Does Online Video Sacrifice SEO Benefits?

43 | Posted In Traffic by David

I am a big believer that social media (and I’m going to include video and blogs under that header) has gone a long way to make SEO a much less important thing. That said, though, there is no doubt that SEO is still alive and well. Videos, though, aren’t indexable. Are you wasting your SEO efforts by using video?

The answer is no – IF you do it right.

When you post a video, there are two VERY important things that newbies overlook but that are VERY important:

  1. The title given to your video
  2. The description given to your video.

In both your video’s title and your video description, make sure that you use keywords which accurately describe the content of your video. Use keywords which people will search for. Your video will show up in search engines based on this text which accompanies your video.

Also very important:

  1. Put your site’s URL into the video description. All of my Flip Tips have a description which starts with this blog’s URL, almost like a press release would show the city and date before the text of the news story.
  2. When editing your video, make damn sure you put your URL into the video itself. Video holds a user’s attention a lot better than text and you’re wasting a huge opportunity if your URL isn’t in your video.

So, when doing it right, online video HELPS your search engine optimization efforts. Sure, the actual content of your video isn’t indexable (they’ll probably get around that soon), but the text along with your video is. Keep in mind, too, that Youtube is owned by Google so a video with good keywords can show up right in Google’s search results, complete with a video thumbnail.

Now, go make some videos.

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  • http://www.ngn.nl/ Melle Gloerich

    Good points, but not really that surprising. I am doing a lot of video-interviews for the NGN (Dutch Netwerk Pro’s, http://www.ngn.nl) and I’m experimenting with XML-sitemaps for just videos. Seems to be getting more and more important to Google now people are making videos all the time. I’m using Video-sitemap Pro (free) http://www.videositemappro.com/index.html and verify the sitemap by Google via the webmaster-tools from Google: https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/

    What are your thoughts on that?

  • http://www.ngn.nl Melle Gloerich

    Good points, but not really that surprising. I am doing a lot of video-interviews for the NGN (Dutch Netwerk Pro’s, http://www.ngn.nl) and I’m experimenting with XML-sitemaps for just videos. Seems to be getting more and more important to Google now people are making videos all the time. I’m using Video-sitemap Pro (free) http://www.videositemappro.com/index.html and verify the sitemap by Google via the webmaster-tools from Google: https://www.google.com/webmasters/tools/

    What are your thoughts on that?

  • http://www.norhafidz.com/ Norhafidz

    I did this experiment and it was true. What I did was quite similar to SEO by copying the top vids’s Title and description, but I did it slightly better.

  • http://www.norhafidz.com Norhafidz

    I did this experiment and it was true. What I did was quite similar to SEO by copying the top vids’s Title and description, but I did it slightly better.

  • http://buzvia.com/woodmarvels.com Jon

    We have over 200 3D assembly animations on our WoodMarvels.com site and each time we use TubeMogul we get a great surge in traffic. So far, we have used the same description for all our videos, never considered describing the video there for some reason… will do that from now on!

    Jon
    http://WoodMarvels.com – Create Unique Memories

  • http://buzvia.com/woodmarvels.com Jon

    We have over 200 3D assembly animations on our WoodMarvels.com site and each time we use TubeMogul we get a great surge in traffic. So far, we have used the same description for all our videos, never considered describing the video there for some reason… will do that from now on!

    Jon
    http://WoodMarvels.com – Create Unique Memories

  • http://SourcesOfInsight.com/ J.D. Meier

    I think you do a good combo too of sharing the key info in your posts when you do the videos. Some folks just post a video, but I think your combo-effect is a double whammy.

  • http://SourcesOfInsight.com J.D. Meier

    I think you do a good combo too of sharing the key info in your posts when you do the videos. Some folks just post a video, but I think your combo-effect is a double whammy.

  • http://monroescoop.com/ Steve Sherron

    Video is the future. Plain and simple. Those with the ability will succeed a notch above those who cannot. I visit your site and I’m a subscriber. The videos you post keep me around much longer because you post great videos with great content. I get much better reader reaction with my videos. Videos make my phone ring and I get more e-mails concerning a video. I have a new local site, and I’m receiving interest in locals advertising on my site. Why? The videos I have posted. I have an offline video job because of it. I have watched my videos that I posted on video hosting sites climb the google rankings faster than articles. Just last week I bought a Kodak zi6 so I can shoot quick easy videos on the go and get them posted quickly. It compliments my Canon XH A1. Video SEO is of great interest to me. If you are focusing on any type of niche and not using video, you are missing the boat.

  • http://monroescoop.com Steve Sherron

    Video is the future. Plain and simple. Those with the ability will succeed a notch above those who cannot. I visit your site and I’m a subscriber. The videos you post keep me around much longer because you post great videos with great content. I get much better reader reaction with my videos. Videos make my phone ring and I get more e-mails concerning a video. I have a new local site, and I’m receiving interest in locals advertising on my site. Why? The videos I have posted. I have an offline video job because of it. I have watched my videos that I posted on video hosting sites climb the google rankings faster than articles. Just last week I bought a Kodak zi6 so I can shoot quick easy videos on the go and get them posted quickly. It compliments my Canon XH A1. Video SEO is of great interest to me. If you are focusing on any type of niche and not using video, you are missing the boat.

  • Pingback: Does Online Video Sacrifice SEO Benefits? | David Risley dot com

  • http://www.rodentproofaz.com/ Adam | Rodent Control Speciali

    I’m new to the video phenomenon, so I’ll probably expose my ignorance a bit. But I’m dying to ask a question about writing descriptions for videos. Since the video content isn’t indexable, how long would you recommend making those descriptions? Do you usually approach it the way you would long form body copy?

