Let’s talk about something that could completely shift the way you think about content and lead generation: where YouTube ranks as a search engine—and why that matters so much if you create educational content.
We all know Google is the top search engine in the world. No surprise there. But what might surprise you is that YouTube is actually number two. That’s right—YouTube is the second-largest search engine based on volume of searches. And unlike Google, which often sends users away to other websites, YouTube keeps them on the platform—watching, learning, and clicking on the next video. That’s huge.
Why This Matters for Experts and Educators
When people are searching for solutions, tutorials, or guidance, and you’re the person with that knowledge, this is your chance to become the expert they trust. Many of these people have never heard of you before, but with the right strategy, they’ll quickly start to see you as the expert in your niche.
SEO Then vs. Now
Let’s rewind for a second. Not long ago, SEO was all about finding a two- or three-word phrase and trying to rank for that. But those keywords were broad, and they brought in a mixed audience. Maybe only a small portion of those visitors were your actual ideal clients.
Now, thanks to advancements in AI—like what powers both Google and YouTube—search engines understand context so much better. The longer and more specific the query, the better they can match the user with the right content. Think of it this way: if someone searches an eight- or ten-word question, you know a lot about them just from the question itself. You get insight into their needs, their situation, even their level of awareness or readiness to buy.
YouTube’s Unique Advantage
These longer, specific searches are becoming more common. And YouTube is the go-to platform for answering those questions—especially for educational content. Why? Because video is the most personal and engaging format. When someone watches your video, they see your face, hear your voice, and start to feel like they know you. It builds trust quickly.
Even better—since Google owns YouTube, videos often show up right at the top of Google search results too. So by focusing on YouTube, you’re not just showing up in YouTube searches—you’re also increasing your visibility on Google without any extra effort.
Real Results from Real Channels
Let me show you what this looks like in practice. One of the channels I produce is for Nicholeen Peck. If you go to YouTube and type in “discipline teen,” you’ll see that her videos are right at the top. In fact, a video she posted just four and a half hours ago is already ranking #1.
When we go behind the scenes into her analytics, here’s what we see: in the last 28 days, her channel received nearly 111,000 views. Thirty-seven percent came from external sources (mostly Google search), and thirty-four percent came from YouTube search itself. That’s massive.
If we zoom out to the last 90 days and compare it to the previous quarter, we see steady growth—from under 100,000 to 113,000 search-based views. This shows us two important things:
- Search traffic is growing.
- It’s predictable and trackable, which makes it incredibly powerful for lead generation.
Why Search Traffic Beats Everything Else
Not all traffic is created equal. YouTube gives you suggested and browse views, sure—but search traffic is the goldmine. These are people actively looking for what you offer. They’re not just passively scrolling; they’re searching with intent. That means they’re far more likely to become leads, clients, or customers.
The Strategy That Works: The Leaf Strategy
Every channel I produce—including Nicholeen’s—follows a very specific strategy to consistently rank videos at the top of YouTube search. I call it the Leaf Strategy, and it’s my secret weapon for YouTube SEO.
In another video, I break this down step by step so you can learn how to structure your content, choose the right keywords, and create videos that rank quickly and consistently. It’s simple, powerful, and it works.
If you’re ready to dominate YouTube and Google search, go watch that video next. You’ll learn how to implement the Leaf Strategy so you can start generating high-quality leads on autopilot.
