How To Do Keyword Research For Youtube Videos The Right Way

Embarking on a YouTube journey? The path to video success isn’t just about captivating content; it’s about being found. Mastering research is your secret weapon. This guide, “How to Do Research for YouTube Videos the Right Way,” will transform how you approach video creation, ensuring your content reaches the right audience and thrives.

We’ll delve into the core principles of effective search term exploration, revealing how to select s that boost views, watch time, and subscriber growth. You’ll learn how to pinpoint your niche, understand your audience, and harness both YouTube’s built-in tools and powerful third-party resources. From brainstorming initial ideas to analyzing competition and leveraging long-tail s, we’ll equip you with the knowledge to optimize your videos for maximum impact.

Understanding the Foundation: Why Accurate Search Term Exploration Matters for YouTube

Properly researching and implementing relevant search terms is the bedrock of success on YouTube. It’s the difference between your videos being discovered by the right audience and languishing in obscurity. This section will delve into the core benefits of this crucial process, exploring how it fuels video performance, channel growth, and long-term sustainability.

Core Benefits of Effective Search Term Selection

Choosing the right search terms is like planting seeds in fertile ground. When you use the correct s, your videos are more likely to be found by viewers actively searching for the information you provide. This targeted approach directly impacts your video’s visibility, watch time, and overall channel growth.

• Increased Visibility: YouTube’s algorithm prioritizes videos that align with search queries. Using relevant s in your title, description, and tags increases the chances of your video appearing in search results. For example, a video titled “How to Bake a Chocolate Cake” is more likely to be discovered by someone searching for that specific phrase than a video titled “My Baking Adventure.”
• Higher Click-Through Rates (CTR): Compelling titles and descriptions that incorporate your target s entice viewers to click on your video. If your title includes the exact search terms someone is looking for, they’re more likely to choose your video over others.
• Improved Watch Time: When viewers find your video through a relevant search term, they’re more likely to stay and watch. This is because the content aligns with their interests and needs. Longer watch times signal to YouTube that your video is valuable, boosting its ranking further.
• Increased Subscriber Growth: Videos that cater to specific search queries attract viewers who are genuinely interested in your content. This increases the likelihood of them subscribing to your channel to see more.

Negative Impacts of Ineffective Search Term Selection

Conversely, using the wrong search terms can significantly hinder your video’s performance, leading to a cascade of negative consequences. It’s akin to shouting in a crowded room; your message won’t reach the intended ears.

• Low Views: If your video doesn’t appear in relevant search results, it won’t be seen. This leads to low view counts, which can be disheartening. For instance, a video about “Beginner Gardening Tips” tagged with unrelated terms like “travel” or “gaming” will struggle to gain traction.
• Reduced Watch Time: Viewers who stumble upon your video through irrelevant search terms are less likely to stay engaged. This results in low watch times, which negatively impacts your video’s ranking.
• Decreased Subscriber Growth: When your content doesn’t align with viewers’ interests, they’re less likely to subscribe. This slows down your channel’s growth and limits your reach.
• Algorithm Penalties: stuffing (overusing s) or using misleading search terms can lead to algorithm penalties, reducing your video’s visibility and potentially even demonetization.

Contribution to Long-Term Channel Growth and Sustainability

Effective search term research isn’t just about getting views; it’s about building a sustainable channel that resonates with a dedicated audience. It sets the foundation for long-term success by fostering consistent viewership and growth.

• Building a Targeted Audience: Accurate search term research attracts viewers who are genuinely interested in your content, building a loyal audience that keeps coming back for more.
• Increased Channel Authority: When your videos consistently rank for relevant search terms, your channel gains authority in its niche. This makes your content more trustworthy in the eyes of both viewers and the YouTube algorithm.
• Content Planning and Strategy: research provides valuable insights into what your audience is searching for, guiding your content creation strategy and ensuring you’re producing videos that meet their needs.
• Monetization Opportunities: A well-targeted audience is more likely to engage with your content, increasing your chances of earning ad revenue and attracting brand sponsorships.

