage, animations, stock footage, or other visual elements instead of appearing on camera.
This means you can focus your resources on what really matters: research, storytelling, narration, and editing.
How to Choose Cases for True Crime Videos
When starting out, it makes sense to choose cases that already have some existing public interest. But this does not necessarily mean you should only cover the biggest cases.
In fact, lesser-known cases can provide an opportunity to create content that feels fresh and different from what everyone else is publishing.
Here is how you can get some ideas for your True Crime videos:
- YouTube – Search for True Crime channels and look at their most popular or recent videos. The cases they cover can be a great starting point, especially if you find a case that has received relatively little coverage.
- Reddit – Subreddits like r/UnresolvedMysteries and r/TrueCrimeDiscussion are excellent for discovering unusual, lesser-known cases. You can browse posts and immediately see which stories generate the most discussion.
- TikTok – Search hashtags like #TrueCrime, #UnsolvedMystery, or #ColdCase. It’s useful for spotting cases that are currently attracting attention and could potentially translate into longer-form YouTube content.
Here is a checklist to help you prepare your report
- Is there enough reliable information available?
- Is the story genuinely interesting?
- Are there unanswered questions? → Write them down
- Can I add something new to the existing coverage?
- Are there enough visuals, documents, maps, or other media to support the story?
- Can I tell the story responsibly and accurately?
Just because a case is trendy does not automatically make it a good choice for your channel.
The best topic is one where you can combine audience interest with a strong storytelling angle.
Tips for Creating High-Performing True Crime Videos
To save you hours of research, we've gathered the most important best practices. By applying them from the very beginning, you'll build the right habits early and give your True Crime YouTube channel the best chance to grow quickly and consistently.
- Start with the right cases – Especially if you are a new YouTuber, it makes sense to start with cases people already know or cases with a particularly intriguing story. This gives your videos a better chance of being discovered. Once your audience grows, you can introduce lesser-known cases and bring attention to stories that deserve to be heard.
- Shock your audience within the first seconds – The first 15–30 seconds determine whether viewers keep watching. Open with the most intriguing fact, unanswered question, or shocking detail instead of a long introduction. Give viewers an immediate reason to want to know what happens next.
- Add “attention grabbers” – Many people don't watch True Crime videos with their full attention. Instead, they often listen while browsing websites, playing games or doing household chores. To pull their attention back, regularly include relevant images, video clips, documents, maps, newspaper articles, timelines, or other visual elements that directly support what you're talking about in that moment. These visual "attention grabbers" encourage viewers to switch back to your video, helping increase engagement and overall watch time.
- Tell a Story, Not Just Facts – Even real crimes should follow a narrative. Introduce the case, present the people involved, explain the evidence, follow the investigation, explore different theories, and conclude with what remains unknown. A followable story is much more engaging than a list of facts. Do not make the mistake of speaking too slowly or using too many unnecessary words. Artificially extending a video can quickly make it feel boring and cause viewers to lose interest. Every sentence should add value or new information.
- Encourage Viewers to Form Their Own Theories – Ask questions throughout the video, such as "What do you think happened?" or "Which theory makes the most sense to you?" This increases the chance of turning passive viewers into active participants—naturally increases comments and engagement.
Best Topic Ideas for True Crime Videos
Let’s give you some great True Crime topic ideas, in case you don’t know where to start.
1. Unsolved Murders
Unsolved murders are one of the most obvious choices for a True Crime YouTube channel. These cases contain exactly the elements that make people want to keep watching: unanswered questions, conflicting evidence, possible suspects, and theories about what really happened.
You can explore the investigation, examine the available evidence, and discuss the theories surrounding the case.
Our Highlight: The Zodiac Killer
2. Missing Persons Cases
Cases involving missing people can be incredibly compelling because there is often no clear explanation for what happened.
Where did the person go?
Was there an accident?
Did they leave voluntarily?
Was someone else involved?
These unanswered questions provide plenty of opportunities for detailed storytelling while keeping viewers engaged throughout the investigation.
Our Highlight: The Disappearance of Maura Murray
3. Famous Criminal Cases
Some criminal cases have become part of popular culture. They have been covered in documentaries, books, movies, and countless YouTube videos.
Covering famous cases can be a good way for new creators to attract viewers because people already recognize the names and are interested in learning more.
Try adding your own perspective, overlooked details, or lesser-known facts to make your video stand out from the countless other videos about the same case.
Our Highlight: The O.J. Simpson Case
4. Cold Cases
Cold cases are especially interesting because they can remain unsolved for years or even decades.
Modern forensic technology, DNA testing, new witnesses, or previously overlooked evidence can sometimes bring new attention to these cases.
This creates a powerful combination of real investigation, mystery, and the possibility of a breakthrough.
Our Highlight: The Golden State Killer
5. Historical Crimes
History is full of fascinating crimes, notorious criminals, mysterious disappearances, unsolved murders, and investigations that were never properly resolved.
Historical cases also give you the opportunity to explore the social and historical context surrounding a crime and show how investigations were conducted before modern forensic technology existed.
Our Highlight: Jack the Ripper
6. Heists & Criminal Schemes
Not every True Crime story has to involve murder. Famous robberies, elaborate heists, fraud schemes, kidnappings, and other criminal operations can make incredibly entertaining stories.
