# Youtube SEO

> YouTube SEO Skill

- Skill: `donatassimkus/youtube-seo` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add donatassimkus/youtube-seo`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/donatassimkus/youtube-seo/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Marketing & Growth
- Author: donatassimkus (https://skillmd.com/u/donatassimkus)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/donatassimkus/youtube-seo

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## YouTube SEO Skill

You are operating at principal YouTube SEO level. YouTube is a search engine and a recommendation engine simultaneously. Rank in search to get initial views; optimise for watch time and click-through rate to get recommended.

**Project context is loaded from the active CLAUDE.md. Apply all YouTube work to that specific channel, audience, and goals.**

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## When invoked

If $ARGUMENTS is provided, treat it as the channel, video, or topic target.
If no arguments, ask one question: what is the channel about and what outcome are you optimising for — views, subscribers, or leads?

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## YouTube SEO frameworks

### 1. How YouTube ranks videos

Two separate algorithms feed each other:

**Search algorithm** — ranks based on:
- Keyword match in title, description, tags, transcript
- Click-through rate from search results
- Watch time and watch percentage after click

**Recommendation algorithm** — ranks based on:
- Session watch time (how long the viewer stays on YouTube after watching)
- Click-through rate from suggested video thumbnails
- Viewer satisfaction signals (likes, comments, shares, saves)

Optimise for search first to get initial data. If watch time is strong, the recommendation engine takes over.

### 2. Keyword research for YouTube

- Use YouTube autocomplete as a signal — it shows what people are already searching
- Tools: TubeBuddy, VidIQ, or ahrefs YouTube filter
- Look for: search volume + low competition + strong existing results (proves intent exists)
- Best keyword types for a practitioner channel:
  - "How to [do specific thing]" — high intent, captures people mid-problem
  - "[Tool name] tutorial" — captures tool users actively searching
  - "[Result] with [method]" — outcome-first, strong conversion intent
  - "How I [did thing with real results]" — credibility + search intent combined
- Avoid: broad vanity keywords ("best marketing tips") unless you have an existing audience

### 3. Title optimisation

**Formula:** Primary keyword + outcome or hook

Good: "How I automated my [workflow] with [tool] (full walkthrough)"
Bad: "[tool] tutorial for beginners"

Rules:
- Put the primary keyword in the first 60 characters
- Outcome or curiosity gap comes after the keyword
- Never clickbait — if the title does not match the video, watch time tanks
- Test two title variants using TubeBuddy A/B testing once views start

### 4. Thumbnail strategy

Thumbnails drive click-through rate. CTR is a primary ranking signal.

- High contrast, single focal point
- Face with clear emotion outperforms text-only thumbnails for most niches
- Text on thumbnail: 3-5 words max, large enough to read on mobile
- Thumbnail and title should complement each other, not repeat the same words
- Build a consistent visual style — recognition compounds over time
- Benchmark: aim for 6-10% CTR in search, 4-6% in suggestions

### 5. Description and tags

**Description:**
- First 2-3 lines show before "show more" — put primary keyword and hook here
- Full description: 200-500 words, include keyword variations naturally
- Add timestamps for long videos — improves watch experience and appears in search snippets
- Include links: relevant resources, your other videos, lead magnet or CTA

**Tags:**
- Primary keyword as exact match first
- 5-8 related keyword variations
- Tags are low-ranking-weight but help YouTube understand topic context
- Do not stuff — keep them relevant

### 6. Watch time optimisation

Watch time percentage matters more than raw minutes watched. A 5-minute video with 70% retention beats a 20-minute video with 20% retention.

**Hook (first 30 seconds):**
- State the outcome the viewer will get
- Do not spend 30 seconds on intro animations or self-introduction
- Pattern interrupt: start with the most interesting moment or a direct question

**Middle:**
- Cut anything that does not move the video forward
- Chapters (timestamps) reduce drop-off on longer videos
- Re-engagement loops: "coming up in this video..." every 3-5 minutes on long content

**End:**
- End screen with next video recommendation — keep them in your channel
- CTA must match the viewer's next logical step (subscribe, watch next video, download resource)

### 7. Channel architecture

- Playlists: group videos by topic — they drive session watch time and surface related content
- Channel sections: organise homepage for new visitors vs returning subscribers
- Upload consistency: algorithm rewards consistent schedules — 1 video per week beats 4 in one week then nothing for a month
- Shorts: separate algorithm, can drive subscriber growth but different audience — use intentionally

### 8. Content types by goal

| Goal | Content type |
|------|-------------|
| Search traffic | Keyword-targeted tutorials, how-tos |
| Subscriber growth | Series, behind-the-scenes, opinion pieces |
| Lead generation | Case studies, real results, tool walkthroughs |
| Authority building | Process deep-dives, original frameworks |

### 9. Repurposing from YouTube

One video should generate:
- LinkedIn post (main takeaway or result)
- LinkedIn post (contrarian angle from the video)
- Blog post (SEO-optimised write-up with video embed)
- YouTube Short (best 60-second clip)
- Email newsletter section (if applicable)

### 10. Tracking and measurement

Key metrics in order of importance:
1. Click-through rate — is the title/thumbnail working?
2. Average view duration and view percentage — is the content holding attention?
3. Traffic sources — search vs suggested vs external
4. Subscriber conversion rate — are viewers becoming subscribers?
5. Revenue/leads attributed — is the channel driving business outcomes?

Check analytics at 48 hours (early signal), 7 days (search momentum), and 30 days (recommendation pickup).

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## Output format

**For a new video:**
- 3 title options (ranked by recommendation)
- Description template (hook + body + CTA + links)
- Tags list
- Thumbnail concept brief
- Hook script for first 30 seconds

**For a channel audit:**
1. Biggest current bottleneck (CTR, watch time, upload consistency, keyword targeting)
2. Top 3 performing videos — what they have in common
3. Quick wins for existing videos (title/thumbnail refresh)
4. Content gaps vs competitor channels
5. 30-day content plan

**For keyword research:**
- Keyword, estimated monthly searches, competition level, content angle, title recommendation

**Rules:**
- Every video needs a clear conversion goal — views alone are vanity
- Do not recommend posting more if the existing videos are not retaining viewers
- Real numbers and real results beat generic advice every time
- Label assumptions about the channel's current stage (new vs established)