Youtube SEO Checklist
A complete checklist to optimize your YouTube videos for search visibility, audience retention, and channel growth.
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Keyword & Topic Research
Do Keyword Research for YouTube
Find search terms people actually use in YouTube’s search box (autocomplete) and tools like TubeBuddy / VidIQ. Use those keywords in your video title, description, and tags.
Include Keywords in the Video Script and Speech
YouTube automatically transcribes your videos. Naturally mention target keywords in your spoken content so they appear in the transcript, helping YouTube understand context and relevance.
Use YouTube Hashtags (#) in Titles and Descriptions
Add a few relevant hashtags to your video metadata (e.g., #SEOTips). YouTube displays them above the title and uses them to connect your video with related topics.
Video Preparation & Optimization Before Upload
Use the Keyword in the Video Filename
Name your video file something like best-crockpot-recipes.mp4 (instead of VID_1234.mp4). YouTube reads filenames as a signal.
Maintain Consistent Video Naming Conventions
Use clear, repeatable title patterns for series (e.g., “Episode #1: …” or “Tool Review – [Tool Name]”). Consistency helps both viewers and algorithms recognize related videos
Craft a Compelling, Keyword-Rich Title
Include your main keyword near the start of the title and make it clickworthy. Keep it under ~60 characters so it's not cut off in results.
Write an Informative, Keyword-Rich Description
Use at least ~200+ words. Mention the main keyword early, add related keywords, timestamps, links, and context so YouTube understands your content.
Use Tags (Broad + Specific)
Add a mix of general and specific tags related to your topic to help YouTube understand your video’s subject. Include the exact keyword and variations.
Design a Custom, Eye-Catching Thumbnail
Create a thumbnail that stands out, accurately represents your video, and encourages clicks. Good thumbnails help click-through rate (CTR), a known ranking signal.
Content Creation & Context Optimization
Include Keywords in the Video Script and Speech
YouTube automatically transcribes your videos. Naturally mention target keywords in your spoken content so they appear in the transcript, helping YouTube understand context and relevance.
Add Captions / Subtitles / Transcript
Include captions or subtitles (auto-generated or manual). These help accessibility, and YouTube can index the text for better relevance
Add Closed Captions in Multiple Languages
Provide translated captions for multilingual audiences. This helps reach global viewers and improves discoverability in regional search results.
Use Video Chapters / Timestamps
Divide your video into sections using timestamps and chapters. This improves usability, retention, and helps YouTube index content more precisely.
Focus on Watch Time & Audience Retention
Make content that keeps people watching. Retaining viewers (especially through the first few minutes) signals quality to YouTube.
Monitor Session Duration / Channel Engagement
YouTube rewards videos that lead viewers to watch more on the platform (longer sessions). Strong overall channel engagement helps all videos.
Channel-Level Optimization
Optimize Channel Metadata (About, Keywords, Links)
Fill out your channel “About” section, include keywords, and link to your website and social platforms. This helps YouTube understand your channel’s identity.
Use Channel Keywords & Topic Tags
In YouTube Studio settings, set your channel’s topic tags / keywords so that YouTube knows the main subjects your channel covers.
Leverage Playlists for SEO and User Flow
Name playlists with searchable titles (e.g., “Beginner Photography Tutorials”) and optimize their descriptions with keywords. Playlists themselves can rank in search results.
Engagement & Growth Signals
Use End Screens, Cards & Playlists
Encourage more watch time by linking to related videos using cards, end screens, and organizing videos in playlists. More engagement improves your video’s ranking potential.
Encourage Engagement Early (Likes, Comments, Shares)
Ask viewers to like, comment, and share. Early engagement signals to YouTube that your video is relevant and worth promoting.
Optimize for Suggested / Recommended Feeds
Make videos that YouTube is likely to suggest by relating topics, creating strong thumbnails, and maintaining viewer engagement — recommendation algorithms prefer related content.
Promote Videos Externally
Share your video links on your website, social media, forums, and blogs. External traffic can boost early signals.
Performance Tracking & Iteration
Monitor Analytics and Iterate
Use YouTube Analytics to track CTR, watch time, retention, drop-off points, and demographics. Use those insights to refine titles, content, thumbnails.
Continually Refresh and Update Videos
Periodically update video titles, descriptions, thumbnails, or even re-edit content to keep it fresh. YouTube favors content that doesn’t sit stale.
Embedding & Website Integration
Use Schema / VideoObject Markup on Embedded Videos
When you embed your video on your website, use VideoObject structured data so Google understands the video metadata (duration, thumbnail, upload date). This helps with search visibility