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Getting your YouTube videos discovered can feel like a Herculean task, given the vast amount of content uploaded every minute. In fact, roughly 2,500 videos are uploaded every single minute on YouTube!
Despite the amount of videos on YouTube, with the right strategy and an understanding of the platform's algorithm, you can significantly increase your video's visibility. This guide will explore several tactics to optimize your videos for discovery and enhance your YouTube SEO.
Understanding the YouTube Landscape
YouTube is the second-largest search engine globally and the largest video platform, with billions of active users every month. This vast user base represents a tremendous opportunity for content creators. However, it also means intense competition.
Understanding how YouTube's algorithm works is crucial. It prioritizes videos that keep viewers on the platform longer and engages them with intriguing content. Therefore, your YouTube SEO strategy should focus on enhancing viewer retention and engagement.
Craft a Video Production Plan
Before you hit the record button, have a clear plan in place. A well-thought-out production plan ensures your video is cohesive, engaging, and meets your audience's needs. This includes researching your topic, creating an outline of key points, and rehearsing your content to avoid stumbling over words.
Remember: The quality of your content directly impacts viewer retention. High-quality, valuable content that resonates with your audience is more likely to be watched till the end, boosting its visibility on YouTube.
Optimizing Your Video Title
Your video title is your first chance to grab viewers' attention and get your YouTube video discovered. It should be compelling and contain keywords relevant to your content. Use YouTube's search bar to find popular keywords related to your video topic. Tools like Google Trends can also provide insights into the popularity of specific search terms.
Avoid keyword stuffing in your title. Instead, aim for a natural, engaging title that accurately represents your video content.
Writing an Optimized Video Description
An SEO friendly video description provides further information about your video and helps YouTube's algorithm understand your content. Include your primary keyword near the beginning of your description, as YouTube only displays the first 100 characters naturally. The rest of your description should provide valuable and relevant information about your video.
Avoid excessively long descriptions filled with keywords and unnecessary junk. Instead, write for your audience, providing them with the information they need to understand and engage with your video.
Tagging and Categorizing Your Video
Although they only help minimally, tags and categories do help YouTube understand your video content and link it to similar videos. This increases the chances of your video appearing in the "Up Next" section after related videos.
In my personal experience, the best use for tags are to understand keywords you should be targeting by spying on competitors' videos. You can spy on competing video tags with tools like VidIQ and Tubebuddy.
Seeing what high-ranking competitor videos are targeting as keywords can help you determine what you should be targeting. When choosing tags, focus on relevance. Use your primary keywords and industry-related terms as tags.
Selecting an Eye-Catching Thumbnail
According to YouTube, 90% of top-performing videos use custom thumbnails. A custom thumbnail can significantly impact your video's click-through rate. Ultimately, a viewer could choose to watch your video or possibly opt for another creator’s video based solely on how your thumbnail is designed.
High-quality, relevant thumbnails can set your video apart and entice viewers to click. Ensure your YouTube account is verified to upload custom thumbnails.
Incorporating Closed Captions and Subtitles
Adding closed captions and subtitles to your videos can enhance your YouTube SEO. YouTube can view your captions to better understand what your video is about. They highlight important keywords and make your videos accessible to a wider audience, including non-native speakers and those with hearing impairments.
Engaging with Your Audience
Engagement signals, such as likes, comments, and shares, can boost your video's visibility on YouTube. Respond to comments on your videos, ask for feedback, and encourage viewers to share your content. This not only improves your video's ranking but also fosters a sense of community around your channel.
Utilizing YouTube Analytics
YouTube's built-in analytics tool provides valuable insights into your video's performance. Pay attention to metrics like audience demographics and retention rate. High retention rates signal to YouTube that your content is engaging and worth promoting.
Sharing Your Video
Promote your YouTube videos on your other social media channels to increase their visibility. Encourage your audience to share your videos and provide valuable feedback. Word-of-mouth can significantly boost your video's reach and visibility on YouTube.
Conclusion
Getting your YouTube videos discovered involves a mix of creating high-quality content, optimizing your videos for search, and engaging with your audience. By implementing these tactics, you can increase your videos' visibility, grow your channel, and connect with a larger audience. Remember, consistency is key. Keep learning, testing, and refining your strategy to stay ahead of the game in the ever-evolving YouTube landscape.
As a YouTube Creator, you are constantly looking for ways to improve your channel's discoverability. Creator Essentials can help you optimize each video and improve your overall content strategy. Contact me today to get started!
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