Tutorial and how-to videos have become increasingly popular as a way to provide valuable information to audiences and boost search engine optimization (SEO). These videos can enhance a website’s visibility and drive organic traffic when properly optimized. However, it is important to know what not to do when creating tutorial and how-to videos to ensure the best results for SEO.
1. Ignoring Keyword Research: Keyword research is crucial for SEO success, including when creating tutorial and how-to videos. By identifying relevant keywords and incorporating them into video titles, descriptions, and tags, you can increase the chances of your videos appearing in search results. Neglecting keyword research can result in missed opportunities to maximize exposure and reach.
2. Poor Video Production Quality: While content may be king, the overall quality of your tutorial and how-to videos matters too. Poorly recorded videos with low resolution or muffled audio may discourage viewers from watching till the end, impacting engagement metrics and subsequently, search rankings. Invest in decent recording equipment and ensure proper lighting and audio quality to provide users with a more enjoyable viewing experience.
3. Disregarding Video Descriptions: Video descriptions provide an excellent opportunity to optimize your video for SEO. Including a concise and accurate description that incorporates relevant keywords can improve its visibility and make it easier for search engines to understand the content. Take the time to craft informative and keyword-rich descriptions that accurately represent the video’s content and purpose.
4. Neglecting Closed Captions and Transcripts: Closed captions and transcripts can significantly improve the accessibility of your tutorial and how-to videos for a wider audience. Additionally, search engines can crawl and index this textual content, improving the chances of your videos appearing in relevant search results. By including closed captions and transcripts, you are making your videos more user-friendly and SEO-friendly.
5. Skipping Thumbnails Optimization: Thumbnails are the first visual representation that users see when scrolling through a list of video search results. A compelling and relevant thumbnail can significantly impact click-through rates. To optimize your tutorial and how-to videos, select custom thumbnails that accurately depict the video’s content and entice users to click and watch.
6. Failing to Promote Your Videos: Creating excellent tutorial and how-to videos is just the first step. If you do not actively promote your videos, their reach and impact will be limited. Share your videos on social media, embed them in relevant blog posts, and reach out to influencers or industry websites for potential collaborations or mentions. By promoting your videos effectively, you can expand their visibility and improve SEO.