YouTube Keyword Research: My Secret YouTube SEO Tool

If you’re trying to grow your YouTube channel and feel frustrated by slow results, you’re not alone. I've learned that success on YouTube isn’t just about making more videos—it’s about understanding exactly what people are searching for and creating targeted content around those searches.

My process always starts with keyword research directly on YouTube. By leveraging tools and smart techniques, I can see what viewers are actually typing in, generate content ideas, and craft titles that help my videos get found and viewed.

Key Takeaways

• Knowing what viewers search for helps guide your video topics.
• Careful keyword research is critical for effective video SEO.
• The right keywords and titles can significantly boost channel growth.

Understanding YouTube SEO

Why Search Intent Matters

When I plan my videos, I always start with what people are actually searching for on YouTube. Instead of guessing or creating content based solely on my interests, I use the YouTube search bar to see what terms self-populate. These suggestions are generated because there is real search volume behind them.

For example, typing in "best exercises for back pain" not only shows relevant search queries but also highlights related terms like "stretches for back pain" or "back pain relief at home." This approach helps me create content that directly matches the questions my audience is asking. It's important to align my titles and topics with real search data; otherwise, it's easy to make videos that don't get discovered.

A simple table summarizes the difference:

Common Mistakes in Content Creation

One mistake I often see, and used to make myself, is creating videos about what I think is interesting, rather than what people are searching for. Just making vlogs or daily updates without research rarely matches the real demand. YouTube shows exactly what viewers are looking for, but it's often ignored.

Another common error is neglecting keyword research. Without checking search volume and related terms, it's easy to miss opportunities or duplicate content that already exists. For example:

• Making similar videos with slight topic variations, without checking if there's demand
• Using titles that don't include keywords people are actually typing

Tip: Before recording any video, I run keyword research and inspect related terms, ensuring every video targets an actual search intent to maximize discoverability.

Essential Keyword Research Fundamentals

Starting with YouTube Autocomplete

I always start my keyword research directly on YouTube, using a blank search bar in a clean browser. YouTube’s autocomplete feature tells me exactly what people are typing in, based on real search volume—not just guesses or random suggestions.

When I start typing a phrase like “best exercises for back pain,” YouTube begins to auto-populate related searches. These results signal what real viewers are looking for. For example, if I type "stretches for back pain," I’ll see options like “good stretches for back pain” or “best stretches for back pain relief.”

To dig deeper, I’ll try using an underscore or leaving a space in the search, such as “best _ for back pain.” YouTube then shows more variations like “mattress,” “chair,” “yoga,” or “massage.” This quick method lets me spot new angles for video ideas simply by paying attention to what autopopulates.

Benefits of Autocomplete:

• Reveals real viewer intent
• Suggests popular topics
• Shows phrase variations for deeper reach

Leveraging Google Incognito Search

Sometimes, I want an even cleaner slate to avoid search personalization. Opening a Google incognito window helps ensure none of my previous search or browsing history affects what I see.

By typing the same keywords into Google incognito, I can spot what’s genuinely trending and how YouTube and Google display these searches. For instance, when I search “YouTube keyword research,” incognito mode prevents tailored results and helps me see what an average user gets.

This process confirms the monthly search volume, competing video titles, and related suggested terms. Using incognito also helps uncover wider interest and trends by reflecting what most potential viewers would come across in an unbiased way.

Quick Steps:

1. Open a Google incognito window.
2. Type in your target keyword (e.g., "best exercise for back pain").
3. Review the autocomplete and top results.
4. Note patterns or recurring titles.

Incognito search lets me validate my keyword choices and fine-tune titles so they fit what the audience is actively seeking. If I see similar keywords in both YouTube and Google, I know there’s larger intent behind those searches.

Utilizing Keywords Everywhere

Installing the Chrome Extension

I use the Keywords Everywhere extension by adding it directly to my Google Chrome browser. It only takes a couple of clicks to install and instantly starts showing valuable data right next to YouTube and Google search bars. This makes keyword research much quicker because all the necessary information—search volume, trends, and cost per click—appears while I browse.

Steps to Install:

1. Open Chrome Web Store and search for Keywords Everywhere.
2. Click Add to Chrome and confirm the installation.
3. Follow the activation prompts to enable the extension.

Now, whenever I search for a topic, the numbers appear automatically without any extra work.

Interpreting Search Volume Data

Keywords Everywhere displays monthly search volumes right under the search bars. For example, when I type in best exercises for back pain, the tool shows a search volume such as:

I look closely at these numbers to gauge the level of interest. High volume means more people are searching, which usually signals more potential viewers. When I see strong numbers, I know I’m on the right track for video topics and titles.

Identifying High-Opportunity Keywords

I pay special attention to not just high search volume but also the variety of related keywords Keywords Everywhere provides. For example, by typing in a keyword and checking the tool’s suggestions, I can spot alternative phrases and long-tail keywords.

My process:

• I start with my main idea, such as YouTube keyword research or back pain exercises.
• I scan for related searches, trends, and tags, which are all visible through the extension.
• Swapping in synonyms or related concepts, like stretches instead of exercises, often reveals topics with less competition.

This approach sparks lots of content ideas and helps me find keywords where my videos can more easily rank on both YouTube and Google. Using keywords from these lists, I build more targeted and searchable video titles.

Crafting SEO-Optimized Video Titles

Combining Keywords and Search Intent

I always start my keyword research directly in YouTube’s search bar, sometimes in an incognito browser to avoid personalized suggestions. By typing my main keyword—such as “best exercises for back pain”—I see exactly what users are searching for thanks to YouTube’s autocomplete feature. This approach lets me discover real search phrases and tailor my titles based on actual search volume.