Identifying Your Niche and Audience

Pinpointing your niche and understanding your target audience are critical first steps in successful YouTube research. Without a clear focus, your videos risk being lost in the vast expanse of the platform. Knowing who you’re talking to allows you to tailor your content, optimize your s, and ultimately, attract the right viewers. This segment will explore how to effectively define your niche and identify your ideal audience.

Defining Your Specific Video Subject Matter

Choosing a specific subject matter allows for a focused approach to research and content creation. A narrow niche enables you to become an authority in a particular area, attracting a dedicated audience. This targeted approach makes it easier to rank higher in search results because you’re competing against fewer, more relevant channels.For example, instead of creating a channel about “cooking,” consider focusing on “vegan baking for beginners.” This level of specificity allows you to target s related to vegan baking, beginner-friendly recipes, and specific ingredients or techniques.

This focused approach makes it easier to attract viewers specifically interested in this topic.

Methods for Defining Your Target Audience

Defining your target audience involves understanding their interests, demographics, and online behavior. This knowledge allows you to create content that resonates with them, increasing engagement and subscriber growth. Several methods can help you gain these insights.

• Analyze Existing Data: If you already have a YouTube channel, use YouTube Analytics to understand your current audience. This provides valuable information on demographics (age, gender, location), watch time, and the types of videos they are already watching.
• Conduct Audience Research: Consider creating polls and surveys on your YouTube channel or social media platforms. Ask your viewers about their interests, challenges, and what they hope to gain from your content.
• Study Competitors: Analyze the audience of successful channels in your niche. Observe the comments, engagement, and types of content they create. This can provide insights into what resonates with your target audience.
• Create Audience Personas: Develop detailed profiles of your ideal viewers. Include information such as their age, interests, challenges, goals, and online behavior. This helps you visualize your audience and tailor your content accordingly.

Tools to Help Identify Your Target Audience

Several tools can assist in identifying and understanding your target audience. These tools provide valuable data and insights that can inform your research and content strategy.

• YouTube Analytics: As mentioned previously, YouTube Analytics is the primary tool for understanding your current audience. It provides data on demographics, watch time, and viewer behavior.
• Google Trends: Use Google Trends to explore the popularity of search terms related to your niche. This tool can help you identify trending topics and audience interests. For example, if you’re in the “travel vlogging” niche, Google Trends can show you which destinations are currently popular.
• Social Media Analytics Tools: Tools like Facebook Insights, Twitter Analytics, and Instagram Insights provide valuable data on your audience on these platforms. This can help you understand their demographics, interests, and online behavior. For instance, if you’re targeting a younger audience, Instagram insights can help you find what content they are consuming.
• Audience Overlap Tools: Some tools can help you identify the overlap between the audiences of different YouTube channels. This can provide insights into your potential audience and help you find new viewers.
• Research Tools (with Audience Insights): Some research tools, such as SEMrush and Ahrefs, provide audience insights in addition to data. They can give you demographic information, interests, and search behavior.

Brainstorming Initial Search Term Ideas

Generating a strong foundation of search terms is crucial for the success of your YouTube video. This stage is about casting a wide net to capture as many relevant s as possible. By exploring various brainstorming techniques, you can ensure you’re not missing out on potential search queries that your target audience might be using. This initial list will be refined later, but a comprehensive starting point is essential.

Techniques for Generating Initial Topic Ideas

Several methods can jumpstart your brainstorming process. These techniques help you move beyond obvious topics and uncover hidden opportunities.

• Start with your expertise. Think about what you know best. What are you passionate about? What skills do you possess? Write down all the topics and s related to your area of expertise. For example, if you’re a fitness expert, initial topics could include “weight loss,” “muscle building,” “yoga,” or “HIIT workouts.”
• Use a research tool. Even at this early stage, a basic research tool can be helpful. Tools like Google Planner (free, but requires a Google Ads account), or other free or paid tools, allow you to enter a broad topic and see suggestions for related search terms.
• Consider your audience’s pain points. What problems are your target viewers trying to solve? What questions do they have? Understanding their needs helps you create content that resonates with them. If you are creating a video about “cooking,” you might consider common issues like “how to cook a perfect steak,” or “how to bake a cake from scratch.”
• Brainstorm using question words. Think about questions your audience might ask. What, why, how, when, where, and who are excellent starting points. For example, in a “gardening” video, you could explore “What vegetables grow best in shade?” or “How to prevent pests in a garden?”
• Leverage current trends. Keep an eye on trending topics within your niche. Use Google Trends to identify popular search queries related to your area of interest. Create content that aligns with these trends to capture increased search volume.

