Youtube Search Engine Optimization (SEO) - How to Rank a Youtube Video:

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1 Youtube Search Engine Optimization (SEO) - How to Rank a Youtube Video: Google s algorithm of 225+ factors takes into consideration many things, such as backlinks and social network signals, but when it comes to Youtube there are internal algorithms to consider. Not all search terms/phrases will trigger video results. Sometimes Google will show html results, images, and videos. It s important to test keywords in Google to see if your target phrase already triggers video results. If yes, it s good news and all we have to do now is beat out the current competition. Tip: All of the ranking factors below are critical to your success, but you only need to be slightly better than the competition to win. You don t have to overkill it. Internal Algorithm Factors: Filename: Before uploading, rename / save the video file using your main keyword phrase, example.mp4 Video Title: Use your target keyword phrase, and one supporting phrase Video Description: Should be around 500 words in length and contain long tail keywords (Latent semantic indexing). Try to write naturally but even if you list related keywords it helps more than not having them.

2 Video Tags: Same as Meta keywords. Useful but don t overdo it. 1-3 is perfect. You can see exactly what keyword/tags your competitor is using by right clicking and Viewing page source. Then do a search for meta name="keywords" # of Video Views: dozens, hundreds, thousands, millions? What does the competition have? Keep in mind the longer someone views a video, the better it will rank (which is why quality/keeping the viewer s attention is critical). # of Video Likes: Likes are an internal social vote, telling Youtube and Google that a video is quality. More likes you get, the better.

3 # of Dislikes: Although terrible videos with hundreds of dislikes rank occasionally, the norm is to not allow a video to rank if it s ratio of likes:dislikes is not favorable. Too many dislikes and you re in the sandbox. # of Channel Subscriptions: Your channel s power or lack of power can help rank a video. The more subscribers a video has, the more likely the video is to rank, all other factors considered. # Add to Playlist/Favorites: Favoriting is a very strong indicator that your video is very high quality. More favorites/playlists, means higher chance of ranking. Time Watched (views related): Longer someone watches a video, the better it will rank. This is tracked and publicly available information: Subscriptions driven (by a specific video): Not only is total subscribers important, but there is a new stat, Subscriptions driven which shows a video was so good that it resulted in the viewer subscribing to your channel. # of overall uploaded videos: An active channel has an advantage over dormant, old video posts. Sure, they can still rank, but query deserves freshness, much the same way Youtube demands more videos. Consistency is key here.

4 Transcript (ability to add text to video): If you don t add by uploading, Youtube will attempt to create a transcript based on the audio. # of Video Comments: If a video is engaging, people will comment on it. This is why they are very important to overall rankings. No comments usually mean low quality videos = not going to rank as easily.

5 Internal Channel Links (commenting on other videos): While the merit of this tactic is debatable, orphaned webpages such as thin content forum profiles have a hard time ranking because no internal pages tend to rank to them. The more a website interlinks with a page, the more powerful it becomes. If you are ready to become a master, you will start becoming active in other channels. It helps network, build your audience, and internally link back to your channel. Google rewards activity. External Algorithm Factors: Social Network Signals/Social Bookmarks: These are things such as Facebook likes,shares, Google+, Twitter retweets, Pinterest pins, Linkedin shares, Reddit, stumbleupon, etc. Youtube and Google rely on these signals to understand how popular a video really is, or isn t.

6 Embeds/Backlinks: People often embed viral videos or link back to them on their blogs, forums, and community websites. Same principle as social signals. More backlinks and embedded videos means the video is worth sharing, and worth ranking.