YouTube video positioning in 5 steps
YouTube is now one of the largest video platforms in the world, attracting millions of users every day. With such a huge amount of content, a key aspect for any creator is to skillfully position their videos to stand out in the crowd and reach the right audience. Therefore, in this article I will present the most important elements of SEO on Youtube that translate into increased channel popularity and views.
What is SEO on YouTube and how does the algorithm work?
YouTube positioning involves optimizing content so that it is more visible and ranks higher in search results on this platform. As in traditional SEO, the key is to understand YouTube’s algorithm and tailor your content to its requirements. YouTube’s algorithm analyzes various factors such as relevance, engagement and content quality to provide users with the most relevant videos in line with their interests. Therefore, it is important that the content is valuable and responsive to viewers’ needs.
1. perform channel and keyword analysis
The first step in the SEO process on YouTube is a thorough analysis of the channel and individual videos. A key role in this analysis is played by keywords. Properly selected keywords allow you to understand what content is popular in a given area, what viewers’ preferences are, and what trends are currently prevailing in a given topic. Keyword analysis also allows you to identify potential areas for exploration and allows you to develop a positioning strategy that will be effective in reaching your chosen target audience. Therefore, keyword analysis is the cornerstone of any successful YouTube SEO strategy.
The following tools can be used to analyze the data:
- VidIQ: The tool offers features for keyword analysis, content optimization and channel performance monitoring. They also allow you to track competitors and identify new opportunities.
- Keyword Planner from Google: A solution offered by Google Ads, if you have access to an account with an active Google Ads campaign, then you can perform keyword analysis under YouTube. The tool allows you to research keyword popularity, analyze trends, forecast impressions and analyze competition. Please see the article where we discussed keyword analysis using this tool: https://seofly.pl/blog/jak-wykonac-analize-slow-kluczowych-pod-seo-poradnik-krok-po-kroku/
- Google Trends: Allows analysis of search popularity over time and comparison of trends related to given keywords. It is useful for identifying seasonal trends and changes in user behavior.
- Ahrefs: While it is primarily a link analysis and SEO tool, it also offers features for keyword research and YouTube competition monitoring. It allows you to track trends and identify high-potential keywords.
- YouTube Analytics: This is a built-in tool offered by the YouTube platform itself that allows detailed analysis of channel and individual video performance. Among other things, it allows you to track the number of views, viewing time, viewer engagement and analyze keyword relevance.
2. optimize the title of the video
Optimizing the title of your YouTube video is a key part of your SEO strategy. The title is one of the first elements that viewers notice, so it should be attractive, understandable and contain relevant keywords.
Here are some tips for optimizing your video title:
- Use key words: Include the most important keywords in the title of the video. These words should be related to the topic of the video and the interests of the target audience. A well-chosen set of keywords will increase your chances of ranking high in search results. The key words and information should be in the first part of the title. YouTube only displays a certain number of characters in search results so it is important that the most important information is visible right away.
- Focus on specifics: The title should be concise yet descriptive. Avoid making the title too long, as YouTube limits the length of the title to a certain number of characters. Try to include relevant information in as short a description as possible. Remember that the optimal title length should not exceed 60 characters.
- Attract attention: The title of the video is designed to encourage and entice viewers to click on the video. You can use adjectives, questions or interesting phrases to grab the viewer’s attention.
- Avoid clickbait: Avoid creating titles that are misleading or sensational just to increase clicks. A well-chosen title should be reliable and reflect the actual content of the video. Otherwise, it will negatively affect watch time.
Optimizing a YouTube video’s title and file can significantly impact its visibility and effectiveness in reaching its target audience. Therefore, take the time to carefully develop an attractive and properly optimized title for each video.
3. make sure the video description and tags are substantive
Optimizing the description and tags is another key element of successful YouTube video positioning. When you create a description for your video, be sure to include key words and phrases that are related to the content. The description should be both informative and engaging for viewers. Try to describe the main points of the video and encourage viewers to watch it. In addition, use the description space to include links to other videos on the channel, the website or social media. It’s also worth including a Call to Action in the description, encouraging viewers to subscribe to the channel, leave a comment or share the video.
Inserting links in the description of a YouTube video can be an effective strategy, but care must be taken not to violate the platform’s rules. Due to the high character limit in the description, we can discuss each material in detail, which is an important part of YouTube video positioning. However, it is important that most users will only see the beginning of the description, about 100-150 characters, so it is a good idea to put the most important information and links right there. When you insert links in the description, make sure they are related to the content of the video and provide valuable additional information for viewers. You can include links to other videos on the channel, your website, social media or products mentioned in the video. Remember to keep links short, clear and easy to click.
