Can using the name or image of a famous person boost your YouTube SEO? What impact will it have on your audience and engagement? Are there copyright concerns to consider? This article explores the pros, cons, and ethical considerations of incorporating famous names into your YouTube content.
The Appeal of Famous Names in Thumbnails and Titles
Using the name or image of a celebrity in your video title, tags, or thumbnail can be tempting. After all, famous people are highly searched, and their popularity often draws immediate attention. This tactic has been around for years because it seems like an easy way to boost click-through rates. But does it still work in 2024?
The YouTube algorithm has evolved significantly. If your content doesn’t deliver on the promise implied by the title or thumbnail, the platform will penalize your video by reducing its visibility. For instance, including a famous person’s name in your title without addressing them in the video will likely hurt your rankings. Similarly, irrelevant tags can lower your video’s performance.
When Famous Names Make Sense
If your video genuinely discusses or analyses a famous person, including their name in your title and tags is entirely appropriate. You’re creating content that aligns with viewer expectations, and YouTube will reward this alignment with better rankings.
The Truth About Copyright Concerns
Names and public discussions about famous people are not copyrighted. You’re free to talk about celebrities as long as you’re not misusing their image or content. For example, you can ethically use a famous name in your video to answer specific questions about them, but claiming their content as your own would be a clear copyright violation.
The Best Strategy for Using Famous Names
To use famous names ethically and effectively, focus on keyword research. Look for questions your audience is asking about the person. For example, what insights or controversies are people curious about? Choose a question that genuinely aligns with your expertise or message, and make it the foundation of your video.
Should You Dominate the Topic?
If you’re aiming to fully leverage the SEO potential of a famous person’s name, consider whether you want to create multiple videos covering various aspects of their life or work. This approach, called branch domination, ensures your content ranks well for a range of related queries.
However, if you’re only creating one video, your chances of dominating search rankings are slimmer, and you’re more likely to see spikes in views from virality rather than sustained traffic.
The Risks of Using Famous Names in Thumbnails
Adding a celebrity’s image to your thumbnail may initially increase your click-through rate. But beware: if viewers feel deceived (a classic bait-and-switch), they’ll leave quickly. This short watch time signals to YouTube that your content isn’t valuable, which could hurt both the video and your channel’s overall performance.
The Wrong Audience Problem
Using a famous name can attract an audience that isn’t genuinely interested in your message, product, or service. While this might inflate your views temporarily, it won’t translate to meaningful engagement or lead generation. Instead, focus on identifying what questions your target audience is asking. Aligning your content with their interests and needs is a far more effective strategy for building a loyal following.
Maximising Engagement for Lead Generation
The ultimate goal of YouTube is not just to attract views but to build relationships and generate leads for your business. Instead of relying on trends or clickbait tactics, create content that resonates with your ideal audience and addresses their pain points. This approach fosters trust and engagement, turning viewers into long-term supporters.
For more insights on creating effective YouTube content, check out my video, What Is Video Marketing? Here, I share my ultimate formula for transforming views into leads.
Using famous names in your YouTube strategy can be powerful when done thoughtfully and ethically. The key is to prioritise authenticity, relevance, and value for your audience. Ready to level up your content strategy? Start by aligning your videos with your viewers’ true interests.
