How to Boost Your YouTube Video Rankings with 7 Proven SEO Tips
Did you know that YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world? Many of the video creators think that uploading a video is enough to get more views, but the truth is that simply uploading a video is no longer enough to get more views, subscribers, or engagement.
To reach a wider audience, your video needs to be valuable for viewers and properly optimized to get more views and subscriptions.
So let’s see the 7 most powerful SEO strategies that can help your YouTube video reach the wide and right audience and grow your channel faster.
1. Conduct Keyword Research
Before creating a video, first you have to know what kind of words and phrases the viewers use. You can use tools like YouTube Search Suggest, TubeBuddy, or VidIQ. These tools help you find keywords.
After identifying the keywords, add those keywords to your video title, description, and tags so your content is easier to find. Doing keyword research also gives clarity on what your viewers really want to watch and what kind of content performs well on the topic.
When you add the right keywords in your videos, your video is more likely to reach the people who will engage, watch longer, and subscribe.
Tips:
- Focus on long-tail keywords to attract more viewers
- Check out your competitor’s videos to see which keywords perform well
- Add keywords naturally in video titles, descriptions, and tags
Case Study:
One of our clients who is running a travel agency at its initial stage to promote their business, they mostly relied on google ads and video ads on social media platforms.
Which drove temporary traffic to them, at some point of time when they stopped paying for ads they found a drastic reduction in their traffic when they approached us for sustainable growth to their business
We implemented a YouTube SEO strategy. At first, we used tools like YouTube Search Suggest, and TubeBuddy. To know what kind of words and phrases were viewers using then we found out viewers always use long tailored keywords instead “International packages “ viewers uses phrase like “Best customized international travel packages for families”.
Based on their keyword research we add those keywords naturally in the video titles,descritpions, tags and thumbnails and we ask them to create videos which founds more useful to the viewers like destination guides, travel tips, and local tourism highlights.
After implementing this strategy within a 3 months, our client’s video went viral it reaching 50k views, and comments and subscriptions increased gradually.
2. Optimize and Use Question Form Video Titles
Use a clear, engaging and eye-catching title for your videos. Make sure that your titles are optimized with rich keywords. Your title should tell viewers exactly what they’ll get from your video.
For Example, instead of “How to Create Account on Gmail?,” use “YouTube SEO: 7 Secret Tips to Rank Videos Faster.” Create titles that drive curiosity in the viewers to see the video from beginning to end.
Tips:
- Use question format video titles using the words “How, Why, What, etc” to catch the attention of your target audience.
- Keep it short and clear; it consists of around 60 characters that work best on all screens
- Use strong, eye-catching words like secret, proven, or ultimate to grab attention and make people want to click
Case Study:
One of our client who is running a real estate business, on their official YouTube channel, used to post videos related to property tour videos, sales house tour videos.
They have been posting for several months, but their views and likes are very low; They reached out to us seeking a solution to improve their video performance organically.
After analyzing their channel, we found out their video titles lacked keywords; they used common phrases like “home tour”, “Property for Sale”. We implemented the keywords SEO strategy.
We revised their video titles by adding targeted longtail keywords like “Luxury 3-Bedroom House Tour in Mumbai”, “How to Decide Ideal Size for Your Home”
In the title, we added keywords with concise and clear, keeping them under 60 characters so they display fully across devices.
In the description, we added powerful, eye-catching words like “stunning,” “modern,” and “your dream home right here ” to provoke viewers’ curiosity.
As a result, within a month, our client’s videos saw a three to five-fold increase in views, attracting a much larger audience. Engagement improved significantly, with more likes, comments, and shares.
Our client received more inquiries and potential leads directly from YouTube.
3. Write Detailed Descriptions
Video descriptions are mainly used to help YouTube understand your content. Create a video description with 250-350 words, add your keywords naturally within the first few lines, and provide a clear summary of what viewers will learn or see.
Include links to your website, social media, and related videos to increase engagement and traffic. Make descriptions informative and helpful, giving viewers a reason to watch the full video.
Tips:
- Include main keywords early in the first few lines
- Provide a clear and detailed summary of the video in description.
Case Study:
One of our clients, running a law firm that specialises in family and property law, used to post educational videos about legal processes and client rights on their official YouTube channel.
Even though they were producing valuable content, their videos were receiving low views and poor engagement. When they came to us to solve this issue, we reviewed their channel.
We found that their video descriptions were very short, often consisting of one or two sentences, and they mainly lacked relevant keywords, video summary and it’s details.
We implemented a YouTube SEO description strategy by creating detailed descriptions of 250–350 words. In each description, we naturally included target keywords like “Expert Advice to Protect Your Property Rights,” “Understanding Child Custody Laws in USA,” and “Legal Rights for Tenants.”
We also added links of their website, social media profiles, and related videos to drive traffic and encourage viewers to explore more content.
Additionally, we provided a clear summary in each description, explaining what viewers would learn, such as how to file a property dispute case or steps to legally protect your family assets.
This gave viewers a valid reason to watch the full video and engage with the content. Within a 2 months of implementing these changes, the law firm’s videos saw a 50% increase in views.
Watch time increased significantly, and engagement, comments and shares also increased. The client also received more inquiries from prospective clients who discovered the firm through YouTube.
4. Use Relevant Tags and Categories
Tags help YouTube to understand what your video is about, and they help to connect it with other videos which is similar to this, making it easier for viewers to find.
Add your main keyword, related terms, and a few variations to cover different ways people might search for your topic. Choosing the right category helps YouTube identify your video correctly and recommend it to the right audience.
Using relevant tags and categories also increases the chances of your video appearing in suggested videos and search results. By using proper tags, your content will reach the audience who are currently looking.
