How To Find YouTube Search Volume: A Simple Guide
Alright, guys, so you're diving into the world of YouTube and want to make sure your videos actually get seen? Smart move! Understanding YouTube search volume is crucial for anyone looking to grow their channel. It's all about figuring out what people are actually searching for on YouTube so you can create content that meets their needs. Forget just guessing; let's get into the nitty-gritty of how to find that precious search volume data. Trust me, it’s easier than you think, and it can seriously boost your YouTube game!
Why Understanding YouTube Search Volume Matters
So, why should you even care about YouTube search volume? Well, imagine you're opening a store. Would you rather open it in a busy shopping district or in the middle of nowhere? Obviously, the busy area, right? Same goes for YouTube. If you create videos on topics nobody is searching for, it's like opening that store in the middle of nowhere. No one's going to stumble upon it.
Understanding YouTube search volume helps you:
- Target the right keywords: By knowing what people are searching for, you can optimize your video titles, descriptions, and tags to rank higher in search results.
- Create relevant content: You'll be making videos that people actually want to watch, which means more views, more watch time, and more subscribers.
- Avoid wasting time: No more shooting in the dark! You'll be focusing your efforts on topics that have a proven audience.
- Stay ahead of the competition: Knowing the search volume for different keywords can help you identify opportunities and create content that stands out from the crowd.
Think of YouTube search volume as your market research. It tells you what's hot, what's not, and where you should be focusing your creative energy. Ignoring it is like trying to navigate without a map. You might get somewhere eventually, but it's going to take a lot longer and you'll probably get lost along the way. By investing a little time in understanding YouTube search volume, you can make sure your videos are seen by the right people and that your channel grows steadily over time.
Free Tools to Get You Started
Okay, let’s talk about free tools to help you find this valuable YouTube search volume data. You don't need to break the bank to get started. There are several free options available that can give you a good idea of what people are searching for. Let's dive into a couple of my favorites:
1. YouTube Autocomplete
This is probably the easiest and most accessible method. Just head over to YouTube and start typing a keyword related to your video idea into the search bar. YouTube's autocomplete feature will suggest related search terms based on what people are actually searching for. This gives you a real-time glimpse into popular queries. For example, if you start typing "how to bake a cake," YouTube might suggest "how to bake a chocolate cake," "how to bake a vanilla cake," or "how to bake a cake without eggs.” These suggestions are gold! They tell you exactly what variations of your topic people are interested in. It's like YouTube is handing you a list of potential video topics on a silver platter.
2. Google Trends
While not specifically for YouTube, Google Trends can still be a valuable tool. You can use it to see the general interest in a topic over time. Just type in your keyword and see how its popularity has changed. You can also filter the results to only show data from YouTube searches. This can help you identify trending topics and seasonal interests. For example, if you're planning to create videos about gardening, you might use Google Trends to see when people are most interested in gardening-related topics. This can help you time your video releases to coincide with peak interest.
3. Keywordtool.io
While Keywordtool.io has a paid version with more features, the free version still offers a decent amount of information. Just enter your keyword, select YouTube as the search platform, and it will generate a list of related keywords along with their search volume. It won't give you exact numbers with the free version, but it will give you a relative sense of which keywords are more popular than others. This can be helpful for brainstorming video ideas and identifying potential keywords to target. Also, this tool is easy to use and offers a fast keyword finding with great suggestions.
These free tools are a great starting point for your YouTube search volume research. They can give you a good understanding of what people are searching for and help you create content that resonates with your audience. Remember, the more you know about your audience, the better you can serve them with valuable and engaging content. Start playing around with these tools and see what you can discover!
Stepping Up Your Game: Paid Tools
Alright, so you've dabbled with the free tools, and you're ready to take your YouTube search volume research to the next level? That's awesome! Paid tools offer more in-depth data and features that can give you a significant edge. While they require an investment, the insights they provide can be well worth it if you're serious about growing your YouTube channel.
