Youtube SEO skill
When the user wants to optimize YouTube videos for search, create video descriptions, or improve channel visibility.
by kostja94·MIT license·★ 1,006 Stars on the repo·GitHub ↗
Use now
npx degit kostja94/marketing-skills/skills/platforms/youtube#main ~/.claude/skills/youtube-seoChecked ·commit main
Files of Youtube SEO
SKILL.md
Show the full text86 lines
Platforms: YouTube SEO
Guides YouTube video and channel optimization for search and discovery. Google now prioritizes YouTube video results in search; YouTube + Reddit comprise ~78% of social media citations in AI Overviews. Title, description, and thumbnail form an interconnected system; channels using systematic keyword strategies see 156% longer view durations, 89% better CTR, and 312% higher search discovery. Use this skill when optimizing videos for YouTube search, Google search, and AI citation. For website-embedded video SEO, see video-optimization.
When invoking: On first use, if helpful, open with 1–2 sentences on what this skill covers and why it matters, then provide the main output. On subsequent use or when the user asks to skip, go directly to the main output.
Initial Assessment
Project context: Read root contextus.md when present and load only the modules relevant to this task. Without Contextus, use available project material or user-provided facts and ask for missing information; do not create a parallel context system.
Identify:
- Video type: Tutorial, review, vlog, Shorts
- Target keyword: Primary and secondary
- Audience: Subscribers vs casual viewers
Video Titles
| Rule | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Length | Under 60 characters; mobile may show partial |
| Keyword | Primary keyword in first 5–55 characters |
| Structure | Social proof/authority + emotional trigger + primary keyword |
| Style | Conversational; avoid keyword stuffing |
| Avoid | ALL CAPS except emphasis |
Video Descriptions
| Rule | Guideline |
|---|---|
| First 2–3 sentences | Primary and secondary keywords naturally; meta description under 160 chars |
| Links | Website, store, relevant resources |
| Readability | Natural flow; help search understand topic |
Tags
- Help YouTube understand content; titles and descriptions matter more
- Use relevant tags; avoid over-optimization
Thumbnails
90% of best-performing videos use custom thumbnails.
| Rule | Guideline |
|---|---|
| Contrast | High contrast; readable fonts; bold colors |
| Composition | Rule of thirds; simple, uncluttered |
| Audience | Consider subscribers vs casual viewers |
| Test | What works evolves; test styles |
Title + Description + Thumbnail
Reinforce the same core message across all three; target different algorithm aspects.
Output Format
- Title options (under 60 chars)
- Description (first 160 chars + full)
- Tags (relevant set)
- Thumbnail guidance (elements, text, composition)
YouTube in Google Search & GEO
| Context | Implication |
|---|---|
| Google prioritization | YouTube is core search infrastructure; 48.6B monthly visits; video results favored in main SERP, video mode, Discover |
| AI Overviews | YouTube citations surged 25.21% since Jan 2025; instructional (+35.6%), visual demos (+32.5%); long-form (94%) dominates |
| GEO | YouTube + Reddit = ~78% of social media citations; optimize for AI citation. See generative-engine-optimization |
Related Skills
- video-marketing: Video script, hook, structure
- video-optimization: Website video SEO; VideoObject; video sitemap; embed optimization
- youtube-ads: YouTube paid ads (TrueView, Bumper)
- content-marketing: Video as content format
- parasite-seo: YouTube as high-authority platform
- generative-engine-optimization: GEO strategy; YouTube as distribution for AI citation
| 1 | |
| 2 | name youtube-seo |
| 3 | description When the user wants to optimize YouTube videos for search, create video descriptions, or improve channel visibility. Also use when the user mentions "YouTube SEO," "YouTube description," "YouTube tags," "YouTube thumbnail," "YouTube title," "YouTube channel," or "video SEO." For YouTube ads, use youtube-ads. |
| 4 | metadata |
| 5 | version 1.1.1 |
| 6 | |
| 7 | |
| 8 | # Platforms: YouTube SEO |
| 9 | |
| 10 | Guides YouTube video and channel optimization for search and discovery. **Google now prioritizes YouTube video results** in search; YouTube + Reddit comprise ~78% of social media citations in AI Overviews. Title, description, and thumbnail form an interconnected system; channels using systematic keyword strategies see 156% longer view durations, 89% better CTR, and 312% higher search discovery. Use this skill when optimizing videos for YouTube search, Google search, and AI citation. For website-embedded video SEO, see **video-optimization**. |
| 11 | |
| 12 | **When invoking**: On **first use**, if helpful, open with 1–2 sentences on what this skill covers and why it matters, then provide the main output. On **subsequent use** or when the user asks to skip, go directly to the main output. |
