Before I share these tips, you have to understand that YouTube has its own algorithm to rank a video. Even if you purchase inorganic YouTube traffic, it will not assure that you will rank higher organically.
One of the vital factors of high-ranking YouTube video is watch-time. If a user starts watching your video and stops in the first few seconds, your ranking is likely to drop. So, I believe you are already working hard on creating compelling YouTube videos and using a catchy thumbnail to get more CTR from related and embedded videos.
Now, let’s have a look at some of the most important YouTube SEO tips, which will help you to get more organic visits to your videos.
1) Rename your video file using a target keyword.
You’ll use an SEO tool to initially identify keywords you’d like your video to focus on, just like you would when optimizing the written content.
With a keyword identified, the first place you have to put it is your video file – before you even upload it to YouTube. Why? YouTube can’t truly “watch” your video to see how relevant it is to your target keyword, and as you’ll learn in the tips below, there are only so many positions you can safely insert this keyword on your video’s viewing page once it’s published. But YouTube can read your video’s file name and all the code that comes with it when it’s uploaded.
2). Insert your keyword naturally in the video title:
When we search for videos, one of the initial things that our eyes are attracted to is the title. That’s often what determines whether or not the viewer will click to watch your video, so the title should not only be compelling but also concise and clear.
Sam Browne, Founder of Find a DJ says “Your keyword plays a big part in your video title, it also supports if the title closely matches what the viewer is looking for. Research led by Backlinko found that videos with an exact keyword match in the title have only a small advantage over those that don’t”
Sam Browne, Founder of Find a DJ
3) Description of The Video:
Write a description for your video content. An opening couple of lines play a major role in your video’s ranking in the search engine. You can also use the search engine’s autocomplete keyword phrases as your description. If the searched keyword matches the opening two lines of your video description, the video is more liable to get a higher ranking. According to Google, the standard character limit for YouTube video descriptions is 1,000 characters. And while it’s okay to utilize all of that space, remember that your viewer came here to watch a video, not to read an essay. If you do want to write a longer description, keep in mind that YouTube only shows the first two or three lines of text — that amounts to about 100 characters. After that point, viewers have to click “show more” to see the full description. That’s why we suggest front-loading the description with the most valuable information, like CTAs or crucial links.
4) Categorize your video:
Once you upload a video, you can categorize it under “Advanced settings.” Picking a category is another means to group your video with similar content on YouTube so it winds up in different playlists and earns publicity to more viewers who identify with your audience. It might not be as easy as it looks. In fact, YouTube’s Creator Academy suggests marketers go through a whole process to decide which category each video belongs in says Scott Ferguson, Chief Editor of iOverGolf
Scott Ferguson, Chief Editor of iOverGolf
5) Add Subtitles:
Adding subtitles to your video achieves two things when it comes to increasing your rankings in YouTube’s search results. First, it enables you to have more emphasis on your keywords in a text-based format. Anytime you can convey your keyword in-text (without keyword stuffing), you’re helping YouTube’s algorithm completely understand your content. Second, it helps users who are either non-native English speakers, hard of hearing, or simply can’t watch your video with the sound on (maybe they’re watching in public places or at work).
Subtitles can be an added asset to your YouTube SEO strategy. Under “More Options,” you can scroll down to “Language, subtitles, and closed captions (CC)” says Robin Brown, CEO of Vivipins.
Robin Brown, CEO of Vivipins
