Meta Description: Learn how to rank your YouTube videos almost instantly using this proven method: specific keyword questions, smart tracking, and the Keyword Magic Tool.
In this post, we’re talking about how to rank YouTube videos in just a few seconds. Sounds wild, right? But it’s real—and you can predict your results before you even hit record.
This is what I do for creators across multiple industries, helping them rank hundreds of videos #1 on YouTube. I’ll walk you through how to do it, step by step.
What Does It Mean to “Rank” on YouTube?
Ranking means your video shows up at the top of YouTube’s search results. For example:
- “how to get business credit with poor personal credit” – Noelle Randall ranks at the top.
- “buying vacant land in Florida” – Brent Bowers is right there.
- “are fixed indexed annuities a good investment” – Stan the Annuity Man appears at the top.
And it goes on: Jason Schroeder, Michelle Vobos, Nicholeen Peck—all ranking because they’re answering specific questions.
The Secret: Target Very Specific Questions
Every video that ranks at the top has something in common: a highly specific, long-tail question as its title.
- More words = less competition
- Lower search volume (but still consistent) = faster ranking
- Ideal target: 10–30 searches per month
This combo helps you rank “in a few seconds flat.”
Tracking Results: A Real Example
We use a simple Google Spreadsheet to track ranking. Here’s how it works:
- “Yes” = Top 3 results → 1 point
- “Starting” = Top 20, but not top 3 → 0.25 points
Example from a parenting channel:
- Nov 27: Score of 1.5
- By January: Scores rose to 6.25 and beyond
Construction consultant Jason Schroeder:
- October: Score of 3.25
- December: Perfect score—21 out of 21 questions ranked at the top
Step 1: Use the Keyword Magic Tool
Here’s your research tool: SEMrush’s Keyword Magic Tool.
- Type in your topic (e.g., “become politician”).
- Filter to only show questions.
- Increase word count filter to 8+.
- Look for those with consistent but lower search volume (10–30/month).
Choose questions you can answer clearly and with value. When viewers feel helped, they trust you—and that’s how relationships begin.
Step 2: Use the Ranking Staircase
Think of YouTube rankings like a staircase:
- Bottom steps = low-competition, long-tail questions
- Top steps = high-competition, short search phrases
Start at the bottom. Dominate those 10-search-per-month keywords. Then move to 20, then 30… until your content is showing up for the bigger terms.
Examples of Success
- “become politician” → Jay Townsend ranks at the top
- “construction management” → Jason Schroeder is top
- “discipline teenager” → Nicholeen Peck ranks #1 with a 10-word title
“How to discipline a teenager who doesn’t care about consequences”
Posted 2 years ago, over 28,000 views—and still ranking.
Next Step: Watch the Full YouTube SEO Course
This post is like a mini-course. But if you want the full roadmap, I’ve created a free YouTube SEO Full Course on YouTube.
