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You see your favourite YouTuber posting videos on YouTube, and gaining massive response. Whether it’s millions of likes, thousands of subscribers, or the monetary benefits, anything can inspire you to start your own channel. But as soon as you start posting things(even with the same quality), you get 10 likes. And the worst part? Those likes from your own family members.
Yes, you can blame it on the fact that these YouTubers are already established, but they were also like you someday. So, what things did they do differently? The answer is YouTube SEO.
“What is YouTube SEO and how to do it” you might ask. This blog is here to explain that to you.
In this guide, we’ll learn how to do SEO for YouTube step by step, using easy words and clear examples. Let’s go!
What Is YouTube SEO and Why It’s Important
YouTube SEO (Search Engine Optimization) means doing special things so YouTube can understand your video and show it to people who want to watch. It’s the same way smart librarians help you find the right book in a big library.
YouTube’s robot helpers, called algorithms, look at things like your video’s title, description, how long people watch, how many people like or comment, and many more signals.
These all help YouTube decide whether your video is worth showing.
Optimizing your video metadata (like title, description, tags) and getting more likes, comments, and watch time helps boost YouTube seo.
When you know what is SEO in YouTube, you unlock the door to more views, more subscribers, and more fun.
How YouTube SEO Works: The Main Ideas
YouTube considers two big groups of clues:
Technical Clues (Metadata)
Title, description, tags, thumbnails, captions, and how you structure the video. These help YouTube understand and rank your video.
Human Clues (Engagement)
How long people watch (watch time), how many clicks your video (click-through rate, aka CTR), likes, comments, shares, and new subscribers after watching.
If your video gets watched a lot and makes people react, YouTube sees it as a good video and shows it more.
How To Do Seo For Youtube?
Step 1: Find Good Keywords (Words People Search For)
Just like when you search for a video on YouTube, you use some keywords, similarly other viewers do too. So, before making your video, you should pick a keyword that’s related to your topic.
Where to find keywords:
- Type words into YouTube’s search bar and see what suggestions pop up. Those are real searches that people type, and an important part of YouTube SEO.
- Use special tools like TubeBuddy, vidIQ, or Google Trends to look for good keywords(related to your videos) with fewer videos already using them.
Why this matters:
Videos that use a keyword wisely, especially in the title, often get better results.
Step 2: Write a Catchy Title
Make your title short (under 60 characters if you can!), clear, and include your keyword at the front. Here’s how:
- Good title: “Easy Pancake Recipe for Kids”
- Bad title: “How to Make Pancakes with Super Secret Tips”
YouTube and Google can show videos in search results based on these titles.
And yes, keep it honest, not clickbaity. People leave when titles trick them.
Step 3: Write a Helpful Description & Tags
Video Description
Start with your keyword in the first sentence so YouTube takes it seriously. Then explain what happens in your video.
Add timestamps, so if it’s long so viewers can jump to parts they like.
Tags
Tags are extra helping words behind the scenes. They help YouTube know what your video is about.
Use a mix of broad words (“pancake recipe”) and narrow ones (“fluffy chocolate pancakes”).
Step 4: Design Eye-Catching Thumbnails
Thumbnails are like mini-movie posters. Bright colors, bold text, and faces work well. Videos with good thumbnails and titles get more clicks!
Step 5: Keep People Watching (Increase Watch Time & Retention)
People often click away early. So how do you keep them watching?
- Hook your viewers in the first 10 to 15 seconds with something fun or interesting. “Did you know you can flip a pancake without a spatula?”
- Keep changing what’s on screen, use new scenes, zoom in, and show text. This keeps the brain interested.
- Use chapters (timestamps) for viewers to jump around easily.
High watch time tells YouTube that this video is good.
Step 6: Encourage(please read beg) People to Like, Comment, Share & Subscribe
When someone likes, comments, or shares, it’s like giving a thumbs-up to YouTube.
- Ask friendly questions: “What’s your favorite pancake topping? Tell me below!”
- Gently remind people to subscribe at the end of your video.
Step 7: Use YouTube Analytics to Improve
Go to YouTube Studio, and check:
- Watch Time (how many minutes people watched)
- Click-through Rate (how many clicked)
- Audience Retention (when people leave the video)
- Traffic Sources (how they found your video)
This helps you see what’s working. If a thumbnail or title isn’t getting clicks, change it. If viewers leave early, improve the hook.
Step 8: Promote Your Video Everywhere
If you just upload and wait, many videos get lost. Promote it!
- Share on Facebook, Instagram, or social places.
- Embed your video in a blog or website so normal search engines (like Google) can find it.
- Ask smart friends or bloggers to share your video for easy backlinks.
Step 9: Try YouTube Shorts (Shorter than 60 Seconds)
Shorts are quick videos that show up in a special feed. Great for fast views.
- Use your keyword and add #Shorts in the title or description.
