Ranking your video on the first page of YouTube is no longer a guessing game; it’s a strategic process.
With over 500 hours of content uploaded every minute, competition is fierce, and simply uploading your video isn’t enough. If you want your content to stand out and hit that coveted first page, you’ll need to master YouTube SEO.
In this guide, we’ll break down proven, actionable strategies that help videos consistently rank on page 1 of YouTube. From selecting the right keywords to optimizing your titles, descriptions, and thumbnails, we’re covering every trick in the book to get your video in front of the right audience. Whether you’re new to YouTube or looking to refine your strategy, these techniques will help your content rise above the noise.
So, if you’re ready to boost your views, engagement, and rankings, follow along as we dive deep into the best practices for ranking your video on page 1 of YouTube.
For this example.. let’s say you have created a video of a “GlobalNPN Review” in order to drive traffic back to your GlobalNPN affiliate link.. of course you could also create review or benefit/feature videos for each tool available inside GlobalNPN (recommended).
Step-by-Step YouTube SEO Instructions for ranking your “GlobalNPN Review” Video on YouTube
1. Do Keyword Research
- Use tools like TubeBuddy, VidIQ, or the YouTube search bar to find primary and long-tail keywords relevant to your video, such as “GlobalNPN review 2024” or “GlobalNPN pros and cons.”
- Include these keywords in your video file name (e.g., globalnpn-review.mp4), video title, description, tags, and closed captions. YouTube’s algorithm considers the file name when categorizing content
2. Optimize Your Video Title
- Keep your title around 8-9 words, and make it engaging while naturally including your main keyword. For example: GlobalNPN Review 2024: Pros, Cons & User Experience.
- Avoid keyword stuffing, but ensure your title is clear and SEO-friendly
3. Craft a Keyword-Optimized Description
- Start your description with your primary keyword. Example: In this GlobalNPN review, we explore its pros, cons, and user experience in 2024.
- Write a 107-250 word description, focusing on explaining the video content and naturally including relevant keywords. Include 2-3 relevant links to your website, related blog posts, or affiliate offers
- Make sure to include a Call-to-Action (CTA), such as “Check out GlobalNPN here: [link].”
4. Use Hashtags and Tags Wisely
- Include 2-3 relevant hashtags in your description (e.g., #GlobalNPN, #Review, #DigitalMarketing). These will appear above your title on YouTube and help categorize your video. Using more than 15 hashtags can lead to penalties by YouTube
- Add tags like “GlobalNPN,” “digital marketing,” and other related terms to help YouTube understand the context of your video and improve search rankings
5. Create Engaging Custom Thumbnails
- Design an attractive custom thumbnail using tools like Canva or Photoshop. Your thumbnail should use bold colors, readable text, and clear imagery that reflects the video’s content.
- Test different versions across platforms and use the one with the best click-through rate (CTR). A compelling thumbnail will increase engagement, boosting your SEO
6. Pin a Comment with a Helpful Link
- Pin a comment that includes a useful link. For example: “Want to learn more about GlobalNPN? Check out this detailed blog post: [link]!”. This not only encourages interaction but also drives traffic to external pages.
- This method is not spammy if the comment provides value to your viewers
7. Engage Your Viewers
- Encourage viewers to like, comment, and share your video in your outro or description. Higher engagement metrics such as comments, likes, and shares signal YouTube to rank your video higher
- Reply to comments under your video, including those on your pinned comment. Interaction boosts both engagement and visibility
8. Utilize End Screens and Cards
- Add end screens and YouTube cards to your video to guide viewers to other relevant content or subscribe to your channel. This can increase viewer retention and engagement, both of which are key factors in YouTube SEO
9. Include Closed Captions
- Upload custom closed captions for your video that include relevant keywords. This makes your video more accessible and helps YouTube better understand the content
10. Cross-Promote and Embed Your Video
- Share your video across your social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) and embed it in relevant blog posts or landing pages. Cross-promotion helps drive traffic from outside sources, which YouTube recognizes and rewards
11. Monitor Your Video’s Performance
- Regularly check your YouTube Analytics to track important metrics like click-through rates (CTR), watch time, and engagement. Use this data to refine your future videos and SEO strategies
You can apply these strategies to any video you create about GlobalNPN (or anything else). For example you could create a “review” video for every tool and resource that GlobalNPN provides and get those ranked highly on YouTube – and the traffic does not stop..