YouTube SEO: 5 Tips to rank YouTube videos in 2021

YouTube SEO is the process of enhancing your videos, playlist, and channel to rank higher in YouTube’s search results. Videos ranked are based on a few factors which include how good the video content and title match the keyword used to search by the viewer.

1. Keyword Research:

The first step is to find keywords for your YouTube videos. YouTube’s search suggestion is the best way to do your keyword research as these are the keywords that viewers use to search. Ranking your videos for these keywords will get your best interaction possible.

All you need to do is search the keyword in the YouTube search bar. You will get a list of suggestions for the keyword you entered. These are the popular terms that people search for in YouTube.

2. Optimize the title of your video:

• Avoid using a misguiding title for your videos. Be accurate as this will not help in the long term.
• The character limit for the YouTube video description is 100 characters. Make sure you use 66 characters in your YouTube title since YouTube cuts the title off after that.
• Use your target keyword at the start of your title. For example, YouTube SEO: Learn how to Rank Higher.
• Including numbers on YouTube, video title is a good practice. You’d want your title like: “6 Tips to…”, “5 Good things to…”
• Make sure to add the year in your video title because people like to engage with the latest content on YouTube.
• Capitalize every word in your title as this looks more professional.

Here is a sample of some good YouTube video titles.

3. Optimize the description of your video:

• Write long and good descriptions for your YouTube videos. Make sure to include all the major keywords in the first 300 characters of your video description.
• Include links to your website or social media accounts in your descriptions. It will expand your reach and improve engagement.
• Use hashtags in the description to help your target audience to find you on YouTube. You can use a variation of your actual keywords in tags.

An illustration of what good looks like:

4. Keep engaging with your Viewers:

• Instead of asking viewers to comment on your video, get specific. Ask questions at the end of your videos to keep people engaged.
• Post the first comment in each video of yours to initiate a conversation.
• Host a YouTube contest or giveaway at the end of the video. That will help you get a ton of comments under your videos.
• Ask viewers to suggest the topic of your next video.
• Always reply to a few comments in the section for better engagement.

5. Use Eye-Catching Thumbnails:

Place yourself in the shoes of the viewer and determine what thumbnail will persuade you to open the video.

DO NOT use thumbnails for clickbait. Some people add a thumbnail that is not even a part of the video. If your video does not live up to the expectation of the user, it will go back straight away. It will affect the user experience and damage your brand. So make sure your thumbnails are relevant to your video.