5 Tips To Improve Your YouTube SEO
September 18, 2019

YOUTUBE SEO: Like Google, everyone’s favourite video browser, YouTube also contributes to online traffic. This video sharing platform is widely accessible to everyone across the globe and generates billions of page views every month. That includes websites and blogs.

However, simply uploading content on YouTube isn’t enough. To make your video stand out from the millions in the same category, you need to optimize it in the same way you would with written content. When you enhance your videos through search engine optimization (SEO), you make it easy for your target audience to find it. Similarly, you can ensure your content scales to the top of search results and stays there for as long as possible.

To help you plan your video optimization strategy, our   Arc and Crown Media Inc. experts have listed five tips to improve your YouTube SEO. Keep reading to learn how to rank better, increase your views on YouTube, and target the right audience.

Tip #1: Make use of keywords.

Keywords are how YouTube and Google search engines decide if your content provides more value to the viewer than others. In other words, keywords directly affect how your video or site ranks on a search list.

To ensure you use the right keywords in your content, first determine four to five keywords for your video(s), and one priority or ‘focus keyword.’ To do so, imagine yourself as your own target audience. What words would you type into the search engine to get to your video or website? Select the words that best summarize your video content, while using the right vocabulary that your desired audience would use.

You’ll want to incorporate your focus keyword (and other keywords where applicable) in the:

  1. Video Title
  2. Video Description
  3. Video Filename (the one you upload to YouTube)
  4. YouTube Tags

 

Tip #2: Use a custom thumbnail.

When you upload a video, YouTube by default provides three possible frames from your video to use as the thumbnail. However, you’ll want to upload the most enticing image from the video to draw viewers to click on your link.

Keep in mind that the way you export a still image from your video will depend on the video player you have. Most video players, like QuickTime Player, have the option to “Export” or “Save As” a video, where you can select a frame to save as an image file type like “JPG.”

When you upload a thumbnail to YouTube, you get to incorporate your keyword in the image filename as well. So, remember to make the best use of it.

 

Tip #3: Add captions.

Captions are an SEO goldmine as YouTube can comb through the text for optimization. This is especially the case if your captioned text provides main and related keywords for YouTube to pick up on.

If you want to add captions to your video, here are a few ways to do so:

  1. First, go to your Video Manager. You can do this by clicking your account in the top right > Creator Studio > Video Manager > Videos.

(Note, if YouTube has put you into YouTube Studio Beta, the option to return to the classic Creator Studio is near the bottom on the left panel.)

  1. Next to the video, you want to add captions or subtitles, to do so, click the drop-down menu near the Edit button.
  2. Select Subtitles/CC.
  3. Click the Add new subtitles or CC button.

From here, you can choose how you want to add or edit the subtitles or closed captions of your video. You can add them manually using their tool, or upload a “.srt file” containing all the text. YouTube also has automatic tools that transcribe based on voice.

 

Tip #4: Put your videos into playlists.

With a playlist, once your viewer is finished watching one video in the playlist, they are immediately directed to your next video. Playlists are the perfect way to keep your viewers watching more of your content. To set up playlists, go to Video Manager > Playlists > New Playlist. After creating the playlists, you can enter the edit page for each video and choose to add them into the specific playlists.

Always title your playlist, and make it a category where you can add in multiple videos. Just ensure that each video is relevant to your playlist theme. This is so your viewer is compelled to keep watching. It’s also possible to add a description for your playlist which is another good chance to incorporate your keywords and boost your SEO.

 

Tip #5: Don’t forget to link.

Links are valuable because if one webpage links to another page and that page links to other pages or links them back, search engines see them as more useful content for users.

Link your YouTube channel to your blog, social media, and website, and do the same on these platforms. If your video showcases other companies or people, link it to their website and social media pages and ask them to link it back to you. This boosts both your YouTube and Google SEO and potentially drives viewers to visit your other online sites.

