Back in the day, when people talked about “content,” they usually meant written stuff like articles. But now, “content” can mean lots of things because there are different types out there. We’ve got videos, pictures, infographics, PDFs, and more. These different types of content have made online marketing way more interesting. But for SEO folks, it means more work. Before, they only had to focus on making text show up in searches. Now, they’ve got to figure out how to make all kinds of content—especially videos—appear in searches too. So, mastering video for SEO has become crucial for them.
In this article, we’re going to talk about some tips for making your videos show up better in searches, known as video SEO. Why focus on video? Well, for starters, a lot of the tricks that help videos do well in searches also work for other types of content. So, if you get the hang of video SEO, it’ll be easier to optimize other stuff too.
And let’s not forget how popular videos are these days! Just look at YouTube—it gets tons of visitors every day! YouTube isn’t just a place for videos anymore; it’s also the world’s second-biggest search engine, right after Google. And since Google owns YouTube, you know it’s super important for online marketing. Loads of people search for stuff on YouTube, and sometimes, YouTube videos even show up first in Google search results. So, it’s smart to learn how to make your videos—and especially YouTube videos—stand out in searches for SEO purposes.
Consider Your Audience When Optimizing Video for SEO
Before diving into optimizing your video for SEO, you’ve got to start by creating your videos. Just like a news article needs to cover the who, what, when, where, why, and how, your online videos should address a few key questions too. And first up is: Who’s your audience? Who are you making this video for?
It’s crucial to focus on your intended audience because it helps you figure out what topics to cover and how to style your videos. Knowing your audience also ensures that each video you make is truly relevant. Relevance is key for your videos to succeed. It boosts their quality and increases the chances of them being watched and shared across different platforms. And in today’s digital world, sharing online is one of the quickest ways to get noticed.
One great way to understand your audience better is by creating personas for them. These personas are like imaginary profiles that represent different types of people who might be interested in your products or services. By creating these personas, you can figure out things like what your audience wants, what words they use when searching online, and when they’re most likely to be online. It takes some time to research and create these personas, but it’s worth it in the end.
Once you know your audience well, you’ll know what topics to cover in your videos, what style to use, and where to share them. For example, if your audience hangs out a lot on YouTube, that’s a great place to host your videos. Or, if they often find websites through search engines, you can upload your videos to YouTube and then put them on your website. And if your audience is big on social media, you can post your videos there too.
Remember, your audience isn’t always just your customers. You might also want to make videos for your employees, potential investors, industry experts, or the media, depending on your business. The key is to think about all the different people who are important to your business and make sure your video strategy includes them all.
Video and Organic Search
When you search online, have you noticed how videos often grab the top spots on search results? Especially for ‘how-to’ guides or cute animal videos. If you run a men’s clothing store, making a video showing different tie knots could boost your visibility. Videos have a better shot at ranking high on search pages compared to just text, but they need to be optimized well.
Even if your videos don’t hit the top spot, they can still land on the first page if you do the SEO right. And when they’re on that first page, people are more likely to click on them than on text-only links. While YouTube is the big player for hosting videos, there are other options like Vimeo if you want to embed them on your website.
Getting More Views: Making Eye-Catching Thumbnails for Better Video SEO
When you want more people to watch your videos, making catchy thumbnails is super important. Thumbnails are like the cover of a book – they show what your video is about and tempt people to click on it. This is where video for SEO comes into play.
Video SEO is all about making your videos show up higher when people search for stuff online. Think of it like this: when you search for something on Google or YouTube, you want your video to be one of the first things people see.
One big way to boost your video for SEO is by making thumbnails that grab attention. These are the small images you see before you click on a video. They need to be exciting and make people curious about what your video is all about.
Here are some tips to make sure your thumbnails stand out:
- Use Clear Images: Make sure your thumbnail is easy to see and understand. Use bright colors and sharp images to catch people’s eyes.
- Show What’s Inside: Your thumbnail should give a sneak peek of what’s in your video. If it’s about cooking, show a delicious dish. If it’s about pets, show a cute animal.
- Add Text: Adding a few words to your thumbnail can help explain what your video is about. Keep it short and sweet, so people can read it quickly.
- Make it Unique: Try to make your thumbnail different from others. This will help it stand out in a sea of videos.
- Test and Learn: Don’t be afraid to try different thumbnails to see what works best. Pay attention to which ones get more clicks, and use that info to improve your future thumbnails.
By putting effort into your thumbnails, you can attract more viewers to your videos. And when more people watch your videos, your video SEO gets better, and you’ll show up higher in search results. So, get creative and start making thumbnails that people can’t resist clicking on!
Easy Ways to Improve Video for SEO with Metadata
If you want more people to find your videos when they search online, you need to use something called metadata. Metadata is like a map that helps search engines understand what your video is about. It includes things like tags, categories, and timestamps.
Tags are like labels that describe what your video is about. For example, if you’re making a video about cooking pasta, your tags might include words like “pasta,” “recipe,” and “cooking.”
Categories help organize your videos into different topics. If your video is about pets, you might categorize it under “animals” or “pets.”
Timestamps show when different parts of your video start and end. This can be helpful for longer videos, so people can jump to the part they’re interested in.
Using metadata properly can make a big difference in how well your video shows up in search results. Here are some easy ways to improve your videos for SEO with metadata:
- Choose Relevant Tags: Pick tags that accurately describe what your video is about. Think about what words people might use when searching for videos like yours.
- Use the Right Categories: Make sure to choose the category that best fits your video. This helps search engines understand where your video belongs.
- Add Timestamps: If your video is long or covers different topics, consider adding timestamps. This makes it easier for viewers to find what they’re looking for.
- Be Consistent: Use the same tags, categories, and timestamps across all your videos. Consistency helps build a clear picture of what your channel is about.
By following these simple tips, you can improve your video’s SEO and make it easier for people to find and watch your content online. Remember, metadata might seem technical, but it’s just about helping your videos get noticed!