According to statistics, more video content is uploaded every 30 days, than all the video created by three major U.S. Networks combined in the last 30 years! If we turn our focus to online platforms like YouTube, the numbers continue to impress. What’s more, is that anyone can start uploading videos. All they need is an internet connection and a recording device.
The downside to that, of course, is that many videos will get lost in the noise. If you want to stand out, you’ll need to optimize your content. There are several steps to take in this process, but doing so will help you cut through the static and get your videos in front of more users than ever before.
3 Ways to Optimize Your Online Videos For More Views
The goal of optimization, is to appeal to both users and the algorithms that dictate which content appears first in search results. Everything from Google to YouTube has a set of rules that dictate what appears when people search. Furthermore, videos that people tend to watch all the way through, or hit the “like” button on, tend to rank higher.
The top USA SEO services will all agree that the best exposure comes from following best practices and strategies for optimizing your content. So, what affects the ranking of videos on platforms like YouTube? Consider these factors:
● Watch time (how long they stuck around)
● Keyword relevance
● The number of subscribers you have
● Reactions like comments, likes, and dislikes
● Length of the video
Here are three ways you can start optimizing your online videos:
1. Focus on Powerful Content
Perhaps the most important aspect of your video is how long people are willing to watch it. If they don’t stick around from beginning to end, you need to rethink your approach. Remember that people want videos related to their search inquiry. Don’t feed them promotional content, or they will leave.
Your videos should be emotional or educational. Focus on one of these two aspects. If you want to create emotion, then make them laugh, tug on the heartstrings, or take a stance on an issue. Even if people don’t agree, there will be plenty on your side who resonate with your content.
The other major category is educational video. These are the tutorials and walkthroughs that visual learners crave. Think about it, when you want to learn how to fix your sink or tie the proper knot for your tie, what do you do? You head to YouTube. These videos work because they meet a specific need and match search intent.
2. Make it Search-Friendly
So, your content is beneficial to your viewers, but search engines don’t know what it’s about yet. They can’t watch and analyze the video, so you need to make sure other factors are in place:
● Create a short but punchy title that includes keywords you're targeting. (Pro tip: you can find keywords using Google Keyword Planner)
● Use tags, but don’t spam your videos with tons of them. Focus on major topics and keywords that are directly related
● Write a full description that incorporates all the keywords and topics your video targets. Make it a decent length too, several hundred words at least.
● Closed captions are beneficial if you can include them. They’re great for accessibility, and then help people watch your video in a variety of situations.
3. Promote on Social Media
A sure-fire way to get exposure and rankings, is to get more people to engage with your video and provide ratings or comments. Once your video is live, head over to your social media pages like Facebook and Twitter.
Every time you publish something new, promote it on these channels and embed it, or invite them to come visit your channel. It’s important that this promotion has a strong call-to- action and something enticing that will convince users to watch the video or visit your channel.
Don’t forget to embed the video on your blog or website as well. This will help users discover that you have a YouTube channel and a video presence online. All of this will also contribute to your brand and help it grow as more people discover your content.
Final Thoughts
Video, and by extension, virtual reality, is the future of online content, but the competition is fierce. By optimizing your content, you can gain more exposure and rank higher in video search results. How do you optimize your videos online? Let us know in the comments!
About Garret Henry
Garret is a freelance writer, born and raised in the great state of Pennsylvania. He is passionate about all things marketing and SEO. You can find him on Twitter: @garrethenryllc1
