The YouTube SEO optimization checklist 2021 - Here's how!

 

When it comes to SEARCH ENGINE OPTIMIZATION, many webmasters think primarily of Google and focus on improving the content on their own website. But if you want to be findable on the internet, you also need to think about YouTube SEO.

 

The targeted optimization of visibility on YouTube is very important - after all, it is the second largest search engine in the world after Google. In addition, the most relevant videos for a search query are often also displayed in the Google search, so that a combined effect can occur here.

 

However, you need to know that YOUTUBE SEO works differently to Google SEO. A YouTube video cannot be continuously optimized in the same way as your own website. Instead, there are a whole range of other factors that determine success or failure. I have put together a checklist for you.

 

Youtube SEO ranking factors 2022

The RANKING FACTORS for YouTube videos can basically be divided into two groups: Content Factors and Engagement Factors. While you can influence the content factors yourself, it is a little more difficult with the engagement factors:

The most important content factors are:

• Title of the video
• Video description
• Tags / Keywords
• spoken text in your video

 

In fact, YouTube is getting better and better at analyzing the spoken text in your video and understanding the content on this basis. You can support YouTube by uploading subtitles.

 

In any case, you need to make the most of all the content areas that YouTube offers you. For targeted YouTube SEO, you should make it clear to the user and the algorithm what the video is about.

The most important engagement factors are:

• Playback time (minutes & in percent)
• Interactions (likes, comments & co)
• Popularity of the channel (subscribers, views, etc.)

 

Unlike the content factors, you cannot simply customize the engagement factors to your liking. Instead, it is important that you promote the engagement factors through good content.

 

The golden YouTube SEO rule for you should be: "Produce good videos about content that users are looking for on the platform". You won't benefit if your title promises a lot and the video ultimately fails to meet these expectations. Conversely, it won't do you any good if your video is great but doesn't have a meaningful title.

 

The 3 phases of YouTube SEO optimization

I will now show you which 3 phases you should and will go through when creating videos that achieve a high reach on YouTube. In each phase you have to work through a small checklist.

 

Phase 1: Keyword research & production

First of all, you need to think about what kind of video you want to produce and who should find this video in the first place. Similar to search engine optimization for Google, you need to research keywords for this.

 

Important! Search behavior on Google is somewhat different than on YouTube. Common keyword tools for Google are still suitable for getting a first impression. However, you should also look directly on YouTube to see which auto-suggestions are suggested to you in the search window. In addition, there are now various programs that explicitly handle YouTube keyword research.

 

Once you have researched the main keywords, you now need to make sure that someone searching for them will find the optimal solution in your video. Be sure to pick up the user right at the beginning and make it clear to them that they've come to the right place.

 

When producing the video, you also need to ensure that you encourage engagement. For example, encourage your viewers to ask questions in the comments. You also often see people "begging" for subscriptions and likes. It is somewhat questionable whether this method is really successful, as it could also annoy the viewer. At the end of the video, however, there is nothing to be said against it.

 

Tip: At the end of the video, you should allow a few seconds for an "outro". This can also simply be a black background that fades in for a while. Here you can, for example, link to other videos and thus improve the overall playback time of your channel.

 

Your to-do's at a glance:

• research important keywords with the help of tools & taking YouTube's Auto Suggestions into account
• produce a video that is precisely tailored to the interests of your target group
• Integrate engagement boosters in your video to encourage interaction
• plan some time at the end for an "outro" to introduce other videos on your channel

Phase 2: Upload video & wait 14 days

First of all, you need to think about what kind of video you want to produce and who should find this video in the first place. Similar to search engine optimization for Google, you need to research keywords for this.

 

Important! Search behavior on Google is somewhat different than on YouTube. Common keyword tools for Google are still suitable for getting a first impression. However, you should also look directly on YouTube to see which auto-suggestions are suggested to you in the search window. In addition, there are now various programs that explicitly handle YouTube keyword research.

 

Once you have researched the main keywords, you now need to make sure that someone searching for them will find the optimal solution in your video. Be sure to pick up the user right at the beginning and make it clear to them that they've come to the right place.

 

When producing the video, you also need to ensure that you encourage engagement. For example, encourage your viewers to ask questions in the comments. You also often see people "begging" for subscriptions and likes. It is somewhat questionable whether this method is really successful, as it could also annoy the viewer. At the end of the video, however, there is nothing to be said against it.

 

Tip: At the end of the video, you should allow a few seconds for an "outro". This can also simply be a black background that fades in for a while. Here you can, for example, link to other videos and thus improve the overall playback time of your channel.

 

Phase 3: Keep an eye on your video

Of course, it is always possible to adapt your content. However, it has been shown that this does not have a major impact on the ranking after the video has been published. Instead, in phase 3 you should just keep an eye on your videos and make sure that comments are responded to and that you increase your watch time.

 

Note: You may realize afterwards that you made a mistake in the video. In this case, you can also integrate comments in the video to correct them. Alternatively, you can also use the comment column for this.

 

Your to-do's at a glance:

• react to comments and thus push the engagement rate
• increase the watch time by linking the video to other successful videos on your channel
• add comments if necessary to correct things and thus improve the quality of the content afterwards

 

 

Conclusion: You can't do without YouTube!

In conclusion, I would like to remind you once again that you should not do without YouTube for various reasons. These are the most important arguments:

 

- YouTube is the second largest search engine after Google and therefore a great lever for your reach.

 

- YouTube videos are also displayed for certain search queries in Google search, which gives you even more attention.

 

-YouTube videos are the ideal content supplement for your own website, increase the time spent on your site and offer added value.