SEO is Useless for YouTube Videos
💡 Why SEO Might Feel Useless for YouTube Videos:
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YouTube is NOT Google Search.
- YouTube’s algorithm prioritizes watch time, click-through rate (CTR), engagement (likes, comments, shares), and retention, not SEO keywords.
- SEO helps with search-based discovery, but most views come from suggested videos, home feed, or subscriptions, not search.
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YouTube SEO = Minor Boosts, Not Explosions.
- Optimizing title, tags, and descriptions might only affect 5–15% of traffic unless it’s a highly searched topic.
- The big winners are usually videos with strong engagement, not just good metadata.
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AB Testing Doesn’t Change the Core Video.
- A/B testing thumbnails or titles can improve CTR, but if the content doesn’t keep people watching, the algorithm won’t push it.
✅ When SEO Does Help:
- Evergreen content (e.g., “How to immigrate to Canada” or “Best Lisbon travel tips 2025”)
- Niche audiences (language learners, tech reviewers, etc.)
- Videos competing for search-heavy keywords
🎯 What Matters More Than SEO:
- Hook the viewer in the first 10 seconds – get to the point or deliver a story fast.
- Thumbnails that create curiosity – not just colorful, but emotional or intriguing.
- Watch time + audience retention – aim to keep viewers for at least 50% of the video.
- Consistency – multiple uploads on similar themes help YouTube recommend your content.
So Should You Keep Doing SEO?
Yes, but with perspective:
- Think of SEO as a small multiplier, not the main engine.
- Your main focus should be: CTR, audience retention, session time.
- SEO is useful for long-term searchability, not virality.
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