I once shared a video on YouTube, which barely got any views. Later, I changed the keywords—and that small step made a big difference. My views went up, and people started to find my video. That made me ask: how do keywords affect YouTube video SEO? If you’re trying to learn how to do SEO of YouTube videos or how to optimise YouTube videos for SEO, I’ve got some tips that helped me. Let’s dig in together and boost your views, too.
What Are Keywords in YouTube SEO?
Keywords are the words people type when they search on YouTube. If your video uses the right words, YouTube shows it to more people. It’s like giving the algorithm a clear map.
Now, here’s the thing. YouTube keywords are not the same as website keywords. For websites, Google looks at the whole page. But YouTube checks your title, tags, description, and captions. That’s where your keywords need to go.
Here’s a quick story. I posted a video called “My Setup.” It got very few views. Later, I changed the title to “Best Budget Camera Gear for YouTube in 2024.” Views shot up fast. Why? Because people were searching for that. Just picking the right words made all the difference.
So, start with strong keywords to learn how to do SEO for YouTube videos. Keywords help people find your content, which is step one to growing your channel.
Why Keywords Matter for YouTube Video SEO
Keywords tell YouTube what your video is about. The system checks your title, tags, text, and captions. This info is needed to show your video to the right people.
Think of YouTube as a big shop. If your video has no name tag, no one can find it. Keywords are like that name tag. They help people pick your video from the crowd.
I once had a video called “Fun Vlog.” It didn’t get many views. Later, I changed the title to “A Day in My Life—Student Vlog in Mumbai.” I also fixed the tags and the text. And guess what? Views went up fast.
That small step helped YouTube know who to show it to. When someone looked for a student vlog, my video came up.
So yes, keywords are key. If you want people to watch, you must use the right words.
How to Do SEO of YouTube Videos Using Keywords
Want more views? Start with the right words. I’ll show you how I do it.
Step 1: Find Good Keywords
Use tools like TubeBuddy, VidIQ, or Google Trends. These tools help you see what people are typing in search. Type a word, and they’ll show more ideas. Pick words that match your video.
Step 2: Add Keywords in the Right Spots
Now, put those words in the best places:
- Title
- Description
- Tags
- File name
- Captions
This helps YouTube know what your video is about.
Step 3: My Simple Way to Post
Here’s what I do:
- Title – I use my top word at the start.
- Description – I write two lines with that word.
- Tags – I choose 5–7 that match my topic.
- File name – I name my video like “funny-dog-video.mp4.”
- Captions – I fix the auto text or upload my own.
Real Story
One time, I named a video “Cool Tech.” No one watched it, so I changed it to “Top 5 Gadgets for Students 2024.” I also fixed the tags.
It worked! Views jumped fast. And it was free.
How to Optimise YouTube Videos for SEO: Practical Tips
Want more people to watch your videos? These small tips help a lot. I use them all the time, and they work.
1. Use Simple Titles with Your Keywords
Your title is the first thing people see. So, make it clear and easy to read.
I once used the title “Camera Setup 2024.” No one clicked. I changed it to “Best Budget Camera Setup for YouTube in 2024.” It felt more real—and more people clicked.
2. Write a Short, Clear Description
The first lines of your description show in the search. So, keep them strong.
I write two lines that describe the video’s topic. Then, I add a link or tip. This helps viewers and helps YouTube show the video to the right people.
3. Add the Right Tags
Tags help YouTube understand your topic. But don’t go overboard.
I once added random trending tags, but it didn’t help. When I used the right tags, my video showed up more.
4. Make a Thumbnail That Matches Your Keyword
A good thumbnail gets clicks. It should match your title and your keyword.
Once, I had a plain thumbnail that didn’t get views. I changed it to a bright image with “Top 5 Gadgets” in big text. Clicks doubled the next day.
5. Real Example: Before and After
I posted a video called “New Camera Gear.” It got only 30 views in a week.
Then, I made some changes:
- Title: “Top 5 Budget Cameras for YouTube Beginners (2024)”
- Tags: All relevant
- Description: Clear and short
- Thumbnail: Bold and bright
One week later? Over 500 views.
Are YouTube Videos Good for SEO Outside the Platform?
Yes, YouTube videos can help your SEO outside YouTube. They can show up on Google. They also make your blog posts stronger. You get more eyes on your content.
Your Videos Can Show Up on Google
Have you ever searched for something on Google and seen a video at the top? That’s YouTube helping out.
Google owns YouTube. So, it loves showing videos in search.
I once made a video about cleaning shoes. I didn’t post it anywhere else, but a week later, it showed up on Google. People watched, and some even followed me. That video brought traffic I didn’t expect.
Use Videos in Blog Posts
You can add videos to your blog. That helps a lot.
When people watch a video on your page, they stay longer, which tells Google that your page is good.
I once wrote a blog post on phone gear. When I added a short video to it, people stayed longer, and my post ranked higher after that.
My Own Win with YouTube and SEO
Here’s something that worked for me.
I made a video called “Easy Camera Tips.” Then, I wrote a blog post with the same name, and I put the video at the top of the post.
In two weeks, that blog appeared on the first page of Google, and more people found me. They watched the video, read the post, and left nice comments.
Does YouTube Video Help SEO for eCommerce Sites?
Yes, it does—and it works well. YouTube videos can attract more people to your online store.
Show Your Products in Action
Let’s say you sell phone gear. Would you rather read a long list of features or see someone test it and tell you if it’s good?
That’s why product videos are powerful. They build trust. They help buyers see how your product works.
I worked with a small shop that sold phone stands. Their sales were slow. Then we made a few videos:
- One showed how the stand works.
