6 Tips to Optimize Your Videos for SEO
Video SEO can be a valuable resource if it is leveraged correctly. From effective titles to well-researched keywords, there are a variety of ways to make your video content stand out. In this short video, I review strategies to keep in mind when optimizing your videos for SEO.
If you’d prefer to read along instead, the full transcript is listed below. Enjoy!
Here’s a summary of general on-site SEO best practices to follow for video content:
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- Ensure that each video has a unique HTML page (unique URL for each video) on your own website
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- Include the video transcript (if possible) or at least 1-2 paragraphs of unique content summarizing the video
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- Create a relevant and unique URL, title tag, meta description and h1 heading tag (use the term “video” clearly throughout these SEO elements, including your video thumbnail image)
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- Use video object Schema.org structured data markup (http://schema.org/VideoObject) if possible
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- Create a video XML Sitemap (specifically for video content) and submit to Webmaster Tools (both Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools)
- Make sure video content is discoverable through internal linking networks throughout your sites, such as landing pages and navigation if relevant
Other resources mentioned in the video:
Video structured data:
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- Video Schema: https://schema.org/VideoObject
- WP Rich Snippets: https://wprichsnippets.com/
Video XML Sitemaps:
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- Google XML Sitemaps: https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/80471
- Yoast XML Sitemaps (for WordPress): https://yoast.com/wordpress/plugins/video-seo/
Google video best practices:
- https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/156442
- https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/80471
Kristan is an independent consultant with 15 years of experience in the SEO industry. Kristan previously founded the award-winning SEO agency Conifr. She’s worked in agency and in-house SEO leadership positions, most notably as the SEO Director at Zillow Group, overseeing a channel that received over one billion web visitors a year. Kristan is a freelance SEO consultant who built and sold a seven-figure agency and now enjoys helping others develop their freelance business.
