YouTube SEO checklist to rank your videos

Hold on! Before you hit that “Upload” button on YouTube, I’ve got something crucial for you to read. This isn’t just another article; it’s your key to boost your views on YouTube videos. It’s a comprehensive YouTube SEO checklist that will guide you step-by-step to optimize your videos for maximum visibility. So, before you upload your next video, take a moment to go through this checklist. It could be the difference between your video being lost in the sea of content or rising to the top of the search results. Ready to dive in? Let’s get started!

What is YouTube SEO:

YouTube SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is the process of optimizing your videos and your channel to rank higher in YouTube’s search results. This involves using a variety of strategies and techniques to attract more organic traffic and put your content in front of your target audience. We are going to talk about how to SEO your YouTube videos for better visibility in the search engines. It involves:

1. Use Relevant Keywords
2. Optimize Video Title
3. Write Detailed Video Description
4. Use Relevant Tags
5. Create Eye-catching Thumbnail
6. Encourage Viewer Interaction
7. Maximize Watch Time
8. Know Your Audience
9. Optimize for External Search Engines

1. Use Relevant Keywords

Identify relevant keywords that your target audience uses to search for similar videos. For example, if your video is about baking a chocolate cake, your keywords might be “chocolate cake recipe”, “how to bake a cake”, etc.

• Use tools like Google Trends, VidIQ, TubeBuddy or YouTube’s search bar to find out what people are searching for.
• Look for keywords that are relevant to your video content.

2. Optimize Video Title

Your video title should be compelling and include your target keyword. It should accurately represent the content of your video. For instance, a title like “Baking a Cake” could be optimized to “Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe for Beginners”.

• Include your main keyword in the video title.
• Make sure the title is catchy and accurately describes your video.
• Keep your title under 60 characters to ensure it doesn’t get cut off in search results.

3. Write Detailed Video Description

Write a detailed description of your video content, incorporating your target keywords. This not only helps YouTube understand what your video is about, but also helps viewers know what to expect. For example, “Learn how to bake a delicious and easy chocolate cake in this step-by-step tutorial. Perfect for beginners and chocolate lovers!”

• Write a detailed description of your video, including the main keywords.
• The first few lines are crucial as they appear in search results, so make them count.
• You can also include a transcript of your video in the description.

4. Use Relevant Tags

Use relevant tags that include your target keywords. Tags help YouTube understand the context of your video and can help you appear in relevant search results. For example, tags for a baking video might include “baking”, “cake recipe”, “chocolate cake”, etc.

• Use relevant tags that include your target keywords.
• Don’t overdo it with too many tags, stick to about 10-12 relevant tags.

5. Create Eye-catching Thumbnail

Create an eye-catching thumbnail that accurately represents your video content. A good thumbnail can significantly increase your video’s click-through rate. For example, a thumbnail showing the final result of your chocolate cake with a text overlay “Easy Chocolate Cake Recipe”.

• Create a custom thumbnail that is visually appealing and relevant to your video content.
• Include text in your thumbnail for better visibility.

6. Encourage Viewer Interaction

Encourage viewers to like, share, and comment on your video. Viewer engagement is a critical factor that YouTube considers when ranking videos. For example, at the end of your video, you could say, “If you enjoyed this video, please give it a thumbs up, share it with your friends, and leave a comment below!”

• Encourage viewers to interact with your video by liking, commenting, and sharing.
• Respond to comments on your video to increase engagement.

7. Maximize Watch Time

Create engaging content that keeps viewers watching. YouTube considers “watch time” as a crucial ranking factor. The longer viewers stay on your video, the better. For example, use cliffhangers or interesting facts to keep viewers engaged throughout the video.

• Create engaging content that keeps viewers watching for longer.
• Use cards and end screens to promote your other videos and increase overall watch time on your channel.

8. Know Your Audience

Identify and target the right audience for your content. Understanding your audience and their preferences can help you create content that resonates with them, leading to higher engagement. For example, if your audience is beginners in baking, make sure your content is easy to follow and uses simple ingredients.

• Understand who your audience is and what they like to watch.
• Use YouTube analytics to get insights about your audience.

9. Optimize for External Search Engines

Remember, YouTube videos can also rank in search engines like Google. So, optimize your videos for both YouTube and external search engines for maximum visibility. For example, include a transcript of your video content in the description to help search engines understand your video content.

• Share your video on social media platforms and your website if you have one.
• Encourage others to share your video on their platforms as well.

Wrapping up:

By following this checklist, you can improve your YouTube SEO and increase the visibility of your videos. Remember, consistency is key in SEO, so keep optimizing and experimenting with different strategies to find what works best for your channel.