I may be new to YouTube, but I’m not new to creating videos, SEO and algorithms. As I’ve recently started posting long-form content to YouTube, I did what most people do, I watched a bunch of videos to learn about the YouTube algorithm, how to improve click-through rate and how to write a killer video description. And then some! I wanted to get more eyes on your YouTube videos.
And I don’t think I’m doing too bad for a new channel. I posted my third video three days ago and it’s already got over 700 views and bagged me 22 subscribers! It’s far from where I want to be, but it is SO much better than I expected. I thought I’d be getting less than 50 views for the first few months.
What Is Video Optimisation?
Video optimisation is how you tell YouTube what your video is about through things such as titles and descriptions. This is important because when YouTube knows how to categorise your content, it knows who to suggest your videos to.
Vague, clickbait titles may be tempting – but if they don’t give any insight into what the video is about, it’s not going to know who to recommend your videos to.
Crafting Catchy Titles and Descriptions
Making your video stand out starts with catchy titles and clear descriptions. Think of your title as the first thing that grabs viewers’ attention. Use popular keywords to make it easy for people to find your videos.
Include words like “ultimate guide” or “how-to”. This way, you connect with your target audience right from the start.
A good strategy is to search your title, or the topic of your video and see what titles are performing well on YouTube.
In the description, you dive deeper into what your video is about. Use relevant keywords without stuffing them in. This helps search engines understand and rank your content better. Mentioning key points so YouTube’s algorithm knows what the video is about. I like to start my description by describing the video. Also, at the bottom, I put a little ‘About’ blurb where I summarise the video in one or two sentences.
Descriptions are perfect for including calls to action, inviting viewers to subscribe or check out other videos on social media platforms.
Time Stamps
Using time stamps improves user experience. It means viewers can get to the section they want quickly and also gives a bit more information about whats in your video. But another great thing – it’s good for SEO! Try to keep your timestamps related to relevant keywords if possible!
Utilising Effective Tags and Categories
Tags and categories are key to getting your video noticed. They help YouTube’s algorithm understand what your content is about. This helps place your videos in related searches and next to similar videos.
Use relevant tags and choose the right category for each video. Think about the words potential viewers might use when searching for content like yours. Include these as tags.
Picking a specific topic category makes it easier for YouTube to sort your video into the right niche. Your video could appear in playlists or recommended sections more often if you do this well. If your video is about multiple things, try to stick to one main topic so you don’t confuse the algorithm.
Always go for accuracy over trying to fit into too many categories or using too popular tags that don’t really describe your video content accurately.
Getting Thumbnails Right
A thumbnail si the first impression of your video and maybe there a reason why someone decides to click on your video over someone else.
Designing Eye-catching Thumbnails
Making your video stand out starts with an eye-catching thumbnail. This is the first thing viewers see, so it matters a lot. Use bright colours and clear, readable text to grab attention. A good image that tells what your video is about helps too. It should make someone want to watch.
Adding faces to thumbnails can also make them more inviting. People connect with other people’s emotions and expressions easily this way. Make sure you choose images that match the content of your video for better viewer trust.
Importance of Thumbnail Consistency
Maintaining uniform thumbnails aids in enhancing your brand recognition. It can be compared to the cover art of a book. When the covers of all the books in a series share a resemblance, there’s a higher chance of them being chosen from the shelf due to the familiarity of the content.
This is congruent with video thumbnails on YouTube. Familiar-looking thumbnails remind viewers of your previous content, thereby increasing the likelihood of them clicking on it. This increase your view count and search engine optimisation (SEO).
A useful guideline is to adopt consistent colours, fonts, and layouts for all your thumbnails. This establishes a unique visual identity for your channel, promoting its visibility in YouTube searches and suggested videos sections.
Thumbnail Testing
You can submit three thumbnails for testing when you publish a video, or edit it afterwards. If you do this, YouTube will serve the different thumbnails and you can see which performs best. However, you need to have at least a few hundred views before this will give you some results.
Strategic Keyword Usage
Conducting Thorough Keyword Research
Conducting comprehensive keyword research is the initial step in perfecting your YouTube SEO strategy. It assists your videos in reaching a broader audience by aligning with their search inquiries.
- Begin with the YouTube search bar. Input terms consonant with your video material. You’ll encounter a list of proposals. These are prevalent inquiries that individuals are searching for.
- Utilise YouTube Keyword Research tools. Numerous complimentary tools are available to help you discover keywords germane to your video’s theme. My favourite is answerthepublic, where you can get 3 searches per day for free.
- Consider long-tail keywords. These are extended phrases that are very particular to what you’re uploading about. They may have smaller search volumes, but they’re less contested and highly targeted.
- Find channels you like and look at their most popular videos -what gained traction and why?
