YouTube SEO: How to get your videos noticed
YouTube is a huge, deep, crowded platform. With over 500 hours of video uploaded every minute, it’s easy to feel like your content might get lost in the masses. But there is a key way to make sure your videos stand out, and that’s through SEO (Search Engine Optimisation). Let’s walk through how YouTube SEO works and how you can use it to get your videos in front of more people.
What is YouTube SEO?
YouTube SEO is essentially the practice of optimising your videos to be found more easily. By using the right keywords, creating engaging titles and descriptions, and making your content more attractive to both viewers and YouTube’s algorithm, you can boost your chances of getting your videos noticed. Think of YouTube SEO as a tool that helps your videos rise to the top when people search for content like yours.
Why YouTube SEO is important
YouTube SEO can make a big difference in how your videos perform. First off, it helps get your videos more views by making them appear higher in YouTube’s search results. It’s also a cost-effective strategy because, unlike ads that require constant spending, optimising your videos is free. Once you’ve done the work, it can continue to pay off over time. Additionally, the more your videos show up in search results, the more credibility and authority your channel builds over time.
How YouTube ranks videos
YouTube doesn’t randomly decide which videos to promote, it uses an algorithm that looks at several factors. For starters, it checks for relevance by looking at your video’s title, description, and tags to see if they match what people are searching for. Then, it measures engagement—things like how long people are watching your videos, how many likes and comments you get, and whether viewers share your content. YouTube also considers the overall quality of your channel, including how many subscribers you have and how consistently people watch your videos.
Creating an Effective YouTube SEO Strategy
Set clear goals
Before diving into optimisation, it’s helpful to set clear goals. Ask yourself what you want to achieve with your channel. Are you aiming to gain more subscribers? Drive traffic to your website? Or simply boost views on a particular series of videos? Knowing your goals will help you plan your content and measure your success.
Keyword research
One of the key steps in YouTube SEO is keyword research. Keywords are the terms people type into YouTube’s search bar to find videos. Your job is to figure out which keywords your target audience is using and how competitive those keywords are. Tools like YouTube’s Search Suggest and SEMrush can help you find the right keywords.
Write strong titles and descriptions
Once you’ve got your keywords, it’s important to use them in your video’s title, description, and tags. This makes it easier for YouTube to understand what your video is about and match it with relevant searches.
When creating your video titles and descriptions, make sure they’re engaging and informative. The title should include your main keyword and be around 50 to 60 characters long. Descriptions give you more space to describe what the video is about and should also include relevant keywords. But remember, you’re writing for real people, not just algorithms—so keep it interesting and natural.
Use effective thumbnails
Thumbnails are another big deal when it comes to YouTube SEO. A good thumbnail can significantly boost your video’s click-through rate. Instead of using the default thumbnail that YouTube selects, try creating a custom one that looks professional and clearly represents the content of your video. Tools like Canva make this process easy, even if you don’t have design experience.
Leverage other tactics
After publishing your video, use YouTube’s features like info cards and end screens to keep people engaged with your channel. Info cards are little pop-ups that appear during the video, suggesting other videos or playlists for viewers to check out. End screens appear at the end of your video, offering recommendations for what to watch next or prompting viewers to subscribe. These features not only keep viewers on your channel longer but also improve your overall engagement, which is a positive signal to YouTube’s algorithm.
Creating playlists is another great strategy. Playlists group your related videos together, making it easier for viewers to binge-watch your content. More watch time equals better SEO.
Include captions and trancripts
Captions and transcripts are often overlooked, but they’re incredibly helpful for SEO. Adding closed captions makes your videos more accessible and also helps YouTube better understand what your video is about. You can even offer subtitles in multiple languages to reach a wider audience.
Reuse and recycle content
If you’ve already created some longer videos, consider turning segments of them into YouTube Shorts. These short-form videos (up to 60 seconds long) are a great way to repurpose your content and reach new viewers. Plus, YouTube Shorts are growing in popularity, so it’s a good time to jump on that trend.
Want more? Here’s some additional YouTube SEO tips
A simple but effective tactic is to make sure you actually say your main keywords during the video. YouTube’s automatic captions will pick them up, giving your video an extra boost in search rankings.
Another important part of YouTube SEO is monitoring your analytics. YouTube Studio provides a wealth of information about how your videos are performing. You can see metrics like watch time, views, and traffic sources, which can help you understand what’s working and where there’s room for improvement. Keep track of which videos are performing well and use that information to guide your future content creation.
Finally, don’t forget to promote your videos across your other channels. Whether it’s social media, email newsletters, or your blog, make sure you’re sharing your content wherever your audience is. The more people you can get to watch your videos, the better your chances of boosting engagement and improving your SEO.
YouTube SEO isn’t rocket science—it’s all about making your videos easier to find and more engaging for viewers. By focusing on things like keyword research, engaging titles, custom thumbnails, and using features like info cards and playlists, you can improve your chances of getting noticed on YouTube. So go ahead and start optimising! With a little effort and the right strategy, you’ll be well on your way to growing your YouTube channel and reaching more viewers.
