You’ve done everything; jumped on viral trends, planned every second of your video, and even used the catchiest thumbnail possible. But instead of racking up millions of views, your video sits in the depths of the algorithm, barely reaching your target audience.

So what went wrong?

The answer might not be your content but your video SEO.

Even the most engaging videos can flop if they aren’t optimized for search and discovery. Let it be TikTok videos, YouTube videos, Instagram Reels, or even LinkedIn videos, without proper SEO, they risk getting buried under an endless stream of content.

Let’s break down the common mistakes that might be holding your video marketing SEO back and how to fix them.

Mistake #1. Ignoring Keywords in Titles and Descriptions

You wouldn’t publish a blog post without optimizing it for search, so why treat your videos any differently?

Many creators overlook the importance of keywords in their video titles, descriptions, and tags. If your video doesn’t include relevant search terms, platforms like YouTube and TikTok won’t know how to categorize or recommend it.

You can research trending and relevant keywords using tools like YouTube’s Search Suggest or Google Trends. Naturally incorporate these keywords in your title, description, and tags without making them look spammy.

Mistake #2. Weak or Missing Video Tags

Tags might seem like a minor detail, but they play a crucial role in helping platforms understand your content. Many creators either skip tags altogether or use random, generic ones that don’t actually help with search rankings.

Use a mix of broad and specific tags related to your video topic. For example, if your video is about “Instagram Reels growth tips,” include tags like Instagram Reels, social media marketing, how to grow on Instagram, and viral video tips.

Check what tags your competitors or top-performing videos in your niche are using. Tools like TubeBuddy come in handy for this.

Mistake #3. Neglecting Captions and Transcripts

Many creators overlook captions and transcripts, assuming they’re just for accessibility. But here’s the thing: search engines can’t watch videos. They read text. Without captions or a transcript, your content is practically invisible to search algorithms.

Always upload an accurate transcript for your videos. On YouTube, this helps with search rankings and provides closed captions for viewers. There are also auto-captions on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, but make sure to edit them for accuracy.

Mistake #4. Ignoring Audience Engagement Signals

Video platforms like YouTube and TikTok rely heavily on audience engagement signals (such as likes, comments, shares, and watch time) to determine how to rank and recommend content. If your video doesn’t encourage interaction, it could be missing out on vital boosts in visibility.

Encourage engagement by asking viewers to like, comment, and share. Posing questions, running polls, or starting conversations in the comments section are great ways to prompt interaction. Use call-to-actions (CTAs) in your video to prompt viewers to take action, whether it’s subscribing, following, or checking out another video.

The interaction should be two-way. So, respond to comments to foster a community and keep the conversation going. engagement begets more engagement.

Mistake #5. No Playlists

Playlists can both improve the user experience and increase your chances of getting discovered by grouping related videos together. Without them, your content may not get the extended viewing time needed to trigger the algorithm to promote it further.

Create themed playlists to organize your content by topic, series, or niche. It’s always better to include targeted keywords in your playlist titles and descriptions to improve discoverability.

Mistake #6. Overlooking Niche-Specific Keywords

It’s easy to focus on popular, broad keywords, but niche-specific keywords are equally important, especially if you’re targeting a specialized audience. If you’re a generator set provider like DPS Power, ignoring these more specific terms can prevent your video from reaching the right viewers.

Include niche-related keywords in your video title, description, and tags. Let’s say you’re a generator set provider, terms like generator sets, power solutions, energy backup, and others are probably the most relevant to your industry.

Optimize your content around these specific phrases to make sure they match what your ideal audience is searching for.

Mistake #7. Not Promoting Your Video Across Platforms

You might have an excellent video, but if you’re only sharing it on one platform, you’re limiting its potential reach. Relying solely on platforms like YouTube or TikTok won’t maximize your video’s exposure. Promoting your video across multiple channels is key to increasing its visibility and chances of going viral.

Cross-promote your video on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Share it in relevant groups or forums where your target audience hangs out. If you have a professional website, embed your video on your homepage, landing page, or blog for additional traffic.

Wrapping Up

Creating a viral video needs so much more than just luck. It requires a mix of strategy, optimization, and consistent effort. By avoiding common mistakes like weak keywords, poor engagement, and missing SEO elements, you’ll increase your chances of success. But remember, continual learning and adapting are so much more important than perfect-quality videos. Stay on top of trends, monitor your analytics, and adjust your approach to keep improving.

Mastering SEO is a long road of learning and implimenting. There are many companies that specialize in these topics like SEO company WebAllWays and can help you with your SEO journey.