How to use keywords to improve your YouTube SEO
Introduction
With over 2 billion monthly active users, YouTube is one of the largest social media platforms in the world. It has become a powerhouse for businesses to promote their products and services through videos. However, with so much content being uploaded every minute, it can be challenging to get your videos noticed. That's where search engine optimization (SEO) comes in. In this article, we will discuss how to use keywords to improve your YouTube SEO and increase your visibility on the platform.
What are keywords?
Keywords are words or phrases that people use to search for information on search engines. In the context of YouTube SEO, keywords are the words or phrases that describe the content of your video. They are crucial because they help search engines understand what your video is about, and match it with relevant search queries.
Why are keywords important for YouTube SEO?
Keywords are essential for YouTube SEO because they help your videos appear in search results when people search for topics related to your video. When you use the right keywords, your video will be more visible to your target audience, which can lead to more views, engagement, and ultimately, conversions.
Using keywords in your video title
Your video title is the first thing people see when they search for a topic on YouTube. It's essential to include your target keywords in your title so that viewers can quickly identify what your video is about.
According to a study by Backlinko, videos with an exact keyword match in their title rank higher in YouTube search results than videos that don't have the exact keyword in their title.
For example, if you're creating a video about "how to make a pumpkin pie," you should include that phrase in your title, such as "How to Make a Pumpkin Pie: A Step-by-Step Guide."
Using keywords in your video description
Your video description is an opportunity to provide additional information about your video and give context to your viewers. It's also a crucial place to include your keywords, as YouTube uses your video description to understand the content of your video.
When writing your video description, make sure to include your target keywords naturally. Don't just stuff your keywords in there, as this can lead to penalties and hurt your video's visibility. Instead, write a comprehensive description that provides value to your viewers while incorporating your keywords in a meaningful way.
Using keywords in your video tags
Tags are another essential component of YouTube SEO. They help categorize your video and make it easier for YouTube to understand the content of your video. When choosing your video tags, make sure to include your target keywords and related phrases. You can use tools like Google AdWords Keyword Planner or TubeBuddy to find relevant keywords to use as tags.
Using keywords in your video transcript
YouTube can't watch or listen to your videos the way humans can, so it relies on other signals to understand the content of your video. One of these signals is your video transcript, which is a written record of everything said in your video.
By including your keywords in your video transcript, you're giving YouTube another signal that your video is relevant to those keywords. This can help your video appear in search results for those keywords, even if they're not in your title, description, or tags.
Expert opinion
According to Brian Dean of Backlinko, "keywords are still an important part of YouTube SEO. In fact, they're one of the few things that YouTube creators can control." He recommends including your target keyword in your video title, description, tags, and transcript to improve your video's visibility.
Industry statistics
According to a study by HubSpot, YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world, with over 2 billion monthly active users. Additionally, according to a study by Databox, videos with an exact keyword match in their title rank higher in YouTube search over those that didn't. Videos with the exact keyword in their title ranked an average of 1.6 positions higher than those that didn't.
Using long-tail keywords
Long-tail keywords are longer and more specific phrases that people use to search for information on search engines. For example, "how to make a pumpkin pie" is a long-tail keyword, while "pumpkin pie" is a short-tail keyword. While short-tail keywords may have higher search volume, they're also more competitive and challenging to rank for.
Long-tail keywords, on the other hand, have lower search volume but are more specific and targeted. By targeting long-tail keywords, you're more likely to attract viewers who are interested in your specific topic, which can lead to higher engagement and conversions.
Expert opinion
According to Matt Cutts, the former head of Google's webspam team, "Instead of trying to rank for a generic keyword like 'pumpkin pie,' try to rank for a long-tail keyword like 'how to make pumpkin pie from scratch.'" He advises creators to focus on creating high-quality content around specific long-tail keywords to attract a targeted audience.
Industry statistics.
According to a study by Ahrefs, long-tail keywords make up 70% of all search traffic on the internet. Additionally, according to a study by SEMrush, long-tail keywords have a higher conversion rate than short-tail keywords, as they attract more targeted and interested viewers.
Using keyword research tools
Keyword research tools can be incredibly helpful in finding relevant keywords to use in your video titles, descriptions, tags, and transcripts. These tools provide valuable information such as search volume, competition, and related keywords, which can help you optimize your videos for maximum visibility.
Some popular keyword research tools include Google AdWords Keyword Planner, SEMrush, Ahrefs, and TubeBuddy. These tools can help you identify high-volume keywords that are relevant to your video topic, as well as related keywords and long-tail phrases that you can use to optimize your video for search.
Expert opinion
According to Tim Schmoyer of Video Creators, "Keyword research is one of the most important things you can do to optimize your YouTube videos for search." He recommends using keyword research tools to identify relevant keywords and optimize your video title, description, tags, and transcript for those keywords.
Industry statistics
According to a study by Databox, 59% of marketers use keyword research tools to find relevant keywords to use in their content. Additionally, according to a study by VidIQ, creators who use keyword research tools have an average of 68% more views than those who don't.
Conclusion
Keywords are a crucial component of YouTube SEO, as they help your videos appear in search results and attract a targeted audience. By including your target keywords in your video title, description, tags, and transcript, you're giving YouTube valuable information about the content of your video and increasing your visibility on the platform.
Additionally, targeting long-tail keywords and using keyword research tools can help you find relevant keywords to use in your videos and attract a targeted audience. By optimizing your videos for search, you can increase your views, engagement, and ultimately, conversions.