Here’s a simplified process for making videos that rank:
- Do keyword research. If you don’t target topics with search volume, then you won’t get search traffic. To get these numbers, you can use our YouTube Keyword Tool (part of Keywords Explorer), or pair YouTube Suggest with Google Trends to estimate popularity.
- Identify search intent. Search intent is the reason why someone searches for a query. To figure out search intent, enter your target keyword into YouTube, and see what the top 3–5 results are talking about.
- Create a high-engagement video that satisfies search intent. Unless you’re GaryVee, you’ll have to script your videos. Plan the stories you’re going to tell, the hook you’re going to use and the content you’re about to present. Then, strategically edit your videos to make them entertaining and engaging (hint: this is why movies are so good at capturing your attention; it’s all about the editing!)
- On-page video optimization. YouTube on-page SEO = title, description, tags and thumbnail. To get this down, include your target keyword and make the thumbnail eye-catching.
- Publish & promote. The first 24–48 hours from publishing is the critical period. Ideally, you should publish at the “best time” (check your YouTube analytics), respond to all comments and promote it heavily (send a newsletter, post it on social media, add video embeds, etc.)