If you've started creating YouTube videos but your channel isn’t gaining enough views, it's time to dive deeper into YouTube SEO.

If you did not start producing videos how about you check out our professional courses to really help you stick out of the crowd. Check out our courses here.

YouTube isn’t just a video-sharing platform—it’s a search engine that people use to find information. At the same time, it also has an interest-based recommendation algorithm that suggests content based on user behavior.

In this article, we’ll walk you through actionable strategies to optimize your videos for greater reach.

1. Youtube SEO-Optimized Titles and Descriptions

YouTube determines a video's searchability based on its title and description. A good title should:

• Include relevant keywords (e.g., “How to Get More Views on YouTube?”)
• Be engaging and specific
• Stay within 60 characters for better visibility

The description should provide a detailed overview of your video, include relevant keywords, and link to other content on your channel or external sources.

2. Hashtags and How to Collect Them

Hashtags help YouTube categorize your video and display it in relevant searches. Use:

Google Trends or YouTube’s search suggestions to identify trending topics

3-5 relevant hashtags in the description (e.g., #marketing #YouTubeSEO #videocreation)

Competitor research: Check which hashtags similar channels are using

3. Why Playlists Matter?

Playlists increase watch time by automatically playing the next video in the sequence. If you're creating a “YouTube SEO Basics” series, organizing the episodes into a playlist makes the content more digestible and keeps viewers engaged.

4. Time Stamps (Chapters) for Educational Videos

If you create long-form, educational videos, adding timestamps (chapters) is crucial because:

• It helps viewers find the exact part they are interested in
• Improves SEO as Google indexes them
• Increases watch time by keeping viewers engaged

How to add timestamps? Simply list the timestamps and topics in the video description:

00:00 - Introduction

02:30 - YouTube SEO Basics

05:15 - How to Use Youtube SEO Hashtags?

5. Why Upload Podcasts to YouTube?

Many people only upload their podcasts to Spotify or Apple Podcasts, but YouTube is an excellent platform for long-form discussions. Podcasts on YouTube:

• Are optimized for search, helping you reach new audiences
• Can be organized into playlists for easy navigation
• Can be supplemented with video content for better engagement

6. Shorts vs. Long-Form Videos: The Strategy

YouTube Shorts is a short-form video format designed to grab attention quickly. Short, engaging clips attract new viewers, while long-form videos provide deeper value through education, branding, and even sales.

Example Strategy: A self-improvement coach who shares mindset and personal growth tips can use both formats effectively:

• Shorts: A quick, 30-second video featuring a controversial or thought-provoking statement about success or failure
• Long-Form Video: A 40-minute podcast episode discussing the nuances of personal growth and mindset shifts
• Goal: Shorts capture attention and drive traffic to the longer, more in-depth content

7. Example: How Coaching Channels Use Shorts Effectively

Many successful YouTube channels follow this strategy:

• Extract the most impactful, thought-provoking, or controversial moments from their long-form videos
• Upload these as Shorts to spark discussion and encourage comments
• Include a call-to-action in the Shorts leading viewers to the full podcast episode

Example: A self-improvement coaching channel produces a 60-minute podcast discussing personal growth. The most eye-opening or controversial statement is extracted into a 15-second Short, prompting viewers to comment on whether they agree or disagree. This increases engagement and drives viewers to watch the full episode for deeper insights.

Conclusion

To grow your YouTube channel effectively, Youtube SEO is essential:

✅ Optimized titles and descriptions

✅ Strategic use of hashtags

✅ Playlists to boost watch time

✅ Time stamps for long-form videos

✅ Uploading podcasts to YouTube

✅ Using Shorts to drive engagement

The key is to leverage both YouTube’s search engine and its recommendation algorithm to maximize your reach. Implement these strategies today and watch your channel grow! 🚀

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