We all know Google is a search engine giant. But don’t underestimate the power of its daughter company, YouTube. The video-sharing platform was founded in 2005, bought by Google a year later, and now in 2022 boasts over 122 million active daily users and is the second most visited website in the world.
In fact, did you know that videos posted to YouTube tend to rank higher on Google SERPs?
YouTube is an excellent way to advertise to potential customers. Still, only about 5% of businesses today have learned to make use of YouTube’s enormous video marketing potential. But this is good news for you; it’s likely your competitors aren’t on YouTube yet either.
Want to beat them to it?
First, you need to create video content with SEO (search engine optimization) in mind. And then use a free online youtube video editor to create and edit the video in real. Otherwise, anything you upload to YouTube will get buried under pages and pages of more relevant videos. Not sure how to make SEO-friendly video content? Here are 4 local SEO tips to follow if you want your YouTube videos to rank on Google SERPs and attract more customers.
Local SEO Tips for YouTube Videos
1. Use Keywords in Titles
Virtually all SEO strategies involve keyword research on some level. In order to get your content in front of your target audience, you need to use the same keywords they’re searching for. This is especially true for SEO-friendly YouTube marketing strategies. So take time to create a list of relevant keywords for your video, and then use those keywords to create an eye-catching title.
You might consider using direct, helpful words in your headline, like: “how to”, “tips”, “tutorial”, or “guide.” And for localized SEO, it’s helpful to include your city or area too. Normally, customers turn to the internet to solve a problem, so think about those potential problems beforehand, and then create videos to solve those problems. For example, if you run a beauty salon, you might choose the keywords “skin care”, “tips”, “natural”, “sun tanning”, and “Arizona”, and then create a video titled: “Skin Care Tips for Natural Sun Tanning in Arizona.” With a keyword-filled title like that, your video is more likely to get noticed by customers in your area.
Make sure to keep video titles straightforward and concise. Titles should not surpass 66 characters. If your title is too long, it won’t fit well when displayed on SERPs and people will be more likely to skim over it—tl;dr.
2. Include Geo-tagging and NAP Data
Before your video can make it big, you need it to make an impact on your local market first. When you prioritize your local SEO efforts, you give your videos the opportunity to grow. The best methods to achieve reliable growth are through geotagging and NAP (name-address-phone) data.
Geotagging is a feature that connects your video to the geographic location you intend to target. YouTube provides an easy way to geotag videos. Simply go to video settings before you upload and select the Advanced Settings tab. From there, you should see the option to add the video’s location, along with a pop-up map. Pinpoint your location on the pop-up map, and then YouTube will calculate the coordinates and geotag the video for you.
Include NAP data in your video description (this could be your company’s location, call to action, brand slogan, etc.). This way, YouTube can verify your business is what you say it is and rank your content higher on SERPs.
3. Maximize Video Descriptions
After you’ve titled and geotagged your video appropriately, the next step is to write a thorough description of it. YouTube gives video descriptions a 5000 character limit, so make sure to fill up that space with relevant data to help your content rank. Emphasize keywords and helpful information, but don’t overdo it. If you use too many keywords and keyphrases, Google will see through it, and you’ll risk looking desperate to your viewers. People want an authentic description here, not keyword fluff.
Another great way to maximize your video’s description box is to provide a written transcript of your video. The additional text provides more data for Google and YouTube indexes to reference during searches, making your videos more accessible and easier for users to find.
4. Don’t Forget URLs and Tags
These last few pieces are just as important as the rest. Include your website’s URL at the top of the description box—YouTube turns these into clickable links, which will boost your online traffic. Underneath the description box is also a space to add relevant tags to your video. Tag using your best keywords and geo-modified terms so that your target audience is directed straight to your content.
Staying up-to-date in the software industry is a full-time job. And creating a video marketing strategy often requires professional SEO services. That’s why many companies turn to business partners like KitelyTech, INC. for assistance. At KitelyTech, INC., we work with companies to develop and implement new software solutions and marketing strategies. Call us at (800) 274 2908 to discuss your business’s software needs and find out how we can help.