- One compared it to other brands.
- One showed how to use it with a tablet.
We used titles like “Best Phone Stand for Home Office (2024).” Views went up, and sales jumped by 38% in one month. Simple videos made a big difference.
Use the Right Keywords
Now, let’s talk keywords. They’re the words people type on YouTube or Google to find stuff.
If someone wants a charger, they might type “fast charger for iPhone.” That’s your keyword.
When we made those phone stand videos, we used real search words in the title, description, tags, and even in the video itself. This helped YouTube and Google understand what the video was about.
Pro tip: Use longer keywords like “best phone stand for Zoom calls.” They’re easier to rank for and match what buyers want.
A Real Story That Worked
I also helped a friend who sells handmade skincare. She had good products but low traffic.
We made three short videos:
- “How to Use a Clay Mask for Oily Skin”
- “Best Natural Moisturizer for Dry Skin”
- “Simple Skincare Routine for Beginners”
We put links in the video description and used good keywords.
After two months, her videos showed up on Google, and her blog got more views. People stayed longer and bought more. One small change, big results.
Keyword Mistakes to Avoid in YouTube SEO
I’ve made a lot of keyword mistakes. If you’re starting, here are the big ones to avoid. They’ll save you time and help your videos do better.
1. Using Too Many Keywords
Using lots of keywords would help, so I filled my title, tags, and description with every word I could think of.
The result? YouTube got confused. My video looked like spam. Fewer people watched.
2. Using Popular Keywords That Don’t Fit
Once, I added “MrBeast” to a camera review video because it was trending.
It had nothing to do with him. I got some clicks, but people left quickly, and YouTube stopped showing the video.
3. Skipping Long-Tail Keywords
At first, I used only big words like “microphone” or “tech.” But the competition was too high.
Later, I tried longer ones like “best mic for Zoom calls.” It worked! My video showed up more often.
4. A Real-Life Fail (and What It Taught Me)
I once made a video called “Chill Day Vlog.” There are no keywords, details, or keywords—just vibes.
It got 20 views in a week. I was sad.
Then, I changed the title to “Relaxing Day in Goa – Beach Vlog with Friends.” I added clear tags and a good description.
One week later? 500 views! People said, “This is what I was looking for!”
My Proven Keyword Strategy for YouTube Success
Let me tell you how I plan my YouTube videos. It’s a mix of trial and error and lessons I’ve learned the hard way, but now I follow a simple routine that works every time.
1. I Start with Research
Before I hit record, I check what people are searching for. I use tools like TubeBuddy, VidIQ, and Google Trends, which show what’s hot and what people want to watch.
If I type “camera setup,” it might show me things like “best camera setup for beginners.” That tells me what title to use.
2. I Make a Keyword List
Next, I make a small list of good keywords. I pick words that match my video and what people are typing.
I don’t choose too many. Just 3 to 5 that feel right.
3. I Use Keywords in All the Right Places
Once I have my list, I place the words here:
- Title – My main Keyword goes first.
- Description – I write 2-3 lines with keywords and a quick summary.
- Tags – I add 5–7 tags that match my topic.
- File Name – I save my video with the Keyword. Like “budget-camera-setup.mp4.”
- Captions – I upload my own or fix the auto ones.
Why it works: YouTube picks up all this text to help you understand your video.
4. I Test, Change, and Improve
Sometimes, a video doesn’t perform well. That’s okay. I look at what’s not working—title, tags, thumbnail—and try again.
I once had a video stuck at 50 views. I changed the title to something clearer and fixed the description. One week later, it had over 600 views.
5. My Quick Upload Checklist
Here’s what I run through before I post any video:
- ✅ Main Keyword in the title
- ✅ 2 good lines in the description
- ✅ 5-7 matching tags
- ✅ Keyword in the file name
- ✅ Clear thumbnail with bold text
- ✅ Captions checked or uploaded
FAQs – Quick Answers for Common Questions
How do keywords affect YouTube video SEO?
Keywords help YouTube understand what your video is about. If your title, tags, and description use the right words, YouTube will show your video to the right people. When I started using better keywords, more people found my content. It’s like putting a clear sign on your video.
Are YouTube videos good for SEO?
Yes, they are. YouTube videos can rank on Google and bring more people to your site or channel. I once made a simple video that appeared on Google search. That brought in new views—even without any ads!
Does YouTube video help SEO for eCommerce?
For sure! Product videos, reviews, and how-tos build trust. People like to see how things work. I helped a small shop add product videos. After that, they saw more traffic and sales, too.
How can YouTube videos be SEOed effectively?
Start with keyword research. Use tools like TubeBuddy or Google Trends. Add keywords in the title, description, tags, and file name. Make sure your thumbnail matches your topic. That’s the formula I use, and it works every time.
How do you optimise YouTube videos for SEO on a budget?
You don’t need to spend much. Use free tools to find keywords. Write strong titles and clear descriptions. Fix your captions. Make simple thumbnails with free apps like Canva. These small steps helped me grow my channel without spending a dime.
Conclusion
Keywords represent one of the core pillars that determine success at YouTube. I’ve seen it myself. Small modifications to your videos’ title and tag elements will enhance view count and improve audiences’ discoverability.
If you’ve been wondering how to get more eyes on your content, start with the tips we discussed. Use clear words in your title. Add strong tags. Write short, helpful descriptions. These small steps can take your video from hidden to seen.
It can feel like a lot at first—I’ve been there, too—but you’ll see the results once you try it. Your views will grow, and so will your channel.
Could you give it a try? If you have a story, win, or question, drop it in the comments. I’d love to hear how it goes for you.