YouTube SEO is the optimization of videos and channels so they appear and get clicked more often in YouTube search and recommendations. It is separate from search engine optimization for web pages, because YouTube has its own results and its own recommendation system.
What belongs to YouTube SEO?
YouTube’s help pages suggest starting with titles, descriptions and thumbnails and adding other features later. Viewers see the thumbnail and title first. YouTube advises keeping titles accurate and concise, putting the most important keywords first because viewers may see only part of the title, and using all caps and emoji sparingly. It describes two approaches: searchable titles that clearly name the topic, and intriguing titles that spark curiosity.
For thumbnails, YouTube recommends clean, uncluttered designs that display clearly on all devices. The help pages also name the video description, info cards, end screens and playlists.
The two help pages give no ranking weight for any of these elements. Claims about fixed weightings, such as watch time or tags, come from third-party sources.
What should you measure?
YouTube Analytics shows how titles and thumbnails perform, for instance through impressions click-through rate. YouTube suggests looking at click-through rate in the first 24 hours after publishing. Titles and thumbnails can be changed afterward based on this data.
Example
A video explains how to change a tire. The title starts with the action (“Change a tire in 10 minutes”) and puts the brand name at the end. The thumbnail shows the lug nut large with two words of text. The description summarizes the steps and links chapters with timestamps.
FAQ
How do I start with YouTube SEO? Pick a search term viewers actually use, write an accurate title and add a custom thumbnail. Then check YouTube Analytics.
Do YouTube videos appear in Google results? Google can show videos in its results. Google’s video guidelines apply there. See video SEO.
Sources
- Optimize your videos – YouTube Helpsupport.google.com
- Thumbnail and title tips – YouTube Helpsupport.google.com
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