When it comes to boosting your YouTube SEO, many people are still stuck on outdated methods like SEO tags and descriptions. But here’s the thing: these traditional tactics haven’t been effective for years. So, let’s redefine what “boosting SEO” actually means and how you can dominate your niche with the right approach.
Forget the Old SEO Methods
If you’re still relying on SEO tags and descriptions to boost your YouTube videos, it’s time to rethink your strategy. While many tools out there will suggest adding dozens of keywords, they’re really just scoring gimmicks that don’t contribute to long-term growth or rankings.
Take a look at Noelle, for example. She set out to rank for various topics related to real estate investing. Back in February 2024, she was only ranking for two of them. Fast forward to July 2024, and she’s now dominating over 15 topics in her field. This is how SEO on YouTube should work – a sustained strategy that delivers real results, not just inflated scores.
The Real SEO Strategy
Instead of obsessing over tags, let’s focus on creating the right type of content. I’ve worked as a producer for Noelle’s YouTube channel, and I can tell you firsthand: while VidIQ and TubeBuddy offer tag recommendations, they’re far from foolproof. For example, VidIQ might suggest tags like “credit cards” or “financial literacy” for a real estate video, but those tags will never help rank your video effectively.
You can waste hours picking tags, but if they’re not relevant to your specific topic, they won’t do much for your SEO. The key is aligning your content with what people are actually searching for – not just what tools suggest based on random keywords.
Forget the Fake Scores
You’ll often see scores like “92/100” for your videos, courtesy of VidIQ or TubeBuddy. It might feel like a win, but don’t celebrate just yet. The score is not a reliable indicator of how well your video will perform in search rankings.
Instead, focus on ranking for specific, high-value search terms. For example, if you search “How to get business credit with poor personal credit,” Noelle’s video will be at the top of the results. That’s a true win. Why? Because real rankings matter, not fake scores.
Real-World Example
Here’s a deeper look at Noelle’s YouTube channel: In the last 28 days, Noelle’s channel received 84,000 views just from YouTube search alone. Meanwhile, on another channel I manage, we saw over 62,000 views from search in the same period. These real-world results show that, with the right strategy, you can boost your views and rankings without relying on gimmicks or random tag suggestions.
How to Track Your Progress
Want to know if your SEO strategy is working? Head to your YouTube analytics. For example, on the Live On Purpose TV channel with Paul Jenkins, we tracked over 62,000 views from search in just 28 days. On Noelle’s channel, that number climbed to 84,000. Keep track of your views over time, and you’ll be able to see if your strategy is making an impact.
Compare your views with previous periods to gauge if you’re seeing an upward trend. This is a better measure of success than any SEO score.
Focus on Content Creation
At the end of the day, the most important thing for boosting your YouTube SEO is creating the right kind of content. If you can consistently provide value that matches what people are searching for, your videos will naturally rank higher.
I’ve created a video called YouTube SEO – The Leaf Strategy that dives deeper into this approach. By following this strategy, your videos will rank higher, your SEO scores will improve, and your channel will see real growth.
Conclusion
Forget the myths around SEO tags and description tricks. The real secret to boosting your YouTube SEO lies in creating relevant, high-value content that resonates with what your audience is searching for. Implement the right strategy, and you’ll see results that go beyond the scores – real rankings that help you dominate your niche.
Want to learn more? Check out my video on the Leaf Strategy for a step-by-step guide to improving your YouTube SEO.
