Do Videos Help Your Search Engine Rankings?

In 2007, Google introduced its most powerful algorithm change to date, Universal Search, which introduced the indexing of video, images, and audio as well as standard text listings. Using Universal SEO and Video SEO practices, you are far more likely to achieve first-page search engine rankings with video than with standard text-based SEO practices alone.

A recent blog post described a Forrester research study that showed that an indexed video has a 50 times greater chance of ranking on the first page of search engine results than any page optimized only for text. In the blog post, Forrester noted that nearly half of keyword searches returned Universal Search results. Additionally, in 2010 approximately 38% of keyword searches returned video results. Using Video SEO practices, one company, BillQuick Software, found that their videos ranked higher than their corporate site on the search engines.

It is clear that Universal search is becoming more and more prevalent in all the search engines, so as web site marketers rush to create more video content, a solid Universal SEO strategy is critical to achieving consistent search engine success. Below are a few tips to make sure you are getting the most out of your Video SEO campaigns.

Optimize The Video
As with standard Universal SEO practices, your video should contain 1-2 keywords in the dialog and in the captions. Be sure to put keywords in the video’s file name.

Put the video on its own landing page
Embed the video on a landing page that is optimized using standard Universal SEO techniques, and put a link on the page to text transcripts of the video dialog.

Maximize traffic through distribution
The higher your viewings, the higher your ranking, so make sure to distribute your videos on video search engines such as YouTube, Metacafe, and Howcast (amongst others) as well as on your own website. YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world so making sure your videos can be found there is an important part of a successful Video SEO campaign.

Offer relevant, quality content
Search engines use voice-recognition software to transcribe what is being said in your video, so the most effective VSEO strategy is to provide informative, educational content.

Track & Measure Your Results
In order to determine the effectiveness of your VSEO strategy, it is critical to track and measure your results so you can analyze where you are receiving the most ROI.

SearchPro Systems is a leading, New England based, national digital marketing firm offering complete, end-to-end, Universal Search Marketing solutions, specializing in Video SEO.