YouTube SEO: How to Rank #1 in YouTube

Summary

In this video, Brian Dean shares nine powerful YouTube SEO strategies that helped him rank videos effectively. He reveals little-known tips beyond the basics, such as front-loading keywords, boosting engagement signals, and optimizing video tags using the TAB formula. Dean explains how using CTR magnet thumbnails and writing longer video descriptions can significantly improve rankings. He also emphasizes the importance of video length, clever use of brackets in titles, and ranking as a suggested video. Finally, he suggests including the current year in titles to increase relevance. The video provides actionable tips to boost views and rankings on YouTube.

Takeaways

• 😀 Front-load your target keyword in your video title to improve YouTube SEO rankings. Placing the keyword at the beginning of the title gives it more weight.
• 😀 Boost video engagement signals (shares, likes, comments, subscribes) to increase your video’s ranking. Comments specifically have a strong correlation with rankings.
• 😀 Use the TAB formula for video tags: target, alternative, and broad tags. This helps YouTube understand the content and relevance of your video.
• 😀 Create CTR (Click-Through Rate) magnet thumbnails. Use contrasting colors, big bold text (max 30 characters), and eye-catching visuals to get more clicks.
• 😀 Write long video descriptions (100-200 words) that provide context about your video content but leave room for viewers to click and watch.
• 😀 Longer videos tend to rank higher on YouTube. Aim for videos between 8-15 minutes to maximize watch time and improve rankings.
• 😀 Use brackets or parentheses in your video title. This simple trick can increase your click-through rate by up to 38%.
• 😀 Rank in suggested videos by using the same tags as popular videos. This can help your video show up in the sidebar next to relevant, high-ranking videos.
• 😀 Increase video watch time by analyzing audience retention data. Find sections of your video where viewers stay engaged and replicate those techniques in future videos.
• 😀 Adding the current year to your video title can increase its click-through rate and relevance. It makes your content appear current and can help you rank for 'keyword + year' searches.
• 😀 Hyper-specific calls to action at the end of your video, like asking viewers to comment on a particular point, lead to more engagement and comments.

Q & A

What is the importance of front-loading keywords in YouTube video titles?

Front-loading your target keyword in the title is important because YouTube places more weight on the words that appear early in the title. This helps the algorithm better understand what your video is about and can improve your rankings.

How can engagement signals affect YouTube video rankings?

Engagement signals, such as likes, comments, shares, and subscribes, play a significant role in video rankings. Videos with higher engagement are deemed more popular and are more likely to rank higher on YouTube.

What is the TAB formula for video tags, and why is it important?

The TAB formula for video tags involves using three types of tags: Target (the main keyword), Alternative (variations of the main keyword), and Broad (general terms related to the video’s topic). Using these tags correctly helps YouTube understand your video’s content and boosts its discoverability.

Why is it crucial to use CTR magnet thumbnails, and how can they be designed?

CTR magnet thumbnails are designed to increase the click-through rate by standing out in the search results. You can design them by using non-YouTube colors like green, blue, or purple, and incorporating bold, easy-to-read text (no more than 30 characters) to grab attention.

How does writing a detailed video description contribute to video SEO?

A well-written, detailed video description (between 100-200 words) helps YouTube better understand the content of your video, which can improve its rankings. The description should outline the video content without giving everything away.

What role does video length play in YouTube rankings?

Longer videos (between 8 and 15 minutes) tend to rank higher on YouTube because they accumulate more watch time. YouTube favors videos that keep viewers engaged for longer periods.

How can using brackets or parentheses in your title increase clicks?

Adding brackets or parentheses to your title can boost the click-through rate by up to 38%, as it makes the title more attention-grabbing and indicates additional context, like a new update or tip.

What are suggested videos, and how can you rank in them?

Suggested videos appear next to other popular videos on YouTube. To rank as a suggested video, make sure to use the same tags as popular videos. This helps YouTube understand that your video is about similar content and may recommend it to viewers.

What is the 'turn donkeys into unicorns' strategy?

This strategy involves analyzing your best-performing videos to identify high audience retention points. By understanding what kept viewers engaged, you can apply similar techniques to future videos, improving their performance.

How can including the current year in your video title improve SEO?

Including the current year in your title signals to viewers and the algorithm that your content is fresh and relevant. It also helps the video rank higher for keyword-year searches, improving click-through rates and discoverability.