1. TubeBuddy
TubeBuddy is a popular choice among YouTubers. It's a browser extension that integrates directly with YouTube and provides a wealth of data, including keyword search volume, competition analysis, and video SEO optimization tools. With TubeBuddy, you can see the actual search volume for different keywords, as well as the competition score, which tells you how difficult it will be to rank for that keyword. It also offers features like keyword rankings, tag suggestions, and best practice checks to help you optimize your videos for search. One of the coolest features is the ability to spy on your competitors and see what keywords they're targeting. This can give you valuable insights into what's working in your niche.
2. VidIQ
VidIQ is another powerful tool that offers similar features to TubeBuddy. It provides keyword research, competitor analysis, and video SEO optimization tools. VidIQ also has a unique feature called the VidIQ Score, which gives you an overall score for your video's SEO performance. This can help you quickly identify areas where you can improve your video's ranking potential. Like TubeBuddy, VidIQ also allows you to track your keyword rankings and see how your videos are performing over time. It also offers features like trend alerts, which notify you when a topic is starting to trend on YouTube. This can help you get ahead of the curve and create content that's relevant and timely.
3. Ahrefs
While Ahrefs is primarily known as an SEO tool for websites, it also offers powerful features for YouTube keyword research. With Ahrefs, you can see the search volume for different keywords on YouTube, as well as the number of clicks that those keywords generate. This can help you understand the true potential of a keyword and identify opportunities that others might be missing. Ahrefs also offers features like competitor analysis, backlink analysis, and content gap analysis, which can help you understand the competitive landscape and create content that fills a need in your niche.
These paid tools offer a wealth of data and features that can help you take your YouTube search volume research to the next level. While they require an investment, the insights they provide can be invaluable for growing your channel and reaching a wider audience. If you're serious about YouTube, consider investing in one of these tools to gain a competitive edge.
How to Analyze and Use the Data
Okay, so you've gathered all this YouTube search volume data. Now what? It's time to put that data to work and use it to inform your content strategy. Don't just collect the data and let it sit there; you need to analyze it and turn it into actionable insights.
Here's how to analyze and use the data:
- Identify high-volume, low-competition keywords: These are the sweet spots! Keywords with a high search volume mean there are a lot of people searching for them. Low competition means it will be easier to rank for those keywords. Target these keywords in your video titles, descriptions, and tags.
- Look for long-tail keywords: These are longer, more specific search terms that people use when they're looking for something very specific. Long-tail keywords often have lower search volume, but they can be easier to rank for and attract a highly targeted audience. For example, instead of targeting the keyword "cake recipe," you might target the keyword "easy chocolate cake recipe for beginners."
- Analyze your competitors: See what keywords your competitors are targeting and how they're ranking for them. This can give you ideas for new video topics and help you identify opportunities to outrank them.
- Track your results: Monitor your video's performance over time and see how your keyword targeting is affecting your rankings, views, and watch time. This will help you refine your strategy and make adjustments as needed.
- Don't just focus on search volume: While search volume is important, it's not the only factor to consider. Also, think about the relevance of the keyword to your video and the intent behind the search. Are people looking for information, entertainment, or something else? Create content that meets the needs of your audience.
Analyzing YouTube search volume data is an ongoing process. You need to constantly monitor your results and adjust your strategy as needed. But by taking the time to understand the data and use it to inform your content strategy, you can significantly increase your chances of success on YouTube.
Conclusion
Alright, folks, that's the lowdown on how to find YouTube search volume. Remember, it's not just about throwing videos up and hoping for the best. By understanding what people are searching for, using the right tools, and analyzing the data, you can create content that resonates with your audience and helps you grow your channel. Whether you stick with free tools like YouTube Autocomplete and Google Trends or invest in paid options like TubeBuddy or VidIQ, the key is to be proactive and data-driven. So get out there, do your research, and start creating awesome videos that people will love to watch. Good luck, and happy YouTubing!