SEO

YouTube SEO in 2024: New Strategies for More Views & Subscribers

Published on August 14, 2025

#YouTube#SEO#Video Marketing#Content Strategy#2024
Website SEO Standards

YouTube SEO in 2024: New Strategies for More Views & Subscribers

Excerpt: Discover the latest YouTube SEO strategies that actually work in 2024. Learn about keyword research, content optimization, and audience engagement, while avoiding outdated tactics to grow your channel fast.

YouTube has evolved significantly, making outdated SEO tips and keyword hacks ineffective. The algorithm is smarter than ever, so relying on old methods means leaving views and subscribers on the table. This guide will reveal the newest SEO strategies to help your videos rank higher, get discovered faster, and grow your channel efficiently, focusing only on what truly matters.

You'll learn about:

  • The number one ranking factor YouTube prioritizes.
  • The subtle yet crucial difference between keywords and tags.
  • Major SEO mistakes that could be harming your channel.
  • A step-by-step strategy for rapid view and subscriber growth.

With over a decade of YouTube experience, multiple Play Buttons, and a track record of helping thousands of creators, you can be confident that these insights are valuable and action-oriented.

What is YouTube SEO? Keywords vs. Tags

Before diving into strategies, let's clarify what YouTube SEO entails. SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, on YouTube aims to get your videos discovered by the right audience on and off the platform through smart optimization. This includes:

  • Selecting relevant keywords for YouTube to understand your video's topic.
  • Optimizing titles, descriptions, and tags to encourage clicks and viewer retention.
  • Crafting engaging thumbnails to boost click-through rates.
  • Encouraging watch time and engagement for YouTube recommendations.
  • Utilizing captions, chapters, and metadata for accessibility and discoverability.
  • Analyzing your analytics to refine future content.

At its core, YouTube SEO helps the algorithm help you by making your content easy to find, engaging to watch, and irresistible to recommend.

Now, let's distinguish between keywords and tags:

  • YouTube Keywords: These are words and phrases that inform YouTube about your video's content. They appear primarily in your titles, descriptions, and even within your video script (what you verbally say). Keywords are vital for search visibility and recommendations. For example, 'best budget cameras for YouTube' is a natural search phrase to include.
  • YouTube Tags: These are extra keywords added in the video's tags section. Today, they have minimal SEO impact. YouTube states they can assist with misspellings or alternative spellings, but their weight is very low. Examples for 'best budget camera for YouTube' might include 'cheap cameras,' 'YouTube cameras,' or 'best camera for YouTube.'

Top 5 YouTube SEO & Keyword Strategies (Working Right Now)

1. Research Before You Press Record

The myth that keyword research is dead is just that—a myth. It's still crucial, but for different reasons. Researching topics and video ideas before filming helps you:

  • Discover what people are actively searching for, increasing discoverability.
  • Intentionally craft relevant content.
  • Use the right phrases in titles and descriptions for accurate targeting.
  • Stay ahead of trends.

Effective research involves using YouTube Search, Google Search, Google Trends, and specialized tools like VidIQ. The goal is to verify genuine interest in a topic, ensuring your effort isn't wasted on content nobody wants to watch.

2. Use YouTube Autocomplete for Free Keyword Ideas

YouTube's autocomplete feature is a goldmine for free keyword ideas. As you type a topic into the search bar, YouTube suggests real, demand-based searches. Terms at the top indicate higher interest.

Example: Typing 'walking pad' might suggest 'walking pad treadmill,' 'walking pad review,' or 'walking pad workout.' Pro Tip: Experiment with variations. Add letters and an underscore before your term (e.g., 'a_ walking pad') to find prefixes, or add words after (e.g., 'walking pad for') to uncover specific long-tail opportunities like 'walking pad for heavy person' or 'walking pad for weight loss.' This enriches your titles, descriptions, and tags.

3. Leverage Software Like VidIQ to Analyze Keyword Competition & Opportunities

Tools like VidIQ integrate with your YouTube channel to provide powerful data-driven insights. For any keyword, VidIQ offers:

  • An overall score (closer to 100/green means less competition).
  • Search volume (e.g., 'walking pad' gets 63,000+ monthly searches).
  • Competition levels.
  • Related and matching keywords.
  • Top trending videos for inspiration.

VidIQ helps you identify topics with high search volume and low competition, guiding you to make strategic content decisions.

4. Answer Specific Questions (ASQ Strategy)

Many users turn to YouTube to solve problems or learn new skills (77% in 2020). The 'Answer Specific Questions' (ASQ) strategy involves:

  • Using tools like VidIQ's 'Questions' feature or YouTube autocomplete to find common queries in your niche (e.g., 'do I need to lubricate a walking pad treadmill?').
  • Creating content that offers clear, concise, and actionable answers.
  • Optimizing your video with a title and description that directly addresses the question.

