YouTube Keyword Research: How to Get More Views Consistently

Summary

In this insightful video, Sam Oh from Ahrefs highlights the crucial role of keyword research in boosting YouTube search traffic. He outlines a step-by-step process, starting with mapping out a topic hierarchy and generating relevant keyword ideas using tools like YouTube Ads and Ahrefs' Keywords Explorer. The importance of analyzing search intent and optimizing videos for Google search is emphasized to enhance visibility. Sam encourages viewers to stay updated on newly discovered keywords to leverage emerging trends, ensuring content resonates with audience needs. This comprehensive approach aims to significantly improve video engagement and search performance.

Takeaways

• 📈 Effective YouTube keyword research can significantly boost search traffic, as seen in a 377% increase over eight months.
• 🗂️ Creating a content hierarchy helps target the right audience, balancing broad and narrow topics.
• 🔍 Relying solely on view counts can be misleading; understanding the source of views is crucial for accurate keyword targeting.
• 🛠️ YouTube Ads and Ahrefs' Keywords Explorer are effective tools for generating keyword ideas and analyzing search trends.
• 📉 Google and YouTube search trends often differ; always consider platform-specific search behaviors when researching keywords.
• 🤔 Matching search intent is vital for video success; ensure your content aligns with what users expect to find.
• 🖊️ Conducting incognito searches on YouTube helps determine the type and format of content that ranks for specific keywords.
• 🚀 Optimizing videos for Google search can yield additional traffic, particularly for topics with existing video SERP results.
• 📊 The 'Newly Discovered' keywords report is a valuable resource for identifying emerging trends and reducing competition.
• 💡 Consistent keyword research and optimization strategies are essential for sustained growth and visibility on YouTube.

Q & A

Why is YouTube keyword research important?

YouTube keyword research is crucial because it helps creators identify topics that will attract viewers and generate traffic. A targeted keyword strategy can significantly increase search visibility, as demonstrated by a 377% increase in search traffic after implementing a keyword research process.

What is the first step in the keyword research process?

The first step is to map out a hierarchy of topics relevant to your channel. This involves identifying broad categories and then narrowing them down to specific subtopics, ensuring your content appeals to the right audience.

What common mistakes do creators make regarding keyword research?

Many creators mistakenly rely on video views or popular titles without understanding where those views originated. This can lead to wasted time and effort since those views may come from ads rather than organic searches.

How can YouTube Ads help in keyword research?

YouTube Ads can provide valuable data on keyword performance. Running an ad for a month allows you to collect impressions and views for various keywords, helping you gauge their true search volume.

What is Ahrefs' Keywords Explorer and how is it useful?

Ahrefs' Keywords Explorer is a tool that allows users to research keywords specifically for YouTube. By entering a keyword, you can access various reports, such as Phrase match, to discover relevant keyword ideas and their monthly search volumes.

How should creators analyze search intent?

Creators should ask what users are looking for when searching a keyword. This involves examining existing videos in incognito mode to understand the content format and length that resonates with the audience.

What is the significance of optimizing videos for Google search?

Optimizing videos for Google search can increase traffic significantly, as videos can appear in search results. By targeting keywords that are already showing strong performance in Google search, creators can maximize their visibility.

What is the 'Newly discovered' keywords report?

The 'Newly discovered' keywords report in Ahrefs shows keywords recently added to the database that include your target keywords. This can help creators identify trending topics with less competition for new content opportunities.

How can understanding keyword trends impact video content strategy?

Analyzing keyword trends allows creators to make informed decisions about which topics to pursue. For instance, if a keyword shows a declining trend, it may not be worth targeting, while consistent or rising trends indicate ongoing interest.

What additional resources can creators use to improve their YouTube SEO?

In addition to keyword research tools, creators can leverage analytics from their own videos to understand viewer behavior and preferences, along with community feedback to refine their content strategy.