You know what’s the second most popular search engine after Google? It’s not Bing. It’s not Yahoo. It’s YouTube!
YouTube is the undisputed king of video content, pulling in over 2.5 billion logged-in users per month. It’s an insane figure, but it also means there’s a sea of videos vying for attention.
So, what happens when your masterpiece gets submerged, unheard, and unseen? The energy, the passion, the countless hours of work you poured into creating your content goes unnoticed. It’s a punch to the gut, isn’t it?
But the problem isn’t your content. No, not at all! Your content is amazing. The real deal is getting that content in front of the people who want to see it. The secret to breaking through the noise and achieving massive YouTube success? Ranking high on YouTube search results.
And trust us, it’s more than just a popularity contest. It’s about putting your videos right where your audience can find them easily.
In this article, we’ll share with you 11 solid strategies to rank your YouTube videos higher and get them the recognition they deserve.
What is YouTube SEO?
So, what’s the magic behind YouTube SEO? Well, SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization, and it’s basically the secret sauce that decides which videos land on top of the YouTube search results.
SEO is like a sophisticated system, a behind-the-scenes wizard, if you will, that scans all the content out there and ranks it.
How does it decide what goes on top? Through a bunch of parameters like keywords, video descriptions, user engagement – the works! These elements tell the wizard, aka the algorithm, what your video is about and how viewers are reacting to it.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The YouTube SEO algorithm isn’t just some static rulebook. It’s an evolving, learning machine that adapts based on what viewers are watching, liking, and sharing. Its main goal? To keep viewers on the platform for as long as possible.
That means your video could have all the right keywords, but if people aren’t watching it or clicking away too soon, the algorithm takes note. It’s like a tough coach, always pushing for the best performance. If the engagement on your videos is low, the algorithm would rather promote content that’s keeping viewers glued to their screens. It’s a bit harsh, but that’s the reality.
And the impact of the algorithm on search rankings? Huge! It’s like the difference between performing at a sold-out concert or an empty room. Ranking high on YouTube means your video is one of the first things viewers see when they search for related content. It’s your VIP pass to visibility, taking your content from being great to being seen.
But don’t let the algorithm scare you. It’s just a tool, a means to an end. The real stars of the show are your viewers. By understanding and working with the algorithm, you can put your content right where it belongs – in front of the people who will love it.
11 Strategies to Help You Rank Your YouTube Video
1. Start With Keyword Research
If SEO is the wizard, keywords are the magic words it’s looking for. These are the words and phrases your potential viewers are typing into the YouTube search bar.
So, where do you start? It begins with thinking like your viewer.
List them out. Google’s Keyword Planner or other tools like KeywordTool.io can help generate ideas and show you what’s popular. If you want a complete list of the best YouTube Keyword research tools, check out our guide!
Now, once you’ve got your list, it’s time for the second part: Optimizing your keywords. And this isn’t about stuffing your content with as many keywords as you can (that’s a rookie mistake). What we’re going for is a natural integration of these keywords into your video title, description, and tags.
2. Crafting a Compelling Video Title
One of the worst things you can do for your SEO strategy is slapping on a random title name and calling it a day. The title of your video is your first impression, your front door, your handshake. It’s what viewers and the algorithm see first, so it better be good.
Here’s a pro tip: A strong video title is a perfect balance of SEO and viewer interest. Meaning, it includes your main keyword, and it grabs attention.
Now, you’re probably wondering, how do I create a title that hits this sweet spot?
Here are Some Tips:
- Start with Your Keyword: Make sure your main keyword leads your title.
- Keep It Short and Sweet: Long titles can get cut off, so aim for 60 characters or less.
- Make It Compelling: Use power words or emotional triggers to grab attention.
But hey, if you’re still stuck, you’ve got help. There are YouTube title generator tools that can give you a push in the right direction. It generates ideas based on your keywords, which you can customize to fit your content.
3. Writing an Engaging Description
An effective description goes beyond just stating what happens in the video. It’s your chance to spark interest, to give viewers a compelling reason to watch. Plus, it’s another opportunity to naturally include your keywords and give the algorithm more context.