  • http://www.rodentproofaz.com/ Adam | Rodent Control Specialist

    I’m new to the video phenomenon, so I’ll probably expose my ignorance a bit. But I’m dying to ask a question about writing descriptions for videos. Since the video content isn’t indexable, how long would you recommend making those descriptions? Do you usually approach it the way you would long form body copy?

  • http://www.pcmech.com/ David

    Make the video description as long you need it to be to fit what you have to say. There isn’t really any set rule about that I know of. I’ve seen some people put whole articles into their Youtube descriptions. I usually do 2-3 sentences.

  • http://www.pcmech.com David

    Make the video description as long you need it to be to fit what you have to say. There isn’t really any set rule about that I know of. I’ve seen some people put whole articles into their Youtube descriptions. I usually do 2-3 sentences.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOtcdNKziHo Jody

    I am on page 1 of youtube, but cant seem to get on page 1 of google. But, I am happy at the moment.

    I do know that google loves quality. So, What I usually do is put whatever my description is in paragraph form. I also mention my keyword as much as possible in the description area and using brackets and what not.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOtcdNKziHo Jody

    I am on page 1 of youtube, but cant seem to get on page 1 of google. But, I am happy at the moment.

    I do know that google loves quality. So, What I usually do is put whatever my description is in paragraph form. I also mention my keyword as much as possible in the description area and using brackets and what not.

  • http://www.russhenneberry.com/ Russ Henneberry

    Thanks for the tip about putting your URL in the description — and I think your right, I am sure they are working on figuring out how to index video.

  • http://www.russhenneberry.com Russ Henneberry

    Thanks for the tip about putting your URL in the description — and I think your right, I am sure they are working on figuring out how to index video.

  • http://stresseating.com/ Carol

    Ahhh . . . using the url in the description. Brilliant! Thanks!

  • http://stresseating.com Carol

    Ahhh . . . using the url in the description. Brilliant! Thanks!

  • richardadams05

    ..

  • http://www.mybodybuildingcoupons.com/ muscle building supplements

    There are some great points you have made there and they are essensial for a well optimised website when you use videos.

  • http://www.property-blog.co.uk/ Property Blog

    I agree with you, title and descripiton are very important, but i always look at comments also because they can tell you a lot about the video.

  • socialmaker

    Online promotion with the aid of online marketing and seo are good ways to promote yourself and your business on the online environment. When it comes to seo services there are only a handful of companies who really know what they're doing. Only these know what content is all about, fixing site issues, URL canoniclization and rewrites and getting you a lot of links. If you want SEO for your site i recommend you search for a good company. Don't let a noname mess up your site !

  • http://www.yournetbizwealthcreation.com/ YourNetBiz

    Great post, David; an oldie but goodie. I recently started a new YouTube YourNetBiz channel; used some of your advice.

    I wonder if Malika had the baby yet… Congrats anyway!

    Best,
    Ana

  • http://www.firstpagegoogleresults.com/ video seo

    i think with this your concept use Google Ad ward Keyword Research Tool !
    Thant is more Help to you.
    Thanks!

  • http://www.firstpagegoogleresults.com/ video search optimization

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  • http://firstpagegoogleresults.com/ video seo

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  • http://www.firstpagegoogleresults.com/ search engine for video

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    But what does online video represent, and how do we best utilise the … before an online video is an appropriate sacrifice for the inherent benefits that …

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    But what does online video represent, and how do we best utilise the … before an online video is an appropriate sacrifice for the inherent benefits that …

  • http://www.free-press-release.com/news-seop-inc-seop-com-unveils-new-website-expanded-service-offering-1269913824.html SEOP

    I agree. Videos should still be accompanied with proper text to be able to ensure that it is still search engine optimized. These are good tips and will definitely work for those who run video websites and vlogs.

  • http://www.seohocasi.com Seo

    Thank you very much for this seo information.

  • http://www.page1guaranteed.com.au Australian SEO Company

    videos absolutely work better than just plain texts, everyone wants to see a demonstration than just reading texts and imagining things as read, so might as well take advantage and taking note of every tips from david here

    thanks mate

  • http://www.webcreationuk.com/advancedseo.htm Advanced SEO UK

    It's exactly like with images, they both can be well optimised for search engines thus giving you extra benefits…

  • http://www.dnovae.com Pablo Giralt

    Captions and subtitles in youtube and google videos are also indexed by the Google spider and its a very good way to give the search engine more information about the content of your vídeo. Can be a time consuming job to transcribe all your vídeos but the benefits in SEO might pay for the extra effort. However for English language vídeos youtube has an autocaptioning feature that works with speech recognition and there is no excuse for not using that.

    Keep the nice work!

  • http://www.redsauce.com redsauce.com

    Great tips, you dont realise how you can incorporate different aspects of SEO to different media, I never thought of these techniques, really useful

  • http://www.d2moto.com/c-758-harley-davidson-accessories.aspx Harley Davidson Parts

    If you are looking to coordinate taking appropriate action. I think it’s best to keep the same agency is involved in both the SEM and SEO. Videos absolutely work better than simple text, everyone wants to see a demonstration that the mere reading of texts and imagine things like reading, so it may well take advantage, and taking note of advice from David here.

  • http://www.pikavippisi.com/ pikalaina

    While the video title and video description, be sure to use keywords that accurately describe the content of your video. Use keywords to search people. Your video will be displayed in the search engines based on the text accompanying the video.

  • http://www.kooldesignmaker.com custom logo design

    Videos establish long term image in the users mind because movies are also entertaining fun.
    Use keywords very maturely in title and description.

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  • http://www.kooldesignmaker.com/ecommerce-website-development ecommerce website development

    Yes, i also think that videos play very important role in learning new things because if you have blog that users read but could not understand then they have one more option they can watch the video and look the things practically.