To learn more tips and tricks to boost your video content online, reach out to  Arc and Crown Media Inc. , the video production experts in Toronto, ON. Whether you’re interested in converting prospects on YouTube, your website, or at your next social event, we will guide you from start to finish to ensure your video content gets maximum views and conversions. We help you build your brand, educate your clients, and push them to engage with your content.

For more details on what we do,  please click here . If you need any assistance in improving your YouTube SEO,  get in touch with us by clicking here .

Ready to take a hand at making your own video content? Check out our extensive online course to become your own DIY video making expert. Prefer to let a professional team handle your video content? Contact us here to get started with Arc and Crown Media!

April 8, 2026
Self-recorded video is becoming one of the most effective ways for Toronto-based companies to communicate internally, train teams, and build a strong, authentic brand presence—without relying on full-scale production for every piece of content. But most teams hit the same challenges: What should we say? How do we make it look professional? How do we keep it consistent across teams? This guide breaks down a simple, repeatable self-recorded video process designed specifically for businesses in Toronto looking to scale their communication. In fast-moving industries like finance, healthcare, and tech across Toronto, video has become essential for: Internal communication across hybrid teams Employee training and onboarding Leadership messaging Company-wide updates Self-recorded video allows organizations to: Move faster without production bottlenecks Create more authentic, human content Reduce ongoing production costs Build a scalable internal content system The key is having the right structure and support in place. Step 1: Start With Clarity, Not Guesswork Before hitting record, successful teams align on strategy first. What Toronto Businesses Should Focus On: Define your objective Are you creating training content? Internal updates? Executive communication? Choose the right format Talking head, screen recording, or guided presentation? Work within your team’s capabilities Whether you're a downtown corporate office or a growing startup, your process should fit your resources. Structure your messaging clearly Simple, direct communication performs better than overproduced scripts. Get expert guidance when needed Strategic support early on prevents wasted time later. Clarity upfront saves time, budget, and internal friction. Step 2: Capture Content Your Team Feels Confident Creating Once the plan is clear, recording becomes easy and repeatable. Most Toronto teams are already equipped to film using: Smartphones Laptops or webcams Basic lighting setups What Makes the Biggest Impact: On-camera confidence Professionals aren’t always natural on video but some training can dramatically improve delivery. Simple technical setup Clean audio, proper framing, and lighting matter more than expensive gear. Test recordings A quick trial run avoids common mistakes. Flexible workflows Recording should fit into your team’s schedule, especially in busy corporate environments. The system ensures consistency and quality. Step 3: Turn Raw Footage Into Branded, Ready-to-Use Content This is where your videos become valuable business assets. Post-Production That Elevates Your Content: Edit for clarity and engagement Remove filler, tighten messaging, improve pacing. Repurpose content Turn one recording into multiple internal or external assets. Add branding Graphics, captions, and visual consistency reinforce your company identity. Deliver ready-to-use videos Content that can be immediately shared across teams or platforms. For Toronto organizations, this step is key to maintaining a professional standard at scale. Make Your Video Content Work Across Your Organization Creating content is only part of the equation—distribution drives impact. Teams often integrate self-recorded videos into: Internal communication platforms Learning and development systems HR onboarding processes Marketing and employer branding With the right system, your content doesn’t just get created—it gets used consistently across the business. Build a Scalable Video System (Not Just One-Off Content) The most effective companies in Toronto don’t treat video as a one-time project. They build a repeatable workflow that allows them to: Produce content consistently Maintain quality without slowing down Scale communication across departments Self-recorded video becomes a long-term business tool. Looking for Self-Recorded Video Support in Toronto? If your team is exploring how to implement self-recorded video effectively, having the right structure can make all the difference. From planning and on-camera training to editing and delivery, a clear process ensures your videos are not just created, but actually drive results. Contact us for more info https://www.arcandcrown.com/contact
Group of people in a meeting around a table, laptop in the center, discussing ideas, and taking notes.
March 26, 2026
Discover how Toronto businesses can use corporate video to improve internal communication, engage audiences, and strengthen their brand with Arc & Crown Media.
