How to Find the Best Search Keywords for Any Topic on YouTube

Introduction

If you want your YouTube videos to get noticed, keywords are key. Choosing the right search keywords helps your content appear in YouTube search results, suggested videos, and recommendations, increasing your visibility. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned creator, optimizing keywords can significantly improve your channel’s growth.

In this blog, we’ll guide you through how to find the best keywords per topic for YouTube videos using tools, tips, and strategies.

Why Are Keywords Important on YouTube?

YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world. Just like Google, it relies on keywords to understand what a video is about and who to show it to.

• Higher Rankings: Optimized keywords improve your ranking in search results.

• Better Reach: You attract viewers actively searching for your content.

• SEO Advantage: YouTube keywords can also rank on Google, driving traffic to your videos.

1. Use YouTube Search Suggest for Keywords

YouTube itself is a keyword research tool through its search bar.

Steps to Find Keywords Using YouTube Search Suggest:

1. Go to the YouTube homepage and type a word or phrase related to your video topic into the search bar.

2. YouTube will automatically suggest popular search terms based on what viewers are searching for.

3. Take note of these suggestions—they’re proven to have search demand.

Example: If your topic is “healthy smoothies,” typing this into the search bar might suggest:

• “healthy smoothies for weight loss”

• “healthy smoothies recipes”

• “healthy smoothies for breakfast”

These are highly searched keywords you can target in your video title, tags, and description.

2. Leverage Free and Paid YouTube Keyword Tools

Specialized keyword tools can help you find more detailed keyword data, including search volume, competition, and trending terms.

Popular YouTube Keyword Tools:

• TubeBuddy (Free & Paid):

  • TubeBuddy’s Keyword Explorer gives you keyword ideas, competition scores, and search volumes.

• VidIQ (Free & Paid):

  • Provides keyword suggestions, SEO scores, and trending video topics.

• Ahrefs YouTube Keyword Tool (Paid):

  • Offers detailed keyword metrics for YouTube searches.

• Google Trends (Free):

  • Helps identify trending keywords and topics based on regions and seasons.

How to Use TubeBuddy for Keywords:

1. Install the TubeBuddy extension for Chrome.

2. Open YouTube and access TubeBuddy’s Keyword Explorer.

3. Type your video topic (e.g., “travel vlog ideas”) and get a list of related keywords.

4. Analyze keyword difficulty (competition) and choose keywords with high search volume but lower competition.

3. Analyze Competitor Videos

One of the best ways to find keywords is by looking at what successful creators in your niche are doing.

Steps to Analyze Competitor Keywords:

1. Search for videos related to your topic on YouTube.

2. Look at the video titles, tags, and descriptions of top-ranking videos.

3. Identify recurring keywords and phrases—they are working well for other creators.

4. Use tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ to see hidden tags on competitor videos.

Example:
If you’re a fitness YouTuber, check out top-performing videos for topics like “HIIT workouts” and note keywords like:

• “home workout”

• “no equipment exercises”

• “20-minute fat burn.”

These keywords are proven to attract an audience.

4. Use Google Trends to Identify Hot Topics

Google Trends is a free tool that shows trending topics and keywords based on search data.

How to Use Google Trends for YouTube Keywords:

1. Go to Google Trends.

2. Select YouTube Search under the search options.

3. Enter your video topic (e.g., “gaming setups”) to see trends over time.

4. Filter results by region to target your audience effectively.

Google Trends can help you:

• Discover keywords that are gaining popularity.

• Identify seasonal topics (e.g., “holiday gift ideas” during December).

• Compare multiple keywords to find the best-performing one.

5. Optimize for Long-Tail Keywords

Long-tail keywords are specific phrases with lower competition but high intent.

Example: Instead of targeting “travel tips,” use long-tail variations like:

• “budget travel tips for Europe”

• “solo travel safety tips for women”

Why Use Long-Tail Keywords?

• Easier to rank for, especially as a new creator.

• Attract viewers who know exactly what they’re searching for.

6. Use YouTube Analytics to Refine Keywords

Your YouTube Analytics provides valuable insights into which search terms are driving traffic to your videos.

How to Find Keywords in YouTube Analytics:

1. Go to your YouTube Studio dashboard.

2. Click on Analytics > Reach.

3. Under Traffic Source Types, click YouTube Search.

4. See the keywords viewers used to find your videos.

Use this data to refine your keywords and target similar search terms in future videos.

7. Test and Iterate

Keyword research isn’t a one-time task. You should continuously test keywords and analyze their performance to improve your SEO.

Steps to Test Keywords:

1. Use a variety of keywords in your video title, description, and tags.

2. Track the video’s performance over time.

3. Use tools like TubeBuddy or YouTube Analytics to see which keywords perform best.

FAQs About Finding Keywords for YouTube

Q: What is the best tool to find YouTube keywords?
A: TubeBuddy, VidIQ, and Google Trends are popular tools for finding YouTube keywords.

Q: How do I find keywords without paid tools?
A: Use YouTube’s search suggestions and Google Trends to find high-demand keywords for free.

Q: How many keywords should I target per video?
A: Focus on 1–2 primary keywords and include 5–10 relevant secondary keywords in your tags and description.

Q: Are long-tail keywords better than short ones?
A: Yes, long-tail keywords are less competitive and attract viewers with specific search intent.

Q: Can I see which keywords drive traffic to my channel?
A: Yes, use YouTube Analytics to find search terms bringing viewers to your videos.

Conclusion

Finding the best search keywords for YouTube can make a huge difference in your video’s success. Start with YouTube search suggestions, analyze competitors, and use tools like TubeBuddy or Google Trends to identify trending, high-value keywords. Don’t forget to optimize for long-tail keywords and regularly check YouTube Analytics to refine your strategy.