How to Title YouTube Videos: the Ultimate Guide to Get More Views
There’s a lot of YouTubers online. Yep! They are constantly loading amazing content that is competing for attention. We’re talking more than 500 hours of video uploaded on YouTube every minute! Therein lies why the title of your YouTube videos is so important.
You have to capture the attention of your potential viewers, and using amazing titles for your YouTube videos is one of the two most important factors to do that. Along with your thumbnails, your titles are the two keys to getting more views.
Get it right, and you might just have a chance to go viral - or at least move up in the algorithm. Get it wrong, and well, let’s just say your video likely won’t be seen by enough people to move your content creator goals along.
If you want to learn more about creating better YouTube titles, keep reading!
Understanding YouTube Title Best Practices
What are the elements of good titles for YouTube videos? Well, it all boils down to three things:
- Length
- Structure,
- And good ole SEO
Related: 9 Best YouTube Keywords Tools to Consider
Length and Structure
Your YouTube title size matters! The optimal length for a title is generally between 60-70 characters. Titles longer than this might just get cut off in search results. This means your video titles might be hiding important information from viewers.
Structure also matters. You need something that captures attention. Balance using keywords with creating a catchy, click-worthy title.
Pro tip: front-load your titles with the most important information.
This way, even if your title gets truncated, viewers still get the gist of what your video is about.
Numbers and power words can also pack a punch in your titles.
For example, "5 Mind-Blowing Hacks to Double Your Productivity" is a lot more compelling than simply calling it "Productivity Tips."
The number gives a clear expectation, while "mind-blowing" and "double" are power words that create intrigue.
Need some inspiration for power words to use in your YouTube video description? Create and Go has an awesome list of more than 1500 power words that might help you with finding better words for all of your YouTube titles.
Keyword Optimization
You wanna nail YouTube SEO strategy? Solid keywords are your bread and butter!
Start by researching relevant keywords for your video topic. Tools like Castmagic and Google Keyword Planner are a great place to start.
Once you have your keywords, incorporate them into your title as naturally as you can.
For example, if your primary keyword is "youtube title examples," you might consider "10 Killer YouTube Title Examples to Skyrocket Your Views" as your title.
A title like this incorporates the keyword while still sounding natural. And, it's also appealing to viewers. Win-win-win!
Pro tip: Keyword stuffing is a big no-no!
Not only does it look spammy, but it can also hurt your rankings if the YouTube gods determine you’re doing it!
Crafting Attention-Grabbing YouTube Headings
Using Emotion and Curiosity
Emotion and curiosity are the secret to titles that viewers can't resist.
When you evoke feelings and pique interest, it can be the ticket to higher click-through rates.
One effective technique is using open loops.
These are titles that hint at information without giving everything away, making viewers curious to learn more. For instance, "The Surprising Truth About [Topic] That No One Tells You" creates an open loop that begs to be closed.
Emotional triggers are another powerful tool.
Titles that tap into emotions like excitement, fear, or amazement can be incredibly effective.
Here are some examples of YouTube titles that use emotion effectively:
- "This Simple Trick Will Make You Fall in Love with Exercise"
- "The Shocking Reality of Fast Fashion You Need to Know"
- "I Tried This Diet for 30 Days and You Won't Believe What Happened"
Leveraging Trends and Current Events
Keep up with the times, and your videos could enjoy a boost.
To do this you will need to keep your eyes and ears open to trending topics. The kicker of course, is that you’ll need to figure out how you can tie them into your content.
It’s called newsjacking, and it can help your videos ride the wave of popular interest.
For example, during a major sporting event, a cooking channel might create a video titled "5 Easy Snacks to Score Big for the Big Game". This title leverages the current event while still staying relevant to the channel's niche.
Pro tip: Don’t use copyrighted titles/names in your YouTube video titles.
Notice we called it the Big Game and not The Super Bowl. This is because the words Super Bowl when used together are actually trademarked. Some videos and blogs have been flagged in the past for copyright issues related to using the name in their YouTube video and blog titles.
Read more about this from the Broadcast Law Blog.
It’s also worth noting that you should be careful not to overdo it with trendy titles. Balance trendy titles with evergreen content that will remain relevant for a good long while. Mixing things up can help you capture short-term views while building long-term success.
Types of Effective Titles for YouTube Videos
How-To and Tutorial Titles
How-to videos are YouTube gold, and their titles should reflect that value. When creating titles for videos, structure them to highlight the benefit or end result. For example:
- "How to Make Fluffy Pancakes Every Single Time"
- "Master Photoshop in Just 30 Minutes: A Beginner's Guide"
- "5 Steps to Build a Profitable Online Business from Scratch"
These titles clearly state what the viewer will learn and the outcome they can expect.
List-Based Video Titles
People love lists!
They're easy to digest and give a clear expectation of what the video will cover. When creating list-based titles, use specific numbers to attract clicks.