A professional in a white shirt types on a keyboard while working at a desk in a bright, modern office.
March 26, 2026
Learn how corporate videos enhance communication, simplify complex messages, and strengthen brand identity—crafted by Toronto’s video specialists.
January 19, 2026
"Volunteer advocates are at the heart of Diabetes Canada’s efforts to bring about positive change. They represent the voice of the 11.7 million Canadians living with diabetes or pre-diabetes and speak for those who cannot speak up for themselves. Advocates help raise awareness of diabetes and the daily burden of living with the disease. They participate in Diabetes Canada advocacy campaigns and events across the country, and they help influence public policy by building relationships with elected officials in their ridings and promoting Diabetes Canada’s policy recommendations through their personal and professional networks. To support and grow this vital community, Diabetes Canada launched a new advocacy training series designed to make it easier than ever for people to get involved: Speak up & speak out Getting involved is easy Introducing Diabetes Advocacy 👉 Watch the videos and learn more here: DIABETES CANADA Bringing Advocacy to Life With Video Arc + Crown Media partnered with Diabetes Canada to help bring this important advocacy training to life through strategically designed animated videos, we helped make the training: 🎥 Clear and accessible Animation helped break down complex concepts into simple, visually engaging sequences, so viewers instantly grasp key ideas — like what advocacy is, how it works, and how they can participate. 📈 Action-oriented and motivating The pacing and progression were intentionally structured so someone watching could move from curiosity to confidence — ready to take action. Our approach ensured the advocacy training wasn’t just informative — it felt welcoming, inclusive, and empowering to volunteers from all walks of life. Why Animated Training Content Works Training and onboarding content — especially for volunteer programs and advocacy initiatives — needs to be engaging, easy to understand, and repeatable. Animation is uniquely suited to this because it lets you: Illustrate abstract ideas visually (e.g., advocacy processes, decision pathways) Keep attention with motion and visual cues Streamline complex information into digestible chapters Adapt content for web, social channels, and virtual learning platforms By combining animation with thoughtful narrative structure and live footage, Arc & Crown Media helped create a training resource that volunteers can come back to again and again — whenever they need a refresher or want to share training with others. How Arc + Crown Media Can Help Your Organization At Arc + Crown Media, we specialize in strategic video production that helps organizations educate, train, and inspire their audiences. Whether you’re working with: Volunteers Clients or customers Employees and stakeholders Advocates or community members …we can help you build animated and live-action video series that turn complex ideas into clear, compelling content. We specialize in corporate and nonprofit video production that supports long-term communication strategies, not just one-off campaigns. Organizations work with us to create: Animated explainer videos Training and onboarding video libraries Internal communications from leadership teams Culture and employer branding videos Educational and advocacy content This is especially valuable for companies and nonprofits that need to communicate consistently across departments, locations, or audiences. For many of our clients, video becomes a recurring communication asset — helping them save time, improve message clarity, and increase engagement. Here’s what we bring to every project: ✨ Message strategy & script development 🎬 High-quality animated and live action production 📊 Content designed for multi-platform use 🤝 Collaborative creative process tailored to your mission Video isn’t just storytelling — it’s a strategic communication tool that scales your training, expands engagement, and aligns audiences around your mission. Ready to Make Video Work for You? If your organization needs: Training and onboarding content Advocacy or awareness campaigns Educational or mission-driven storytelling Animated explanation videos …video can be one of the most effective ways to communicate. Looking for Animated or Training Video Production in Canada? If your organization is planning: Volunteer or employee training programs Advocacy or awareness initiatives Internal communications strategies Educational content for clients or stakeholders Professional video production can dramatically improve how your message is understood and remembered. Arc + Crown Media is a Canadian video production company specializing in animated and live-action video content for training, internal communications, and advocacy. We help organizations communicate complex ideas clearly and connect with their audiences authentically. 👉 Contact Arc & Crown Media to learn how video can support your communication goals. Arc + Crown Media creates video content that helps organizations communicate clearly, connect authentically, and scale their impact. Let’s talk about your next video project and how we can help you achieve your goals.
Show More