Video SEO: The most important parameters for increasing your organic reach on YouTube

However, uploading the video is not enough. After all, your video should also be found and reach as many users as possible. However, since YouTube only wants to show its users the videos that really interest them, the video platform evaluates various parameters in order to be able to assess the relevance of a video for search queries.

I give you tips on what to consider when optimizing the search engine for YouTube videos and how you can sustainably increase your reach on YouTube by optimizing some important parameters.

Here is an overview of the most important parameters of Youtube Video Optimization

1. Filename

The basis for a good ranking starts with the name of the video file. The correct naming helps the YouTube algorithm with the thematic classification of the video content. The file name should therefore be clearly worded and contain the most important keyword. Only in this way can the thematic relevance of the video be recorded and the ranking can be positively influenced.

  2. Thumbnail 

The thumbnail of the video, also called thumbnail, is the first visual impression of the video that the user gets. The thumbnail appears with the title and the first two lines of the description in the search results or in the recommendations in the sidebar. A good thumbnail refers to the content of the video and does not raise false expectations among the user.

By default, YouTube generates three thumbnails per video, from which one can be selected. If the YouTube channel is already verified, individual thumbnails can also be created and uploaded as graphics. With the verification, YouTube confirms that your YouTube account is a reputable channel and not a spam account. Call the URL www.youtube.com/verify and follow to confirm your account to the instructions.

The preview image should be created individually for each video in order to create a meaningful reference to the video content and a recognition effect, for example by embedding a logo. In order to avoid irritation among users, a new preview image should be designed for each video so that the videos differ from one another at first glance.

Please note the following when creating thumbnails:

The clear reference to the content of the video

Recognition value for the users

Effective use of image, color, and font

Use keywords to clarify the content of the video

Furthermore, YouTube guidelines must be observed. Violating these guidelines may result in the channel being deprived of the ability to upload custom thumbnails.

3rd title

The title of the video underlines the message of the preview image and gives the user further clues as to what to expect in the video. It helps both the user and the YouTube algorithm to categorize the video thematically. The title should truthfully reflect what the user can expect in the video. Of course, the keywords, i.e. the relevant search terms, should also be placed in the available characters. The more relevant keywords that are included in the title, the greater the likelihood that the video will rank in the search results. However, loosely lining up keywords is not useful. Short and concise titles work best on YouTube, also because they do not have to be cut off depending on the screen size.

Here are the most important points:

Title and thumbnail complement each other

Play content truthfully

Place relevant keywords

Short, concise and easy to understand

4. Description

The video description is displayed under each video. It can have a length of up to 5,000 characters and offers the possibility to provide users with further information on the video content as well as further links. Links can be used specifically to direct traffic. However, the links should not lead away from YouTube, as this could affect watch time and ranking.

The description also applies that suitable and relevant keywords should be placed in order to give the algorithm and the user information about the content of the video. A senseless string of keywords that do not match the content of the video is inefficient in the long term since the user is misled by the search and his expectations are not met.

Only a section of the description with approx. 140 characters, also known as an infobox, is shown in the search results. The first two lines of the description should therefore briefly summarize the content of the video and contain relevant keywords. The description is an important criterion for attracting the attention of the users, informing them and has an impact on the search algorithm and the ranking.

Please note the following:

Summarize the content of the video in the first two sentences

Place relevant keywords

Use links specifically

5. Tags

In addition to the file name, title and description of the videos, keywords, so-called tags, help the YouTube algorithm with the thematic classification of the video and are a decisive criterion for ranking the search results. The thematically relevant terms from the title and description should be taken up in the tags. But don't overdo it. Keyword stuffing, i.e. listing too many and irrelevant keywords, does not work. YouTube also offers the option of creating a standard repertoire of tags that are relevant for the entire channel. It is recommended to update the tags regularly and to add them if necessary.

The following applies here:

Select thematically relevant tags

Create standard tags for the channel

Update regularly

6. Annotations

By integrating annotations, videos can be made more interactive and traffic can be targeted. Annotation is a clickable overlay that is inserted after the video is uploaded to YouTube. There are various links, such as other videos, playlists or channel subscriptions.

The decisive factor when inserting annotations is the point in time within the video: The annotations should not distract the user from the content of the video or cover it up. Furthermore, the user should not be led away from the video too early.

Here are the most important points:

Links to a new tab or a new window

Control traffic in a targeted manner

Don't guide the user away too soon

The video experience should not be affected

7. Subtitles

If the subtitles are activated, the spoken text is shown in text form in the lower part of the video so that the user can read along. This function reaches users who would otherwise not understand the video, for example, a hearing-impaired user. If there is no need, the subtitles can simply be deactivated.

Another advantage is that the spelling of video content makes it readable for search engines. The subtitles can thus be evaluated by the algorithm and relevance to search queries can be established. YouTube automatically generates subtitles for every video, but these are very susceptible to errors due to noise or foreign words. Subtitles should therefore always be created manually!

  Please note the following: 

Create subtitles manually

Place keywords

8. Playlists

With a well-designed playlist, the watch time of the user can be increased, since the user is made aware of other similar content on the channel. As soon as there are several video formats, as well as videos with similar content on a YouTube channel, the videos should be organized in playlists. Playlists are a good and easy way to structure a YouTube channel thematically. Each video can be integrated into several playlists.

In addition, it helps that the videos appear more in the search results and in the recommended videos.

Conclusion

With the presented parameters you have not only got an overview of the most important parameters of the search engine optimization of your YouTube videos but also developed a basic understanding of how the YouTube algorithm works. 

So, your YouTube video is shot, cut and ready to upload? Then you can upload it now and start video search engine optimization