Before you post a video on YouTube, it helps to do some 

. This task reveals essential things about your video, like the popularity of your topic and the words people use to find videos like yours.

Knowing these details will help you get more views, especially now that YouTube is bursting with competition. You can use specific keywords to attract the right audience and ensure you get thousands of relevant, long-term views. And those same keywords will tell 

 what your video is about, ensuring that it appears on the right search pages.

So if you want more views, set your camera down for a while (we’ll come back to it, I promise!). For now, let’s explore the power of YouTube keyword research.

You probably hear about keywords all the time. But what are they?

On YouTube, a keyword is any collection of words people use to search for videos.

You use keywords all the time if you watch YouTube often. In fact, anything you type into the search bar is a potential keyword that helps YouTube show you the right video.

Just look at how many searches pop up when we type “iced coffee recipe.” YouTube uses

 search term to pull additional yet relevant searches we might be interested in.

A list of suggested YouTube searches for the original term "iced coffee recipe"

As per their length and usage, keywords are primarily divided into 3 main categories:

 These are longer keywords that contain several words and target a specific type of query. They don't usually have a high search volume, but people using long-tail keywords know exactly what they want to watch. "

How to Get 10 Million YouTube Shorts Views: A 90-Day Plan

" is a good example of a long-tail keyword.

 These keywords have a moderate search volume and may contain a group of words or a phrase. Many consider medium-tail keywords to be the best of both worlds because they aren't too hard to rank for. A good example here would be, "

How to Start a YouTube Channel: 10 Brilliant Tips.

 These are the most-searched terms, and they have a high search volume because everyone uses them. Short-tail keywords only contain a few words. Terms like, "youtube shorts", "algorithm", "youtube monetization", etc. are great examples.

Finding the best keywords on YouTube isn’t difficult, but sometimes the process can take a while. If you’re short on time, we recommend using a 

. It cuts your research time in half by showing detailed information about various keywords, including:

An overall keyword score, which assesses keyword volume and competitiveness

And guess what? You can get all this and more from vidIQ’s keyword research tool!

 and choose the Pro plan ($10/month). Then come back to this article to learn how to use the tool and see the best YouTube keywords. 

Or, scroll down to see free research options!

It's important to have a clear topic for your YouTube video so you can focus your keyword research. Exploring one topic in depth allows you to target the right audience and discover the specific words they'll use to find your video.

So get clear on your purpose. Are you posting a Minecraft tutorial? A vlog at the Grand Canyon? Two baristas racing each other to make a Starbucks latte?

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No matter what you’re aiming for, try to summarize the video idea in 1-2 sentences. If you can do that successfully, you’re ready to move to the next step.

2. Create a List of Phrases to Describe Your Video

The next step is brainstorming a list of words to describe your video. This task is all about identifying what makes your video special, so consider the key talking points you'll discuss or unique details about the theme.

For example, let’s say your video is about buying dog food for senior dogs. Your list could look something like this:

Dog food for senior dogs with special needs

Dog food for senior dogs with dietary restrictions

Dog food for senior dogs with sensitive stomachs

Once you come up with a list of potential words, your research becomes ten times easier. You won’t have to wonder, “What should I type into the keyword tool?” because you’ve already covered that part!

 to discover relevant terms and drive traffic to your videos. All you have to do is place is them in your titles and descriptions, then hit publish!

Here, we use the phrase "YouTube Short" to generate related keywords.

After clicking on "generate", the tool will provide a list of related keywords and a score to prioritize their use.

3. Paste Those Descriptors into vidIQ’s Keyword Tool

Now it's time to take your word list for a spin. Make sure you’ve signed up for vidIQ Pro, then head to 

The keyword tab is at the top of the screen, and the third tab option when reading left to right

Go to the search bar and paste in a phrase from your keyword list. Then hit enter!

The phrase "dog food for older dogs" typed into the vidIQ keyword tool's search bar

Next, let’s see how the tool analyzes monthly search volume, competitiveness, related terms, and additional questions people ask.

After hitting enter on your search, look directly below the search bar; you'll notice a 

 for the term you just typed. This number represents the quality of your keyword in terms of search volume and competition.

