Tips to Improve Your YouTube Rankings

by Anna McHenry September 12, 2018

Are your YouTube viewing numbers rapidly falling? Or, are you having trouble generating views in the first place? Well, just posting a video is not enough to generate views. Depending upon which research statistics you believe, over 60 to 500 hours of new YouTube videos are uploaded every single minute. There are about 7.4 billion people on Earth, yet over 4 billion videos are viewed every day.

The competition you will encounter for YouTube views is fierce and nearly incalculable. Posting a YouTube video within itself is not a unique act. Just because you post it does not mean that people will watch it. You have to think strategically if you want to improve your YouTube rankings. With an SEO-minded strategy, you can bring online users to your YouTube videos.

Below are some tips and techniques that you can use to increase your YouTube video online rankings and overall views. As a bonus check out Yum Yum Video’s tips on improving YouTube rankings.

Optimize Your YouTube Video for SEO

Search Engine Optimizing, or SEO, is the practice of embedding oft-searched keywords into YouTube pages, video descriptions, and files. When online viewers input those keywords into a search engine, your YouTube video will rise in ranking, according to keyword search frequency. The first step in search engine optimization is choosing strategic, descriptive keywords related to your YouTube video.

Choose Keywords Viewers Will Use to Search Online

Keywords are frequently used words and phrases that are used in online search engines to look for things. Think about your video, its content, themes and the message it wants to convey to its viewers. Make a list of keywords and phrases that best describe your online video. You should then double check how strong and competitively used your keywords are online. Insert these keywords into the title of your video, content descriptions and even the video file names.

There are multiple online keyword generators, analysis tools and websites that you can check out. Analyze how often your keywords are used by YouTube viewers. What strategic keywords are more likely to trigger an online search for your YouTube video as opposed to other keywords? Try to see if you can use keywords that are strong, often searched but not regularly used by competitors. That way, such keywords may become solely associated with your YouTube video. If this possible, if even for a short time, your online rankings will benefit.

Insert Keywords Into YouTube Tags and Category Descriptions

After you upload a video on YouTube, you are presented with the option to add descriptive tags to your video. Tags are category descriptors that will differentiate your YouTube video from countless others. The tags you choose can denote subject matter, video length, themes, plot, genre, preferred viewing demographic, and so on. Make sure that you include your keywords into your tags as much as possible.  If you make your tags as keyword related and relevant as possible, then more viewers are likely to find it through online search engine queries.

Make Your Video Description a Must Read

Many people click on a YouTube video without a thought to read the video description. However, many people also take the time to read the video description. Think about that when you are uploading your YouTube video. Of course, you must maximize your video description details for SEO with keyword inclusions.

However, make the most out of telling the story of your video in a succinct and straight to the point matter. Inform the viewer what your video is about in a way that demands their viewing attention. Keep in mind that online search engine algorithm bots won’t be able to see your video. Make online search engine algorithms work for you. A keyword rich description is a great way to get online search engine viewers to read the description before they even log on to view the video.

Actively Encourage Off-Site Embeds of Your Video

Your YouTube rankings will get a definite boost if they are linked, shared and clicked on off-site via embeds. This is an organic way to initiate off-site link building as well. Actively encourage viewers to embed and share your video in the content descriptions. It will also be definite proof that your video is gaining in popularity.

Just uploading your YouTube video is not enough to get views. Use an SEO minded and keyword-centric approach to boost online views and rankings. It takes time, research and dedication, but it can be done.

Anna McHenry
Anna McHenry is the Director of Client Services here at McKremie. She tweets from @McKremie so stop by and say "hi" on Twitter.