If you’re considering using YouTube to boost your SEO, you’re asking the right question. Let’s dive into whether YouTube videos are truly effective for SEO, how to leverage SEO before and after filming, and what kind of content gets the best results. Here’s everything you need to know.
My Discovery of YouTube’s SEO Power
About 11 years ago, I ran a web design and SEO service where we meticulously crafted dozens of elements to get web pages ranking on Google’s first page. One key element was a YouTube video, and when I checked the data one day, I was shocked. The YouTube video had 50 times more views than the page that was ranking number one on Google. That was the moment I realized the incredible potential of YouTube for driving traffic and boosting SEO.
Since then, I’ve shifted my focus entirely to YouTube. Not only has this strategy evolved, but it’s also proven far more effective than traditional SEO methods. Why? Because Google has transformed from being a website search engine to a content search engine — and YouTube, being owned by Google, is now one of the most powerful tools for SEO.
Why YouTube Videos Are Perfect for SEO
YouTube videos are highly valuable for SEO because they rank not only on YouTube but also on Google. When you search for a query, YouTube videos often pop up right alongside top-ranking websites. For example, if you search “How to get business credit with poor personal credit,” you’ll find Noelle Randall’s video at the very top of YouTube. Similarly, for searches like “Are fixed indexed annuities a good investment?” or “How to start a business,” YouTube videos dominate the results.
Ranking on YouTube
Ranking high on YouTube can directly influence your Google rankings, especially if your video content aligns with search intent. Here’s what it looks like when you rank on YouTube:
- How to get business credit with poor personal credit – Noelle Randall
- Are fixed indexed annuities a good investment? – Stan the Annuity Man
- What is the best way to market a business? – Doug Andrew
For these queries, YouTube videos appear as the top result, often outperforming traditional web pages. But it’s not just about ranking on YouTube — your video can also rank on Google, giving you the dual benefit of appearing at the top of both platforms.
The Power of YouTube Analytics
To understand the real power of YouTube videos for SEO, let’s look at some analytics. Take Paul Jenkins’ channel, Live On Purpose TV. In just 28 days, 62,000 of his views came from YouTube search alone — the most valuable type of traffic for lead generation. Similarly, Noelle Randall’s channel garnered 84,000 views from YouTube search in the same time period.
What does this mean for you? YouTube search traffic is incredibly valuable for generating leads and increasing visibility. But there’s more. Take Chad Littlefield’s channel, where external traffic (primarily from Google search) is his number one source of views. In fact, 67% of his views came from Google search, showing how intertwined YouTube and Google SEO truly are.
How YouTube Videos Improve SEO
From my experience, YouTube videos are one of the best ways to boost your SEO. The strategy I use to get top rankings is called the LEAF Strategy, and it has proven to be incredibly effective.
In my next video, I’ll break down the LEAF Strategy in detail to show you how it can help you achieve similar results. Be sure to check it out for a deeper dive into YouTube SEO!
Conclusion
So, are YouTube videos good for SEO? Absolutely. Not only can they rank highly on YouTube, but they can also drive traffic and improve your Google rankings. Whether you’re creating videos to boost your business or personal brand, leveraging YouTube’s SEO power can help you reach a larger audience and achieve better results faster.
Ready to get started? Check out the video on YouTube SEO, The LEAF Strategy for a comprehensive guide to creating content that ranks!
