youtube-seo
kostja94/marketing-skills
Optimize YouTube videos for search discovery with SEO-focused titles, descriptions, tags, and thumbnails.
What is youtube-seo?
Guides optimization of YouTube videos and channels for search visibility and discovery. Use when creating or improving video titles, descriptions, tags, thumbnails, or overall channel strategy. YouTube now ranks prominently in Google search results and AI Overviews, making systematic SEO critical for reach.
- Generate SEO-optimized video titles under 60 characters with primary keywords positioned early
- Write descriptions that naturally incorporate keywords in the first 2–3 sentences for search understanding
- Recommend relevant tags and keyword strategies to improve discoverability
- Provide thumbnail composition guidance emphasizing contrast, readability, and audience appeal
- Align title, description, and thumbnail messaging to reinforce core topic across algorithm signals
- Assess video type, target keywords, and audience context before optimization
How to install youtube-seo
npx skills add https://github.com/kostja94/marketing-skills --skill youtube-seoHow to use youtube-seo
- 1.Provide the video topic, target keyword, and video type (tutorial, review, vlog, Shorts)
- 2.Share any existing project context from `.claude/project-context.md` or `.cursor/project-context.md` if available
- 3.Receive optimized title options, full description, tag recommendations, and thumbnail guidance
- 4.Apply the recommendations to your video metadata and thumbnail design
Use cases
- Optimize an existing video's title and description to improve YouTube search rankings
- Create SEO metadata for a new tutorial or educational video targeting specific keywords
- Improve channel visibility by systematizing keyword strategy across multiple videos
- Develop thumbnail guidance that balances subscriber expectations with casual viewer appeal
- Prepare video content for AI Overviews and Google search result inclusion
- Content creators and YouTubers seeking better search visibility
- Marketing professionals managing video distribution strategy
- Tutorial and educational content producers
- Channel owners aiming to increase organic discovery and watch time
youtube-seo FAQ
Under 60 characters; mobile displays may truncate longer titles. Place your primary keyword within the first 5–55 characters for maximum visibility.
Title and description matter most for search understanding. Tags help YouTube categorize content but are secondary. All three should reinforce the same core message.
Yes. 90% of best-performing videos use custom thumbnails. Invest in high-contrast, readable designs with bold colors and simple composition following the rule of thirds.
Google now prioritizes YouTube video results in main search results and Discover. YouTube citations in AI Overviews surged 25% since January 2025, making YouTube SEO critical for broader search visibility.
This skill focuses on YouTube-specific SEO (titles, descriptions, tags, thumbnails). Use video-optimization for website-embedded video SEO, VideoObject schema, and video sitemaps.
Full instructions (SKILL.md)
Source of truth, from kostja94/marketing-skills.
name: youtube-seo 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. metadata: version: 1.1.1
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
Check for project context first: If .claude/project-context.md or .cursor/project-context.md exists, read Sections 6 (Keywords), 11 (Content Strategy).
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
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