Now, how do you make it engaging?
Here are Some Quick Tips:
- Be concise: The first few lines are most important, as they show up in search results. Make them count.
- Include keywords: But remember, make it natural. No keyword stuffing.
- Add a call to action: Invite viewers to like, share, or comment on your video through effective CTAs.
4. Don’t Forget to Add Video Tags
Tags help YouTube’s algorithm classify your content more accurately, making it easier for viewers to find your videos.
Each tag you add is like a signal, telling YouTube, “Hey, my video is related to this topic.” This increases the chances of your video appearing in search results, suggested video lists, and even on the home page of potential viewers.
In essence, the more accurate and strategic your tags, the wider the net you cast to potential viewers. So, how should you use tags effectively?
Here are a Few Tips:
- Start with Your Main Keyword: Your first tag should be your most important keyword.
- Mix Broad and Specific Tags: Broad tags cover the general theme, while specific tags narrow down your video’s focus.
- Keep It Relevant: Your tags should always represent your video content accurately.
- Use Tools: Most tag generator tools out there can help you figure out exactly what you should put in the tags of your videos.
5. Optimizing Video Thumbnails
Think about it: when you’re scrolling through YouTube, what catches your eye? The flashy, intriguing images – those are thumbnails. They’re like the billboards of YouTube, pulling viewers in. An effective thumbnail can significantly increase your video’s click-through rate, giving you a leg up in the race for visibility.
But how do you create compelling thumbnails?
Here are Some Pointers:
- Keep it relevant: Your thumbnail should accurately represent the content of your video. Misleading viewers might increase clicks, but it won’t win you long-term engagement.
- Use high-quality images: Blurry or low-resolution thumbnails can give the impression of poor video quality. Make sure your thumbnails are crisp and clear.
- Include text: Brief, bold text can give context and draw attention. Make it complementary to your video title, not repetitive.
- Consider branding: Consistent fonts, colors, or logos across your thumbnails can help viewers instantly recognize your content.
Creating captivating thumbnails is a strategy worth investing in. It’s the cover of your book, and let’s be honest, people do judge a book by its cover. Especially on YouTube. If you ever need help creating the perfect thumbnail, check out these thumbnail maker tools.
6. Include Transcriptions And Captions
As much as we’d like to think otherwise, not everyone watches YouTube videos with sound. Some might be in a noisy environment, others might be hard of hearing, and some might simply prefer reading along.
Including transcriptions and captions makes your video more accessible, increasing its potential reach.
But there’s another significant benefit. They provide additional text that the YouTube algorithm can index, giving it more information about your video content.
Creating transcriptions and captions might sound like extra work, but YouTube can generate automated captions for you. You’ll have to review and correct them, of course, but it’s a start. For transcriptions, you can consider transcription services or software if you’re creating a lot of content.
7. Create an SEO Friendly File Name
The devil, as they say, is in the details. And with YouTube SEO, one of those details is your video’s file name. Before you even upload your masterpiece, its name can play a part in your SEO strategy.
How so? Well, YouTube’s algorithm uses all the information it can get its hands on, including the file name, to understand and classify your video content.
So, rather than uploading a video named something like “final_edit_version2.mp4”, rename it to reflect your main keyword, for instance, “homemade_vegan_pizza_tutorial.mp4”. It’s a small behind-the-scenes tweak, but every line matters.
8. Focus On Long-Form Video Content
With platforms like TikTok setting the trend for bite-sized content, you may think shorter is sweeter when it comes to YouTube. But hold on a second – when it comes to ranking, the algorithm actually favors the long-form game (unless you’re uploading a short).
Surprising, isn’t it? Well, the numbers speak for themselves. Research shows that videos shy of the 2-minute mark often struggle to climb the ranking charts. On the flip side, videos basking in the limelight of the top five spots average a robust 11 minutes and 44 seconds.
Ideally, you’ll want to make videos longer than 4 minutes and 30 seconds.
