Have you ever noticed that when you search for a video on YouTube or Google, the ones that pop up first usually have catchy, clear titles? That’s because those video creators have mastered the art of writing SEO-optimized video titles. SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is what helps search engines like Google or YouTube find and rank your content, and your video’s title is one of the most important pieces of the SEO puzzle. If you want your videos to reach a wider audience, understanding how to create strong, engaging titles is a key first step.
In this blog post, we’re going to dive into everything you need to know about optimizing your video titles. We’ll keep it simple, friendly, and conversational, so you can easily start applying these tips to your own videos. Let’s get started!
Why Your Video Title is So Important
When people are looking for something online, they often type keywords into search engines. Your video’s title is one of the first things search engines look at when deciding if your video is a good match for what someone is searching for. But it’s not just the search engines that care about your title—your audience does too! The title is often the first thing they see before deciding whether or not to click on your video. A great title can draw them in, while a boring or unclear title might send them looking elsewhere.
So, what makes a video title great? A lot of it comes down to using the right keywords, keeping the title short and sweet, and making sure it’s interesting enough to get clicks.
Include Your Target Keyword
Keywords are like magic words that tell search engines what your video is about. They’re the words or phrases people are most likely to type in when they’re searching for content like yours. For example, if you own a BBQ restaurant and are making a video about your most popular dish, a keyword might be something like "Best BBQ in Kansas City."
To make sure your video ranks high in search results, include your main keyword as early as possible in the title. Search engines put a lot of importance on the words that come first, so don’t bury your keyword toward the end of your title. If your video is about BBQ, for example, a title like "Best BBQ in Kansas City: Joe’s KC BBQ Tour" works because it starts with the most important phrase.
Keep It Short and Simple
Now that you know how important keywords are, it’s time to talk about length. You might think that a longer title with lots of details will help your video rank better, but that’s not true. In fact, search engines usually only show the first 60 characters of a title. If your title is longer than that, it might get cut off, and viewers won’t see the full title in search results.
A short, clear title also grabs attention better. People are more likely to click on something that gets straight to the point. Long, complicated titles can be overwhelming or confusing, and they might not perform as well. Aim to keep your title under 60 characters to make sure it’s fully visible and easy to read.
Let’s compare two examples:
- Long title: "A Detailed Look at the Best Barbecue in Kansas City with Joe’s KC Famous BBQ Sauce and Tour of the Restaurant"
- Short title: "Best BBQ in Kansas City: Joe’s KC BBQ Tour"
Which one do you think someone is more likely to click on? The second one, of course! It’s short, clear, and gets right to the point.
Make It Catchy and Descriptive
Your video title is not just about packing in the right keywords and keeping it short—it also has to be interesting! If your title doesn’t grab someone’s attention right away, they might scroll past your video, even if it’s exactly what they’re looking for.
A catchy title is one that makes people curious. It should give them a reason to click. Think about what makes your video special. Are you sharing expert tips? A behind-the-scenes look? A review of something popular? Whatever it is, try to communicate that in the title. For example, instead of just saying "BBQ Restaurant Video," you might say something like "Kansas City’s Best BBQ Sauce: Behind the Scenes at Joe’s KC."
Being descriptive is important, too. People want to know what they’re getting into before they click. If your title is too vague, they might not feel confident that your video will give them what they want. Titles like "Tour of Joe’s BBQ" don’t tell viewers much, but "Best BBQ in Kansas City: Joe’s KC BBQ Tour" lets them know they’ll be seeing something special—Kansas City’s best BBQ.
Don’t Forget Your Brand Name
If you have room, it’s a good idea to include your brand name in your video title. This helps with brand recognition and lets viewers know who’s behind the content. Plus, it adds a professional touch. For example, if you’re making a video about your restaurant’s BBQ sauce, you might title it "Best BBQ in Kansas City: Joe’s KC BBQ Sauce Secrets." This way, people who are already familiar with your brand will recognize it, and those who aren’t will start to associate your name with great BBQ.
However, if your title is already getting close to 60 characters, don’t force your brand name in. It’s more important to keep the title short and focused. If adding your brand name makes the title too long or clunky, it’s okay to leave it out.
Examples of Great Video Titles
Let’s look at a few more examples of good video titles and why they work:
- "How to Make the Best Kansas City BBQ Sauce" – This title starts with the keyword "Kansas City BBQ Sauce" and promises to teach viewers something valuable, making it both informative and interesting.
- "Kansas City’s Top 5 BBQ Joints: A Local’s Guide" – Here, the keyword is "Kansas City BBQ Joints," and the title is short, descriptive, and promises an insider’s perspective.
- "Best BBQ in Kansas City: Joe’s KC BBQ Tour" – This is a strong title because it starts with the keyword, includes the brand name, and gives viewers a clear idea of what to expect in the video.
Testing and Improving Your Titles
Once you’ve created a strong title, you might think the hard work is done—but there’s always room for improvement. Sometimes, the title you think will perform well doesn’t get as many clicks as you hoped. That’s where testing comes in.
Many platforms, like YouTube, allow you to track the performance of your video over time. If you notice that your video isn’t getting as many views as expected, consider tweaking the title. You might want to try adding a stronger keyword, making the title shorter, or making it more engaging.
For example, if "Joe’s BBQ Tour" isn’t getting much attention, you could change it to "Kansas City’s Best BBQ: Inside Joe’s KC" to make it more keyword-rich and appealing.
Conclusion: Start Optimizing Your Video Titles Today!
Writing a great video title doesn’t have to be complicated, but it does take some thought and attention. Remember to include your main keyword at the beginning, keep the title under 60 characters, make it catchy and descriptive, and include your brand name if possible.
By following these tips, you’ll help your video rank higher in search results, attract more clicks, and reach a wider audience. So, before you upload your next video, take a few extra minutes to craft the perfect title—it’s worth it!
Now that you know how to optimize your video titles, try it out on your next video, and watch your SEO results improve!