Even the best YouTube descriptions and keywords don't help your channel growth if you don't produce good content. However, if you have good content, you are losing out on those juicy views by not following the best practises for YouTube video descriptions. Here is what you should know in 2024!
Understanding YouTube Video Descriptions
What is a YouTube Video Description?
YouTube descriptions are akin to a résumé for your videos and channel. They're essential in communicating with both users and search engines, ensuring your content is easily discoverable. But what's the difference between video and channel descriptions, you ask? Well, video descriptions offer a summary about specific content, while channel descriptions present a broader narrative, showcasing your channel's ethos and what viewers can anticipate. 🤔 This crucial distinction helps tailor your communication strategy according to the context, maximizing reach and engagement.
Why Are YouTube Video Descriptions Important?
YouTube descriptions are the unsung heroes of video content strategy. They play a vital role not only in summarizing your video’s content for viewers but also in acting as a powerful tool for search engine optimization. Well-crafted descriptions can vastly improve your video’s discoverability by incorporating strategic keywords that align with what viewers are searching for. 🤔 This SEO boost ensures your videos are more likely to appear in search results, increasing visibility and reach.
Moreover, descriptions guide viewers to additional resources, like related videos or external links, enhancing their overall engagement. They set the stage for what viewers can expect and communicate your brand’s message and tone effectively. In essence, these descriptions are an opportunity to engage, inform, and convert casual viewers into dedicated subscribers. Never underestimate the power of a compelling, keyword-rich description—it’s the gateway to unlocking your content’s full potential! 🚀 In summary, what you should know how YouTube descriptions impact your videos:
They help your videos rank higher
They improve your CTR (click trough rate)
They increase user engagement and user experience (Think clickable timestamps)
Alright, now that you know why you should add descriptions to your videos, let's review the best practises and what you need to know about them!
A Template That Will Get You More Views
In this section we will go over the different elements you should include in your YouTube description. Of course, you can change some of these elements depending on your specific needs. Let's get started!
Top line
Start with 1-3 sentences clearly explaining what your video is about. This will be shown in the preview of the video and will help both YouTube better understand what your video is about as well as potential viewers. You should think about what terms or queries are likely going to search for. That way your video is more likely to not only show up on YouTube itself but also on Google as a recommended video for a given query. These words should be slightly different to what is already in the title to help you target more relevant keywords! In summary:
Add 1-3 sentences describing your video
Use easy to understand language and keep it short!
Don't use the same words as your title but vary the keywords to get more reach
Main CTA
The second line is the last line that users will see in your video without having to click the 'See more' button in the video description. That is why you should place your 'money link' here. This could be a link to your website, a course or any other CTA (Call To Action). You can describe what the user will get and then add the link after that. As an example:
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Add a link to a recommended next video
Add a link to the next video that the viewer should watch next. This will make it more likely that users will continue to be engaged and watch other videos. Many users don't wait until the end of the video to see the recommendation but look in the YouTube video's description for more information.
Second CTA / Sponsor Info
After the first couple of lines, you can add information such as affiliate links, links to your sponsors, information about the gear you are using or any other second call to action. This can also include a CTA to subscribe to your second channel or to your podcast.
How to connect
While YouTube has now a native way to add your social media information and other ways in which a viewer can connect, it is still recommended to also include this right in the video's description. You should therefore add a small section with one or two main ways in which a user can connect with you.
Invite viewers to engage
It may sound overused, but it still works. Invite your users to share their thoughts or ask questions in the videos comments. This is crucial for building a thriving YouTube community. 🎥 By encouraging likes, comments, and subscriptions in your descriptions, you foster interaction and boost video visibility. Engagement signals to YouTube’s algorithm that your content is valuable, exposing it to a broader audience. Plus, feedback from your audience can inspire future content and strengthen viewer trust. Use your descriptions to actively invite participation, making viewers feel like key players in your creative journey! 🙌
Chapters
While the chapters are now directly encoded in the YouTube video, it still makes sense to add them in the video description as well. This ensures that users that are used to the 'old way', still get a positive experience and will have an easier time navigating your videos.
Hashtags
Adding hashtags can also further boost your visibility. For Hashtags less is often more and you should aim to add 3-5 hashtags only. These hashtags should be complementary to the content and description of your video. You should aim to include 3-5 hashtags that are relevant keywords to your video or variations of key topics in your video. Using hashtags effectively can lead to increased visibility, attracting a diverse audience and ultimately fostering greater engagement with your channel. #YouTubeSuccess 🚀
Closing it out with an about section
Finally, we recommend that you use a last short summary that is a variation of the first sentences at the bottom of your YouTube description. In this final About section, you can again summarize the main topics covered in the video to give the YouTube algorithms more context and make it more likely they can display your video at the right times.
Template Example
To bring everything we mentioned in the previous section together, here a full template that you can use for your YouTube description. If you don't want to create this manually, you can also check out this free YouTube Description Generator.
Description Template:
1-3 Sentences about the main things discussed in the video
Your main Call to Action
Link to a recommended video
Second CTA + Sponsor information
How to connect (Your IG Profile, Twitter, etc.)
Invite users to engage in the comments
Chapters with Timestamps
Hashtags (3-5 max)
About section summarizing the key points (1-3 sentences)
Other Best Practises for YouTube Descriptions
Video SEO Keywords
When it comes to YouTube, SEO isn’t just for blogs! Keywords are the bread and butter of YouTube algorithms, boosting your video's discoverability. Done right, they can ensure your videos reach the right audience. Utilize tools like Ahrefs or Google’s Keyword Planner to sniff out trending keywords and phrases relevant to your content. Remember, stuffing keywords is a big no-no! Instead, sprinkle them logically across your description to maintain readability while enhancing visibility. 📈
Speaking the Language of Your Audience
Connecting with your audience is a fine art. By using language that's genuine yet resonates with your viewers, you build rapport and encourage more extended engagement. Think of it as a conversation with a friend—you're more persuasive when you speak their language. Adopt a tone that's relatable but keep it professional to maintain credibility and trust. And above all, be authentic!
User-Friendly Navigation
Introducing chapters and timestamps in your descriptions can dramatically improve user experience. How? By allowing viewers to jump directly to the content they're most interested in. 🕒 This little tweak not only makes your videos more accessible but also generates more views and longer watch times, which ultimately benefits your search rankings. Implementing timestamps is especially critical in lengthy videos or tutorials, guiding viewers seamlessly through the information flow.
Brand Building Through Descriptions
Every word in your description can serve as a puzzle piece in your brand image. It’s a chance to reiterate who you are and what you stand for. Integrating your brand’s unique style, tone, and messaging can transform descriptions from mundane to memorable. Use this space to solidify your identity and attract an audience that resonates with your core message. 💼 Personal branding within descriptions fosters recognition and loyalty, crucial for your channel's growth.
Effective Call-to-Actions
An influential call-to-action (CTA) can be the difference between passive viewers and engaged subscribers. A well-placed CTA encourages viewers to take that next critical step—whether it's subscribing, liking, or sharing your content. Make your CTAs clear, concise, and compelling. Don’t just tell viewers what to do; explain how it benefits them, creating a reciprocal relationship built on value.
Conclusion: Elevating Your YouTube Game
YouTube descriptions might just be a few lines of text, but don’t underestimate their power. They’re pivotal in enhancing visibility, attracting the right audience, and building a loyal following. Adopt these strategies, experiment with your style, and watch your channel thrive. Now go on, creators, unleash your full potential! 🚀
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