Using the right keywords in your videos’ metadata can help you reach more viewers through Search Engine Optimization. However, the main challenge many creators face when it comes to SEO is finding which keywords will work best for them. You can find the right ones for your content through keyword research.

Here’s how to conduct your own keyword research in a few simple steps.

1. Narrow down the topics you want to focus on.

Before you can come up with keywords, you need to determine the broader topics you want those keywords to fall under. To determine which topics you should choose, make a list of categories you could sort the majority of your videos into. For example, if you’re a fitness vlogger, then you might choose topics such as workout routines and wellness.

Arrange your topics in a hierarchy, placing the ones you feel will attract the most viewers at the top. Then, break broad topics into more specific subcategories. Using the previous example, you might put yoga and cardio under workout routines or “What I Eat in a Day” under wellness.

2. Brainstorm potential keywords for every topic.

Now that you have your categories, it’s time to brainstorm potential keywords that will fit under them. To start. look at popular videos within your niche. Make a list of words that commonly appear in their titles and descriptions. Then, search your topics and add the works that appear at the beginning of the top video titles.

Next, search your topics again and look at the autofill suggestions.What does YouTube algorithmically suggest you finish your search with? What related search suggestions appear? These suggestions are a great source for finding popular keywords.

3. Test the search volume of those keywords with Google Trends.

Once you’ve found a comfortable amount of potential keywords, you need to test their usefulness. The search volume of a keyword will tell you how many people are searching for it. So, keywords with higher search volumes will be the most effective at increasing your channel traffic.

To measure a keyword’s search volume, enter it on Google Trends. You can track the term’s search popularity over time and learn what regions it’s most popular in. You can also find related search terms that might be better keywords. To measure your keyword’s popularity on YouTube specifically, click the “Web Search” tab and select “YouTube Search.” If you want to compare the popularity of two keywords, select “compare” and enter the second term.

4. Search the most promising keywords on YouTube to make sure relevant videos pop up.

Finally, you need to test the relevancy of your most promising keywords. Even if a million people are searching for your keyword, it won’t be very effective if the current results are nothing like the content you’re marketing. For example, the search results of a great keyword could be divided between relevant content and videos related to a movie with that term in its title.

To test the relevancy of your keywords, simply search them on YouTube. Check the videos that pop up in the search results. If you could imagine them appearing as recommended videos next to your own videos, then you’ve found an effective keyword.

Keyword research is all about finding the right words to help viewers find you content. Follow these simple steps to improve your channel’s SEO.