How to do a good YouTube video SEO.
Doing good YouTube video SEO is all about helping YouTube understand your video and match it with the right audience. Here’s a simple but effective step-by-step guide:
✅ 1. Start With Keyword Research
You need to know what p
eople are searching for.
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Use tools like:
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YouTube Search Suggest (type your topic and see what auto-fills)
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TubeBuddy or VidIQ
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Google Trends (filter by YouTube Search)
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AnswerThePublic for video content ideas
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✅ Example: Instead of a generic title like “Fitness Tips,” go for “Beginner Home Workout for Weight Loss (No Equipment).”
✅ 2. Create an SEO-Friendly Video Title
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Use your main keyword early in the title.
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Make it clear, clickable, and
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natural.
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Add a benefit or result if possible.
✅ Example:
“How to Train Your Dog at Home | Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners”
✅ 3. Write a Strong Description
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Use your main keyword in the first 2 lines.
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Write like a human but add related keywords naturally.
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Include:
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What the video is about
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Timestamps (if possible)
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Links to socials, website, or products
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A call to action: like, subscribe, comment, etc.
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✅ Example opening:
“Want to learn how to train your dog at home? In this step-by-step video, I’ll show you the best techniques to teach obedience and build a stronger bond with your pet…”
✅ 4. Add Tags (Even if They Matter Less Now)
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Use a mix of broad and specific tags.
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Include your brand name and variations of the keyword.
✅ Tags example:dog training
, home dog training
, puppy obedience
, train your dog
, pet tips
✅ 5. Use a Custom Thumbnail
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Design an eye-catching, clear thumbnail.
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Use big bold text, close-up faces, or bright colors.
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Make sure it tells the viewer what the video is about instantly.
✅ Tools: Canva, Photoshop, Snappa
✅ 6. Say Your Keywords in the Video
YouTube can auto-transcribe your video. Saying your main keywords naturally helps with SEO.
✅ 7. Use Subtitles and Captions
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Upload accurate subtitles (SRT file) or use YouTube’s automatic captions.
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Helps with SEO and makes your video accessible.
✅ 8. Encourage Engagement
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Ask people to like, comment, and subscribe.
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More engagement = better ranking in search.
✅ 9. Use End Screens & Cards
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Link to other videos to keep people watching (increase watch time).
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Promote your playlists or related content.
✅ 10. Promote Your Video Outside YouTube
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Share it on social media, embed it in blog posts, email newsletters, etc.
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More views and shares boost SEO indirectly.
Bonus: Watch Time, Click-Through Rate (CTR), and Audience Retention
YouTube ranks videos higher when:
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People click your video (CTR)
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They stay and watch it (retention)
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They interact with it (comments, likes, shares)
So make your content engaging, useful, and worth watching till the end.