Using Competitor Channels as a Source of Inspiration

Analyzing your competitors is a powerful way to identify relevant s and understand what’s working in your niche. By examining their content, you can discover popular topics and search terms that you might have overlooked.

• Identify your top competitors. These are channels that create similar content and have a substantial audience. Look for channels with high subscriber counts, engagement rates (likes, comments, shares), and views.
• Analyze their video titles and descriptions. Pay close attention to the s they use in their titles and descriptions. These are likely terms that their audience is searching for.
• Examine their video tags. Use a browser extension or YouTube analytics tool to see the tags they’ve used. Tags provide valuable insight into the s they are targeting.
• Study their most popular videos. Focus on their most viewed videos. What topics do they cover? What s are they using? What problems are they solving for their audience? These popular videos offer a blueprint for successful content.

• Note the comments and engagement. Read the comments section to understand what viewers are asking and what topics they are interested in. This provides valuable insights into content gaps and potential video ideas.

Creating a List of Related Search Terms

Once you have a list of initial topic ideas, the next step is to expand them into a more comprehensive list of related search terms. This involves brainstorming variations and related phrases that your audience might use when searching on YouTube.

• Use variations. Think about different ways people might phrase the same search. For example, if your topic is “how to make coffee,” variations could include “coffee recipe,” “best coffee maker,” “making coffee at home,” or “how to brew coffee.”
• Include long-tail s. Long-tail s are longer, more specific phrases that users search for. They often have lower search volume but higher conversion rates. For instance, instead of “coffee,” use “how to make cold brew coffee without bitterness.”
• Incorporate synonyms. Use synonyms to capture a broader range of search queries. For example, if your topic is “exercise,” include terms like “workout,” “fitness,” “training,” and “physical activity.”
• Consider different formats. People search for videos in different formats. Include s like “tutorial,” “review,” “guide,” “comparison,” or “vlog” to target those searches. For example, a video about “running shoes” could also be titled “running shoe review.”
• Utilize research tools. Use research tools to generate additional suggestions. Enter your initial s and explore the related search terms, questions, and long-tail s the tool provides.

Leveraging YouTube’s Built-in Resources

YouTube itself is a goldmine for research, offering powerful, free tools right at your fingertips. These built-in resources provide valuable insights into what people are actually searching for on the platform. This section will guide you through using YouTube’s autocomplete and search suggestions to uncover relevant and high-potential s for your videos.

YouTube Autocomplete Feature

The YouTube autocomplete feature is an incredibly simple yet effective way to discover relevant search terms. As you start typing a search query into the YouTube search bar, the platform instantly suggests a list of related search terms based on what other users are searching for. These suggestions are dynamic and change in real-time, reflecting current trends and user interests.To effectively use YouTube’s autocomplete:

• Start with a broad : Begin by typing a general related to your video topic. For example, if you’re making a video about “how to bake a cake,” start typing “how to bake.”
• Observe the suggestions: Pay close attention to the suggestions that appear. YouTube’s algorithm is showing you the most popular and frequently searched phrases that include your initial .
• Experiment with different variations: Try adding different letters or words to your initial to see how the suggestions change. For instance, try “how to bake a cake,” “how to bake a cake for beginners,” “how to bake a cake at home.”
• Consider different search term combinations: Think about using different variations, like “how to bake a cake,” “bake a cake recipe,” “easy cake baking.”
• Note down the suggestions: Write down all the relevant suggestions that appear. These are potential s you can use in your video title, description, and tags.