"Dog food for older dogs" has a keyword score of 65

Generally, you want to use high-volume, low-competition keywords on YouTube. For example, “dog food for older dogs” has a medium search volume and low competition overall — not bad for a few seconds’ work!

Now we know the search volume for this topic is high enough to get views without facing too much competition. That's a great sign because it’s not easy finding low-competition keywords (wipes forehead sweat).

Want to see other versions of the keyword you're exploring? Take a look at the 

 panel, which is right below the keyword score.

A list of matching terms for dog food for older dogs."

As you can see, the tool shares additional keywords we should consider. You might find some that describe your video better or have a higher keyword score, so take advantage of this panel.

With related keywords, you can explore how people search for the smaller details related to your topic, which is always good to know.

But even better, related keywords can expose the 

 in other YouTube videos — the "subtopics" viewers care about but don't get to see because they're missing from a video. So, you can use related keywords to fortify your content with information people are looking for.

 section on the right side of the screen. Click 

A list of related keywords for "dog food for older dogs."

When we expand the list, we get more related keywords, including:

People are searching for these related topics, so it makes sense to cover them in the video.

Imagine that viewers are asking questions about a topic on YouTube. In that case, you can make your video 10 times more valuable by providing a clear, helpful answer.

 panel in the bottom right corner of the screen.

Sometimes you won’t see any questions if your topic is narrow, like the one we've chosen (dog food for older dogs). When that happens, try expanding your search to a broader term.

An error message that says the keyword tool can find questions for "dog food for older dogs."

Using a dedicated tool is the easiest way to research, but there are other ways to get keyword ideas on YouTube. Here's a quick list!

Find Keywords Using the YouTube Search Bar

Have you noticed that the YouTube search bar auto-completes every query? You could type the phrase "how to cook" — a basic search — and YouTube will share a list of relevant searches to explore.

Pay attention to these suggestions. If YouTube is recommending them, it's because viewers are searching for them 

. You can use these "freebies" to kick off your research.

Want to make the suggestions more targeted for your niche? Make sure you're using the correct verbs. We used "cook" in the example above, which works well for a culinary channel. But there are plenty of words you can use to get better suggestions:

grow (gardening, finance, personal growth)

build (DIY, construction, personal growth)

Find the Related Google Searches Associated with Your Video

Have you heard of related Google searches? You’ll see them at the bottom of Google search pages, like these keywords for the popular search phrase “YouTube Shorts monetization.”

A list of LSI keywords for the Google search "YouTube Shorts monetization."

So how do these keywords affect your content?

If you produce quality YouTube videos (that have keywords from related searches), Google might recommend your content at the top of search pages. Imagine all of that free traffic going straight to your videos!

A vidIQ video appears in Google search for the phrase "YouTube Shorts monetization"

Use Google Trends to Find Popular Topics/Keywords

Want to find popular keywords you can trust? Go to Google Trends and type in any phrase related to your content. Google will show you the relative popularity of that keyword over time, the regions people are searching from, related topics, and questions people ask.

A magnifying glass hovering over a phone screen showing the YouTube app.

Discover the best keywords for your YouTube channel! Use our tips to build an effective YouTube channel keywords list, boost views, and rank higher fast.

How to Find YouTube Keywords that Grow Your Channel

YouTube Shorts are opening new doors for content discovery and driving viewer engagement in ways that are reshaping the YouTube game. And as these vertical videos continue to be pushed to the forefront, creators have a unique opportunity to ride the wave and grow their channels.

 but the challenging part is keeping the momentum going. And with many updates over the years, you may have to think differently about how you create Shorts. 

Shorts are appearing in search results, so you should absolutely create them.

If you focus on making unique Shorts that go viral, subscribers will find you eventually.

Every Short needs a pinned comment that recommends 

Musical Shorts may contain trends or dance challenges, so research those topics before you press record.

Now that you have some background knowledge, here are four tips to grow your channel with YouTube Shorts.

1. YouTube Shorts are More Discoverable; Don’t Hesitate to Post Them!

Getting discovered with YouTube Shorts is a sound strategy, especially as search-based Shorts are getting more views. That means you should absolutely start posting them to 

How Viewers ‘Search’ for YouTube Shorts

Viewers can find your Shorts via YouTube search just like traditional, topic-based videos. Want to learn how? Follow these steps:

Open YouTube on your desktop or mobile app.

