Video SEO is the process of optimizing video(s) using strategies that will help generate views, interaction, and better conversion of the traffic.
What this post is NOT about:
⇒ Spamming comments on others’ video pages to generate clicks/traction.
⇒ Using bots to generate fake views and traffic.
⇒ Click-bait strategies to prompt and trick people into clicking.
What this post IS about:
⇒ Video Optimization
⇒ Video Promotion
Video Optimisation
Before we dive deeper into the optimization strategies, remember that every microelement of your Video creates an impact on the SEO campaign outcomes. For example, video in a particular niche will need its on-page optimization strategy tweaked based on the audience, topic, relevance, expectations, end-goal, and call-to-actions.
Let’s now talk about the optimization factors that play a pivotal role in how well a video may rank on YouTube as well as Google. There are five things to consider and work on:
1. Video Title
This is the first thing people read and stumble upon in search results. It must be super relevant and include your target keyword. Assuming the keyword research is done, now all you need to ensure is the inclusion of that target keyword within the video title. This will allow the YouTube algorithm to attach relevancy of the topic with your video, simple as that.
2. Video Thumbnail
Ever noticed how good thumbnails catch your attention and almost make you click/watch the video? Well, this can prove to be the game-changer so make sure you get a custom thumbnail done.
3. Video Description
Words again. You have to write a relevant, concise, keyword-rich (not spammed) and well-formatted video description to not just educate the reader but trigger inclusion in search results for the target keyword. A good description alone can land you (not always though) in those top search result spots within Youtube.
4. Video Tags
If you were asked to describe your personality in 5 words.. that’d put you in creative thinking mode, right?
Just do the same for your Video.
Add the target keywords and relevant terms as tags.
5. Caption Perfection
The automatically generated closed captions have the ability to turn a serious video to a Friday comedy clip for the visual-reader. Make sure you add captions to nail this part of optimization because it has the power to rank you above competitors.
A video on YouTube’s Creator Academy says the following about CC’s:
“a closed-caption file delivers a text-based transcript of your entire video and opens it up to search engines.”
And then says:
“Text on-screen has proven to be so engaging that it increases the watch to completion rate. These two factors lead to a monumental gain in SEO ranking and engagement.”
Sort this well and you’re almost done with the optimization part.
Video Promotion
The second pillar of Video SEO is a well-planned promotion strategy to compete and stand out among a million other videos being uploaded to Youtube every single day.
We will teach you how to promote your video in this section of the post.
Let me reiterate that the Quality vs Quantity principle applies to anything SEO.
There are five (5) video marketing strategies to consider:
1. Video Submission – Distribute your video to other video portals & relevant sites.
2. Video Embedding – Do blog embeds of your video with unique content snippets.
3. Social Sharing – Share the video on social (business) accounts for exposure.
4. Link Building – Build contextual backlinks on high authority websites.
5. Q&A Sites – Join sites like Quora and strategically place videos within your answers.
Now then
The strategies are listed here, all you need to do is to put these into action and monitor results.
Video marketing is one of the most powerful and high-performing forms of digital marketing when done right, the question isn’t about whether you should do it, but rather how well you’re doing it.
Keep it simple, start with optimization, and plan a promotion strategy as you move forward with your Video SEO campaign.
At Free Backlink Tool, we combine proven strategies and automation to help brands boost their digital presence, leading to cost-effective customer acquisition, increased brand awareness, and sustainable business growth.
