How to optimize video for Youtube - step by step guide
In this article we will discuss the most important issues related to optimizing video for Youtube, which should be considered before starting its promotion.
We will review the following points:
The first step is the selection of keywords. The following article will guide you in this process: Selection of keywords for Youtube
Once keywords are selected, we proceed to the next step:
1.Meta data
Same rules apply to a regular webpage and to video optimization. Every video must have::
A) Title
Subject or title for video.
Example:
Important points:
Google and Youtube rank pages higher with some repetition. The header should not look like spam.
Process of creating the right header is simple:
Search your keywords in YouTube
Learn your competition and their methods
Create unique and attractive title using keywords
Example:
B) Tags
Tags provide definition of keywords for the video.
In the tags we define:
Main keywords for video
Best number of tags is between 3-8, but may vary depending on the size of keyword selected for this video.
For example:
2. Description
Description needs to contain keywords used to structure selected video. Namely:
Every keyword should be used at least once
Better still to repeat each keyword at least two times
In the description we briefly describe the content and reasons that make this video attractive to watch.
Most popular videos have the following content in the description:
At least a few sentences
Better still - a couple of paragraphs repeating all keywords at least 2 times
Note: description must be unique and not repeated anywhere in the web.
Example of good video description:
Essentially description is a short note describing content of this video and why it is attractive or interesting to watch.
Next step in the description is links. I decided to discuss it in a separate chapter.
3. Links
Link to the video itself
Video's description need to contain direct link to the video. This is important because it makes it easier to access it via social networks. Adding a direct link to your youtube channel will add even a greater benefit because it would promote all of your videos at the same time.
Web links
In most cases video serves a specific purposes, such as tutorial, instructions, marketing video or other. It is important to include links to:
company's website
company blog
web page where this video is located
Links to social networks
If your video would pick up a high number of views, presence of live links to social networks can provide additional traffic back and forth. Therefore, need to keep it in mind.
4. Time step in the description
Including timesteps provides additional opportunity to add interesting points and repeat your keywords.
- repeat the main keywords at least once
- even better is to repeat several times
The little time invested to create timesteps provides additional information to the viewer and gives you an opportunity to repeat your keywords. Therefore,it is important to keep it in mind.
5. Video's icon
Icons influence the rate of conversions (getting viewers to perform desired actions like buying an item or visiting the target web page) performed by visitors. This is like an additional advertisement for your video.
If your competition does not use attractive icons, then it gives your video a chance to stand out from the crowd. Your video does not have to be in the very top because inviting icon will attract attention and generate views and traffic.
Important points for creating icons
If you want to add any fixed icon in your video - you need to use video editing software.
6.
Annotations are links inside the video to other videos, or invitations to perform any other action. For example, it may invite to "like" this video, leave a comment to the video, or to subscribe to the channel.
Important notes:
Do not place your link in the bottom - it could be covered by contextual advertising
Do not block the video itself with annotations
Do not overload video with annotations
Invite viewers to subscribe to your channel at the end
How to add annotations:
- go on video settings page
- go to the summary section
- pick the desired timeframe
- insert annotation
Example:
Annotations can drive users to take targeted actions benefiting your purpose.
7. File Name of the Video Clip
File name should match its title because it does affect the optimization process.
Example.
Suppose you have a video about how to choose a laptop with the following file name - 998567.mov
In this case, change file name to how-to-choose-laptop.mov
We will review the following points:
The first step is the selection of keywords. The following article will guide you in this process: Selection of keywords for Youtube
Once keywords are selected, we proceed to the next step:
1.Meta data
Same rules apply to a regular webpage and to video optimization. Every video must have::
A) Title
Subject or title for video.
Example:
Important points:
- use main keywords in the title
- repeat all keywords 2 times
- header must be unique and different from competition
Google and Youtube rank pages higher with some repetition. The header should not look like spam.
Process of creating the right header is simple:
Search your keywords in YouTube
Learn your competition and their methods
Create unique and attractive title using keywords
Example:
B) Tags
Tags provide definition of keywords for the video.
In the tags we define:
Main keywords for video
Best number of tags is between 3-8, but may vary depending on the size of keyword selected for this video.
For example:
2. Description
Description needs to contain keywords used to structure selected video. Namely:
Every keyword should be used at least once
Better still to repeat each keyword at least two times
In the description we briefly describe the content and reasons that make this video attractive to watch.
Most popular videos have the following content in the description:
At least a few sentences
Better still - a couple of paragraphs repeating all keywords at least 2 times
Note: description must be unique and not repeated anywhere in the web.
Example of good video description:
Essentially description is a short note describing content of this video and why it is attractive or interesting to watch.
Next step in the description is links. I decided to discuss it in a separate chapter.
3. Links
Link to the video itself
Video's description need to contain direct link to the video. This is important because it makes it easier to access it via social networks. Adding a direct link to your youtube channel will add even a greater benefit because it would promote all of your videos at the same time.
Web links
In most cases video serves a specific purposes, such as tutorial, instructions, marketing video or other. It is important to include links to:
company's website
company blog
web page where this video is located
Links to social networks
If your video would pick up a high number of views, presence of live links to social networks can provide additional traffic back and forth. Therefore, need to keep it in mind.
4. Time step in the description
Including timesteps provides additional opportunity to add interesting points and repeat your keywords.
- repeat the main keywords at least once
- even better is to repeat several times
The little time invested to create timesteps provides additional information to the viewer and gives you an opportunity to repeat your keywords. Therefore,it is important to keep it in mind.
5. Video's icon
Icons influence the rate of conversions (getting viewers to perform desired actions like buying an item or visiting the target web page) performed by visitors. This is like an additional advertisement for your video.
If your competition does not use attractive icons, then it gives your video a chance to stand out from the crowd. Your video does not have to be in the very top because inviting icon will attract attention and generate views and traffic.
Important points for creating icons
If you want to add any fixed icon in your video - you need to use video editing software.
6.
Annotations are links inside the video to other videos, or invitations to perform any other action. For example, it may invite to "like" this video, leave a comment to the video, or to subscribe to the channel.
Important notes:
Do not place your link in the bottom - it could be covered by contextual advertising
Do not block the video itself with annotations
Do not overload video with annotations
Invite viewers to subscribe to your channel at the end
How to add annotations:
- go on video settings page
- go to the summary section
- pick the desired timeframe
- insert annotation
Example:
Annotations can drive users to take targeted actions benefiting your purpose.
7. File Name of the Video Clip
File name should match its title because it does affect the optimization process.
Example.
Suppose you have a video about how to choose a laptop with the following file name - 998567.mov
In this case, change file name to how-to-choose-laptop.mov
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