| 13 | |
| 14 | ## Initial Assessment |
| 15 | |
| 16 | **Project context:** Read root `contextus.md` when present and load only the modules relevant to this task. Without Contextus, use available project material or user-provided facts and ask for missing information; do not create a parallel context system. |
| 17 | |
| 18 | Identify: |
| 19 | **Video type**: Tutorial, review, vlog, Shorts |
| 20 | **Target keyword**: Primary and secondary |
| 21 | **Audience**: Subscribers vs casual viewers |
| 22 | |
| 23 | ## Video Titles |
| 24 | |
| 25 | | Rule | Guideline | |
| 26 | |------|-----------| |
| 27 | | **Length** | Under 60 characters; mobile may show partial | |
| 28 | | **Keyword** | Primary keyword in first 5–55 characters | |
| 29 | | **Structure** | Social proof/authority + emotional trigger + primary keyword | |
| 30 | | **Style** | Conversational; avoid keyword stuffing | |
| 31 | | **Avoid** | ALL CAPS except emphasis | |
| 32 | |
| 33 | ## Video Descriptions |
| 34 | |
| 35 | | Rule | Guideline | |
| 36 | |------|-----------| |
| 37 | | **First 2–3 sentences** | Primary and secondary keywords naturally; meta description under 160 chars | |
| 38 | | **Links** | Website, store, relevant resources | |
| 39 | | **Readability** | Natural flow; help search understand topic | |
| 40 | |
| 41 | ## Tags |
| 42 | |
| 43 | Help YouTube understand content; titles and descriptions matter more |
| 44 | Use relevant tags; avoid over-optimization |
| 45 | |
| 46 | ## Thumbnails |
| 47 | |
| 48 | 90% of best-performing videos use custom thumbnails. |
| 49 | |
| 50 | | Rule | Guideline | |
| 51 | |------|-----------| |
| 52 | | **Contrast** | High contrast; readable fonts; bold colors | |
| 53 | | **Composition** | Rule of thirds; simple, uncluttered | |
| 54 | | **Audience** | Consider subscribers vs casual viewers | |
| 55 | | **Test** | What works evolves; test styles | |
| 56 | |
| 57 | ## Title + Description + Thumbnail |
| 58 | |
| 59 | Reinforce the same core message across all three; target different algorithm aspects. |
| 60 | |
| 61 | ## Output Format |
| 62 | |
| 63 | **Title** options (under 60 chars) |
| 64 | **Description** (first 160 chars + full) |
| 65 | **Tags** (relevant set) |
| 66 | **Thumbnail** guidance (elements, text, composition) |
| 67 | |
| 68 | ## YouTube in Google Search & GEO |
| 69 | |
| 70 | | Context | Implication | |
| 71 | |---------|-------------| |
| 72 | | **Google prioritization** | YouTube is core search infrastructure; 48.6B monthly visits; video results favored in main SERP, video mode, Discover | |
| 73 | | **AI Overviews** | YouTube citations surged 25.21% since Jan 2025; instructional (+35.6%), visual demos (+32.5%); long-form (94%) dominates | |
| 74 | | **GEO** | YouTube + Reddit = ~78% of social media citations; optimize for AI citation. See **generative-engine-optimization** | |
| 75 | |
| 76 | [Search Engine Land], [OtterlyAI] |
| 77 | |
| 78 | ## Related Skills |
| 79 | |
| 80 | **video-marketing**: Video script, hook, structure |
| 81 | **video-optimization**: Website video SEO; VideoObject; video sitemap; embed optimization |
| 82 | **youtube-ads**: YouTube paid ads (TrueView, Bumper) |
| 83 | **content-marketing**: Video as content format |
| 84 | **parasite-seo**: YouTube as high-authority platform |
| 85 | **generative-engine-optimization**: GEO strategy; YouTube as distribution for AI citation |
| 86 |
Discussion
Alternatives
YouTube Channel OptimizerAudit and rewrite a YouTube channel end-to-end for 2026: name and @handle, banner (2560x1440 with the 1235x338 mobile/TV safe area), profile picture, About plus searchable keywords, trailer for non-subscribers vs featured video for subscribers, sections and playlist layout, watermark, links. Triggers on "optimize my YouTube channel", "rewrite my channel about", "fix my banner", "channel audit", "set my trailer". Converts a viewer into a subscriber. Not for writing a video title (use yt-title-optimizer).
Fatigue frequency managerUse when the user asks to "is my ad fatiguing", "why is CTR dropping at scale", or "should I rotate creative / widen the audience"; reads frequency, CTR and CVR decay against an early-flight baseline and returns Rotate-creative / Widen-audience / Hold triggers with a per-ad-set fatigue read. Not for building the replacement creative — use ad-creative-builder; not for the RQS score or vetoes — use ad-account-auditor. 广告疲劳检测/频次管理/换素材还是扩人群
Packaging, Tiers, and Bundles- Leaders, Fillers, Killers
Youtube channelsUse when a YouTube channel is the focus: pasted @handles or channel URLs, requests to browse a creator's uploads, see what a channel has posted recently, search within a channel, or resolve a handle to a channel ID. Also use when the user names a creator and wants to explore their content or monitor their uploads. Not for creating channels or account management.Browse more free Claude skills or everything in Content creator.