YouTube is the second-largest search engine globally, with over 2 billion logged-in users per month. To make your content discoverable to this vast user base, you need to understand YouTube SEO. It begins with keyword research. Incorporate relevant keywords in your video titles, descriptions, and tags. YouTube’s autocomplete feature is a simple yet powerful tool for finding popular search terms.
However, YouTube SEO extends beyond keywords. YouTube’s algorithm considers many signals to rank videos, with audience engagement being a critical factor. Encourage viewers to like, comment, and share your videos. These interactions indicate to YouTube that your video is engaging and should be recommended to more viewers.
Watch time—how long viewers watch your videos—is another crucial metric. The longer you keep viewers watching, the better your videos will rank. Create compelling, valuable content and keep it concise enough to hold viewers’ attention.
Don’t forget your channel’s SEO. An optimised, keyword-rich profile helps YouTube understand your channel’s overall niche and can boost your individual videos’ performance. In essence, YouTube SEO isn’t just about boosting rankings—it’s about reaching the right audience, at the right time, with the right content.