You can increase your channel’s reach and make your videos searchable by learning YouTube Marketing.
Recent statistics reveal that YouTube is the second-largest search engine on the planet. Video consumption is also at an all-time peak.
Contrary to popular belief, YouTube SEO does not require technical knowledge or spammy techniques.
This article will explain what YouTube SEO is and how it works. You’ll learn about the best YouTube SEO tools and strategies to help you succeed.
What is YouTube SEO?
SEO for YouTube is different from regular SEO.
Search engines cannot watch videos, but they can crawl textual components. They include titles, tags, subtitles, closed captions, and transcripts.
This is a crucial part of any YouTube SEO strategy.
You can also improve your video’s popularity by optimizing these elements and creating engaging high-quality content.
If your content is popular with your audience, YouTube’s algorithm will likely bring it up to the top of the search results.
Youtube SEO Strategies
This section will look at several YouTube SEO strategies to help get your videos on the first page of search results.
Keyword research
The first thing to do is look at the video topics people are searching for.
YouTube is good at letting creators know what their viewers want. You can find a list of popular keywords by typing a term or keyword into YouTube’s Search Bar.
The goal of Keyword Research doesn’t have to be to copy the existing keywords. Instead, You can use these terms to discover new topics and keyword opportunities.
Let’s say, for example, that you are a fashion YouTuber who wants to make a video on distressed jeans. By looking at the results for our main keyword, we can see that other terms, such as “DIY” or “denim,” appear alongside it.
By looking at related terms, you can narrow the niche and create a video with a unique perspective beyond “distressed denim.”
You could, for example, talk about a particular tool or technique (scissors, “knife,” “sandpaper”) and a style of distressed jeans (big holes). By narrowing down your videos, you can target a specific audience and be less likely to try and compete with more established videos or channels.
Google is another place to do video SEO research. YouTube videos are ranked in Google search results. This means that videos that appear in a Google search have already been optimized for SEO. Note how these videos use titles and thumbnails.
You can also use the Keyword Planner tool from Google to conduct keyword research. Google’s Keyword Planner tool is a great way to discover what people are searching for.
Keyword research can be used to generate ideas as well as determine what viewers are looking for. Include keywords and related terms in your content to improve your ranking compared to videos that ignore YouTube SEO.
Add hashtags to videos
Hashtags can help you get more attention for your videos. You can add hashtags relevant to your videos’ titles or descriptions. Users can search or click on hashtags to find YouTube content, just like on other social media platforms.
Use hashtags sparingly. Use a limited number of hashtags, or you may appear spammy. Use only 2-3 relevant terms, such as your company’s name, brand, primary keyword, or topic.
Create a playlist
Playlists can keep viewers watching your channel longer. This could improve your search ranking and increase your watch time.
Organizing your videos into YouTube playlists makes it easier for viewers and search engines to find related videos.
Playlists also help YouTube to understand your channel’s theme and content, improving your search visibility.
You can optimize your playlists by adding tags, descriptive titles, and relevant keywords.
Video titles and descriptions should be optimized
A compelling title and description will make or break your video. These are great places to put your keyword.
YouTube Video Title Optimization
According to conventional wisdom, 75 characters are the ideal length for the title. You should choose your words carefully.
Here are some examples that adhere to our best practices for headlines and writing tips while allowing you to integrate your keyword ideas seamlessly:
Channels like DFB Guide almost always follow the format above, and the number of views they receive speaks for themselves.
These aren’t your only options, but they’re the most likely to pique people’s interest and make it easy for them to use keywords.
Try to avoid using clickbait titles. Audiences have become accustomed to these tactics and are tired of them, which can reduce their trust in your content.
YouTube Video Descriptions: How to Optimize Them
When it comes to YouTube, descriptions are a significant factor.
With 5,000 characters available, it might be tempting to cram in keywords.
This space is not for keyword stuffing (and you could get in trouble).
You can easily integrate keywords without spamming your description. Your descriptions are also crucial to funneling traffic away from YouTube and onto your website, landing page, or social media channels.
Don’t waste this space. Include the following elements in your description.
Your video summary should include your primary keyword.
Link to relevant videos that contain keywords on your channel.
Your video will have timestamps that include applicable search terms.
Link to your website or social media channels.
Here are some descriptions that adhere to the best practices for YouTube SEO without being spammy.
This description of Beardbrand incorporates several keywords and links to other videos. This results in more engagement and longer viewing times (all good things for video SEO).
Elgato’s description targets keywords that are relevant to their products. This is a clever move, especially if you want to link the ROI from your YouTube channel with purchases made on the site.
Food Wishes’ simple example shows that adding keywords to your description doesn’t need to be difficult (note that the video ranks number one for “Baklava Recipe”).
JHS Pedals has a great example of using timestamps to incorporate specific keywords related to their products. In addition, adding timestamps to your videos can increase engagement by keeping your viewers focused on the most essential parts of your video.
