What is Video SEO? According to Google Webmaster Trends Analyst Gary Illyes, SEOs often overlook video search. But, that is changing. Google will be tasking more engineers with working on media search in 2019.
Want to know how to get rankings in Google with video? You are in the right place.
What Is Video SEO?
Video search engine optimization (SEO) is the optimizing of your video so that it’s indexed and ranks on Google’s search engine results pages for relevant keyword searches.
Video marketing continues to grow as a content strategy. The ever-expanding use of mobile devices and faster mobile streaming has bolstered this growth. Video content isn’t a here-today, gone-tomorrow trend.
Video and SEO are fused forever. It’s up to you to capitalize on the new opportunities video SEO creates.
How to Get Rankings in Google With Video
Here are a few recommendations for how to combine video and SEO for better Google rankings.
Video Transcripts
At some point, we all have seen videos with captions. The text you see is the video transcript. The primary purpose of transcripts is to make videos accessible to a broader audience, including those who are hearing impaired.
Though it’s also a convenience for users who don’t wish to play the audio while in a shared space. Transcripts also add indexable text to your web page, which means the page can rank for extra queries.
Engaging Thumbnail Image
The video thumbnail image is what the searcher sees when your video is indexed. That makes this a vital image indeed, as it influences whether people click the link or move on.
It’s like a book cover or homepage in this regard. Thus, you should choose a relevant and compelling image. Videos with quality thumbnails can receive up to 30% more views than those without.
Video Title and Description
The title and meta descriptions for videos are as important as they are for blog posts. The title and description play a significant role in ranking videos.
Take some time to be sure your video titles are engaging. Descriptions should target the relevant keywords that people are using to search.
That’s not to say you should stuff your descriptions with every keyword possible. Be selective, and work in the keywords that will draw the most interest.
Embed the Video You Want To be Ranked First
Google tends to index a single video per page. If you place several videos on a page, be sure to the first video on the page is the one you want to be indexed.
If you want the focus of the entire page to be that video, consider making that the only video on the page. That optimizes the video and keeps visitors focused on it.
If the user has to scroll or search for the video, many will move on without viewing it. Fewer plays mean it will drop in rankings.
Facebook Video Ads
Paid Facebook Ads are cost-effective and proven ways to promote video content. You can also promote videos on Twitter and Instagram.
You can promote via non-paid avenues as well, such as having partners promote your videos. Though, paid social media ads remain a vital component of any video content strategy.
Video as Part of Everyone’s Marketing Strategy
This article presented a few tips for how to get rankings in Google with video. Because video content and video SEO is such an explosive trend, the recommendations for optimizing video go on an on. Consider this a beginner’s introduction.
If you have questions about SEO for video, please contact us.
