Video Search Engine Optimization…Do You Have To?

Ok, so you don’t have to employ video search engine optimization as part of your SEO arsenal. But the stark reality is, you absolutely should.

Video is an incredibly powerful medium online. Let’s face it – you already know that everybody and their brother is posting to YouTube. From favorite TV clips to hair coloring how-to’s, to music videos made by hopeful teenagers with guitars and a dream in every country across the world…this is definitely the ‘final frontier’ in an internet search. Whether you’re just getting started or have a brand new website design under your belt, if your business isn’t part of the world’s 3rd largest search engine, you’re missing out on one of the best internet marketing tools available! If it’s not optimized for search, it’s also NOT optimized to be accessible based on the ADA Guidelines. If you don’t optimize your videos by providing a full script, quality descriptions and closed captioning, you may find yourself in trouble.

Does it really work? Enter those iconic home-made “Will It Blend” videos created with about 50 bucks and a brilliant idea by Blendtec. Yeah, it works:

Video has come a long way. Creating a unique and informative video for your website can take any number of paths, from funny to elegant, intentionally hokey or completely professional and polished. The fact is, Google puts forth a prime piece of real estate for videos. For instance, a search for a popular regional musician and performer, Rich Ortiz, returns these results:

 Google SERP image

Nice for Rich, eh? Organic results, images, and video all in one handy dandy little Google package!

You can get the same type of results for your company or small business website! Take advantage of the availability of video space and get started. Whether you use the services of a professional videographer as we did to highlight these SEO Case Studies, or dust off your webcam or cell phone and get to work!

Taking and loading the video is one thing, but skilled video search engine optimization will get you found.

  • Upload your video to YouTube and embed on your website
  • Create and submit a Google Video Sitemap
  • Set up a full transcript of the video
  • Utilize search engine positioning strategies SEO 101 strategies on the page
  • If your video is short, transcribe it yourself and use the text for SEO. If it’s really long (try not to do that!) there are commercial transcription services you can employ to assist you.

You can learn more about VSEO here. Have fun…see you on YouTube!

About Sara Mannix

Sara Mannix founded Mannix in 1996 with a goal to get clients found on the web through organic search engine optimization (SEO). The company now serves over 1500 clients worldwide and employs a team of 30 specialists, operating under the tagline "Success Measured." The tagline reflects the company's focus on measurable results for every client. This multifaceted company is an industry leader, specializing in organic SEO, conversion rate optimization, SEO-friendly website design, paid advertising (PPC). Mannix Marketing has two divisions, one side is focused on lead generation for nationally competitive businesses. The other side is focused on local businesses. Mannix has one of the largest portfolios of tourism and city guides in Upstate New York. These guides, (Albany.com, Saratoga.com, LakeGeorge.com, and Adirondack.net etc), reach over 10 million visitors a year. Corresponding social media profiles for the region extend this reach to millions every month.