YouTube Video Optimization Checklist – 2023 

First of all – congratulations. Most companies are still really struggling with creating high-quality, original video content for their brands. So it’s great that you’ve already taken the step to invest in video content as well as to get it uploaded in YouTube. 

As you are probably aware, great video content has become a crucial part of marketing strategies. However, once you’ve made the investment in video content, you’ll want to maxmize the value you extract. This is where the value of YouTube video optimization comes in. As such, to make things a little easier on you, we put together a comprehensive YouTube video optimization checklist.

Understanding YouTube’s Ranking Algorithm and Ranking Videos in Google SERPs

YouTube’s ranking algorithm takes several factors into consideration to decide which videos should be presented first in search results and recommended sections. The primary factors include the video’s relevance to the search query (based on title, description, and tags), the video’s overall popularity (measured through views, likes, shares, and watch time), the level of user engagement (comments, likes/dislikes, shares), and the quality of the content (based on audience retention, click-through rate from the YouTube search results, etc.). It’s crucial to optimize all these aspects to improve your video’s ranking on YouTube.

Moreover, Google often displays YouTube videos in its search engine results pages (SERPs), and you can enhance your chances of getting ranked by following a few additional steps. Primarily, you need to optimize your video for relevant keywords that have video results in Google SERPs. This includes incorporating the keyword in the video’s title, description, and tags. Additionally, the thumbnail of the video needs to be engaging as it competes with other SERP features for clicks. Transcribing your video content or adding subtitles and closed captions can also help, as it provides Google more text to crawl. Lastly, promoting your video on your website or blog can lead to more views and engagement, which Google considers when ranking content. However, remember that Google prioritizes high-quality, engaging content that provides value to the viewer, so focus on creating the best content possible.

Optimize YouTube Video Content – 18 Step Checklist

#1 – Start with Quality Content

High-quality video content is a must. Good visuals coupled with clear audio can create an engaging viewer experience. So, invest in a good microphone and use suitable editing software to ensure the quality of your video is not compromised.

#2 – Rename Your Video File Using a Target Keyword

Before you upload your video to YouTube, rename the video file with a relevant keyword. This helps search engines to understand what your video is about, improving its SEO potential.

#3 – Insert Your Keyword Naturally in the Video Title

Your chosen keyword should appear naturally within the video’s title. A clear, engaging title that accurately represents the video content is more likely to attract viewers.

#4 – Write A Lenghty Video Description

A well-written description can enhance the viewer’s understanding of your video content. Remember to include essential keywords, relevant links, and a concise synopsis of the video. Having trouble getting this description written out? Consider downloading the transcript then using AI tools like ChatGPT to help you bulk this out. Also, run your description through a tool like Grammarly to ensure you don’t have any embarrassing grammatical errors. 

#5 – Optimize Your Video Description

When going back through yourdescription ensure you have essential keywords as well as relevant words to fully cover the breadth of your video & topic. 

#6 – Tag Your Video With Popular Keywords

Using popular and relevant keywords in your video tags can significantly enhance your video’s visibility. Tags aid YouTube’s algorithm and potential viewers in understanding your video content.

#7 – Categorize Your Video

Categorizing your video can help YouTube associate it with similar content, thereby increasing its reach to more viewers.

#8 – Upload a Custom Thumbnail Image for Your Video

 Thumbnails play a significant role in click-through rates. Ensure that your thumbnail is visually appealing and accurately represents the content of your video.

#9 – Link to Your Website

Include links to your website in the video description. This can effectively drive traffic from YouTube to your site and is especially beneficial for e-commerce businesses, bloggers, and service providers.

#10 – Use an SRT File to Add Subtitles & Closed Captions

 Subtitles and closed captions make your video content accessible to a wider audience, including viewers with hearing impairments or those who prefer to watch without sound.

#11 – Recommend the Next Video

Encourage viewers to watch more of your content by recommending the next video in your collection both in the video and the video description. This creates a seamless viewing experience and can boost the overall watch time on your channel.

#12 – Add Cards and End Screens

These features can direct viewers to other videos on your channel, increasing viewer engagement and the overall time spent on your channel.

#13 – Add Hashtags to Increase Reach

Including relevant hashtags in your video description can enhance its visibility on the platform.

#14 – Create a Playlist About Your Video’s General Topic

A well-structured playlist can guide viewers to more of your related content, encouraging longer viewing sessions.

#15 – Experiment With Video Length

 Different audience segments may prefer different video lengths. Experiment with varying durations to find what best suits your audience.

#16 – Use YouTube’s Autocomplete Feature

This feature can help you discover popular search queries. Align your content with these search terms to meet viewers’ needs more effectively.

#17 – Try Timestamps

Timestamps in your video description allow viewers to navigate your video content more easily, enhancing their viewing experience.

#18 – Invest in Paid Promotions

Paid promotions can increase views on your video. As views are a critical ranking factor for YouTube, this can boost your video’s performance.

Navigating the digital landscape can be daunting, especially when it comes to optimizing video content for maximum reach and engagement. As businesses invest more in video content, understanding how to leverage YouTube’s algorithms and features becomes increasingly crucial. 

However, mastering YouTube optimization and video creation is not an easy task. That’s where Volume Nine can help. With expertise in video creation and YouTube optimization, Volume Nine can assist in ensuring your video content is top-notch and reaches the widest audience possible, thereby maximizing your return on investment in video content.