Tips:
- Avoid overstuffing or using irrelevant tags
- 5-10 relevant tags are enough for per video
Case Study:
One of our clients is running an online tutoring platform, they offers courses for graphic design and coding. Even though they are posting videos consistently, they didn’t receive the expected video reach.
When they asked us to rectify this issue, we reviewed their channel and we noticed that they used common tags like “learning” or “technology.” That’s the main reason for their view reductions.
We helped them to optimize their videos by adding specific tags such as “Python programming for beginners,” “graphic designing tutorials,” and “online coding course.” All videos were placed in the Education category to ensure YouTube classified them correctly.
As a result, their videos started appearing in relevant search results and suggested feeds. Within a month, views increased by 25-30%, engagement improved through likes and comments, and more students signed up for courses directly from YouTube.
5. Create Eye-Catching Thumbnails
The thumbnail is the first thing viewers notice, which means the thumbnail is the first impression for your audience. Use a high-quality bold text and a contrasting colour to catch the attention of the viewers.
A well-customised thumbnail increases click-through rates. Including close-up faces or expressive emotions can grab the attention of the viewers.
Tips:
- Include close-up faces or expressive emotions to evoke curiosity.
- Ensure the thumbnail accurately represents your video content to build trust and encourage clicks.
Case Study:
One of our client who runs a health care clinic on their official YouTube channel used to upload videos on topics related to healthy living, nutrition tips, and fitness routines.
They publish videos on a regular basis. Even though they are uploading useful content, they noticed low click-through rates. When they asked us to solve this issue, we found out their video thumbnails were plain or text-heavy, failing to catch viewers’ attention.
After identifying this issue, we redesigned their thumbnails by using bold text, contrasting colours, and clear visuals, including close-ups of healthy meals, fitness poses, or expressive faces demonstrating exercises.
Each thumbnail accurately reflected the video content to maintain viewer trust.
Within 3 months, the channel experienced a 38% increase in CTR, higher watch time, and more engagement in the form of comments, likes, and shares.
The improved thumbnails helped the channel reach a wider audience and attract more viewers genuinely interested in healthcare content.
6. Encourage Engagement
YouTube suggest their users the videos with high engagement. At the end of your videos, you can ask viewers a question, suggestions, or ask them to share their relevant experiences.
They will leave reporns to it in the comments section, which directly encourages engagement and discussions. Keep responding to your viewers comments and reply them politely even if any negative comment is there, so that you can directly interact with them.
Also, In your video’s beginning or end, you can ask your viewers to like, comment, share, and subscribe.
Tips:
- Add clear calls-to-action like “Comment your thoughts below” or “Subscribe for more tips” at the start or end of your video.
- Respond to comments regularly to build a connection and show viewers that you value their input.
- Use on-screen pop-ups or end screens to remind viewers to like, share, and subscribe without interrupting the flow of the video
Case Study:
One of our clients, who runs a finance consulting firm, used to publish videos on their official YouTube channel with topics related to personal finance, budgeting, and investment planning.
Even though they publish regularly, they mainly struggle with low engagement. Their videos received decent views, but they faced difficulties getting likes, comments, or shares, which leads to limited their visibility on YouTube.
When they asked us to solve this issue we found out their videos lacked in clear call to action at the end. They were not replying to comments of viewers.
When they asked us to improve their visibility, we helped them by including clear calls-to-action in their videos, such as asking viewers questions like “What’s your biggest financial goal this year?” and suggesting that our client encourage the audience to leave answers in the comments.
We also added pop-up reminders during key moments of the video to like, share, and subscribe, along with personalized responses to comments.
Within 2 months, their comment rate increased by 65%, and likes and shares doubled.
7. Focus on Watch Time and Retention
YouTube always prioritizes videos that keep viewers spending more time. Make your video to hook your audience in the first 10 seconds by providing valuable content throughout watch video.
Maintain conversational tone to keep viewers engaged from start to finish. Use storytelling, visuals, and on-screen text to make your content more interesting and easier to follow. And finally, end your video with a strong call-to-action.
Tips:
- Start your video with a strong hook to grab attention in the first few seconds.
- Use visuals and storytelling methods to keep viewers engaged throughout the video.
- End with a clear call-to-action to encourage viewers to continue watching or subscribe.
Case Study:
One of our clients, who is running an e-commerce store that specializes in selling handmade home decor, in their Youtube channel they regularly posts product demo videos.
Even though they post videos regularly, they didn’t receive the expected audience reach when they checked their video analytics.
They noticed that most viewers left within the first 10–20 seconds, without a proper hook, and their video ranking became poor.
When they asked us to increase their reach, We revised their videos to start with a visually appealing showcase of the product in use, followed by a brief introduction highlighting its unique features and benefits.
We ask them to make videos in close-up shots, with on-screen text, and smooth transitions to keep viewers engaged with the entire video.
Within six weeks, their video watching time increased by 65%, viewer retention improved significantly, and video-driven traffic to their product pages grew, leading to a measurable increase in sales.
Conclusion
By implementing these 7 YouTube SEO effective strategies in your upcoming videos, you may see a drastic improvement in your video’s performance. Also, you may notice the increased views, subscribers, and engagement for your videos just like the case studies we’ve mentioned in this blog.
Remember, SEO success on YouTube is not just about uploading videos; it’s about consistency, optimization, and interaction.
With valuable content for viewers and by optimizing video names, descriptions, tags, thumbnails, CTA at the end of video and interaction through comments.
All these will help you to increase your video’s watch time, improved ranking and build a loyal audience over the period of time.
Also, keep monitoring your YouTube Analytics regularly to understand viewer behavior and prepare your SEO strategy for better results accordingly.
So, YouTube SEO is not a one-time activity, it’s a continuous process that rewards creators who are consistent, creative, data-driven and stay updated with YouTube’s continuous evolving algorithms.