Next to your profile icon, click the magnifying glass at the top right corner of the screen.

Type your desired keywords into the search bar and tap the appropriate result when it pops up.

Scroll down past the first few results — the regular, horizontal videos — until you see the Shorts shelf. Here you'll find Shorts related to your search term.

When we search for vidIQ, a shelf filled with 

 called "Latest Shorts from vidIQ" appears in the results. This may contain Shorts we’ve posted as well as those from other creators who talk about vidIQ. So just by posting Shorts, you've created one more way for viewers to 

If you're on the mobile app, you can also simply click the Shorts icon at the bottom and watch a stream of endless Shorts!

What About Topic-Based Searches for YouTube Shorts on Google?

If you're a long-form creator making search-based videos, you know the struggle of trying to rank for a search term, especially a popular one. It's a popular strategy, but long-form videos are almost oversaturated with it.

With the rise of search-based Shorts, you can find new ways to dominate a search term. That’s because although long-form videos show up on Google search pages, there are little to no Shorts. If you’re anything like us, you’d probably want to click on a 40-second Short explaining the search term instead of an 8-minute “how to” tutorial.

YouTube Shorts from Google Search results

For example, do a Google search on "how to make a YouTube Short." You'll notice a Short from vidIQ appears 

which creates more exposure for our channel. So always do 

 so you can make discoverable videos.

Watch Rob explain this in more detail below:

2. Accept That Views, Not Subscribers, Are the Immediate Benefit of Creating Shorts

If you’ve struggled to gain subscribers from Shorts, that might intensify in the future. YouTube made some layout changes to the Shorts player, and the subscribe button is less prominent than it used to be.

In the old layout, the subscribe button was red and higher up on the player. Now the button is gray and very close to the bottom of the screen.

It seems like YouTube wants to take the emphasis off of subscribers, at least for Shorts. We’re not sure why. What we do know is that views, not subscribers, have always been the biggest reward for posting Shorts. Some creators get millions of subscribers, but that’s usually because they’re posting unique content that’s hard to duplicate — like 

Jake Fellman’s animated Among Us Shorts

. Those videos attract millions of subscribers.

For now, create the best Shorts you can possibly make. Make them so entertaining that people deliberately search for the subscribe button, even if it’s harder to see.

18 Viral Video Hooks for YouTube Shorts [Proven Hacks]

3. Use Pinned Comments to Drive Viewers From a Short to Additional Content

Shorts are similar to TikTok videos; viewers watch them quickly, swipe to the next video, and repeat the process as they cycle through content. It’s hard to get people to slow down, but when they do, you should give them something to look at.

The comment section is a good place to do this. Because subscribers are harder to gain with Shorts, you should 

make sure each video has a pinned comment.

 You can highlight additional content — a playlist, a Short that serves as a part two, whatever you like — and encourage people to explore your channel. If people like what they see, they may hit subscribe.

The pinned comment is your best tool because Shorts don’t have info cards or end screens for suggesting content. Even the video description is hidden behind a two-tap journey.

4. Do Some Research to Make Unique, Music-Driven Shorts

 That’s what’s been happening on TikTok and even older platforms like Triller and the unforgettable sensation that was Vine.

Now YouTube wants to create the same appeal on its mobile app. On March 18, 2021, the platform unveiled a feature for 

, and it's been working great. The best part? You won’t be penalized for violating copyright rules.

Not to mention, YouTube is one of the biggest platforms for music listeners and is preferred by many. If you can add music with a high search volume or something that's trending online, your Short might get recommended when people search for the song!

Recommended shorts with song search on YouTube

With more creators using music, it's easy to find out which songs appear in certain videos. Then you can 

 after seeing what others posted, hopefully making your content stand out.

To start researching, look for the icon below. If you see it, that means the creator added a song from the Shorts camera tool.

Tap the icon to see more Shorts using that song. This is where your research will really take off as you discover how the song is being used, if there’s a challenge associated with it, and more. At the top of the page, you can also see the original YouTube video for the song.

YouTube Shorts Are Getting Longer: Is This an Opportunity or a Problem?

