In this digital age, videos aren’t an option but a necessity. In fact, video is projected to account for 82% of all internet traffic in the next several years. For businesses, particularly in a dynamic marketplace like India, video optimization for search engines could unlock new opportunities and brand exposure. If you want to differentiate yourself in a sea of competitors, you should know how to make your videos work for Google.
In this post, we will cover real-world tips and tricks for Indian brands, and we will discuss how to do it. By the end, you’ll have concrete tips to help you improve your video marketing strategy. So, let’s take a closer look at the best practices for video SEO!
Understanding Video SEO
Video SEO means you optimize your videos so that they show up higher in the search engines. As opposed to conventional SEO, where you only focus on text, video SEO takes into account many different elements:
- Title and Description of Video: Designing eye-catching titles and descriptions utilizing keywords.
- Thumbnails: Creating compelling thumbnails that users want to click on.
- Performance Analytics: Tracking viewer metrics (watch times, likes) that send a signal to the search engines.
Why Video SEO Matters
You can’t say enough about video SEO:
- Increased Conversion: Videos keep visitors on your page longer, lowering bounce rates.
- Visibility: Optimized videos will show up in video and universal search, expanding your exposure.
- Market Leadership: Quite a few companies continue to fail video optimization. If you can master it, you’ll get a huge advantage over the competition.
Key Components of Video Optimization
If you want your video to be found by Google, make sure to focus on these important aspects.
1. Keyword Research
Begin by determining what keywords are pertinent to your video content. You can use tools such as Google Keyword Planner or Uber suggest to search for terms that are common. You could use words such as “easy Indian recipe” or “vegetarian dinner ideas”, for instance, if you’re creating a cooking video.
2. Title and Description
The title of your video should be something short and sweet. Incorporate your primary keyword naturally. For example “5 Quick and Easy Indian Dishes for Busy Weeknights” not only describes what the content contains but also contains keywords.
The description is your opportunity to explain the video. Write 200-300 words in a sentence that explains the video with secondary keywords. For example:
“We’ll be demonstrating five easy and quick Indian recipes in this video that you can whip up on a busy weeknight. Whether you’re a new or seasoned chef, these recipes will save you time and please your family.
3. Thumbnails
You can get much higher click-through rates with a good thumbnail. Create a thumbnail that displays your video. Strive for bright colors, bold words, and high-quality pictures. Swiggy, for example, uses visually striking, gastronomic thumbnails when sharing recipes videos, catching the eye of their viewers immediately.
4. Video Length
There’s no magic number when it comes to video length, but just make sure it’s good for your material. It’s generally said that videos from 7-15 minutes tend to be effective in keeping viewers entertained and don’t drag on.
5. Closed Captions and Subtitles
Using closed captions allows people to find your videos and index your video. You could also provide subtitles in multiple languages (especially Hindi and regional languages) to suit diverse audiences in India.
6. Engagement Signals
Arousing viewer engagement can improve your video’s position. Get viewers to like, comment, and share. Create CTA’s such as “If you liked this video, hit the thumbs up!” It signals to Google that your content is valuable.
7. Video Sitemap
When you submit a video sitemap to Google, it helps search engines find your content more effectively. It’s simple, just create a sitemap file and submit it via Google Search Console.
8. Hosting Platform
The most popular video site is YouTube, but don’t forget where you’re going to post it. Hosting on your site brings direct traffic to your site and increases SEO. Yet, YouTube’s huge traffic may get more people to see what you have to offer in the first place.
Real-Life Examples from Indian Brands
So, let’s have a look at a few Indian brands that have effectively optimized their videos.
1. Zomato
Zomato has the knack of producing entertaining content that blends humor with food. Their videos typically have appealing titles and thumbnails that draw you in. By focusing on relatable content, they’ve established a strong following.
2. Tanishq
The jewelry company Tanishq makes narrative-driven videos that demonstrate their products in visceral ways. They curate their content using key terms associated with weddings and festivals to ensure they reach people who are looking for jewelry during peak seasons.
3. Flipkart
YouTube videos for product reviews on Flipkart are great examples of video SEO. They contain product-specific descriptions and keywords that empower users to make an educated decision. They also display compelling thumbnails which emphasize the product and thereby increase clicks.
Measuring Video Performance
Once your videos are live and optimized, you’ll want to see how they perform. Monitor: With tools such as Google Analytics and YouTube Analytics, track:
- Stream Duration: How long people are viewing your videos.
- Click-Through Rate (CTR): The percentage of people who click on your video after seeing the thumbnail.
- Rate of engagement: Likes, shares, and comments on your video.
- Those metrics will give you insight into what’s working and what can be improved.
Conclusion
Google search optimized videos are a must-have part of any digital marketing campaign, particularly in a booming market such as India. If you pay attention to keyword research, create enticing titles and descriptions, and make your viewers engage, you’ll have a big advantage when it comes to your video’s exposure.
And, while you’re doing these things, keep in mind that great video content is not only about SEO, it’s about connecting with your viewers. To get professional advice on video marketing and production, hire professionals to elevate your content strategy. Let’s get your brand on the web!