Explainer videos have become a popular and effective tool for businesses to convey complex information in a simplified and engaging way. They not only help in delivering the message effectively but also serve as a great asset for search engine optimization (SEO). However, to make explainer videos work in favor of SEO, it is crucial to avoid certain common mistakes. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
1. Neglecting Video Title and Description: Similar to any other content on the web, explainer videos require optimized titles and descriptions to rank higher in search engine results. Avoid generic titles and make sure to incorporate targeted keywords that reflect the video’s content. Craft a concise, informative, and keyword-rich description that conveys the purpose of the video.
2. Ignoring Transcriptions: Transcribing the audio and including it in the video description can boost SEO. Transcriptions make the video content accessible to people with hearing impairments and also help search engines understand the video’s content, leading to better rankings. It is essential to include accurate and complete transcriptions that align with the video’s dialogue or narration.
3. Overlooking Keyword Research: Conducting keyword research is a crucial step in optimizing explainer videos for SEO. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to identify relevant keywords that have a high search volume but low competition. Incorporate these keywords naturally into the video’s script, title, and description to increase the chances of appearing in relevant search results.
4. Neglecting Video Sitemaps: Uploading a video sitemap to search engines helps them understand the video’s metadata, including its location on your website, duration, thumbnail, and platform-specific details. This enables search engines to index and display the video in relevant search results, improving its visibility and click-through rates. Ensure that your video sitemaps comply with the required specifications and are regularly updated.
5. Skipping Thumbnail Optimization: Thumbnails are the first thing viewers see before deciding to click on a video. Optimizing these thumbnails can significantly impact the video’s organic traffic. Choose visually appealing images or custom graphics that accurately represent the content and encourage viewers to click. Include relevant keywords in the image file name and alt text to enhance its visibility in image search results.
6. Neglecting Video Hosting Platforms: Upload your explainer videos to popular hosting platforms like YouTube or Vimeo, as these platforms have high domain authority and are more likely to rank in search results. Customize the video’s title, description, and tags on these platforms using targeted keywords to optimize content visibility.
7. Failing to Embed Videos on Your Website: Embedding explainer videos on your website rather than simply sharing the hosting platform’s link can significantly boost SEO. Embedding provides search engines with more context about the video content and helps your website rank higher in search results. Additionally, create a dedicated landing page with relevant content around the video to further enhance its SEO value.
8. Ignoring Video Engagement Metrics: Search engines consider user engagement metrics like views, likes, comments, and shares as indicators of content quality. Encourage viewers to engage with the video by asking questions, prompting comments, and sharing it on social media. Higher engagement levels can improve the video’s rankings in search results.
9. Neglecting Video Schema Markup: Implementing video schema markup on your web pages containing explainer videos helps search engines understand the video’s context and improve its chances of being featured in rich snippets. Schema markup provides additional information like the video’s title, duration, thumbnail URL, and description, making it more appealing and informative in search results.
Taking these factors into account while creating and optimizing explainer videos can significantly enhance their visibility and reach in search engine rankings. By avoiding these common mistakes and following best practices, businesses can ensure their videos are effectively optimized for SEO, ultimately driving more traffic and conversions.