Starting October 15th, YouTube will classify any vertical or square videos up to 3 minutes in length as YouTube Shorts. This is a significant shift from the current format, which only allows Shorts to be a maximum of 60 seconds. Watch Rob explain this update in detail below:

There are some challenges to consider with this update. Here's a concise version of what to expect:

 Longer Shorts might not display correctly on your channel at first, and YouTube has acknowledged that traffic sources could be inconsistent for a while.

 Shorts over 60 seconds containing copyrighted material will be automatically blocked, a tougher policy compared to the previous claim system.

 While longer Shorts offer more content space, they won’t count towards the watch time needed for monetization. Creators still need 10 million views from Shorts to qualify.

While these changes might not seem as amazing for new creators, this format might open up a pool of audience that could gravitate towards it. It marks a significant shift in the platform's strategy, and while it may seem daunting, there are ways for aspiring creators to navigate these updates successfully. 

By understanding the new guidelines and preparing for potential challenges, creators can continue to grow their channels while delivering quality content that resonates with audiences. How. you ask? Well, here's a 

90-day plan to get you started on your way to 10 million YouTube Shorts views!

YouTube Shorts are more popular than ever, and now you can use them to grow your channel in exciting ways. Learn how below!

4 Tips to Grow Your Channel with YouTube Shorts

When you want more YouTube views, it makes sense to design enticing, high-quality thumbnails. The only problem? It’s hard to design images that make thousands of people feel something on a deep, emotional level. There are challenges along the way, such as running out of ideas or not knowing 

If you're looking for fresh YouTube thumbnail ideas, you're in the right place. In this article, we share 12 types of best YouTube thumbnails that people love to click on!

One way to get people interested in your thumbnail is by displaying 

 that keeps them up at night. “Can I afford a house right now with my current income?” “Will eating organic produce transform my health?” The more relevant the question is to your audience, the more likely they are to click!

For example, creators Colin and Samir started a 

 to address the most pressing concerns of YouTube creators. So far, each thumbnail displays an actual question from their audience.

In fact, one of their popular videos has a thumbnail that reads, “Will YouTube Shorts pay us more than TikTok?” And that is definitely a hot-button issue for their viewers.

We often say the best YouTube thumbnails draw people in with their emotional appeal. But for some viewers, facts and statistics can be enticing, too! This method works well in niches that rely on numbers and data, such as sports, science, and history.

 make videos about “NBA moments” that lead to shock, controversy, or at least a good laugh. Some of those moments include record-breaking stats for different players, so adding those numbers to the thumbnail is a way to get viewers interested in the video.

After all, it’s a bit surprising to learn that a player achieved 50 points and 40 rebounds in one game!

Thumbnails that compare an object or place in its before-and-after state — a bare room or a failing garden, for example — is an instant win on YouTube. People love seeing transformations, especially when the final form is far from the original. When you show this transformation in a thumbnail, you prove to viewers that the video is worth watching.

For example, take a look at this thumbnail from Bernardo Bacalhau’s video, “

.” The before and after shots aren’t even close! With such a beautiful upgrade, you can’t help but press play and watch the journey unfold.

Before and after shots of a renovated van

Thumbnails that follow the “versus” format compare two items in the same category. For example, you might display two video games about action and fighting or two washing machines that are both energy efficient. In both cases, you’re helping viewers understand what will be compared and why they should care.

The Vox channel has a great example of this. They did an excellent video 

 of the 1800s to the ones we ride today, and you can see the difference just by looking at the thumbnail.

A thumbnail showing rollercoasters in two different eras

If you’re going to put text on a thumbnail, consider a quote or sound bite from the video itself. That will give viewers a subtle preview of what to expect when they press play. Plus, the more interesting the sound bite is, the more enticing the video becomes.

 from Alpha Leaders is about Kobe Bryant’s incredible work ethic. The thumbnail exposes a little-known fact, claiming that he 

 to squeeze in longer, harder basketball practices. The video has 3.4 million views!

YouTube thumbnail showing a Kobe Bryant quote

Did you know that headshots aren’t just for vloggers or creators building a personal brand? Sometimes, showing your face in a YouTube thumbnail just makes sense.

But it’s about more than showing dramatic facial expressions. To keep things interesting, most people edit around their faces to convey a unique twist in the video and get more views.