YouTube Search Suggestions

YouTube’s search suggestions, closely related to autocomplete, provide further insight into popular search terms. When you perform a search on YouTube, the platform displays a list of related search terms below the search bar, offering more ideas.To utilize YouTube search suggestions:

• Conduct a search: After typing your initial and using the autocomplete feature, perform a search on YouTube.
• Examine the “People also search for” section: Below the search results, look for the “People also search for” section. This section provides a list of related searches that users often explore after searching for your initial .
• Explore related searches: Click on the related searches to see the search results and further explore the s. This can lead you to even more specific and relevant s.
• Analyze the search results: Pay attention to the videos that appear in the search results for each . Note the video titles, descriptions, and tags to get an idea of what’s working well in your niche.
• Document your findings: As with autocomplete, record all the relevant search suggestions and any other useful information, like the number of views, to refine your list.

Organizing Data from Autocomplete and Search Suggestions

Organizing the data from YouTube’s built-in resources is essential for effective research. This can be done using a simple spreadsheet or a dedicated research tool.Here’s an example of how to organize your data using bullet points:

• : “How to bake a cake”
• Autocomplete Suggestions:
  • How to bake a cake for beginners
  • How to bake a cake from scratch
  • How to bake a cake easy
  • How to bake a cake without oven
• Search Suggestions:
  • Best cake recipe
  • Easy cake recipe for beginners
  • Chocolate cake recipe
  • Vanilla cake recipe
• Notes:
  • “How to bake a cake for beginners” has several high-view videos.
  • “Chocolate cake recipe” has a high search volume based on the number of videos.

By systematically using YouTube’s autocomplete and search suggestions and organizing the results, you can build a solid foundation of relevant s for your YouTube videos. This will increase your chances of your videos being discovered and watched by your target audience.

Utilizing Third-Party Tools for Search Term Discovery

While YouTube’s own resources are a great starting point, leveraging third-party tools can significantly enhance your research. These tools provide deeper insights, more comprehensive data, and often, features not available within YouTube itself. This section will explore some popular, free third-party tools that can assist you in finding the best search terms for your YouTube videos.

Popular Free Tools for Search Term Research

Several free tools offer valuable assistance in uncovering relevant search terms. These tools vary in their features and functionalities, but all aim to help you identify what people are searching for on YouTube and the broader internet. Choosing the right tool (or a combination of tools) depends on your specific needs and preferences.

• Google Planner: Although primarily designed for Google Ads, the Planner can be used for YouTube research. It provides search volume data, competition levels, and suggested ideas.
• s Everywhere: This browser extension provides search volume, cost-per-click (CPC), and competition data directly within Google search results and YouTube.
• TubeBuddy: A browser extension specifically designed for YouTube, TubeBuddy offers a wide array of features, including research tools, video optimization suggestions, and competitor analysis.
• VidIQ: Similar to TubeBuddy, VidIQ is a browser extension that helps you optimize your videos, analyze competitors, and discover relevant s. It provides suggestions, search volume data, and scores.

Features and Functionalities of Free Tools

Each tool possesses unique strengths and weaknesses. Understanding these differences allows you to choose the tools that best align with your research goals.

• Google Planner:

  This tool is excellent for understanding the search volume and competition for a given . You can enter seed s and receive a list of related terms with estimated monthly searches. A significant drawback is that it requires a Google Ads account, and data can sometimes be broad if you’re not actively running ads.

  Example: If you input “how to bake a cake,” Planner might suggest variations like “easy cake recipes,” “best cake recipes,” and “cake baking tutorial,” along with estimated search volumes and competition levels.

• s Everywhere:

  This browser extension is incredibly convenient because it displays data directly within your search results. It provides search volume, CPC, and competition data for s on both Google and YouTube. The free version offers limited data, but it’s still a valuable resource for quick insights.

  Example: When searching on YouTube, s Everywhere displays search volume and related s directly below the search bar, allowing you to quickly identify popular search terms related to your topic.

• TubeBuddy:

  TubeBuddy offers a comprehensive suite of YouTube-specific features, including research tools, bulk processing tools, and video optimization suggestions. The free version provides a good starting point, but the paid versions unlock more advanced features. It’s particularly useful for competitor analysis and understanding the performance of your videos.