When it comes to tags, choose them carefully. They should be related to the content of the video and the keywords you want to highlight. It’s worth using keyword analysis tools to choose the most relevant tags. Avoid overusing tags, as adding too many tags unrelated to the video’s content can lower its visibility in search results. Instead, choose only those tags that best describe the video’s content and are popular among users. Also be sure to use long form tags, which can be more specific and better suited to users’ searches. By properly optimizing your description and tags, you can significantly increase the visibility and success of your videos on the YouTube platform.
4. enable end screens as linking between videos
An end screen is a key element of a YouTube video that appears at the end of the video and allows you to add interactive elements such as tabs, links to other videos or channel subscriptions. Making optimal use of end screens can increase viewer engagement and promote other content on your channel. Inserting end screens is simple and can be customized. You can add an end screen while editing a video or after it has been published. It is important that the end screen is clear and attracts viewers’ attention, so it is recommended to use clear graphics and eye-catching colors. On the final screen you can place various elements, such as:
- Tabs: Interactive buttons that allow viewers to click and move to other videos, a playlist, a channel or an external website.
- Subscribe: A subscribe button that allows viewers to easily subscribe to your channel directly from the end screen.
- Links: Direct links to external websites or products mentioned in the video.
- Thumbnails: Small images representing other videos on your channel that encourage viewers to continue watching.
A well-designed end screen can increase viewer engagement after watching the video and encourage them to interact with your that the end screen should be consistent with the rest of the video and include clear calls to action. When creating end screens, it’s also a good idea to include analysis of viewer behavior data to tailor end screen content to their preferences and needs. To add an end screen to a YouTube video, follow the platform’s instructions. Once you have selected the video you want to add an end screen to, select “Edit” and go to the “End screen and cards” section. You can then add elements, such as cards, subscriptions or links, and adjust their position and display time. Remember that the end screen should be an integral part of your YouTube video positioning strategy. With the proper use of end screens, you can increase viewer engagement, promote other content on your channel and build loyalty with your audience.
5. create playlists
Creating YouTube playlists is an important part of your channel management strategy and can have a positive impact on your channel’s positioning. Playlists allow you to group related videos into logical sets, which makes navigation easier for viewers and encourages them to watch longer. When you create playlists, it’s important to choose thematic categories that are related to your channel’s content. You can create a playlist for a specific type of content, such as tutorials, vlogs, product reviews, or themed video series. Adding videos to a playlist is easy and can be done while viewing your channel’s content or editing a video.
Creating playlists on YouTube has many benefits. First, it helps increase viewer engagement because it makes it easier for viewers to find and watch related videos. Second, playlists can improve your channel’s SEO, as YouTube takes into account the number of views, watch time and other factors related to playlists. In addition, you can promote your playlists on your website, on other social media, or in the descriptions of videos on your channel. By doing so, you can attract more viewers and increase the visibility of your channel on the YouTube platform. It’s also a good idea to regularly update and supplement your playlists with new videos to keep them relevant and attractive to viewers. By consistently creating playlists, you can build audience loyalty and increase engagement on your YouTube channel.
How to take care of the viewers’ comfort? That is, chapters and subtitles
In addition to taking care of the positioning of YouTube videos, it is equally important to make viewers comfortable by putting the video into chapters and subtitles in different languages. Therefore, taking care of these elements is crucial for success on the YouTube platform.
The use of subtitles and chapters in YouTube videos can significantly improve viewers’ viewing experience and have a positive impact on engagement. Subtitles are particularly useful for people with hearing limitations, or those who prefer reading to listening. In addition, they can help make content comprehensible for people whose native language differs from that of the film. Inserting subtitles into YouTube videos is relatively simple and can be done manually or using automatic transcription tools. It’s worth remembering that subtitles should be legible and clear, which means they should be properly formatted in terms of color, font and background. Chapters are established sections of a video that allow you to navigate and search for specific sections more easily. Adding chapters to YouTube videos can improve the user experience, especially if the video is long or contains many different topics. The SEO benefits of subtitles and chapters are also worth mentioning. Search engines, including YouTube, can index content found in subtitles, which can help videos rank better in search results. Additionally, chapters can be taken into account as reference points when indexing content.
Summary
Positioning on YouTube is not only a matter of optimizing content for search engines, but also a concern for viewer comfort and engagement. It is worth using various tools and techniques, such as keyword analysis, optimizing titles, descriptions and tags, as well as adding chapters and subtitles. Using these strategies can help you increase the visibility and popularity of your channel, attract more viewers and build loyalty with your audience. The key to success on YouTube, then, is a balance between taking care of positioning and providing quality content that meets viewers’ wants and needs.
