What is Video Submission?
Video submission refers to the practice of uploading and optimizing videos on video-sharing platforms to increase visibility and traffic from search engines. It is a form of content marketing and an off-page SEO technique.
How Video Submission Works for SEO
When you upload a video on platforms like YouTube, the video itself becomes indexable by search engines. The title, description, tags, transcript, and other metadata enable search engines to understand what the video is about.
Optimizing these elements with relevant keywords and phrases allows the video to rank for those searches. For example, a video about “baking cookies” can rank for related queries if you include terms like “baking cookies recipe” in the title and description.
Additionally, when other high-authority sites and social media platforms link to or embed your video, it signals to search engines that the content is worthwhile, improving its rankings. The views, comments, likes, and shares also boost the video’s authority.
Benefit Of Video Submission
Increased visibility and traffic from search engines like Google and YouTube.
Engaging content format that connects with audiences.
Can rank well for long-tail, low-competition keywords.
Builds backlinks when embedded or linked to from other sites.
Improves brand awareness and establishes expertise.
The Cons of Video Submission
Video production can be expensive and time-consuming.
Difficult to rank for ultra-competitive keywords.
Metrics like view count can be hard to build up organically.
Hosting bandwidth costs can add up quickly.
Pro Of Practices for Video SEO
Choose a focused, keyword-rich title that engages viewers.
Write a compelling description that includes target keywords.
Tag the video thoroughly with relevant keywords and phrases.
Transcribe and optimize videos for accessibility and SEO.
Promote your videos on social media, forums, and other sites.
Analyze performance data to optimize ongoing content.
Produce regular, high-quality videos to build a loyal audience.
Top Video Submission Sites
YouTube: The largest video-sharing platform in the world. Great for sharing educational or entertainment-focused videos.
Vimeo: Focuses on more artistic, high-quality videos. A good option for video content aimed at creative professionals.
DailyMotion: The second largest video-sharing site after YouTube. Popular option especially for longer-form videos.
Metacafe: More niche video site focused on short-form video clips under 5 minutes. Caters to pop culture and entertainment content.
Veoh: Allows longer videos up to 120 minutes. Good for informative lectures, speeches, or documentaries.
Break: Focuses on original comedy, music, and viral videos. Caters to a Gen Z and millennial demographic.
IGN: Popular with the gaming community. Great for game trailers, reviews, and esports content.
Twitch: Live streaming platform popular with gamers. Perfect for broadcasting live gaming sessions.
How to Do Video Submission
Video submission involves submitting your video content to video-sharing platforms to increase views, backlinks, and overall exposure. Here are the steps for properly submitting videos:
- Choose your video platform – Select video sites relevant to your target audience like YouTube, Vimeo, DailyMotion, etc. Ensure your content complies with each platform’s policies.
- Optimize your video – Include target keywords in the title, description, and tags. Create eye-catching custom thumbnails and subtitles if possible. Keep videos under 5 minutes for maximum engagement.
- Upload the video – Follow each platform’s upload steps to submit your video in the correct file format. Double-check your title, description, and customization options.
- Promote your video – Share your videos on social media, your website, email newsletters, etc. Interlink your videos to increase watch time. Engage with commenters and promote via paid ads if desired.
- Analyze performance – Track key metrics like views, audience retention, traffic sources, shares, and backlinks. Refine your strategy to maximize results.
- Maintain your channel – Stay active by regularly uploading optimized videos. Delete or hide underperforming videos. Respond to comments and build your subscriber base.
Following structured video optimization and promotion steps will maximize the SEO and marketing potential of your video content. Measure what works and continue improving your video submission strategy.
Benefits of Video Submission
Video submission to relevant video sites can provide several benefits for SEO and online marketing:
Increased Exposure
Submitting videos to popular platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, DailyMotion, etc. can help expose your brand to a larger audience. These sites have millions of visitors who may discover your content. YouTube alone has over 2 billion monthly users, providing a major opportunity for discovery. Having your videos indexed on these sites makes them more findable via search engines as well.
Backlinks
Many video sites will create backlinks to your website when you upload videos. These backlinks help search engines index and rank your site. Video backlinks are especially valuable since they pass authority and ranking power.
Brand Awareness
Embedding videos on other websites and sharing them on social media spreads brand awareness. Videos help showcase your brand personality and expertise. Visitors who engage with your videos may be inclined to explore your website and other offerings. Videos allow you to attract viewers in an engaging multi-media format.
Establish Authority
Informative, educational videos position your brand as an authority in your niche. Demonstrating your knowledge and skills through videos can build trust and credibility. Viewers may perceive your brand as more authoritative than competitors without video content.