  Example: TubeBuddy allows you to analyze the tags your competitors are using, providing valuable insights into the s they are targeting. It also suggests tags and provides an overall score for your videos.

• VidIQ:

  VidIQ is another powerful browser extension designed for YouTube creators. It offers research tools, video optimization suggestions, and real-time analytics. Similar to TubeBuddy, VidIQ has both free and paid versions. The free version offers a solid set of features for beginners.

  Example: VidIQ displays the search volume, competition, and overall score for s directly within the YouTube search results. It also provides insights into the performance of your competitors’ videos.

Comparison of Third-Party Tools

The following table provides a side-by-side comparison of the key features of the tools discussed. Note that features and functionalities can change over time as these tools are regularly updated.

Tool	Primary Function	Strengths	Weaknesses
Google Planner	Research & Search Volume Analysis	Provides accurate search volume data; Offers a wide range of suggestions.	Requires a Google Ads account; Data can be broad if not running ads.
s Everywhere	Real-time Data Display	Displays data directly in search results; Easy to use; Provides CPC and competition data.	Free version offers limited data; Relies on third-party data sources.
TubeBuddy	YouTube Optimization & Research	YouTube-specific features; Comprehensive toolset; Competitor analysis.	Free version has limited features; Can be overwhelming for beginners.
VidIQ	YouTube Optimization & Research	YouTube-specific features; Real-time analytics; Easy to use.	Free version has limited features; Can be overwhelming for beginners.

Analyzing Search Term Metrics

Understanding search term metrics is crucial for making informed decisions about which s to target in your YouTube videos. Analyzing these metrics allows you to gauge a term’s popularity, assess the level of competition, and determine its relevance to your content. This comprehensive analysis helps you optimize your videos for better visibility and increased viewership.

Understanding Search Volume

Search volume indicates the number of times a particular search term is entered into YouTube’s search bar within a specific timeframe, usually monthly. A higher search volume suggests a term is more popular and has greater potential for attracting viewers. However, a high search volume alone doesn’t guarantee success; it needs to be balanced with other factors like competition.To determine the search volume, you can use tools like:

• YouTube’s Planner (requires an active Google Ads account): This tool provides estimated monthly search volumes for s on YouTube.
• Third-party tools (e.g., TubeBuddy, VidIQ): These tools often integrate with YouTube and provide search volume data, competition scores, and other helpful metrics.

For example, if a search term like “how to bake a cake” has a monthly search volume of 50,000, while “best chocolate cake recipe” has a volume of 10,000, the former indicates a broader interest but the latter may attract more qualified viewers. The selection should be done based on the niche.

Assessing Competition Levels

Competition refers to the number of other videos that are also targeting the same search term. High competition means it will be harder for your video to rank at the top of search results. Assessing competition helps you determine the likelihood of your video being seen by potential viewers.Ways to assess competition:

• Analyze Search Results: Manually search for the term on YouTube and examine the top-ranking videos. Consider factors like:
  • Video Age: Older videos have often had more time to accumulate views and build authority.
  • Channel Authority: Videos from established channels with many subscribers often rank higher.
  • Video Optimization: Look at titles, descriptions, and tags to see how well-optimized the videos are.
• Use Tools: Many tools provide a competition score or difficulty rating for s. This score often considers factors like the number of videos, the authority of the channels, and the optimization of the top-ranking videos.

For example, if the top results for “beginner guitar lessons” are dominated by videos from channels with millions of subscribers and high view counts, the competition is likely high. On the other hand, a search term like “how to play a G chord on guitar for beginners” might have less competition, offering a better opportunity for a new channel.

Evaluating Search Term Relevance

Relevance is the most important factor. It refers to how closely the search term aligns with the content of your video. Targeting irrelevant s will attract viewers who are not interested in your content, leading to low watch times, and reduced engagement.To evaluate relevance:

• Does the term accurately describe your video’s topic? If your video is about baking a chocolate cake, using the “how to fix a broken car” is not relevant.
• Does the search term align with your target audience’s interests? Consider what your audience is likely to search for.
• Does the video fully address the intent behind the search term? Does the video answer the question posed by the search query?