The more unusual the plan, the more interesting the story becomes. Explain how the criminals planned their operation, what went wrong, and how investigators eventually tracked them down.
Our Highlight: The Great Train Robbery
How to Choose Music for True Crime Content
Depending on the case you cover, you should choose music that features sounds and textures that complement and enhance the story without distracting from the narration.
For True Crime, dark, atmospheric, and suspenseful music is usually a great choice. Dark string lines, deep bass pulses, subtle percussion, ominous drones, and atmospheric textures can help create the right tension.
To make your search for True Crime music easier, check out our expertly curated True Crime playlist
However, be careful not to overdo it. Your music should support the story rather than compete with your narration.
Every track on HookSounds comes with a Bed Version—a more minimalist variation with less melodic density, making it perfect for True Crime voiceovers.
For particularly investigative sections, subtle ambient music can create a feeling of uncertainty and anticipation:
During more dramatic moments, darker cinematic elements can help emphasize the importance of what you are discussing:
What Makes Music Sound Mysterious?
Mysterious music combines elements that create tension with carefully placed ominous sounds.
This combination creates the feeling that defines a True Crime story.
The key elements of mysterious music are:
- Unresolved harmonies (minor chords, suspended chords, dissonance)
- Slow, evolving melodies with unanswered phrases
- Dark or ambiguous sounds (low drones, pads, unusual textures)
- Space and reverb creating a vast atmosphere
- Sparse arrangements that leave room for narration
- Unexpected changes in harmony, rhythm, or instrumentation
- Organic or unfamiliar sounds that create tension and uncertainty
Copyright-Safe Royalty-Free Music for True Crime
Having an intriguing case to talk about along with relevant images, high-quality footage, good research, and storytelling is the foundation of great True Crime content.
But using True Crime royalty-free music that supports what you are saying can make your videos a thousand times more professional.
The good news is that at HookSounds you can find a huge selection of mysterious and cinematic music, expertly curated playlists, and sound effects for your videos — all royalty-free and completely copyright-safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I know if I can legally use an image for my True Crime video?
A particularly safe approach is to combine legally licensed stock footage with public documents, your own graphics, maps, and properly licensed case-related images.
Before using an image or video, check the original source and look for clear information confirming that the material is:
- Licensed under a Creative Commons license that permits your intended use
- Creative Commons licenses often require you to give attribution to the original source (e.g., CC BY).
- Other Creative Commons licenses do not allow use in commercial or monetized content (e.g., CC-BY-NC).
- In the public domain or marked as “CC0”
- Explicitly stated by the copyright holder as free to use
Always check the specific license terms. Some Creative Commons licenses require attribution, while others restrict commercial use or modifications.
Don't rely on Google Images. Google helps you find images, but it does not grant you permission to use them.
When in doubt, don't use it.
2. Where can I find images for my True Crime video?
Here are some sources where you can find relevant, case-specific material:
- News organizations
- Police and government websites
- Court records & public documents
- Stock media libraries – Useful for generic footage of police cars, crime scenes, cities, houses, forests, and more.
- Creative Commons / public-domain archives
- Original visuals – Create your own maps, timelines, animations, graphics, or reenactment-style footage.
- Social media
3. What are the best True Crime topics for YouTube?
Unsolved murders, missing persons, cold cases, famous crimes, historical cases, and unusual heists are all strong topic choices.
Lesser-known cases can help your channel stand out from the competition and have strong growth potential when combined with compelling storytelling.
Look for stories with unanswered questions, surprising developments, or unusual details that naturally spark curiosity.
You can also cover new developments in older cases to give your videos a fresh angle.
4. How can I get more views on True Crime videos?
Create compelling titles and thumbnails that spark curiosity without being misleading.
Then focus on keeping viewers engaged. Strong viewer retention can increase the chances of YouTube recommending your videos to more people, which can lead to more views.
Strong opening hooks, engaging storytelling, and the “attention grabbers” mentioned earlier can help keep viewers watching.
You can also encourage viewers to discuss theories and unanswered questions in the comments. Likes, comments, and other forms of engagement can signal that viewers find your content valuable and relevant.
5. What music should I use for True Crime videos?
Dark, suspenseful, and atmospheric music creates tension and supports the mood of your story.
Minimalist music and subtle ambient tracks are particularly useful during investigative sections, where the voiceover should remain the main focus. For more dramatic moments, darker cinematic elements can help emphasize key developments in the case.
We recommend using royalty-free music to avoid copyright claims.
Conclusion
There are many reasons why you should start a True Crime YouTube channel. Most importantly, True Crime is one of the most engaging and consistently popular content niches on YouTube.
The time you invest in researching and creating these videos can be rewarded with high watch times, strong audience engagement, and an active community.
If you create compelling thumbnails and titles, master the art of storytelling, and support your cases with relevant media, you can build a growing community, achieve high view counts, and foster an active comment section.
While other YouTubers often struggle to come up with ideas on what to talk about next, your possibilities in the True Crime niche are almost endless.
With HookSounds as your reliable partner for high-quality True Crime royalty-free music, you can ensure your videos remain atmospheric, professional, and free from unnecessary copyright issues.