SEO Tips: Dominate YouTube In Sept 2022 (Leo's Insights)

Hey guys! Ready to crush it on YouTube this September? If you're aiming to boost your PSEI channel and want some killer SEO strategies, you've landed in the right spot. Let's dive into some actionable tips inspired by Leo's insights from September 2022. We'll cover everything you need to know to optimize your videos and skyrocket your visibility.

Understanding the YouTube Algorithm

Before we jump into the nitty-gritty of SEO, let's quickly chat about the YouTube algorithm. Think of it as the brain that decides which videos get recommended and shown to viewers. It's constantly evolving, but at its core, the algorithm prioritizes viewer satisfaction. This means YouTube wants to show people videos they'll enjoy and keep watching. So, how do you make the algorithm happy?

First off, you need to create amazing content. Seriously, no amount of SEO can save a boring or poorly produced video. Focus on delivering value, entertaining your audience, and keeping them engaged. Think about what your viewers want to see and tailor your content to meet their needs.

Secondly, pay attention to your video's performance metrics. YouTube looks at things like watch time, audience retention, click-through rate (CTR), and engagement (likes, comments, shares). If your video is performing well, the algorithm will see it as a sign that people are enjoying it and will likely recommend it to more viewers. That’s why focusing on quality content is paramount – it naturally drives these positive metrics.

Finally, remember that consistency is key. Regularly uploading new videos signals to the algorithm that you're an active creator and that your channel is worth promoting. Aim for a consistent upload schedule, whether it's once a week, twice a week, or even daily if you can manage it. Just make sure you can maintain the quality of your content while keeping up with your schedule. Keeping all these things in mind will set you up for success when it comes to gaming the YouTube algorithm.

Keyword Research: Finding the Right Terms

Okay, let's talk keywords. Keyword research is the foundation of any successful SEO strategy. It involves identifying the words and phrases that people are using to search for content like yours on YouTube. When it comes to keyword research, think about your niche and your audience. What are they interested in? What problems are they trying to solve? What questions are they asking?

Brainstorming is a great way to start. Jot down all the topics and themes that are relevant to your channel. Then, think about the specific words and phrases that people might use to search for those topics. For example, if you have a cooking channel, you might brainstorm keywords like "easy dinner recipes," "healthy breakfast ideas," or "baking tips for beginners."

Once you have a list of potential keywords, it's time to validate them using keyword research tools. There are a bunch of free and paid tools out there, such as Google Keyword Planner, TubeBuddy, and VidIQ. These tools can help you see how many people are searching for specific keywords, how competitive those keywords are, and related keywords that you might not have thought of.

When choosing keywords, it's important to strike a balance between search volume and competition. You want to target keywords that people are actually searching for, but you also want to choose keywords that you have a realistic chance of ranking for. If you're just starting out, it's often a good idea to focus on long-tail keywords, which are longer, more specific phrases that have lower search volume but also lower competition. For example, instead of targeting the keyword "cooking recipes," you might target the keyword "easy vegan dinner recipes for beginners."

Optimize, Optimize, Optimize

Optimizing Your Video Titles

Your video title is one of the first things people see when they're browsing YouTube, so it's crucial to make it count. A well-optimized title can grab viewers' attention, entice them to click on your video, and improve your search rankings. When crafting your video titles, keep these tips in mind:

Include your target keyword: This is the most important thing. Make sure your title includes the primary keyword that you're trying to rank for. Try to place your keyword as close to the beginning of the title as possible, as this can help improve its visibility to search engines. Don't just stuff keywords into your title, though. It should still sound natural and appealing to human readers.

Keep it concise: Aim for a title that's around 60 characters or less. This will ensure that your title doesn't get cut off in search results or on mobile devices. Get straight to the point and clearly communicate what your video is about.

Make it engaging: Use strong verbs and compelling language to grab viewers' attention. Ask a question, make a bold statement, or create a sense of curiosity. For example, instead of titling your video "How to Make a Smoothie," you could title it "The Ultimate Smoothie Recipe: Get Healthy in 5 Minutes!"