For instance, if your video is about “easy yoga poses for beginners,” targeting the “yoga for flexibility” might be relevant if your video also covers flexibility-focused poses. However, if the video primarily focuses on strength-building poses, the might not be as relevant, and a better choice would be something like “yoga for strength for beginners.”

Long-Tail Search Terms: Finding Specific Opportunities

Long-tail search terms are crucial for YouTube video success because they tap into very specific user queries. While they have lower search volume than broader terms, they often have significantly less competition and higher conversion rates. This means your videos are more likely to be found by viewers genuinely interested in your content, leading to more watch time, engagement, and ultimately, channel growth.

Defining Long-Tail Search Terms

Long-tail s are longer and more specific phrases that users type into search engines (including YouTube) when they are looking for something very particular. They typically consist of three or more words and represent a niche within a niche. Think of them as the detailed questions users ask when they know what they want.The advantages of focusing on long-tail search terms are numerous.

• Lower Competition: Fewer videos target these specific phrases, making it easier to rank higher in search results.
• Higher Conversion Rates: Users searching with long-tail s are often further along in the buying or learning process, leading to increased click-through rates and watch time.
• Targeted Audience: Long-tail s attract a more specific audience, aligning your content with viewers who are genuinely interested in what you offer.
• Opportunity for Specialization: Focusing on these terms allows you to carve out a niche and become an authority on a particular .

Discovering Long-Tail Search Terms

Finding these hidden gems requires a bit of detective work, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Several strategies can help you uncover these valuable s.

• Use YouTube’s Autocomplete: Start typing a broad into the YouTube search bar and observe the suggested phrases that appear. These suggestions are based on what people are actually searching for. For instance, if you type “how to bake,” YouTube might suggest “how to bake a cake for beginners,” “how to bake cookies,” or “how to bake bread at home.”
• Analyze Competitor Videos: Look at the titles, descriptions, and tags of successful videos in your niche. Identify the long-tail s they are using. Tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ can help you analyze competitor data.
• Explore Google’s “People Also Ask” and “Related Searches”: When you search for a term on Google, pay attention to the “People Also Ask” section and the “Related Searches” at the bottom of the page. These provide valuable insights into what users are curious about.
• Employ Research Tools: Use tools like Google Planner, Ahrefs, or SEMrush to find long-tail variations. These tools offer data on search volume, competition, and related terms.
• Examine Forum and Social Media Questions: Visit relevant forums, subreddits, and social media groups to see what questions people are asking. These are goldmines for long-tail ideas.

Examples of Long-Tail Search Terms for Different Video Types

Here are some examples of long-tail search terms tailored to different video types. These examples illustrate the specificity that defines long-tail s.

• Tutorial Videos:
  • “how to change a car tire on a honda civic 2018”
  • “best way to clean a stainless steel refrigerator without streaks”
  • “how to make sourdough bread starter from scratch for beginners”
• Review Videos:
  • “samsung galaxy s23 ultra review camera test low light”
  • “is the dyson airwrap worth the money for fine hair?”
  • “best gaming headset under $100 for ps5”
• Vlog Videos:
  • “day in the life of a freelance writer working from home”
  • “travel vlog: exploring Kyoto on a budget”
  • “what i eat in a week as a vegan bodybuilder”
• Educational Videos:
  • “how to solve quadratic equations using the quadratic formula”
  • “what is the difference between photosynthesis and cellular respiration?”
  • “best books to learn python programming for beginners”

Last Word

In conclusion, mastering research is essential for YouTube success. By understanding your audience, utilizing the right tools, and consistently analyzing your results, you can significantly improve your video’s visibility and channel growth. “How to Do Research for YouTube Videos the Right Way” empowers you to make informed decisions, ensuring your videos not only get seen but also resonate with the right viewers, fostering a thriving and sustainable YouTube presence.

Embrace the strategies Artikeld, and watch your channel flourish!