The procedure of the YouTube algorithm can actually be described very easily. Because the video platform only wants to show users relevant videos and therefore sorts out unimportant videos. But this simple principle makes it difficult to appear at the top on YouTube SEO because there are sometimes millions of search results for every topic.
The following article explains six simple tricks for YouTube SEO optimization, in order to place your own videos well and to increase the reach through YouTube optimization.
The 6 Best Tips for YouTube Quick Optimization
YouTube not only stands for the world’s most successful video platform with almost two billion registered users per month, but thanks to its enormous search volume has also been able to position itself as the second largest search engine behind Google. Therefore, it is worth considering the following YouTube optimization ranking factors in order to quickly improve the YouTube SEO optimization of a channel:
1. YouTube SEO Tips: The channel’s watch time
In order for the YouTube algorithm to rate the relevance of an individual video higher, the entire channel must have a long playback time and many subscribers. However, the playback time does not only refer to the minutes viewed. Rather, the product of the number of views and the average playback time counts as the total time for YouTube optimization.
It, therefore, makes sense to make the first 15 seconds of a video informative and entertaining in order to inspire viewers and optimally prepare them for the upcoming content.
In addition, other marketing channels can help with YouTube SEO optimization as they increase the total number of calls and thus the viewing time of the channel. This includes, for example, email marketing with SEO for YouTube with a link to the video or the integration on your own website.
2. YouTube SEO tips: Good keywords in the title and description
If you want to be at the top through YouTube SEO optimization, you should determine meaningful keywords or search terms and use them consistently. It is worthwhile to use the suggestions of the Google search or to search for suitable keywords with other SEO tools. If this keyword is finally fixed, it can be placed prominently in the title and should also appear in the description.
It is most important that for many topics a single keyword exists, but rather a so-called longtail, which the user types in exactly that way into the YouTube search bar. However, the title with the keyword for YouTube optimization must not be longer than 100 characters, as it is only then visible in full in the search results.
3. YouTube SEO tips: The thumbnail for YouTube SEO optimization
The term thumbnail refers to the preview image of a YouTube video. The user sees this image before he even clicks on a video, as it can already be seen in the search results. That is why the selection of the thumbnail is a decisive success factor. Because only if a preview image arouses the interest of the viewer does the number of clicks on the YouTube video increase.
In general, YouTube always suggests a preview image for each upload. But this thumbnail rarely fits the content offered, which is why a separate image is always available for YouTube SEO optimization. Important: The video platform only allows your own thumbnails for YouTube SEO optimization if the channel has been verified beforehand. YouTube offers simple instructions for this in the profile settings.
In order to be able to recognize in which area a YouTube video is to be classified, YouTube uses so-called tags. However, these keywords can also be used for YouTube SEO optimization, as each user defines them himself when uploading. This also increases the chances of being at the top of YouTube with the right SEO tags. For example, if you upload a recipe video, you should also use cooking, baking, recipes, the name of the dish and other tags.
However, about ten keywords that are as precise as possible are sufficient for YouTube optimization, otherwise, the individual tags will lose their relevance. Frequent misspellings, for example, can also contribute to YouTube optimization if, for example, “Baggett” is present as a tag instead of “Baguette”.
Read More: How to fix big SEO problems using website builders
5. YouTube SEO tips: insert subtitles manually
YouTube is an international video platform, which is why subtitles are automatically available for every video. However, the automatically generated subtitles are usually faulty and therefore cannot be correctly evaluated by the YouTube algorithm. That is why it is worthwhile to add the appropriate subtitles afterward when doing YouTube SEO optimization.
Because the selected keywords can be used there again, which also improves the chances of a good ranking. In addition, this YouTube optimization measure also facilitates access to other international target groups. Because these correct subtitles are then translated by YouTube worldwide, which can help with SEO for YouTube.
6. YouTube SEO tips: involve the viewers
Nowadays it is no longer enough to simply upload a video and then not bother with it. Because the YouTube algorithm analyzes the interaction around the video and thus also the comment area. Therefore, it makes sense to always call for interaction as part of YouTube SEO optimization.
This means that viewers should answer a question about the video in the comments or give their opinion. In addition, this interaction is also worthwhile in order to promote YouTube optimization as a whole through links. Because anyone who already mentions additional content and other videos in the video can increase the total playback time of the channel.