Crack the Code: YouTube SEO Strategies to Rank on Google in 2024

Imagine your videos consistently ranking at the top of YouTube and Google searches, attracting thousands of viewers without spending a penny on ads. In 2024, that’s not just a dream—it’s a reality for those who master YouTube SEO. 

With millions of videos uploaded daily, optimising videos for Google is essential to stand out and grow your audience. 

This post will show you the latest video SEO tips for 2024 and strategies to boost visibility, drive engagement, and dominate search results on both Google and YouTube.

What is YouTube SEO and Why Does it Matter?

YouTube Search engine optimisation refers to optimising your video content to rank higher on both YouTube and Google search results. Since Google owns YouTube, optimising for both platforms simultaneously helps maximise visibility.

While you optimise videos for Google, also focus on several ranking factors, including:

• Keywords in titles, descriptions, and tags
• Watch time and audience retention
• Engagement (likes, comments, shares)
• Click-through rate (CTR) from video thumbnails

Mastering these elements ensures your video content reaches its intended audience and ranks higher in search results.

Why is YouTube SEO Important?

• Increases Views: Ranking higher in search results exposes your videos to a larger audience. You’ve put effort into creating quality content—YouTube SEO ensures it reaches more people.

• More Conversion Opportunities: Higher visibility means more views, shares, and engagement. This can lead to more subscribers and long-term revenue growth.
• Cost-Effective: YouTube SEO is budget-friendly. It requires minimal investment, just your time and possibly a few affordable tools.

Essential Video SEO Tips for 2024

To help you improve your video rankings in 2024, here are the top YouTube SEO tips for 2024:

• Use Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are more specific and less competitive than shorter terms. For example, rather than just targeting “YouTube SEO,” use phrases like “how to optimise YouTube videos for SEO in 2024.”

Reference: Google Trends

Tools like Google Trends can help you find trending keywords and relevant long-tail variations.

• Answer Wh-Questions

Wh-question keywords (who, what, where, when, how) are increasingly important for search rankings. These provide clear, direct answers to user queries. For example, videos titled “How to Optimise YouTube Videos for Google” tend to perform well.

• Optimise Titles, Descriptions, and Tags

Include the primary keyword ( YouTube SEO strategies) in your title and description. Write a compelling description that contains relevant long-tail keywords, and remember to include appropriate tags.

Tags help YouTube categorise your content. Include your main keyword and related terms and synonyms, such as “YouTube video optimisation” and “video SEO tips.”

• Use Attractive Thumbnails

Thumbnails play a crucial role in increasing your CTR. Ensure that your thumbnails are visually appealing and representative of the content. Consider using text overlays with catchy phrases to entice viewers to click.

YouTube suggests the following guidelines:

• Thumbnails should have a resolution of 1280×720, with a minimum width of 640 pixels.

• Upload in formats like JPG, GIF, or PNG.

• The file size should be below 2MB for videos or 10MB for podcasts.

• Improve Audience Retention and Engagement

YouTube’s algorithm rewards videos with higher watch times. Keep your audience engaged with high-quality content, hooks at the beginning, and clear calls to action. Encourage viewers to like, comment, and share your video.

Organising videos into playlists is another great way to boost retention. Playlists keep users on your channel longer, which signals to YouTube that your content is valuable.

• Optimise for Google Search

To ensure your videos appear in Google search results, embed them on your website and optimise their metadata. Use transcripts and closed captions, as search engines can crawl these for additional keyword relevance.

Research reveals that 63% of people prefer to keep their phones on mute rather than leaving the sound on. Embedding YouTube videos also contributes to your website’s SEO, offering a higher chance for the video to rank on Google.

How to grow a YouTube channel with SEO in 2024

In 2024, staying ahead in YouTube SEO will require more than basic optimisation. Consider the following advanced strategies:

• Leverage YouTube Shorts

With the rise of short-form content like YouTube Shorts, create engaging short videos optimised for SEO. Use trending keywords and create catchy, fast-paced content to capitalise on this growing trend.

• Incorporate AI and Machine Learning Tools

Use AI tools to analyse your competitors’ videos and find patterns in high-ranking content. Tools like TubeBuddy and VidIQ offer insights into keywords, audience engagement, and optimisation opportunities.

• Video Sitemaps and Schema Markup

For those with websites, adding video sitemaps and using schema markup can greatly improve how Google indexes and ranks your videos. This is important in getting your videos featured in Google’s video carousel.

Learning YouTube SEO and staying updated with trends can be challenging, especially with new yearly developments. Enrolling in a digital marketing course online is crucial for anyone serious about enhancing their digital marketing skills in 2024.

A comprehensive digital marketing course online will teach you about YouTube SEO and provide insights into broader marketing strategies, including content creation, data analytics, and social media marketing.

Conclusion: Master the Future of Digital Marketing with IIT Roorkee

Mastering YouTube SEO is essential for growing your online presence in 2024. By implementing the video SEO tips for 2024, you’ll improve your visibility on both Google and YouTube. However, continuous learning is key to staying competitive as trends and algorithms evolve.

To meet this demand, Imarticus Learning has partnered with IIT Roorkee to offer a comprehensive Professional Certification in Digital Marketing and MarTech, designed for those aspiring to master digital marketing fundamentals such as SEO, social media, and affiliate marketing.

Build a successful career in digital marketing and MarTech by mastering essential tools and techniques. Learn to navigate emerging trends, understand search algorithms, and apply your knowledge to real-world marketing projects. 

Take the next step in your digital marketing career—enrol in the IIT Roorkee Professional Certification in Digital Marketing and MarTech today!

FAQ

• What is YouTube SEO?

YouTube SEO optimises videos to rank higher on YouTube and Google search results.

• How do I improve YouTube SEO in 2024?

Use keywords in titles, descriptions, and tags, and optimise thumbnails.

• Does YouTube SEO affect Google’s ranking?

Yes, optimising videos can help them rank higher in Google search results.

• How long does it take for YouTube SEO to work?

It can take a few weeks to see results depending on video engagement and optimisation

• Do keywords still matter for YouTube SEO?

Yes, keywords in titles, tags, and descriptions remain essential for ranking.