Trying to get more people to watch your videos? Use these eight text spaces to your best advantage today!
1. Update Your Keywords Using YouTube Analytics
Are you aware of how viewers are discovering your videos? Have their search habits shifted recently?
Trending topics often influence the keywords people use to find videos. These trends and search behaviors evolve over time. By examining your YouTube Analytics, you can identify these changes and adjust your keywords accordingly. This could mean adding new, trending terms, removing outdated ones, or refining existing keywords to align with current viewer interests.
It’s crucial to ensure your keywords accurately reflect your video content. Misleading keywords might bring temporary traffic, but as we’ll explore in the next section, this strategy can backfire and harm your channel in the long run.
2. Write Accurate and Engaging First Two Lines of Your Description
The first two lines of your video description play a critical role. They are displayed next to your thumbnail or above the ‘Show More’ fold in the description box, making them the first thing viewers read.
These lines often determine whether a potential viewer decides to watch your video. Use clear, concise language to explain exactly what your video is about. Setting accurate expectations encourages viewers to watch the video all the way through, which signals to YouTube’s algorithm that your content is valuable. As a result, YouTube is more likely to promote your video to a broader audience—for free.
However, if viewers abandon your video halfway because the content didn’t match their expectations, the algorithm takes note and may limit your video’s reach. Every click gives YouTube insight into the quality of your content, separate from likes or dislikes.
In essence, misleading descriptions can hurt more than they help. Avoid viewer disappointment by crafting precise, compelling first two lines that align with the actual content of your video.
3. Use Cards, Playlists, Links, and End Screens to Boost Visibility in ‘Suggested Videos’ and ‘Home’
The text associated with your video plays a significant role in YouTube’s algorithm, which recommends content to viewers through ‘Suggested Videos’ and the ‘Home’ page. These features are key spaces where YouTube aims to boost video views because they offer a wide variety of options with minimal search effort for viewers.
To maximize your chances of appearing in these sections, use tools like cards, playlists, links, and end screens strategically. Add call-to-action cards and engaging end screens within your video to guide viewers toward related content. Encourage them to click ‘Show More’ to explore additional playlists or links you’ve curated for them.
The goal is to genuinely provide value to your audience by offering more relevant and helpful information. When viewers find your content useful, they’re more likely to engage with it through likes and other positive interactions—signals that the algorithm detects and rewards.
These extra elements also offer more opportunities for YouTube to understand how your content contributes to the overall viewing experience, increasing your chances of getting recommended.
4. Include Captions for an Enhanced Viewer Experience
Captions can significantly enhance the viewing experience for a broad audience, whether they’re watching with or without sound.
For individuals with hearing disabilities, captions provide essential accessibility to your content. Additionally, they allow viewers to engage with your videos in situations where audio isn’t an option, such as in noisy environments or quiet settings like libraries.
Adding captions is simple using YouTube’s automatic captioning tool, available under ‘Video Manager/Subtitles.’ To ensure the captions are as accurate as possible, speak clearly and at a moderate pace in your video. This minimizes errors in the auto-captioning process and improves overall viewer satisfaction.
5. Provide Translations to Reach a Global Audience
Translated subtitles, like captions, open the door to a worldwide audience and significantly expand your video’s reach.
By offering subtitles in multiple languages, you make your content accessible to viewers who don’t speak your native language. This can lead to an increase in international views and help your channel grow globally.
To ensure accuracy and cultural relevance, consider hiring freelancers to edit and refine the translations. This service is often affordable and can include valuable input on how to rephrase text for better alignment with local keyword search trends. By investing in quality translations, you enhance viewer experience and improve discoverability in international markets.
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6. Utilize Timestamps to Enhance Viewer Experience
Timestamps are a highly appreciated feature on YouTube for two main reasons: they cater to impatient viewers who want quick access to specific content, and every timestamp click is counted as an additional view!
Think of timestamps as a table of contents for your video, especially beneficial for longer content. Break your video into sections based on key points or interesting moments, noting the exact times they start.
In your description box, list these times in the HH:MM:SS format, with one timestamp per line. YouTube will automatically convert them into clickable links, allowing viewers to jump directly to the part they’re most interested in.
Include a brief description next to each timestamp to guide viewers efficiently. This simple addition not only improves navigation but also enhances viewer satisfaction, increasing the likelihood of them engaging with your content.
7. Provide Valuable Information in Your Description Box
Your video description box is a key opportunity to engage viewers and offer them additional value.
Use this space to share insightful information that complements your video. You could include links to reputable sources, partner websites, or collaborators related to the topic. Explaining why you recommend these specific resources builds trust and shows your commitment to sharing quality content.
Take this chance to update viewers about your upload schedule. Let them know when to expect your next video, keeping your channel top-of-mind. Encourage them to click the ‘Notifications’ bell to stay updated, and if possible, provide a simple link or guide explaining how to enable notifications.
Avoid leaving your description box empty or filling it with irrelevant text. A well-thought-out description not only supports viewer retention but also strengthens their connection to your channel, ensuring they return for more.
8. Engage With Viewer Feedback
YouTube actively encourages viewers to share their feedback through comments, and maintaining an engaging comment section can boost your video’s performance.
An active and relevant comments section not only adds value to your content but also signals to viewers that their opinions are heard and appreciated. Dedicate time each week to respond to comments, addressing questions, sharing insights, or simply thanking viewers for their input.
If your comment section seems quiet, take the initiative to spark discussions. Post comments yourself to introduce new, related topics or ask your audience what they’d like to see next. Pay close attention to recurring feedback about what they enjoy, what they dislike, and what they want to watch in the future. Use this invaluable, free feedback to refine and improve your upcoming videos.
When viewers feel heard, they’re more likely to remain engaged with your channel, fostering a loyal and active audience. Which of these strategies will you try first? Let us know how they work for you!