Indexing videos on YouTube
Maybe you’ve been paying attention on video’s recording and edition and you think that all is done. Well, you’re wrong. You also have to index it. The following advices can be even more important than video production but applying them properly will take you just some minutes. That’s why it is worthy. It don’t mind if the purpose is sharing your video in a social network, a blog or a company’s website. The truth is that you can’t miss the opportunity to get new visitors (and customers!) directly from YouTube or Google.
Before starting
It is very important to configure your channel properly. Activate all possible options, verify your account, personalize it… Let your visitors and Google or YouTube know that you take care of it and it won’t be down in a few months. As soon as you have videos, gather some of them in playlists, which would allow you a better indexation and will let your audience find more related videos easily. A complete account setup and its proper organization will have higher value and will have more and better presence in search results.
Title
It may seem obvious, but it’s not. Upload your video with a descriptive filename that can be easily associated to YouTube’s video title. This title has to be also descriptive but concise, and has to include a call-to-action. “Discover”, “compare”, “how to”… Something that claims us to open the video appealing to our curiosity. Avoid more than one line and don’t overpass 60 characters.
Description
Again brief, concise and descriptive. We have more characters than with the title, but not too many. Write three inspiring sentences teasing what’s in the video and focus the core of the message within the first 150 characters. Include words appearing on the title and the labels to strengthen content value. YouTube and Google will consider it more relevant. If there are dialogs or explanations do a partial transcription if possible.
Labels
Include words or sentences describing your video. Do not forget to choose some words appearing on previous fields. If title or description don’t have any of these labels, consider rewriting them. Limit is more related to common sense than YouTube’s restrictions (more than a hundred can be added). If you add too many or you are too generic it will target your video as vague or unprecise content, losing strength on search engines. Tools as AdWords or Semrush will help you to find the right keywords.
Status (availability)
Your videos can have different statuses. Choose one according to your intentions.
- Public: Anyone can visualize it. It also will appear on search results and suggested videos.
- Unlisted: Only those who know the video URL can watch it. It won’t appear on results or suggestions except if someone knowing video’s URL includes it in a public playlist.
- Private: Only accessible for the Google+ contacts or circles of your election. You can also specify e-mail addresses to let its owners to see the video.
Playlist
A good indexation, as said before, helps to keep content organized. Playlists are fundamental. Remember that your videos can be in more than one playlist at the same time. Don’t lose the opportunity to show them in a more categorized and attractive way.
Thumbnail
It’s not about text but it is also important. YouTube allows you to choose 3 thumbnails to show your videos’ data beside an image. These thumbnails usually don’t have the right contrast or they are not representative of video’s content. If your channel has been properly configured and validated, you will be able to upload a personalized thumbnail image. Take it from the video or better use a picture taken during the video shot. Nobody argues the value of a good image.
Sergi Navarro Digital Marketing Consultant