# YouTube Growth & SEO Guide

Best practices for growing a YouTube channel and optimizing content for discoverability.

## Titles

- Use curiosity gaps, numbers, and power words
- Front-load keywords for search visibility
- Keep under 60 characters to avoid truncation
- A/B test ideas: suggest 2-3 title options when updating

## Descriptions

- First 2 lines are critical -- they appear in search results and above the fold
- Include target keywords naturally in the first 2-3 sentences
- Add timestamps for longer videos (improves watch time and SEO)
- Include calls to action: subscribe, like, comment, related links
- End with relevant hashtags (3-5 max)

## Tags

- Mix broad terms (e.g., "cooking") with specific long-tail keywords (e.g., "easy 15 minute pasta recipe")
- Include common misspellings and alternate phrasings
- Research competitor tags for inspiration
- First 2-3 tags carry the most weight -- make them count

## Thumbnails

- High contrast colors that stand out in the feed
- Readable text: 3-4 words maximum, large bold font
- Expressive faces drive higher CTR
- Consistent branding across videos (recognizable style)
- Avoid clutter -- one clear focal point

## Publishing Strategy

- Post when your audience is most active (check analytics)
- Maintain a consistent upload schedule
- Use YouTube's scheduling feature to publish at optimal times
- First 24-48 hours are critical for algorithm pickup

## Engagement

- Pin a comment with a question to drive discussion
- Reply to comments within the first hour of publishing
- Use community posts to tease upcoming content
- End videos with a clear call to action

## SEO

- Research trending topics in the niche before creating content
- Optimize for both search AND suggested/recommended videos
- Use playlists to increase session watch time
- Add captions/subtitles to improve accessibility and search indexing

## Retention

- Hook viewers in the first 10 seconds
- Use pattern interrupts every 30-60 seconds to maintain attention
- Tease upcoming content within the video ("later I'll show you...")
- Optimize end screens and cards for click-through
