Steps on optimizing videos to get higher in the search results of the search engines.
Google's search results in America come from YouTube. Properly optimizing video results in a good position in the results of YouTube and Google and can thus generate a lot of extra traffic. In this article, I give you 10 steps for optimizing videos.
1.Video File
Use a clearly descriptive filename for the video and make sure that the keyword you want to be found on comes back. Try to be brief and to the point and if the name consists of several words, then just as with optimizing pictures always use a hyphen (-). The reason for this is that if you use a hyphen, Google sees the name as 1 word and the moment you split the different words in the name by means of a hyphen, Google sees it as separate words.
2. Title of the video
Add a clearly descriptive title to the video and use the keywords where you want to be found. Keep it clear and don't go behind a long line of important keywords. This will generate evergreen traffic to your business in days, weeks, months, and years ahead. I observed many videos lack clickable titles due to lack of research for keywords.
3. Add tags to the video
Add tags to the video. Tags are search terms with which you can describe a video based on search terms on which you want to be found. This way, visitors can find your video earlier if they place a search query that is related to a tag you've added. It is possible to add multiple tags to one video. However, do not exaggerate with the number, because then it will have a negative effect. Youtube algorithm index your videos using consistent tags in your video.
4. Description of the video
Add a clear description of the video. Use the same as with the file name, title, and tags for the video keywords on which you want to be found. The description must also contain the summary of the video with links to your order playlist, social media channel, and website page. This will allow for more viewing time and user experience
5. Text around the video
sharing sites
Just as with optimizing images, it is important to ensure that the text around the video contains the keywords on which you want to be found and that are related to the video. This is an important way for search engines to read the video and assess its relevance.
6. Thumbnails
Using a branded thumbnail could help you have a good click-through rate and more view time on your channel. Research shows that images resonate well in the mind of the people. You can dedicate time to create an attractive thumbnail.
7. Video sitemap
Add a video sitemap to the website if the videos are hosted on the website itself. This way, visitors and search engine spiders can find and index the videos better. More information about the Google Video Sitemap and registering it to Google can be found here.
8. Closed Caption
You may opt for closed captioning for people who suffer from one form of deformation or people who may not like sound but want to watch your video. Closed Captioning will provide a transcript of the video and display it on the screen. Consider CC to optimize your video for your audience.
9. Time Stamp
The timestamp can be outlined along your video description to indicate different sections of your video. Visitors can skip the previously watched section to another section. This will gain user interaction and influence ranking. In addition, videos that rank high are viewed by more and more people and this also has a positive effect on the ranking.
10. Monitor and optimize
Keep track of the video statistics to see where the video can be improved. To view the statistics for YouTube videos there is YouTube Insight. This program shows exactly how many visitors have watched the video and which points in the video are good and which are bad. Naturally, YouTube Insight offers even more statistics with which the video can be optimized. In addition, make sure that you add the videos to as many “video sharing” websites as you can. This will certainly influence the number of times the video is viewed and therefore ultimately the ranking.