So, while shorts might be the buzzword elsewhere, even with YouTube Shorts, taking the time to develop engaging, extended content can give you the upper hand.
9. Try To Increase Engagement: Comments, Likes, and Shares
While YouTube’s algorithm has a lot of data points to play with, there’s one factor that truly shows the worth of your content – engagement. We’re talking about likes, comments, and shares. These are the signs of an actively involved audience, and they speak volumes about your video’s impact.
Engagement signals to YouTube that your content is resonating with viewers. It’s the social proof that says, “Hey, people are loving this!” And guess what? YouTube likes what people like. So, how can you get more of this engagement?
Here are a Couple of Strategies:
- Ask for It: Sounds simple, right? But it’s often overlooked. Don’t shy away from asking your viewers to like, share, comment, or subscribe. Make your call-to-action clear and compelling.
- Engage Back: If someone leaves a comment, respond to it. This not only encourages more comments but also builds a community around your content.
- Create Engaging Content: This one might sound obvious, but it’s the ultimate strategy. The more engaging your content, the more likely viewers are to interact.
10. Use YouTube Cards and End Screens
YouTube Cards are interactive elements you can set up to pop up during the video, promoting your channel, other videos, or even external links. They are like helpful assistants pointing viewers towards more relevant content, increasing watch time and engagement.
End Screens, appearing in the last 5-20 seconds of your video, serve a similar purpose. They can feature up to four elements, including other videos, playlists, or a subscribe button.
Use these tools strategically. For YouTube Cards, place them at moments relevant to the Card content. With End Screens, design a strong call-to-action, directing viewers to subscribe or watch another video.
11. Promote Your Channel On Other Platforms
Spreading the word about your YouTube content doesn’t have to be confined to YouTube itself.
The key is to utilize every platform where you already have a presence to amplify the reach of your content.
Doing this is like turning all your social media platforms into a megaphone, broadcasting your content far and wide. As you bring in viewers from these platforms, your YouTube views balloon and you could be racking up new subscribers left and right. And the sweet payoff will be a surge in traffic and audience interaction, which will help to lift your YouTube ranking, placing your videos where more people can discover them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take to See Results from YouTube SEO?
While YouTube SEO can provide substantial benefits, success won’t happen overnight. Depending on various factors such as the competitiveness of your keywords, the quality of your content, and the level of audience engagement, it could take several weeks or even months to see significant improvements in your rankings. The key is to stay consistent with your SEO efforts and continually strive to produce quality content that resonates with your audience.
Can I Boost My Video Rankings Without Creating Longer Content?
While statistics do indicate that longer videos tend to rank higher, length isn't the only factor at play — YouTube's algorithm also takes into account the quality of your content, user engagement (likes, comments, shares), video optimization (keywords, tags, descriptions), and more. Therefore, focusing on these areas can also help boost your video rankings, even if your content isn't exceptionally lengthy.
Why are Likes, Comments, and Shares Important for YouTube SEO?
These elements serve as indicators of viewer engagement, showing YouTube that your content is resonating with your audience. High engagement levels signal to the algorithm that your video is valuable and relevant, which can positively influence its ranking.
Are YouTube Cards and End Screens Really Effective for Boosting Engagement?
Absolutely! YouTube Cards and End Screens offer an interactive way to keep viewers engaged with your content. They can direct your audience to more of your videos, playlists, or encourage them to subscribe to your channel, effectively increasing viewer engagement and watch time. All these factors are taken into consideration by YouTube's algorithm when ranking videos.
Conclusion
And there you have it! We’ve unpacked a dozen strategies to help your YouTube videos earn their rightful place at the top. From conducting diligent keyword research to designing attractive thumbnails, from boosting engagement to spreading the word on other platforms – each tactic plays its part.
Becoming successful on YouTube is a consistent effort, a persistent pursuit of better content, better understanding of your audience, and better engagement. These efforts, in turn, shape your YouTube SEO strategy into a force that brings your videos to the limelight. You’ve got the tools; now go rock the YouTube stage!
