Overview
Are you struggling to make sure that your highly valued videos reach their target audience? If you wish to transform your YouTube channel into a powerful source of new leads, implementing an appropriate SEO strategy will be essential. It is not enough to simply start recording videos if your goal is to attract attention online.
In this post, we present a full guide on how to optimize your YouTube videos by following the 13-step SEO checklist, which will help you please your clients and improve your search engine rankings greatly. Below you can find detailed information about technical and creative aspects of optimizing video content on YouTube:
- Optimization of titles and descriptions through the use of appropriate keywords.
- Video file renaming and transcription.
- Using chapters, playlists, and end screens.
- Long-form and live video content – pros and cons.
No matter whether you are creating a YouTube SEO presentation or trying to optimize your YouTube channel, these tips will guide you on how to be more visible through search engine results. Let’s dive in.
SEO Strategy Checklist for Video Optimisation
Your sales team gets a prospect that is looking to optimise their YouTube videos. As an SEO professional you get going on the proposal to show the prospect of what you are capable of doing.
Here is a 13-pointer checklist/strategy you can use to show your clients:
1. Title optimisation
2. Description optimisation
3. Transcription in the description field
4. Rename your video file using a target keyword
5. Keyword optimisation in the videos
6. Add hyperlinked citations for key moments or timestamp
7. Create impactful thumbnails
8. Include related tags and hashtags
9. Utilise end screens as calls-to-action
10. Keep it organised with playlists
11. Meta tags or keyword tag
12. Publish long and descriptive videos (10-15 minutes)
13. Try to create live video
Now, let us break down each of these YouTube SEO strategies and explain to the client what exactly you plan to do.
1. Title Optimisation
Based on the business needs, we plan to add high traffic search volume keywords in the title with high quality content. This will be beneficial for ranking and traffic improvement.
2. Description Optimisation
Based on your business requirements, we plan to add high traffic search volume keywords + low traffic search volume keywords in the description with high quality content. So users will be attracted and will see the video.
3. Transcription in the Description Field
Text file content can be converted directly into video. Here, you need to provide the content according to your promotional needs and then we will create videos that are not more than an hour-long with good audio quality.
4. Rename Your Video File Using a Target Keyword
Your existing video description and title will be rewritten according to the targeted keywords.
5. Keyword Optimisation in the Videos
In every existing video that you have uploaded, we will try to add the targeted keywords to boost traffic and ranking. For the upcoming videos we will optimise it before they get uploaded for faster ranking.
6. Add Hyperlinked Citations for Key Moments or Timestamp
Will add key moments in every video and it will boost SEO. Here we will create three or four segments of videos or chapters and attach them. In the attachment we will mention the title or key moment.
7. Create Impactful Thumbnails
*Important alert* For every video we need a thumbnail image. We will add keywords and an eye catching title. This will help us get the video on top of the YouTube search results.
8. Include Related Tags and Hashtags
We will add the trending hashtag and keywords and optimise it according to YouTube requirements.
9. Utilise End Screens as Call-To-Action (CTA)
We will add CTA at the end of the video or try to convert it to some other video.
10. Keep It Organised with Playlists
We will create the playlist and each playlist will have 6-10 videos or more related to one topic. For this, we will create a thumbnail outside to show clearly that this playlist has the topics created.
11. Meta Tags or keyword Tag
We will add the meta tags or keywords in the title and description and tags edit section.
12. Publish Long and Descriptive Videos (10-15 Minutes)
We must create a minimum 15-minute video. We will add the same on the website. For eg: Cards games: How to play it, how to win a prize and so on.
13. Create Live Video
We will create live videos of players to boost traffic and help in branding.
Know Exactly How Your Videos Can Rank Higher—Before You Post the Next One. Request a YouTube SEO Audit
