What exactly is YouTube SEO & why is it important
YouTube is a search engine, like Google or Bing, and it has its own SEO best practices.
In this article, we’ll quickly discuss those best practices, define what SEO really is & share a couple of our favorite tools.
So, let’s start by mentioning Youtube gets over one billion hours of videos are watched on YouTube…… every day.
(let that sink in for a moment)
That said, it is safe to say, Youtube is extremely relevant …& maybe a little saturated? So, you absolutely have to make sure you stand out, in front of the right people.
One dangerous assumption I always come across with clients & prospects is that many assume that just having a well-done YouTube Channel, or well-edited videos is enough. This is absolutely incorrect. It is NOT enough.
Yes, some traffic may come in organically given the content & well-edited videos… but the majority of your visitors will be people who already know your brand, specifically. However, if your objective is to grow… you must make sure you are discoverable.
Enter YOUTUBE’S SEO
quick recap SEO = Search Engine Optimization.
So, one way of looking at this is understanding that with “SEO” you can optimize your channel’s “score”, in a way. This score is given by the search engines (in this case we focus alone on YT).
Note the word optimize is used…since the perfect score is not really ever reached considering that YouTube’s algorithm changes constantly. I view this algorithm like a sort of set of rules that need to be understood by YouTubers or marketers in order to even start playing the game.
The higher the score, the most likely users find your channel.
I like to breakdown that “score” by splitting it into two categories, which you both have to cater to: YOUTUBE & VIEWERS
Every step in your strategy, from content creation to video editing, think deeply about both their perspective.
ProTip: Do not forget YouTube is a business… the more time people spend on their platform, the better they do. Youtube wants you (& millions other) to do well. On the other hand, Viewers want to find valuable content for them, with ease.
In order to do that, apply the following best practices:
- Rename your video file using a target keyword.
- Insert your keyword naturally in the video title.
- Optimize your video description.
- Tag your video with popular keywords that relate to your topic.
- Categorize your video.
- Upload a custom thumbnail image for your video’s result link.
- Use an SRT file to add subtitles & closed captions.
- Add Cards and End Screens to increase your YouTube channel’s viewership.
Also, here are some of our favorite FREE tools to get you started: Ubersuggest for keywords, Buzz Sumo for content & of course, your own YouTube Analytics found in your channel.
So let us know how your channel does after you implement the steps above.
Or, if you do not feel like doing this by yourself… send us a message!
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