- Say your keyword out loud. Why? YouTube “hears” it from captions.
- Keep them exciting. The first few seconds must wow viewers.
Step 10: Build a Community & Use Playlists
Playlists
Group similar videos (like “Easy Recipes” or “Funny Animals”). When people watch one, others follow.
Community Tab
You can post polls, pictures, or messages to stay connected with your fans.
Collaborate with other creators. Share each other’s videos!
Why Digital Marketing Services & Social Media Services Help
When you want to go big, these helpers are great:
- Digital marketing services can do keyword research, plan SEO strategies, create thumbnails, and help your video be seen.
- Social media services can share your video across platforms, run ads, and reach more people.
With these services, we can help you crack – how to do SEO for YouTube. We know the tricks and tips to make your channel perform better.
Bonus Tips from Research & Experts
- Comments, shares, and longer videos (around 14 minutes 50 seconds) link to better rankings.
- Most views come from suggested videos, not just search. Use the sequel technique. Make videos next to popular ones to be suggested right after them.
- Add tructured data (like schema markup) so Google and YouTube better understand your video for search results.
What’s New (and Useful!) in YouTube SEO for 2025
YouTube Trending Page Is Gone
YouTube has phased out the old Trending section. Instead, they’ve YouTube Charts, personalized recommendations, and features like the Inspiration Tab and Hype system to help creators get discovered.
These offer new ways to surface your content, beyond the traditional trending page.
Why it matters: Encourage viewers to use the Inspiration Tab, and keep up with YouTube Charts to catch new trends.
Expert SEO Strategies for 2025
Now, the top SEO guidelines are as follows:
- Relevance & Quality Matter Most: Your content must match what users are searching for AND deliver good value.
- Engagement is King: Likes, comments, shares, and subscriber changes all influence rankings strongly.
- Mobile-First & Consistency: Make mobile-friendly videos and upload regularly to improve visibility.
- Use of Metadata Still Crucial: Titles, descriptions, and tags are supposed to be well-written and optimized.
Powerful Tools and Updated Practices
Here are some smart techniques and tools your blog can feature:
- Keyword Research Tools: TubeBuddy, vidIQ, Google Trends are great for finding low-competition yet high-relevance keywords.
- Eye-Catching Thumbnails: Use bright colors, expressive faces, and bold text. People click on them 38% more.
- Use Timestamps, CTAs, and Cards/End Screens: These keep people watching longer and help YouTube understand your video’s structure.
YouTube Shorts & Voice Search Are Rising
- Short-form Videos (Shorts): These attract more views and likes per view, and perform especially well for entertainment content.
- Voice Search Optimization: People are using phrases like “How do I rank YouTube videos?” Research suggests crafting content for natural language search helps.
Conclusion
Now you know what is YouTube SEO and how to do SEO for YouTube. You have a clear path, from starting with keywords, building engaging videos, boosting watch time, to promoting smartly.
If you need help with digital marketing services or social media services, we at Wildnet can always help. So, connect with us today.
Every great creator starts small. Be kind to yourself, keep learning, and have fun! Your awesome videos will find the viewers they deserve.
FAQs
What is SEO in YouTube, and why does it matter?
YouTube SEO means making your videos easy to find so they appear high in search results and suggestions. It helps more people find and watch your content instead of getting lost in the crowd.
How do I find good keywords for my video?
You start by typing in YouTube and watching suggestions appear. These are real searches! Tools like TubeBuddy and vidIQ- are like your true assistants in this quest to find words that many people search for, but not many creators use.
Where should I put those keywords in my video?
Place keywords in your title, description, tags, and even the video filename. The keywords must appear naturally, especially in the title and first part of the description.
Are tags still important for YouTube SEO?
Tags help give YouTube context, but they matter less than your title, thumbnail, description, and watch time. Still worth adding a few relevant ones.
What makes videos rank higher on YouTube?
Two big signals:
- Relevance: Your title, description, transcript, and visuals match what people are looking for.
- Authority: Videos that keep people watching (retention), get clicks (CTR), likes, and comments rank better.
How long does it take for a video to rank?
It depends on competition, keywords, and how well you optimize. Sometimes a few weeks, sometimes several months.
Should I update old videos for better SEO?
Yes! Update the titles, descriptions, tags, thumbnails, and add timestamps or calls-to-action to refresh their ranking potential.
Which part of SEO matters most: content or optimization?
Both. Optimizing your metadata and thumbnails is important, but nothing works if your video isn’t good and engaging. Great content is the foundation.
How does engagement, like comments and likes, affect rankings?
Very much. YouTube sees these interactions as signs of interest and value, boosting your video’s authority in search and suggestion feeds.
Do I need to pay for tools to do SEO for YouTube?
You don’t have to. YouTube’s own suggestions and Analytics can do the job. Paid tools can give more data and help optimize faster, but DIY optimization works too.
