Are you looking to increase views on your YouTube videos? The key to this is choosing great topics for your video content. But the secret behind ranking your videos on YouTube is keyword research. YouTube keyword research is a way to look for words and phrases that users look for in the search bar.
Keyword research is an important part of SEO. Since YouTube is the world’s second-largest search engine, it will be very competitive and challenging to rank your videos on position zero or the first page. In this blog, we will learn how to conduct keyword research for YouTube videos and the different tools to help you do so.
What Is YouTube Keyword Research?
YouTube keyword research is the search for phrases and words viewers use to look for a video on a certain topic. Creators conduct keyword research using user intent and SEO tools to find the right keywords for their YT videos. Keywords help creators optimize the videos and rank them higher on the YouTube search result page. SEO optimization increases brand awareness and improves video performance and overall channel visibility to reach the target audience.
Different Types of Keywords
Keywords are usually divided into three main categories: Long tail, medium tail, and short tail. Here’s the breakdown of each:
Long-tail keywords
Long-tail keywords contain several words, and it is usually like a question. Such keywords don’t have high volumes and include specific meanings. For example, how do you delete a LinkedIn account permanently on Mobile?
Medium-tail keywords
Medium-tail keywords have moderate search volume and can be targeted with a little effort. These keywords contain a group of a couple of words. For example, the best coffee maker is under $50.
Short-tail keywords
Short-tail keywords have the highest search volume, and they are hard to rank your page on. Short-tail keywords include fewer words. Examples are ‘YouTube shorts,’ ‘YouTube algorithm,’ and ‘YT monetization.’
How to Do Keyword Research for YouTube?
If you are new to the platform and are unfamiliar with what keywords are and how you can find them, here are the best ways to look for video keywords.
1. Determine Your Video’s Topic
Before you do keyword research, it is important to determine your video’s topic. Decide on what topic you want to make videos and use keyword tools to find the correct keywords.
2. Create a List of Phrases to Describe Your Video
Now, once you have decided on the topic you want to create a video on, your next step should be brainstorming a list of words. You have to find words that best describe your videos and give specific details about them. Examples: Senior dogs, feeding tips for senior dogs, healthy food for senior dogs, etc.
3. Analyze Your Keyword(s)
Monthly search volume analysis helps you understand what has been happening on YouTube. The first thing you must do is type out the keywords and search for the keyword score for the term. Check if the search volume and keyword difficulty are still manageable for you. Also, look for the volume of matching terms and related keywords that can also help you rank your videos.
Why Use Keywords In YouTube Videos?
As mentioned several times, keywords play an important role in ranking your videos. Creators focus on this aspect to increase views on their YouTube videos. With more views in their pocket, they can increase their subscribers and turn their hobby into a profession.
If organic methods don’t work out for you and you aren’t patient enough, you can always opt for online promotional services to help you reach the right audience. Veefly is among the services that have helped many YouTubers reach their target audience and helped their channel and videos go viral without any stress. Such paid platforms are always an investment towards becoming the next highest-earning YouTuber.
So go and keep creating high-quality content using these tips and techniques and take your YouTube channel to new heights.
How to Use Your YouTube Keyword Research?
Make your YouTube video discoverable by using the keywords list you have created. Video SEO not only helps rank higher but also drives traffic and engagement.
Use Keywords in Video Elements
Here are some video elements you should optimize with keywords to reach your target audience.
Titles
Titles are the first thing viewers see. They decide whether or not they want to click on the video. It tells the context of your videos to your audience. Ensure to place the primary keyword of your video at the beginning of the title and up to 60 characters. Use powerful words like best, top, and helpful, but avoid creating something misleading, which can lead to content removal.
Descriptions
A well-established video description helps the YouTube algorithm and viewers understand what your video is all about. To drive the optimal result, include your main keywords at least thrice in the para up to 200 words. Add links, related websites, or playlists to drive traffic to your other pages. And yes, do not forget the CTAs.
Hashtags
Hashtags don’t directly help your videos rank but also help your video show when those tags are searched. Use two or three primary hashtags next to the title and description. Ensure those hashtags are relevant to your video and are a mixture of general and specific hashtags.
Tags
Tags have almost no impact on ranking your videos, but they do well at helping YouTube understand the context. You need to add tags while uploading your content under the ‘video detail.’ You must also add synonyms for your tags along with the primary ones. Keep it relevant to your video content.
Chapters
If you add chapters to your video, it can help engage and retain viewers. Chapters also give you an excellent opportunity to optimize your videos with the keywords. But keep the chapter title concise. Make the first chapter always “0:00” and contain an intro title with the phrase. Avoid adding keywords in every chapter title. Keep space between the two.
Optimize Videos to Rank on Google
If you have ever searched the topic on Google before reaching YouTube, you would have seen some YouTube videos ranking at the top. That happens. You optimize your video well for the ranking. Incorporate keywords in the title and description to make your videos rank higher.
Add Keywords to Your Playlist Titles and Descriptions
A playlist is an effective way to promote videos on YouTube. But creating a playlist won’t do wonders if you haven’t optimized it well. Include keywords in your playlist titles and descriptions so that whenever your viewers search for a query, your playlist appears on the search result.
Optimize Your Channel with Keywords
Again, if you want your videos to appear at the top of the result, optimize your channel description with keywords. Target the main keyword of your niche in the description. Choose five to 10 keywords, including synonyms that cover your channel’s niche.
Conclusion
Does this blog sound helpful? If yes, you already know how to do YouTube keyword research and everything you need to know as a creator. Conduct keyword research and optimize every element of your videos to rank your channel at the top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How Many Keywords Should You Use for YouTube Videos?
If you incorporate keywords in your video description, use at least 5-7 keywords and phrases. Do not just stick to primary keywords. For better results, you must also add secondary keywords.
Q2. What is the most popular keyword on YouTube?
Talking about 2025, the most searched YouTube keyword has been ASMR. However, most searched keywords in the search engine change from time to time following the trend. So you cannot just rely on one.
Q3. What type of YouTube videos get viewed most?
The few content niche types that get the most views are music videos, gaming, travel vlogs, and product reviews.