- Keep in mind Google search results as well as YouTube’s search results whilst investigating keywords as numerous individuals search for videos via Google too.
- Incorporate variants of your intended keyword in the video file name, thumbnail file name, title, and description to augment SEO across diverse searches.
- Look at associated keywords as well; this aids you in covering more territory in YouTube’s algorithm by relating your video with analogous content.
- Evaluate the competition’s watch time and engagement statistics using YouTube Analytics to identify which keywords may be bringing them success.
- Monitor trends within your niche or sector to identify new keyword opportunities promptly.
- Frequently revise your keyword list as what works currently may vary as trends progress and new phrases gain popularity.
Integrating Keywords
Once you’ve done your keyword research, the challenge is to weave these keywords into your video smoothly. You need them in your title, description, and even out loud in your content.
This way, YouTube’s algorithm spots them easily. A great trick is placing important keywords at the beginning of your video title. It makes a difference in search results.
For example, if “short videos” is a key term for you, start with it: “Short Videos: How To Capture Life’s Best Moments”. Also, repeat those main phrases a few times in the description but keep it natural.
Don’t just stuff them in; make sure they fit the flow of what you’re saying.
Maximising Engagement
Engaging with your audience is vital for success on YouTube. Encourage viewers to interact, use end screens and cards effectively. These tactics can boost engagement and keep your audience coming back for more.
Encouraging Viewer Interaction
To get more people talking and sharing, always ask for their thoughts in the comments. Give them a reason to interact by asking questions or opinions about what they want to see next.
This starts conversations and boosts your video’s chance of getting noticed by YouTube’s algorithm. You should also answer as many comments as you can. This makes viewers feel heard and builds a community around your channel.
This improves user engagement and might even help with better visibility on YouTube search results.
Using End Screens and Cards Effectively
To effectively use end screens and cards on YouTube, follow these tips:
- End Screens:
- Use end screens to maintain viewer engagement beyond the video.
- Put it on the last few seconds of your video, rather than making a separate screen after so people don’t click off and damage your average view time.
- Cards:
- Use cards to encourage viewers to take specific actions during the video.
- Placement:
- Position end screens in the final 5-20 seconds of your video for maximum impact.
- Place cards strategically within your video at relevant points without disrupting the viewing experience.
- Call to Action:
- Create compelling calls to action that align with the content of the video for both end screens and cards.
- Prompt viewers to subscribe, watch another video, visit a website, participate in a poll, or support a cause.
- Monitoring and Optimisation:
- Regularly review analytics to assess the performance of end screens and cards.
- Adjust placement and content based on viewer interactions and click-through rates for optimal results.
- Consistency:
- Ensure consistency in branding across all end screens and cards for a cohesive viewer experience.
- Use similar visual elements and messaging to maintain brand recognition throughout your videos.
Remember that effective use of end screens and cards can significantly improve viewer engagement and drive desired actions on your YouTube channel.
Using YouTube’s SEO Tools
Utilise YouTube Analytics for insights into your video performance. Explore free SEO tools to enhance your video optimisation further.
Utilising YouTube Analytics for Insight
YouTube Analytics provides valuable data to enhance video performance. By studying metrics like watch time, traffic sources, and audience retention, content creators can gain deep insights into viewer behaviour.
These insights shape content strategies and improve engagement.
With the help of YouTube Analytics, creators can identify peak viewing times and popular demographics. This data guides the timing of video uploads for maximum reach. Furthermore, understanding which videos receive the most engagement allows creators to refine their content for higher impact.
With such nuanced information at hand, optimising videos becomes more precise and effective in reaching a wider audience.
YouTube SEO Tools
After getting insights from YouTube Analytics for improving your video strategy, let’s explore free YouTube SEO tools. These tools will help you refine and enhance your content to maximise its viewership and search ranking.
- Tubebuddy: A browser extension offering keyword research, tag suggestions, analytics, and productivity tools directly within the YouTube interface.
- VidIQ: Another browser extension providing keyword recommendations, audience insights, and competitor analysis to optimise video content effectively.
- YouTube Studio: This integrated suite offers essential tools for managing your channel, accessing analytics, monitoring performance metrics, and optimising videos for search visibility.
- Canva: Create great thumbnail images using this user-friendly graphic design platform to attract viewers and improve click-through rates.
- Google Keyword Planner: Seamlessly integrate this tool with your video optimisation strategy to identify high-performing keywords based on search volumes and trends.
- YTCockpit: Leverage its powerful keyword research functionality specifically designed for YouTube to uncover valuable insights for enhancing video SEO strategies.
Good Luck With Your YouTube Journey!
So, there you have it – your ultimate guide to optimising videos for YouTube. There’s so much information out there for optimising your YouTube videos – and most of it is free. There’s no need to spend any money on courses or coaches – they all give the same advice anyway!
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