While these videos might not go viral, they attract highly engaged viewers seeking specific information, which is invaluable for channel growth, especially for new creators targeting their first 100 or 1,000 subscribers.

5. Niche Down with Long-Tail Keywords for Better Results

Long-tail keywords are specific phrases, usually three or more words long, often extending to five, six, or even nine words. They offer:

  • Less Competition: Easier to rank for.
  • More Targeted Audience: Attracts viewers with higher intent.
  • Higher Conversion Rates: Leads to more affiliate sales or product/service purchases.

Example: Instead of 'podcast' (too broad), use 'how to start a podcast for beginners 2025' (more specific, easier to rank).

Find long-tail ideas using:

  • YouTube Autocomplete: As described above, use prefixes and suffixes to expand terms.
  • VidIQ: Look for phrases with good search volume and low competition.
  • Google's 'People Also Asked' / 'People Also Searched For' Sections: These sections on Google Search provide specific questions and related phrases users are looking for, offering deep insights for video topics.

Outdated YouTube SEO Tactics to Avoid

Many traditional SEO hacks no longer work and can even harm your channel.

  1. Over-Reliance on Tags & Researching Competitor's Tags: Tags have minimal SEO impact now. YouTube prioritizes audience behavior (content quality, retention, smart keyword use in titles/descriptions). While you should still use them for misspellings, don't spend too much time here. Instead, study competitors' content strategy (titles, topics, engagement tactics).
  2. Naming Video Files with Keywords: YouTube's AI scans the actual video content, not just the file name. It analyzes:
    • Spoken words (via auto-generated captions).
    • On-screen text.
    • Visual elements (objects, faces, locations).
    • Music and audio (copyright, background sounds, tone).
    • Engagement data (likes, comments, watch time). Focus on rich, engaging content within the video itself.
  3. Exact Match Keyword Stuffing in Titles: Robotic titles hurt clickability. YouTube's AI understands natural language and synonyms. Blend keywords smoothly into compelling, curiosity-driven titles to boost CTR (Click-Through Rate), which is crucial.
    • Bad: 'Best Walking Pad Review Walking Pad Treadmill Review'
    • Good: 'I Tried This Viral Walking Pad: Is It Worth It?'
  4. Keyword Stuffing in Descriptions: This doesn't fool YouTube and leads to a poor user experience. Prioritize natural, easy-to-read language that provides value. YouTube's AI already scans your video content, captions, and user behavior.
  5. Embedding Videos on External Websites for Higher Rankings: This doesn't directly boost YouTube rankings. Google prioritizes on-platform engagement (watch time, clicks). Backlinks only help if they drive real viewers who engage with your video on YouTube.
  6. Buying Fake Likes, Comments, and Views: YouTube's AI detects bot traffic and manipulation. This leads to low actual watch time and engagement, triggering penalties like limited reach, demonetization, or channel deletion. Focus on organic growth by creating valuable content, encouraging natural engagement, and promoting smartly to genuinely interested audiences.

Top 10 Ranking Factors for YouTube SEO (Actually Matter This Year)

  1. Watch Time & Audience Retention: The longer people watch, the higher your ranking. Engaging content is key.
  2. CTR (Click-Through Rate): : Compelling titles and thumbnails are critical for getting clicks. No clicks, no views.
  3. Study Competitors' Content: Analyze their strategies, formats, and engagement tactics, rather than just copying tags.
  4. Viewer Engagement: Comments, likes, and shares signal valuable content to YouTube. Encourage interaction.
  5. Optimize for Search and Suggested Rank: Ranking in search is good, but getting into YouTube's suggested and recommended algorithms is even more powerful.
  6. YouTube's AI & Contextual Understanding: YouTube's AI reads scripts, scans visuals, and detects intent. Keywords matter, but naturally woven into content.
  7. Chapters & Detailed Descriptions: Timestamps aid SEO, helping users and search engines find relevant video segments.
  8. Personalization & Session Watch Time: YouTube recommends based on individual habits. Videos that keep users on the platform longer are rewarded.
  9. External Traffic & Off-Platform Promotion: Driving real, engaged viewers from social media, email lists, or forums can indirectly boost on-platform metrics.
  10. Freshness & Consistency: Regularly uploading fresh content, especially for trending topics, is favored by YouTube.

The bottom line: YouTube SEO in 2024 requires great content, genuine engagement, and smart optimization strategies beyond simple keyword manipulation.