List-based video title examples:
- "7 Life-Changing Books You Need to Read This Year"
- "15 Travel Hacks That Will Save You Hundreds on Your Next Trip"
- "3 Deadly Mistakes Beginners Make in the Gym (And How to Avoid Them)"
Question-Based Titles
Addressing viewer pain points with question-based titles can be incredibly effective. Use "What," "How," and "Why" to frame your titles in a way that resonates with your audience's curiosity or challenges. For instance:
- "Why Is My Houseplant Dying? 5 Common Reasons and Solutions"
- "What Really Happens When You Crack Your Knuckles?"
- "How Can You Learn a New Language in Just 3 Months?"
These types of titles directly address viewer concerns and promise answers, making them highly clickable.
Optimizing Titles for Search and Suggested Videos
Understanding YouTube's Algorithm
YouTube's algorithm is like a mysterious beast, but understanding it (and using it to your advantage when writing descriptions!) can help your videos thrive. The algorithm considers factors like watch time, engagement, and relevance when suggesting videos. Your title plays a crucial role in all of these!
When creating titles for youtube videos, strike a balance between SEO optimization and user appeal. A title stuffed with keywords might rank well initially, but if users don't click or watch the video, it won't perform well in the long run.
Utilizing Tags and Descriptions
Your title should work in harmony with your tags and description. Use consistent messaging across all these elements to reinforce your video's topic and improve its discoverability.
For example, if your title is "10 Easy Vegan Recipes for Beginners", your tags might include "vegan recipes", "easy vegan meals", and "vegan cooking for beginners". Your description could then expand on these ideas, providing more context and keywords.
A/B Testing and Refining Your Titles
Importance of Testing
Don't just set it and forget it when it comes to your titles! A/B testing can help you refine and improve your approach over time. Tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ offer features to test different titles and see which performs better.
When testing, focus on metrics like click-through rate (CTR), watch time, and overall views. These will give you a good indication of how well your title is performing.
Iterative Improvement
Success leaves clues! Analyze YouTube titles that have performed well in your niche and try to understand why they work. Is it the structure? The use of emotional triggers? The keywords? Use these insights to continuously improve your own titles.
Remember, what works for one channel might not work for another, so it's important to test and refine based on your specific audience and content.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in YouTube Titles
Even the best of us can fall into some common titling traps. Here are a few to watch out for:
1. Clickbait and misleading titles: While it might be tempting to exaggerate for clicks, it'll hurt you in the long run.
Remember this when you use keywords too. If you're using keywords that have nothing to do with your video, that too can be seen as clickbait.
Viewers who feel misled are less likely to return to your channel. And the more people bounce from your channel, the more it can hurt your channel in search results.
2. Overuse of capital letters and punctuation: "THIS IS THE BEST VIDEO EVER!!!" might seem attention-grabbing, but it comes across as spammy and unprofessional.
3. Ignoring brand consistency: If you're building a channel brand, make sure your titles reflect your overall style and tone.
4. Not being, well, descriptive: People want to know what your video is about. Plain and simple. If you're lucky enough to get viewers on your video - from YouTube search, social media, or wherever - it's best to tell them what to expect or they might cut and run before ever watching.
Using Castmagic to Enhance Your YouTube Strategy
Castmagic’s AI-powered platform can be a game-changer for your YouTube strategy. Here's how:
Come up with titles in a couple of clicks. Upload your YouTube video by manually uploading the video file or sharing the URL. Once the transcript is processed, you can add speakers, and then click “AI Content.” Within moments the AI software will give you title suggestions, keywords, timestamps, key takeaways, and more!
That’s not all though. Castmagic can also help with the following:
- Generate YouTube video descriptions: Save time and ensure your descriptions are optimized with our AI-generated descriptions.
- Content ideas: Stuck for ideas? Castmagic can help you brainstorm video topics and find relevant keywords to target to boot!
- Repurpose video content: Turn your YouTube videos into blog posts, social media content, and more with our repurposing tools.
Mastering the Art of YouTube Titles
You made it to the end! We've covered a lot of ground in this guide to crafting the best youtube titles. From understanding best practices and keyword optimization to leveraging emotions and trends, you now have a toolkit full of strategies to create titles that grab attention and drive views.
Remember, creating great titles is both an art and a science. It requires creativity, strategic thinking, and a willingness to test and refine your approach. Don't be afraid to experiment with different styles and techniques to find what works best for your channel and audience.
As you put these strategies into practice, keep in mind that your video content title is just one piece of the puzzle. It works in tandem with your thumbnail, content quality, and overall channel strategy to attract viewers and grow your YouTube presence.
So, are you ready to take your YouTube video titles to the next level? Start implementing these tips today, and watch your views soar! And don't forget, tools like Castmagic are here to support you every step of the way. Click here for a free trial of our game-changing software!
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