YouTube isn’t as straightforward as posting a video and following a few search engine optimization (SEO) tricks to get views. Many things affect YouTube SEO, and these things are more than just using random keywords.
Here’s an interesting statistic by Briggsby that will help you understand my point better: [Source]
“According to their study, YouTube videos with more relevant 2 to 3-phrase keyword tags pop up in the Suggested Videos more. “
As you can see, it’s not about adding keywords; you must also consider how big or small a keyword is. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg; many factors like this affect the ranking of YouTube channels.
So, let’s find out the truth!

8 Primary Ranking Factors in YouTube SEO
Here are the 8 primary ranking factors that affect YouTube SEO ranking.
1. Keyword Research
The most important SEO factor that affects YouTube videos is keyword research. Keywords are used in the video title and description, as well as in the tags.
Whenever a content creator uses the wrong keywords in the description, the search engine shows that video to the wrong audience. Because the only way search engines understand the topic of the video is by checking the keywords you use.
That’s why using the right keywords in the video is important. Here’s how you can perform the keyword research.
a). Strategy #1: YouTube Analytics and Auto-Search
The first strategy you can use to find the right target keyword is by using YouTube Analytics and AutoSearch.
- Go to your YouTube Studio Dashboard.
- Click on Analytics and look into the Traffic Source tab.
- Figure out the words that are bringing people to watch your videos, but you’ve not made separate videos about them.
- After figuring out the keywords, create a video about them.
Once you select the main keyword, you can find related YouTube keywords with the YouTube Auto-Suggest option.
- Type your main topic in the YouTube search bar.
- See what words YouTube suggests as you type.
- Include the related terms YouTube suggests in your video description and title.
b). Strategy #2: SEO Tools
The next strategy is to use SEO tools like Ahref. Just type in a keyword related to your channel’s topic. For example, if you have a cooking channel, type in “Italian pasta.” Ahrefs will then suggest keywords you can use in your video about making Italian pasta.
Note: The Ahref YouTube keyword tool is free but limited. If you want to use all Ahrefs features and get detailed insights, you must switch to the paid service.
2. Tags Used In Video Description
Don’t forget to use tags in your video description, as they also affect YouTube’s search engine results. The right tags can help YouTube understand that your video is about a specific topic and is useful for a particular audience. If you use them correctly, YouTube might recommend your video to a wider audience.
To find tags for optimising your YouTube video in search results, you can use an extension like “Keyword Everywhere.” This extension suggests some of the most relevant keywords that you can use as tags.
When choosing tags, remember to go for three to four-word phrases rather than just one or two words because of competition. Long-tail keywords are not only relevant, but they also increase your chances of ranking higher due to low SEO ranking difficulty.
3. Accurate Captions
Caption means the subtitles of the YouTube video. They’re important for two reasons: accessibility and SEO.
The reason is simple captions make your video accessible to people who are deaf or face difficulties while hearing.
Besides that, captions also make the video global, as anyone from any country can understand what the video is about by reading the subtitles. The search engine of YouTube also uses captions to understand what your video is about.
All of these benefits increase the chances of the video going viral or having more views. So, make sure your captions are accurate and match the content of your video.
4. Youtube Timestamps
Timestamps are shortcuts for viewers; they help viewers understand the context of your video and let them jump to specific parts. This is super useful because it helps keep viewers engaged.
The more your audience is engaged with your videos, the more YouTube suggests them to others. It means that by adding timestamps, your YouTube video views can go up. The best part is adding these timestamps isn’t difficult at all.
Follow the video below to understand how you can add YouTube timestamps.
5. Video Thumbnails
If there’s one thing that affects YouTube video SEO the most, it would be the thumbnail. They’re the pictures you see on the video before clicking. If these thumbnails aren’t catchy and attractive, it doesn’t matter how good your SEO is because no one will click on it.
This is why it’s necessary to learn to create eye-catching thumbnails. To perform this task, always consider your audience’s behaviour on what type of thumbnail they click most. You can find out more details in the analytics, like which videos are getting the most traffic and what type of thumbnail you’ve used on them.
6. Content Quality
Content is king – that’s true.
If your content quality is not good, it’s not providing value; nothing will work, not even SEO practices. I’ve seen many channels go dead on YouTube because their content quality dropped over time.
So, if you want to focus on one thing the most, it should be your content among all points. The more captivating your content, the longer people will stick around, signalling to YouTube that your content is worth recommending.
7. Video Uploading Frequency
Just like Google, YouTube likes channels that stay active. When you upload videos regularly, it tells YouTube that you’re invested in your channel and your audience. Plus, it keeps your viewers engaged, which increases channel views and positively impacts the SEO.
Don’t be a stranger—keep new videos coming! It’s best to follow a schedule. Remember, YouTube doesn’t want you to post one or multiple videos daily. What YouTube wants is good content and an active channel, which you can even maintain by posting one or two videos a week.
8. Thematic Consistency
Stick to a theme or topic. If your audience likes one video, they’re likely to enjoy more videos on a similar theme because they came to your channel for that kind of video. If people come to your channel for your funny vlogs, they might not be too excited about educational videos.
Hence, when you find a theme that works for your audience, stick with it. This way, you’re giving your viewers what they signed up for, and they’re likely to keep returning for the videos they enjoy.
Factors Affecting YouTube SEO Ranking: Final Words
In short, the common ranking factors that affect YouTube SEO are the keywords you use in the description, title and tags. Apart from the keywords, the captions, YouTube timestamps, video thumbnails, content quality, uploading frequency, and thematic consistency also affect the video rank. So make sure to optimise your video, add captions and eye-catching thumbnails, and post quality content for YouTube ranking.
Do video titles really impact YouTube SEO, and if so, how?
Yes, YouTube video titles affect YouTube’s SEO ranking. Without using the right titles, the video won’t appear to the right audience.
Here’s how it works: To figure out which video should be on the top of YouTube search results, the YouTube algorithm checks the tags and keywords the content creator has used. The video that seems most relevant, as per the title description, appears on the top.
In short, if your video isn’t properly optimised with the right title, the YouTube algorithm can’t understand the context, and it won’t appear in search results.
How does watching time influence the ranking of videos on YouTube?
YouTube rewards videos that have more engagement and high watch time by ranking them higher in YouTube’s search results. If your video gets many views and people stick around to watch it for a long time, YouTube thinks it’s a hit and ranks it on top.
How important is video quality in determining YouTube SEO rankings?
The video quality and content are everything. YouTube doesn’t only rely on SEO factors for ranking; it also considers user engagement. If your video is optimised, but users aren’t engaged in it, whether due to video quality reasons, video length, or anything else, there’s no chance it will rank.
Are user engagement metrics, such as likes and comments, crucial for YouTube SEO?
Yes, user engagement metrics such as likes and comments are crucial. These are signals for YouTube that your video is good and people like it, which gives YouTube a reason to rank them on top.
Can the length of a video affect its SEO ranking on YouTube?
Yes and No, the answer is both. It’s because YouTube, as a search engine, has evolved. If you’re targeting a keyword or working on a video that requires a detailed explanation, video length matters for ranking. However, if you’re not working on a keyword that requires a detailed explanation, it’s best to go for a short or medium-length video.