YouTube is one of the most-used search engines, ranking only after Google. (Source) But surprisingly, YouTube is not yet utilized to the fullest.

With 4 billion views per day and 300 hours of video content being uploaded every minute, it goes without saying that Youtube video marketing is an arena that must be an important part of your marketing strategy.

In seven brief steps, this article tells you all about ‘How to get more views on Youtube?’ After all, more views, more exposure, more leads!

#1 Use Youtube Keywords

The best keywords are the gateways to rank youtube video on the first page of Google in minutes. Similar to SEO (want to learn how to perform an SEO audit?), Youtube keywords allow google to properly show your content to those who may be looking for it.

For those unfamiliar, keywords are essentially the words most frequently searched for related to your topic. Make sure you use them in the title, description, and tags of your video.

You need to make sure you are using words and phrases that are:

• In line with your topic/content
• Relevant to your viewers
• Have search volume (peak user interest)

To know the best keywords here’s the easiest tip ever: just run a google search with the title of your video, and additional keywords will appear via the dropdown bar.

There are also third-party tools which laid with keyword research such as SemRush, Ahrefs and Spyfu.

One way to find effective keywords is by seeing what your customers are saying. If you ever speak to customers on the phone, you can extract and use this rich call analytics data to help with your decisions.

Additionally, it is advised to speak these keywords in your actual video, for Youtube algorithms will understand them and help to raise youtube video rankings.

#2 Focus on Content and Watch Time

Youtube’s complex algorithms rank the videos according to the amount of time they’re watched, as opposed to the number of clicks they receive. Most important of those metrics are the time a user watches your video!

Hence, it is important to make the video engaging throughout.

• Avoid boring bits and parts.
• Use graphics, stickers, charts, bloopers etc to gain watch time.
• Make the video 10 minutes or longer (but DON’T just add fluff!)

Viewers will even watch hour-long videos as long as they provide quality content.

Furthermore, add relevant description and tags under your videos. You can even make and group playlists on your page to club related videos. This aids with point #1 above, and will help you to rank high on youtube for your topic.

If you are looking to outsource your content, influencer marketing is one of the most effective avenues. Learn more about how to use influencer marketing by checking out our blog.

#3 Create Visually Appearing Youtube Videos

Would you click on a video that didn’t seem exciting? Of course not!

Youtube video ranking gets boosted mainly through simple yet delightful visuals. Try to keep the video pleasing and to-the-point. Do not use loud sounds in the background and avoid over-the-top use of colors, or colors that are too bright for the eyes.

Thumbnail is the first impression of your video. Youtube allows selecting 1 out of 3 random snapshots from the video as your thumbnail. Or you can custom upload it. Whichever way you choose, make sure the thumbnail tells what exactly is in the video. Again, keep it simple.

Keep in mind to upload your videos in HD quality only.

#4 Youtube Video Optimizations

Constant optimizations make your videos rank higher on Youtube. It updates the algorithms about your content and thus boosts your ranking.

• Fill all aspects of your page.
• Upload the best profile picture and background to tell about your page clearly.
• Make the visuals pleasing.
• Describe your channel briefly
• Include links to your social media pages and websites.
• Subscribe to more popular channels with similar content.

Keeping all your information up-to-date will help the youtube algorithm properly evaluate and rank your content. This incldues all video titles, descriptions, thumbnails and your channel.

#5 Subtitles and CC

Youtube video viewers range from varied backgrounds and thus enabling subtitles on your videos helps to crater them all. CC or Closed Captions run real-time in the video and helps better understanding of the content.

Here are the steps to add subtitles or closed captions:

1. Go to the YouTube Video Manager
2. Find the video you wish to add subtitles, click the drop-down menu next to the Edit button
3. Click subtitles and CC
4. In the drop-down menu, click Select language and select the primary spoken language
5. Click add subtitles or CC
6. Select the language for the subtitles or CC
7. Choose how to add subtitles or CC: Upload a File, Transcribe and auto-sync, Create new subtitles or CC

#6 Audience Engagement

A humble like or comment on your video will tell Youtube that the content is interesting, thus raising your ranking. One of the easiest and most common ways to increase engagement is to ask your viewers to ‘Like, Comment and Share’ your video. A simple appeal at the end of your video will do the trick. Also, try to reply to your viewers’ comments. Even a classic ‘thank you’ can make them feel valuable.

Secondly, include links to your websites and social media pages in the video or its description to draw more traffic. Remember that our concern is not only to how to rank youtube videos fast, but to increase visibility.

Also, don’t forget to ask them to subscribe to your channel.

#7 Proper Promotion

Q&A sites like Quora can be a fertile ground for promoting your video. Whenever you come across a question from your domain, answer it. Also, add the Youtube link of your video at the end. Make it easy for them to find you.

You can also link your latest video to your email signature.

Including links on your blog posts is also a great way to receive a quality audience.

In addition, intertwining all your social media channels can help you reach more people. For a complete social media checklist to help you on this process, learn more about creating an action plan for your marketing.

#8 Create an Engaging Youtube Thumbnail

Whether you realize it or not, most of your clicks are likely down to just a few key reasons. How many views a video has, the title, the creator and the thumbnail!

To increase your ranking of youtube videos, you should make your thumbnail a scroll-stopper. This needs to be related to your topic, but don’t hesitate to try new thumbnails to capture attention.

Pro tip: Look at what similar creators are doing. What thumbnails to they have on their videos? How does it relate to the content and title? This can help you create a thumbnail which generates clicks, and increases your youtube videos ranking.

We use Canva for thumbnails, here is a guide on how to create engaging youtube thumbnails.

#9 Keep A Consistent Schedule.

There are few things youtube loves more for ranking that consistent content, that attracts viewers. The more advantages you can give your content to rank, the better off you will be.

Having a consistent schedule can mean many things. You may choose to post on Youtube once per day. You may aim for once a week, or even less. Regardless, make sure you are making the highest-value content that you can on a consistent basis, whatever that is for you.

This helps Youtube to push out and rank your content more effectively. If you want higher youtube rankings, you need to post consistently!

Here you can find information on how to create a content calculator for youtube.

Conclusion

It is the need of the hour to utilize the potential of Youtube. Even then, just making videos and uploading them is not enough. Try to include these practices in your SEO for Youtube to make the most of the site.

With correct content and engagement, “How to rank Youtube videos on Google?” is a query which will never knock your doors again.