YouTube SEO tips to optimize your channel for more views

With millions of active channels competing for attention, standing out requires more than just uploading videos. In this blog, we will explore YouTube SEO tips that will help you improve your YouTube channel.

What is YouTube SEO?

YouTube SEO is optimizing YouTube videos & YouTube channels to rank higher in YouTube search results. It is a comprehensive process that includes many tactics. In this blog post, we will discuss those Youtube SEO tips. 

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is typically associated with websites. So, how does SEO relate to YouTube?

First, the YouTube algorithm evaluates many SEO factors for video ranking. Those factors include video content, Video titles, video descriptions, thumbnails & more. The algorithm needs to show the most relevant & helpful videos to users.

Importance of YouTube SEO

YouTube SEO is important for many reasons.

To get more views for your videos- When you optimize your video for YouTube SEO purposes, there is a higher chance that it will appear at the top of search results. That means more people will see it & click to watch it. 

More revenues & results- When more people watch your videos, that will increase your monetization opportunities. 

A cost-effective way to boost your presence- YouTube SEO is a cost-effective way to grow your channel presence. You only have to invest your time and use the right SEO tools. 

Competitive advantage- Ranking up in YouTube search results means your content is visible before your rivals. It will help you create a strong place as an industry leader.

YouTube ranking factors | How YouTube ranks videos

YouTube uses various factors to decide which videos to show first. It considers how well your videos are doing & if people like your channel. 

YouTube looks at how many people click on your videos, watch time, & how many people like or dislike them.

YouTube also considers what each person likes. If someone watches videos like yours, YouTube might suggest your video to them on their feed.

So, it’s a mix of how well your videos are doing & what each person is interested in that helps YouTube choose which videos to put at higher ranks.

YouTube SEO tips:

1.Optimizing Your YouTube Channel Icon and Banner

YouTube channel icons & banners are the 1st elements viewers see when they visit your channel. So, it is essential to make a positive impression. 

Profile icon is a small & circular icon & it plays a significant role in your channel. The ideal YouTube profile picture size is 800 x 800 pixels (a 1:1 aspect ratio).

The channel banner is the large image at the top of the profile icon. It is a great place to show your channel identity. The recommended banner size is 2560 x 1440 pixels, with an aspect ratio of 16:9.

2.Optimizing Your YouTube Channel Description

The channel description is more than just a few lines of text. Your channel description is the perfect place to show your channel purpose & personality. Optimizing a channel description impacts how the viewers perceive your channel. 

Provide a clear & concise picture of what your channel offers your audience. And keywords play a significant role in your channel description. Include keywords that are relevant (the search terms used by your target audience) within your description.  

For example, as shown in the below image, in our YouTube channel description, we used many keywords related to our services & terms related to what people use when they want to learn digital marketing.

3.Add website & social media links to your About section

The About section is a valuable place to provide more information about your channel. Adding your website link helps viewers to explore more of your content & engage with you beyond YouTube.

Here is how to add links to your site,

1. Go to YouTube studio- Log in to your YouTube account and click on your profile picture. From the drop-down menu, select “YouTube Studio.”
2. On the left-hand side, you’ll find a menu. Click on Customization & then select “Basic info.”
3. Scroll down to the “Links” section. You’ll find an option to add your website link & social media links. 
4. After adding the link, don’t forget to click the “Save” button at the top right corner of the page.

4.Creating a Custom YouTube Channel URL

A custom URL for your channel will look more professional & easy for viewers to remember your channel. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to customize your YouTube channel URL:

Meeting the Requirements:

Your account needs to meet some requirements to create a custom URL. 

• Have at least 100 subscribers.
• Be at least 30 days old.
• Have an uploaded profile picture (channel icon).

