How to SEO Videos: A
Quick Guide for Success
By now most major organizations with a strong online
presence understand the need for and concept of search engine optimization or
SEO.
They get that optimizing their content using keywords that their customers
use in search is the best way to increase their rankings on search engines and,
therefore, reach a broader audience.
But many fail to realize that they must
also learn how to SEO videos.
In fact, as more and more marketing teams embrace the
concept of video marketing through sites like YouTube (which is owned by
Google, by the way), the concurrent need to optimize those videos through
separate SEO techniques is becoming more and more apparent.
Here are five quick
and simple steps for learning how to SEO videos.
Step 1: Know Your
Keywords
This is no difference than written, content-based SEO; the
only way to reach an audience searching for certain words and phrases is
through using those words and
phrases.
AND, the only way to know what those words and phrases are for your
niche is through marketing analytics. Learn to love them; analytics not going
anywhere anytime soon.
Step 2: Change the
File Name of the Video
Remember, SEO is about more than just what is seen on the
page by the viewer.
Search engine algorithms look at the code used to generate
the site, i.e. file names. Therefore, before uploading videos to any external
service make sure to change the file name of the video to match the keywords
chosen in step one.
Bonus points if the file name starts with the keyword(s).
Step 3: Choose Where
to Upload Video and Customize Accordingly
There are many hosting sites that allow users to upload
video and though YouTube is the biggest name in the game, it is by no means the
only one.
Each site will have different pointers for learning to SEO videos on
that site.
Therefore, whether you use YouTube, YDraw, or Vimeo, take time to
learn about the specifics of that site and how to SEO videos on it.
Step 4: Optimize the
Basic Info
YouTube, as well as most other hosting sites, will ask for a
brief description or for “basic information” about the video once it is
uploaded.
Here is your chance to utilize all the skills you would normally
employ in content-based SEO to optimize the video’s description.
Step 5: Pay Attention
to Advanced Settings
In addition to the basic information that a hosting site
asks for, many sites will also offer advanced settings options that allows for
increased SEO for your video.
This includes features such as tags as well as
comments which will allow for the additional organic addition of keywords into
the video’s site.
Learning how to SEO videos is an important skill for any
company who is looking to branch into video marketing.
With many different
hosting sites to choose from and many users searching for videos on a daily
basis, learning the ins and outs of SEO in this new medium is essential for
digital marketing success.
