Get Your Video Ranked in YouTube Search With These Simple SEO Techniques

How should you research keywords to rank your video for more views?

  • Use Youtube suggest to find long tail keywords (and use the _ character to find words BEFORE.)
  • TubeBuddy for competitor tag research
  • Tubular Labs for competitive research
  • YTCockpit shows avg video length for given keyword. Helps you avoid keywords with a packed 1st page of high-quality videos.
  • Best = YouTube Analytics. Analytics > Traffic Sources > YouTube Search

Major Key: Total watch time = YouTube's #1 ranking factor.

  • Create LONG videos to maximize your watch time.
  • This will pay off across the board over time since it's a core metric Google uses to determine your video's value.

Audience retention (the % of your video watched) is also key.

  • The first 15 seconds of your video are critical. Nail your hook at all costs.
  • Use 1-2 pattern interrupts per video to avoid losing your audience's attention.

Why you shouldn't overlook session watch time.

  • YouTube rewards videos that keep people on their platform.
  • Use playlists to increase bulk watching. Keyword optimize them so they rank.
  • Include links to other videos and your channel on your video end screen.

Create raving fans with these user engagement rules of thumb.

  • Give viewers a simple, specific option to successfully prompt comments. Don't make them think!
  • Add a clear "Subscribe" call-to-action to your script.
  • Reply to every comment in the first 24 hours after uploading.

Create a video title that scores clicks in 2 simple steps.

  • Step #1: Include your target keyword
  • Step #2: Maximize click-through-rate

Why video descriptions matter more than you thought.

  • Most people overlook this — but you should write 200+ word descriptions for every video.
  • Descriptions give YouTube more data to work with and increases the likelihood of showing up in suggestions.
  • The first 125 characters of your description will appear in suggestions. Make them attention-grabbing to support your title's click-through rate.

But, how should I handle video tags?

  • Pick 5-ish that make sense.
  • Use your target keyword as one.
  • Honestly, they're not as important as they used to be.

Quick wins that will boost your rankings.

  • Say your target keyword 1-2 times in each video
  • Upload a transcript using a service like Rev.com.
  • Always use a custom thumbnail to boost CTR.
  • Use a simple slogan so viewers understand your channel's purpose at a glance. Feature it in your about page.

Create a channel trailer that answers these essential questions to convert new subscribers.

  • Who are you?
  • Why should I care?
  • What makes your channel unique?
  • Why should I subscribe?

Loved this show? It would make our month (wait, no, our YEAR) if you left us a 5-star review on iTunes. ⭐⭐⭐⭐🌟

Tell us what's up @sixstarsonly on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

You can hit Matt Woods up on Twitter: @matopher

Connect with Jake on Twitter: @jakearenot