Accessing Your Custom URL Settings:

Once your channel meets the requirements, follow these steps to customize your URL:

1. The 1st step is to sign into YouTube Studio. And make sure you log into the Google account associated with the YouTube channel. 
2. Next, On the left sidebar, click on “Customization” & then Basic info.
3. Under the Channel URL, select the option to Set a custom URL for your channel.
4. A pop-up box will appear & you’ll see the customized URL YouTube proposes for you based on your channel details.

YouTube will let you add extra letters or numbers if you want to customize further. 

5. Click Confirm to finish the process. 

5.Use primary, secondary, and long-tail keywords.

Using relevant keywords is crucial to get more people to see your videos. YouTube suggests related queries to users. So, make sure to use various keywords in your videos.

There are three types of keywords to use,

• Primary keywords -They have higher search volume & higher competition & are difficult to rank for.
• Secondary keywords-They have lower search volume, & less competition. So it is easier to rank for.
• Long-tail keywords –They are longer and more focused. For example, if your keyword is “YouTube SEO,” a longtail keyword might be “how to optimize my YouTube channel.”

So, how can you find the related keywords?

Unfortunately, there aren’t any keyword research tools for YouTube. But there is a golden opportunity for you to find the search terms used by YouTube users. You can use the YouTube search bar to find related search terms. You can just type the title of your video & YouTube will suggest you related search terms.

6.Place the keywords wisely.

You should add related keywords in your video file name, video title, and video description. video script & tags. 

According to Google, it is a good idea to place your target keyword at the beginning of the title, description & tags. And consider using long-tail keywords, related terms & synonyms.

Source:Google

7.Categorize your videos.

YouTube uses categories to group videos into broader subjects such as entertainment or education. 

When you upload your videos, you can add them into categories & let YouTube know what the video is about.

In simpler terms, by choosing the proper category, you’re helping YouTube identify what your video is all about, & increasing its possibility of appearing in search results for relevant topics. 

8.Use custom thumbnails for your videos.

While your YouTube titles should be precise & descriptive, your thumbnails should be visually stunning to stand out from others.

Thumbnails are an essential part of YouTube SEO as they influence how many views & clicks your videos get. 

Rather than using the YouTube-suggested thumbnail, you should put some effort & create thumbnails that grab attention.

YouTube suggests the below guidelines for thumbnails:

• Thumbnails should have a resolution of 1280×720 (with a minimum width of 640 pixels).
• The idle image formats are JPG, GIF, or PNG.
• The file size should be under 2MB for videos or 10MB for podcasts.

9.Harness the power of hashtags.

Using hashtags is a great way to increase the visibility of your YouTube content. Hashtags are keywords or terms with the # symbol. 

When you add hashtags in your video titles & descriptions, they become clickable links. Viewers can click these hashtags & find other related videos. 

By incorporating relevant hashtags, you can open doors to a broader audience & bring your content to the surface in the searches of those seeking specific topics.

When you add hashtags in your video titles & descriptions, they become clickable links. Viewers can click these hashtags & find other related videos. 

By incorporating relevant hashtags, you can open doors to a broader audience & bring your content to the surface in the searches of those seeking specific topics.

10.Create playlists on your channel.

YouTube is like a large video library. So it’s helpful to organize your videos into groups called playlists.

This method shows YouTube what your channel is about & makes it easier for viewers to find content.

For example, if you make videos about “YouTube SEO,” make a playlist just for those videos. 

Give your playlists clear names like “Best YouTube SEO Tips” or “How to Improve Video Ranking.” 

11.Keep posting & editing videos consistently.

Sharing new videos & updating your old ones are great ways to show YouTube that you’re an active user.

If there is an old video with lower views, you can make it better by adjusting the title, description, tags, or thumbnail. That will help the YouTube algorithm notice it again.

Uncover YouTube success with YouTube SEO!

As we wrap up this journey of YouTube SEO, remember that every step we’ve taken is like a key to unlocking success. 

Think of YouTube SEO as a special recipe, a mix of ingredients that make your channel shine. By following these YouTube SEO tips, you will be successful in the YouTube playground. 

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