If you’re tired of not seeing your videos rank at the top of YouTube, you’re in the right place. There’s a lot of noise in the world of YouTube SEO services, and many big companies promising results don’t deliver. In fact, the tools they offer are often ineffective. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly what to look for and how to get your videos to rank higher than your competitors.
Why Most YouTube SEO Services Don’t Work
The majority of YouTube SEO services out there might seem busy, but they don’t actually get your videos to rank at the top. These services are often rooted in outdated techniques, like link-building and article marketing, that don’t work for video SEO. These old-school methods were designed for website SEO, not for YouTube.
If you’re trying to rank in a competitive space, you need a more strategic approach. It’s not just about tweaking titles and descriptions after the video is posted—it’s about laying the groundwork before you even start filming.
Two Types of YouTube SEO: Pre-Video and Post-Video
When it comes to YouTube SEO, there are two types of services to consider: post-video SEO and pre-video SEO.
- Post-Video SEO: This is what most companies offer. They claim to “SEO” your video after it’s uploaded. This is an extension of traditional website SEO, but it doesn’t cut it when it comes to YouTube. While link-building and fake content can create the illusion of authority for a website, they don’t have the same effect on videos.
- Pre-Video SEO: This is the real game-changer. It involves researching and planning before the camera even starts rolling. If you know what your audience is searching for, you can create videos that directly answer those questions, which helps you rank higher on YouTube.
What to Avoid in YouTube SEO
As you’re looking for a YouTube SEO service, here are the things you should avoid:
- Link Building: Don’t waste your time or money buying links. Link-building is no longer an effective strategy for YouTube videos, so anyone offering this service should be a red flag.
- Post-Video SEO: If a company offers to “optimize” your already-uploaded videos, don’t fall for it. SEO services that claim they can boost your video rankings after it’s posted rarely deliver meaningful results. You’ll end up paying for something that won’t bring you long-term success.
- SEO Scores: Don’t get caught up in the obsession with SEO scores. Many tools will give you a score for your video, but these numbers are often misleading and don’t reflect your video’s true potential. Instead, focus on a strategy that actually works.
How to Prove Your SEO Strategy Works
I’m not just talking theory here. I’ve helped multiple clients rank at the top of YouTube, and I can show you examples. For instance:
- Noelle Randall ranks at the top for “how to get business credit with poor personal credit.”
- Brent Bowers is at the top for “buying vacant land in Florida.”
- Stan and Doug Andrew also dominate their niches.
These aren’t just lucky breaks—they’re the result of targeted keyword research and strategic video creation.
The Secret to Ranking Your Videos
Here’s the key to ranking your videos: Long-tail keywords. These are specific, longer phrases that your target audience is searching for. Instead of focusing on short, competitive keywords, find questions your audience is asking. These questions are your video titles.
Once you’ve identified the right keywords, create your video to directly answer those questions. Then, upload it to YouTube with the exact question as your title. YouTube will automatically transcribe your video, which means it will understand exactly what your video is about. If you’ve done your keyword research properly, YouTube will know what your video covers and help it rank higher.
How to Choose the Right YouTube SEO Service
If you decide to hire a YouTube SEO company, here’s what you should ask them:
- Do you use link building as part of your strategy? If they do, run the other way.
- Can you optimize my current videos to rank higher? If they say yes, that’s another red flag. Post-video SEO doesn’t work effectively anymore.
- Can you show me examples of videos you’ve helped rank? A legitimate company should have proof of success. Ask for specifics about the videos and how to find them on YouTube.
Why You Don’t Need to Hire an SEO Company
You don’t even need to hire an external SEO service if you understand the process yourself. By using the LEAF strategy (Learn, Evaluate, Analyze, and Focus), you can rank your videos at the top without any external help. In fact, I’ve created another video explaining this in more detail. It’s called “YouTube SEO: The LEAF Strategy.” Watch it to learn how to implement the strategy yourself and start seeing real results.
Final Thoughts
The key to ranking on YouTube isn’t about tweaking a few settings after your video is live. It’s about doing the right research before you even pick up your camera. By understanding what your audience is searching for and answering their specific questions, you’ll set yourself up for success. With the right approach, your videos will naturally climb to the top of YouTube.
