How to Optimise a YouTube Video for SEO

Before filming, research what people are actually searching for on YouTube. Method 1 — YouTube autocomplete: Type your topic into YouTube search and note the autocomplete suggestions. These are real searches people make. Pick the most specific one with good volume. Method 2 — TubeBuddy or VidIQ: Install TubeBuddy or VidIQ Chrome extension → Search your keyword on YouTube → See the search volume and competition score. Target keyword criteria: • Monthly searches: 1,000–100,000 (avoid extremely high competition) • Competition: Low to Medium • Intent: Exactly matches what your video covers For Kerala digital marketing content: target Malayalam + English combinations — e.g. 'digital marketing course Kerala', 'Meta Ads Malayalam tutorial'

Search your keyword on YouTube → Study the top 5 results. Note for each: • Video length (aim to be similar or longer) • Thumbnail style (make yours different enough to stand out) • Title structure (understand what words they use) • View count and how old the video is If the top results are all 10+ minute videos from channels with 100K+ subscribers — the keyword may be too competitive. Find a longer-tail variation instead.

Title structure that works: [Primary Keyword] — [Benefit or Specifics] | [Brand Name optional] Rules: • Include the exact target keyword in the first 60 characters • Keep total title under 70 characters (otherwise truncated in search) • Use numbers or specifics: '5 steps', 'in 10 minutes', 'for beginners' • Do not clickbait — YouTube penalises high impression / low watch-time ratio Examples: ✓ Meta Ads for Beginners — Full Campaign Setup in 2026 ✓ Digital Marketing Course Kerala — What You Learn at Unlearn ✗ THIS Changed My Life (watch till end)!!

YouTube description structure: First 2–3 lines (visible before 'Show more'): • Include target keyword in the first sentence • Summarise the value of the video clearly • This is what appears in Google search snippets Body (after the fold): • Expand on what the video covers — write naturally • Include keyword variations and related terms • Add timestamps for chapters (00:00 Intro, 01:30 Topic 1...) End section: • Links to related videos or playlists • Link to your website, course page, or enquiry form • Social media links • #hashtags (3–5 relevant ones) Minimum: 250 words. Ideal: 400–500 words.

Tags (10–15 total): • Tag 1: exact target keyword • Tags 2–5: keyword variations (singular, plural, Malayalam + English) • Tags 6–10: related broader topics • Tags 11–15: your channel name and brand Thumbnail: • Size: 1280×720px • High contrast — visible at small size • Readable text: max 6 words, large font • Face close-up with emotion performs best • Different from top-ranking thumbnails (stand out, don't blend in) Cards (mid-video): • Add 1–3 cards linking to related videos at natural points in the video • Best placed where viewers are most engaged (check Analytics heatmap) End screen (last 20 seconds): • Subscribe button • 1–2 video suggestions (best performer + most recent) • Link to website (if channel is eligible)

The first 48 hours after publishing are the most important. YouTube uses early engagement signals to decide whether to push the video to more viewers. Within the first hour: • Share the video in your WhatsApp broadcast list • Post on Instagram Stories with a swipe-up or link in bio • Share on your LinkedIn if the topic is professional • Post in relevant Facebook Groups (genuinely helpful, not spam) Within 48 hours: • Reply to every single comment — this boosts the comment count signal • Pin a comment with a question to encourage replies • Embed the video in a blog post on your website • If you have an email list — send it