When the user wants to optimize YouTube videos for search, create video descriptions, or improve channel visibility. Also use when the user mentions "YouTube SEO," "YouTube description," "YouTube tags," "YouTube thumbnail," "YouTube title," "YouTube channel," or "video SEO." For YouTube ads, use youtube-ads.
Start a fresh conversation. Replace the highlighted placeholders.
Use youtube-seo to produce an optimized YouTube title, description, and relevant tags for [video topic], targeting [primary keyword] and [audience].
Required inputs
[video topic]
[primary keyword]
[audience]
User-approved starter prompt based on a pinned source version; check current skill requirements before running. Task evidence ↗
SKILL.md
name: youtube-seodescription: When the user wants to optimize YouTube videos for search, create video descriptions, or improve channel visibility. Also use when the user mentions "YouTube SEO," "YouTube description," "YouTube tags," "YouTube thumbnail," "YouTube title," "YouTube channel," or "video SEO." For YouTube ads, use youtube-ads.metadata: version: 1.1.1
Platforms: YouTube SEO
Guides YouTube video and channel optimization for search and discovery. Google now prioritizes YouTube video results in search; YouTube + Reddit comprise ~78% of social media citations in AI Overviews. Title, description, and thumbnail form an interconnected system; channels using systematic keyword strategies see 156% longer view durations, 89% better CTR, and 312% higher search discovery. Use this skill when optimizing videos for YouTube search, Google search, and AI citation. For website-embedded video SEO, see video-optimization.
When invoking: On first use, if helpful, open with 1–2 sentences on what this skill covers and why it matters, then provide the main output. On subsequent use or when the user asks to skip, go directly to the main output.
Initial Assessment
Project context: Read root contextus.md when present and load only the modules relevant to this task. Without Contextus, use available project material or user-provided facts and ask for missing information; do not create a parallel context system.
Identify:
Video type: Tutorial, review, vlog, Shorts
Target keyword: Primary and secondary
Audience: Subscribers vs casual viewers
Video Titles
Rule
Guideline
Length
Under 60 characters; mobile may show partial
Keyword
Primary keyword in first 5–55 characters
Structure
Social proof/authority + emotional trigger + primary keyword
Style
Conversational; avoid keyword stuffing
Avoid
ALL CAPS except emphasis
Video Descriptions
Rule
Guideline
First 2–3 sentences
Primary and secondary keywords naturally; meta description under 160 chars
Links
Website, store, relevant resources
Readability
Natural flow; help search understand topic
Tags
Help YouTube understand content; titles and descriptions matter more
Use relevant tags; avoid over-optimization
Thumbnails
90% of best-performing videos use custom thumbnails.
Rule
Guideline
Contrast
High contrast; readable fonts; bold colors
Composition
Rule of thirds; simple, uncluttered
Audience
Consider subscribers vs casual viewers
Test
What works evolves; test styles
Title + Description + Thumbnail
Reinforce the same core message across all three; target different algorithm aspects.
Output Format
Title options (under 60 chars)
Description (first 160 chars + full)
Tags (relevant set)
Thumbnail guidance (elements, text, composition)
YouTube in Google Search & GEO
Context
Implication
Google prioritization
YouTube is core search infrastructure; 48.6B monthly visits; video results favored in main SERP, video mode, Discover
AI Overviews
YouTube citations surged 25.21% since Jan 2025; instructional (+35.6%), visual demos (+32.5%); long-form (94%) dominates
GEO
YouTube + Reddit = ~78% of social media citations; optimize for AI citation. See generative-engine-optimization