That’s what Shelby Church did for her viral video, “

” The thumbnail shows her face, but it also shows some hologram-like images projecting from her glasses. It’s more engaging than a bare headshot!

Thumbnail of a woman wearing smart glasses

Do you make action-packed videos on YouTube? If so, you want your thumbnail to give off a similar vibe. Try taking a screen capture of the most exciting scene in your video, then edit the entire image to look bold, colorful, and adventurous. This approach will make your video stand out from the competition!

 is an expert at making live-action thumbnails, so follow his lead by checking out the thumbnail below!

Three people on an island for a video challenge

Showing products in your thumbnail is a good idea if you have a tech channel, gaming channel, or like reviewing new merchandise in general. You could talk about the latest mascara, the most fragrant candles, or the best skillets for searing steak. Either way, showing a product in your thumbnail helps viewers decide whether to click or not.

As an example, take a look at the image below. Mrwhosetheboss has a table full of Nintendo consoles, and you can probably guess that he’s reviewing all of them in 

. Seeing all those consoles is exciting because you know an in-depth review is coming!

A man smiling beside a pile of gaming consoles

A funny title and thumbnail can catch viewers off guard in a good way. They might laugh, chuckle, or think, 

 It sounds insignificant at first, but this is precisely the type of reaction you want — for viewers to stop what they’re doing and think about your video. That’s the first step to making them click.

If you need inspiration, Kelly Stamps has some of the wittiest thumbnails on YouTube. Check out the one below, which she used for her video, “

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A humorous YouTube thumbnail against the New York City skyline

Nature has a way of captivating us all, from the red rock formations in Arizona to the clear blue waters of Jamaica. People travel thousands of miles to see those wonders, so it can’t hurt to show a little nature in your YouTube thumbnails.

Need an example? DownieLive has one of the best YouTube thumbnails on YouTube right now. For his video, “

,” icy mountains in Alaska meet the tropical waves of Miami.

A thumbnail showing landscapes of Alaska and Florida

If you’re planning a heartfelt video, don’t forget to add a touching moment to the thumbnail too. This is an important skill that produces great YouTube thumbnail ideas. People love to see good deeds, random acts of kindness, or cute moments between children and animals. It proves that a bit of emotion can take you far on YouTube!

For example, check out the thumbnail below where 

A man showing his grandpa the car he bought for him

We’ll be honest: Making thumbnails for tutorials is not easy. On the one hand, you want the image to convey what will happen in the video, which is a step-by-step lesson. On the other hand, you don’t want the photo itself to be bland or boring. So how do you spice things up?

To start, take a little inspiration from Rose & Anzai Country Life. Surprisingly, the thumbnail for their 

 video breaks all the rules of a traditional cooking channel. You don’t see a kitchen or anyone cooking at all. Instead, you see the family enjoying the finished meal, which appeals to the heart and not the head!

Thumbnails play a significant role in getting you more views, so be intentional about each one. Make sure the thumbnail is an accurate reflection of the video and that it draws people in with stunning images, questions, stats, and emotional themes. And if you run out of amazing YouTube thumbnail ideas, come back to this article to get inspired again!

Of course, every YouTube thumbnail needs to be framed and arranged properly and aesthetically to the eye. Learn more about 

YouTube thumbnail measurements and how important they are!

Need some fresh YouTube thumbnail ideas for your channel? Explore these popular image styles to get more views on your content today!

12 Best YouTube Thumbnails Ideas People Love to Click On

Are you a Shorts creator? If so, here’s some advice you probably haven’t heard in a while:

Thumbnails aren’t just for long-form videos.

In 2024, your Shorts need attention-grabbing thumbnails to stand out on YouTube — not just a great title and description. A captivating graphic will persuade viewers to click on your content, and that could kickstart a viral moment on your channel. You might even get enough views to achieve 

 that we conducted recently on your community page, 33,000 voters made their choice clear on the subject. However, YouTube has not introduced any tool or feature to create custom thumbnails. In fact, in a recent update video from Creator Insider, the YouTube team revealed that they have no plans for custom thumbnails for the rest of 2024 either. 

Do you know how to make a YouTube Shorts thumbnail? Here's why you should create them, plus two ways to attach the graphics to your videos.

Posts Written By Lydia Sweatt

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