To refine my titles, I use the Keywords Everywhere plugin, which shows me monthly search volume and related trends. I also experiment by replacing parts of the keyword phrase or adding an underscore (_), like “best _ for back pain,” to reveal additional angles and variations people use. This method helps spark ideas for both initial and secondary title elements. It’s important to focus on what users are typing and to match their search intent as closely as possible.

Example Table of Search Phrase Variations

Character Count Considerations

I check every title in an online character counting tool. For YouTube, I know that keeping video titles under 60 characters is ideal because longer titles get cut off in most search results and on mobile devices.

For instance, a title like “YouTube keyword research” is only 25 characters. This lets me add a focused secondary keyword, such as “YouTube SEO,” to make the title more descriptive and target multiple search queries at once. This balance between keyword-rich phrasing and character limit maximizes title visibility without sacrificing clarity.

Quick Checklist for Titles

• Stay under 60 characters
• Include the main keyword early
• Add a relevant secondary keyword if space allows
• Check for truncation on different devices

By sticking to these principles, I ensure every video title is clear, informative, and optimized for discoverability.

Analyzing YouTube Search Results

Reviewing Top Ranking Videos

When I run a search for a keyword on YouTube, I pay close attention to the top videos that appear on the results page. I look at the video titles, thumbnails, and the way the content is structured.

Observations to make:

• See which channels consistently show up at the top.
• Note how quickly videos answer the main question or query.
• Review common elements like video length, style, and the use of keywords in titles.

I often use tools like Keywords Everywhere to gather more data, such as search volume, ranking difficulty, and whether the topic is trending upwards or downwards. This helps me identify what is working for others so I can adapt successful strategies to my own videos.

Extracting Ideas from Tags and Trends

After reviewing the search results and the accompanying search insights, I analyze the most frequently used tags and trending topics related to my keyword. These tags can reveal secondary keywords and content ideas that are actively being searched.

My Process:

• List out the most common tags from top-ranking videos.
• Use these tags to spark ideas for new video angles or supporting topics.
• Combine high-volume keywords with trending tags to create strong, keyword-rich titles.

For example, if “YouTube keyword research” and “YouTube SEO” both have high search volumes, I blend them for a more effective title. I use a character counting tool to make sure my titles fit within YouTube’s recommended limits, and adjust as needed by adding or swapping out keywords based on what’s trending in the results.

Checklist:

• Gather tags from at least the top five videos.
• Identify overlaps and unique angles.
• Use character counting tools to optimize titles for SEO and engagement.

This method ensures my video titles resonate with both search trends and actual viewer interests, maximizing discoverability.

Generating Content Ideas from Keyword Research

Exploring Alternative Angles

I always start with a clean browser and type my main keyword right into the YouTube search bar. YouTube’s autocomplete suggests real search terms that are backed by actual search volume. This is my first step to uncovering different content angles.

For example, if I start with "best exercises for back pain," I'll look at all the suggestions:

• Best stretches for back pain
• Back pain relief at home
• Best mattress for back pain
• Chair yoga for back pain

These suggestions give me new directions and ideas I hadn't considered yet. Swapping a word in my search with an underscore (e.g., "best _ for back pain") shows me more options like mattress, chair, yoga, massage, medicine, and belt for back pain. This makes it easy to find specific topics or products people are actually interested in.

Here’s a quick table showing some keyword ideas and monthly search volume from my process:

Addressing Related Search Queries

Once I have a set of keywords, I look at the related searches and longtail variations suggested by YouTube and tools like Keywords Everywhere. This helps me target specific questions viewers are asking.

For example, searching for "YouTube keyword research" brings up related queries such as:

• YouTube keyword research tool for free
• YouTube keyword research tutorial
• YouTube SEO
• Search engine optimization

By identifying these related search queries, I can create videos that answer very focused questions and use popular tags and longtail keywords in my titles. This increases the chances of my videos being discovered by viewers actively searching for these topics.

Practical tip: I use a character counting tool to check my video titles, making sure I have room to optimize for both the main keyword and related terms. This simple step helps make my content more relevant and easier to find.

Steps to Growing Your Channel Using SEO

I always start my keyword research directly on YouTube with a blank search bar. If I want to make sure nothing is influenced by my previous searches, I sometimes use a Google incognito window.

To find what viewers are really searching for, I begin by typing a keyword related to my video idea. YouTube’s search suggestions reveal actual search terms with volume, giving me immediate data about what’s popular.

For more detail, I use a plugin called Keywords Everywhere. This tool shows me monthly search volume, related keywords, cost-per-click data, and trending topics. For example:

I look at both YouTube suggestions and Keywords Everywhere’s numbers to compare which topics are worth targeting. This helps me shape my video titles and content for topics with real interest.

To come up with new content angles, I use underscores or swap out specific words in my search to see what else auto-populates, like “best _ for back pain.” This technique reveals new ideas—exercise, mattress, massage, yoga, and more—that viewers are actually searching.

Once I choose a focus keyword, I analyze the search results to see the top videos. I pay attention to their titles, tags, and what additional keywords might fit. To maximize my title, I check the character count and add extra keywords if needed, making sure the title stays under the character limit but is rich in high-search terms like "YouTube SEO."

By following these steps—researching search terms, using tools for data, analyzing top results, and optimizing my titles—I give my videos the best chance to be discovered through search.