2024年YouTube SEO：获取更多观看量和订阅量的新策略

摘要: 了解2024年实际有效的最新YouTube SEO策略。学习关键词研究、内容优化和受众参与，同时避免过时的技巧，以快速发展您的频道。

YouTube 已发生显著变化，过时的SEO技巧和关键词窍门已不再奏效。算法比以往任何时候都更智能，因此依赖旧方法意味着错失观看量和订阅量。本指南将揭示最新的SEO策略，帮助您的视频排名更高，更快被发现，并有效发展您的频道，只关注真正重要的内容。

您将学习：

  • YouTube最优先考虑的头号排名因素。
  • 关键词和标签之间微妙但至关重要的区别。
  • 可能损害您频道的主要SEO错误。
  • 快速增长观看量和订阅量的分步策略。

凭借十多年的YouTube经验，多个播放按钮，以及帮助数千名创作者的成功记录，您可以确信这些见解是宝贵且以行动为导向的。

什么是YouTube SEO？关键词与标签的区别

在深入探讨策略之前，让我们澄清YouTube SEO的含义。YouTube上的SEO（搜索引擎优化）旨在通过智能优化，使您的视频被平台内外正确的受众发现。这包括：

  • 选择相关关键词，以便YouTube理解您视频的主题。
  • 优化标题、描述和标签，鼓励点击和观众留存。
  • 制作引人入胜的缩略图以提高点击率。
  • 鼓励观看时长和参与度，以获得YouTube推荐。
  • 利用字幕、章节和元数据以提高可访问性和可发现性。
  • 分析您的数据以改进未来的内容。

YouTube SEO的核心是帮助算法帮助您，使您的内容易于查找、引人入胜且不可抗拒地被推荐。

现在，让我们区分关键词和标签：

  • YouTube关键词： 这些是告知YouTube您视频内容的词语和短语。它们主要出现在您的标题、描述中，甚至在您的视频脚本（您口头说出的内容）中。关键词对于搜索可见性和推荐至关重要。例如，“YouTube最佳平价相机”是一个可以包含在内的自然搜索短语。
  • YouTube标签： 这些是添加到视频标签部分的额外关键词。如今，它们对SEO影响微乎其微。YouTube表示它们可以帮助处理拼写错误或替代拼写，但其权重非常低。例如，针对“YouTube最佳平价相机”的标签可能包括“便宜相机”、“YouTube相机”或“YouTube最佳相机”。

2024年YouTube SEO的五大策略 (正在发挥作用)

1. 录制前进行研究

“关键词研究已死”的说法只是一种迷思。它仍然至关重要，但原因不同。在拍摄视频之前研究主题和视频创意有助于您：

  • 发现人们正在积极搜索的内容，提高可发现性。
  • 有目的地制作相关内容。
  • 在标题和描述中使用正确的短语以进行精确目标定位。
  • 保持领先于趋势。

有效的研究包括使用YouTube搜索、Google搜索、Google趋势和VidIQ等专业工具。目标是验证对某个主题的真实兴趣，确保您的努力不会浪费在无人观看的内容上。

2. 利用YouTube自动完成功能获取免费关键词创意

YouTube的自动完成功能是免费关键词创意的宝库。当您在搜索栏中输入主题时，YouTube会建议基于真实需求和实际搜索的词语。排名靠前的词语表示更高的兴趣。

示例： 输入“步行垫”可能会建议“步行垫跑步机”、“步行垫评论”或“步行垫锻炼”。 专业提示： 尝试不同的变体。在您的词语前添加字母和下划线（例如，“a_ 步行垫”）以找到前缀，或在词语后添加单词（例如，“步行垫 用于”）以发现特定的长尾机会，例如“用于体重较重人群的步行垫”或“用于减肥的步行垫”。这将丰富您的标题、描述和标签。

3. 利用VidIQ等软件分析关键词竞争和机会

VidIQ等工具与您的YouTube频道集成，提供强大的数据驱动洞察。对于任何关键词，VidIQ提供：

  • 总体评分（接近100/绿色表示竞争较小）。
  • 搜索量（例如，“步行垫”每月有63,000多次搜索）。
  • 竞争水平。
  • 相关和匹配关键词。
  • 热门趋势视频以获取灵感。

VidIQ帮助您识别搜索量高但竞争低的视频主题，指导您做出战略性内容决策。

4. 回答特定问题 (ASQ策略)

许多用户转向YouTube解决问题或学习新技能（2020年有77%）。“回答特定问题”（ASQ）策略包括：

  • 使用VidIQ的“问题”功能或YouTube自动完成等工具，查找您利基市场中的常见查询（例如，“步行垫跑步机需要润滑吗？”）。
  • 创建提供清晰、简洁和可操作答案的内容。
  • 使用直接回答问题的标题和描述优化您的视频。