Add numbers or lists: People love lists and numbers, as they suggest that your video will be informative and easy to follow. Consider adding a number to your title, such as "5 Tips for Better Photography" or "10 Things You Didn't Know About…"

Test different titles: Don't be afraid to experiment with different titles and see which ones perform best. YouTube Analytics can provide valuable insights into which titles are driving the most views and engagement. You can also use A/B testing tools to compare different titles and see which one has the highest click-through rate.

Titles are your first impression, guys! Make it a good one.

Crafting Compelling Video Descriptions

The video description is another crucial element of YouTube SEO. It provides additional context about your video and helps search engines understand what your content is about. A well-crafted description can improve your search rankings, increase your click-through rate, and encourage viewers to watch your video all the way through.

Start with a strong opening: The first few sentences of your description are the most important, as they're what viewers will see before they click the "Show More" button. Use this space to grab their attention and entice them to learn more. Summarize the main points of your video, highlight any key takeaways, and explain why viewers should watch it.

Include relevant keywords: Just like with your title, make sure to include your target keywords in your description. Aim for a natural and conversational tone, and avoid keyword stuffing. Use your keywords strategically throughout the description, but don't overdo it.

Provide valuable information: Use the description to provide additional information about your video, such as links to related content, resources, or products. You can also include a transcript of your video, which can improve accessibility and help search engines understand your content better.

Add a call to action: Encourage viewers to take action after watching your video. Ask them to subscribe to your channel, like your video, leave a comment, or share it with their friends. Make it easy for them to take these actions by providing clear and concise instructions.

Format your description: Break up your description into paragraphs and use headings and bullet points to make it easier to read. This will help viewers quickly scan the description and find the information they're looking for.

Descriptions are your chance to shine, so don't waste it!

Optimizing Your Video Tags

Video tags are another important ranking factor on YouTube. They're keywords that you assign to your video to help YouTube understand what your content is about. When choosing your video tags, think about the topics and themes that are most relevant to your video. Use a mix of broad and specific keywords, and include both short-tail and long-tail keywords.

Use a variety of tags: Don't just use the same few keywords for every video. Mix things up and use a variety of tags to target different search queries. Think about all the different ways that people might search for your video, and include those keywords in your tags.

Use relevant tags: Make sure your tags are actually relevant to your video. Don't use misleading or irrelevant tags just to try to get more views. This can actually hurt your rankings in the long run, as YouTube will see your video as being deceptive.

Use competitor tags: Check out the tags that your competitors are using on their videos. This can give you ideas for new keywords to target and help you understand what's working in your niche. You can use tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ to see the tags that other channels are using.

Prioritize your tags: Put your most important keywords first in your list of tags. This will help YouTube understand which keywords are most relevant to your video. Focus on long-tail keywords to boost your search ranking on Youtube.

Tags are your secret weapon, so use them wisely!

Promoting Your Videos

Optimizing your videos for search is only half the battle. You also need to actively promote your videos to get them in front of more viewers. There are a ton of different ways to promote your videos, both on and off YouTube.

Share your videos on social media: Share your videos on all of your social media channels, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. This can help you reach a wider audience and drive traffic to your videos. Don't just post a link to your video, though. Write a compelling caption that will entice people to click and watch.

Engage with your audience: Respond to comments on your videos, and participate in discussions in your niche. This can help you build a community around your channel and encourage people to subscribe and watch your videos. Make sure you are present, and that your audience knows you're there.

Collaborate with other YouTubers: Collaborating with other YouTubers can be a great way to reach a new audience and cross-promote your channels. Find YouTubers who are in a similar niche to you, and reach out to them about doing a collaboration. Doing so will only yield positive results.

Run YouTube ads: YouTube ads can be a great way to get your videos in front of a targeted audience. You can target your ads based on demographics, interests, and keywords. This will help you reach people who are most likely to be interested in your content. Make sure to set a budget beforehand to avoid overspending.

Create engaging thumbnails: Thumbnails are the first thing that people see when browsing YouTube, so you need to create eye-catching visuals.

Promotion is your megaphone, so shout it from the rooftops!

Alright, that's a wrap on Leo's September 2022 insights for dominating YouTube SEO! Remember, it's all about understanding the algorithm, nailing your keyword research, optimizing your titles, descriptions, and tags, and actively promoting your videos. Now go out there and crush it!