虽然这些视频可能不会病毒式传播，但它们能吸引寻求特定信息的高度活跃观众，这对频道增长至关重要，尤其是对于寻求前100或1000名订阅者的新创作者。

5. 利用长尾关键词进行细分以获得更好结果

长尾关键词是具体的短语，通常包含三个或更多词，甚至延伸到五个、六个甚至九个词。它们具有以下优势：

  • 竞争较少： 更容易排名。
  • 目标受众更精准： 吸引意图更高的观众。
  • 更高的转化率： 带来更多联盟销售或产品/服务购买。

示例： 与“播客”（太宽泛）相比，使用“2025年新手如何开始播客”（更具体，更容易排名）。

寻找长尾关键词的方法：

  • YouTube自动完成： 如上所述，使用前缀和后缀扩展术语。
  • VidIQ： 寻找搜索量高且竞争低的短语。
  • Google的“人们还会问”/“人们还搜索了”部分： Google搜索的这些部分提供用户正在寻找的具体问题和相关短语，为视频主题提供深入见解。

应避免的过时YouTube SEO策略

许多传统的SEO技巧已不再奏效，甚至可能损害您的频道。

  1. 过度依赖标签和复制竞争对手的标签： 标签现在对SEO影响微乎其微。YouTube更重视受众行为（内容质量、留存率、标题/描述中智能的关键词使用）。虽然您仍应使用它们来纠正拼写错误，但不要在此投入过多时间。相反，研究竞争对手的内容策略（标题、主题、参与策略）。
  2. 用关键词命名视频文件： YouTube的AI会扫描视频的实际内容，而不仅仅是文件名。它分析：
    • 口语（通过自动生成字幕）。
    • 屏幕上的文字。
    • 视觉元素（物体、面孔、位置）。
    • 音乐和音频（版权、背景音、语调）。 专注于视频本身丰富、引人入胜的内容。
  3. 在标题中堆砌精确匹配关键词： 机器人的标题会降低点击率。YouTube的AI理解自然语言和同义词。将关键词平滑地融入引人注目、激发好奇心的标题中，以提高点击率（CTR），这至关重要。
    • 差： “最佳步行垫评论步行垫跑步机评论”
    • 好： “我试用了这款热门步行垫：值得吗？”
  4. 在描述中堆砌关键词： 这骗不了YouTube，反而损害用户体验，导致参与度低。优先使用自然、易读的语言来提供价值。YouTube的AI已经扫描了您的视频内容、字幕和用户行为。
  5. 在外部网站嵌入视频以提高排名： 这不会直接提高YouTube排名。Google优先考虑平台内的互动（观看时长、点击）。Backlinks only help if they drive real viewers who engage with your video on YouTube.
  6. 购买虚假点赞、评论和观看量： YouTube的AI会检测机器人流量和操纵行为。这会导致实际观看时长和参与度降低，从而引发限制触达、取消营利或删除频道等处罚。专注于自然增长，通过创作有价值的内容、鼓励自然互动，并向真正感兴趣的受众进行智能推广。

2024年YouTube SEO的十大排名因素 (今年真正重要的)

  1. 观看时长和观众留存率： 人们观看时间越长，您的排名越高。引人入胜的内容是关键。
  2. CTR (点击率): 引人注目的标题和缩略图对于获得点击至关重要。没有点击，就没有观看。
  3. 研究竞争对手的内容： 分析他们的策略、格式和参与技巧，而不仅仅是复制标签。
  4. 观众参与度： 评论、点赞和分享向YouTube表明内容有价值。鼓励互动。
  5. 优化搜索和推荐排名： 在搜索中排名很好，但进入YouTube的推荐算法更强大。
  6. YouTube的AI和上下文理解： YouTube的AI会阅读脚本、扫描视觉内容并检测意图。关键词很重要，但要自然地融入内容。
  7. 章节和详细描述： 时间戳有助于SEO，帮助用户和搜索引擎找到相关的视频片段。
  8. 个性化和会话观看时长： YouTube根据个人习惯推荐视频。能让用户在平台上停留更长时间的视频会获得奖励。
  9. 外部流量和站外推广： 从社交媒体、电子邮件列表或论坛吸引真实的、活跃的观众可以间接提高平台内指标。
  10. 新鲜度和一致性： 定期上传新鲜内容，特别是针对热门话题，是YouTube偏爱的。

总而言之：2024年的YouTube SEO需要出色的内容、真实的参与度和智能的优化策略，而不仅仅是简单的关键词操纵。

Source: Internal Blog