Best SEO Keyword for a Video to Go Viral
What is the best SEO keyword for a video to go viral?
Let’s get on the same page. “Going viral” means your video spreads like wildfire across the internet. It’s shared by tons of people. It racks up views faster than you can say “YouTube.”
It’s that dream scenario where your video becomes the talk of the town, maybe even the world. Think of videos like “Baby Shark Dance” or “Gangnam Style”, they’re the stuff of internet legend, with billions of views.
Now, SEo stands for Search Engine Optimization. In the context of videos, it’s about making your video easier to find. You achieve this through search engines like Google and YouTube.
You optimize things like the title, description, and tags with keywords. When someone searches for something related, your video pops up higher in the results. It’s like putting a bright sign on your video saying, “Hey, check me out!”
Why Keywords Matter for Virality
So, why does the keyword matter for making a video go viral? Well, it all starts with discoverability. If no one can find your video, how will they watch it, let alone share it? The right SEo keyword helps your video show up in search results, getting more initial views. And those views can snowball into shares if your content is engaging enough.
Here’s the thing. SEo can get people to click. However, it’s the video’s content that keeps them watching and sharing. Research suggests that keywords with high search volume can boost visibility. One example is “ASMR,” which had 30 million monthly searches in the US in February 2025 (Top Searches on YouTube). Similarly, keywords tied to current events or trends, like “Kendrick Lamar” or “song,” can ride the wave of what’s popular.
However, the evidence leans toward the idea that no single keyword guarantees virality. It’s a combination of factors, and the keyword is just one piece of the puzzle. A Pew Research Center study from 2019 provides evidence. It found that videos with keywords like “Fortnite” in their titles got more views. Videos with keywords like “prank” also got more views. This suggests certain topics are more shareable (Pew Research Center). But that was back then, and trends change fast.
Characteristics of the Best SEo Keyword
So, what makes a keyword the “best” for a video to go viral? Let’s break it down into factors:
- High Search Volume: You want a keyword lots of people are searching for. The more searches, the more potential viewers. For instance, “song” was a top global search in 2024, with an index rating of 100 (Statista).
- Relevance to Content: The keyword should match what your video is about. If you’re making a funny cat video, using “funny” or “cat” makes sense, not “cooking recipes.”
- Manageable Competition: You want a keyword where your video can rank high. If everyone’s fighting for the same keyword, it might be tough to stand out. Tools like Semrush can help you see competition levels (Semrush Blog).
- Trending or Current Events: Keywords tied to what’s hot right now can give your video a boost. For example, if there’s a big sports event, using related keywords could help.
- Emotional Appeal: Keywords that suggest the video is funny, amazing, or shocking might encourage sharing. Words like “viral,” “hilarious,” or “heartwarming” can tap into that.
But here’s an unexpected detail. High search volume is great. However, sometimes going for long-tail keywords, which are more specific phrases like “funny cat fails 2025,” can work better. They have less competition, and if your video is on point, it can still go viral.
Examples from Viral Videos
Let’s look at some viral videos to see what keywords they used. “Baby Shark Dance” likely had keywords like “baby,” “shark,” “dance,” and “song.” It tapped into a universal appeal for kids and parents, and its repetitive nature made it shareable. “Gangnam Style” utilized keywords such as “Psy,” “Gangnam Style,” and “K-pop.” It rode the wave of a catchy music video that became a global dance craze. “Charlie Bit My Finger” might have used “Charlie,” “finger,” “bit,” and “cute.” These keywords leveraged the adorable factor. This factor made people share it with friends.
Keywords varied in these examples. However, they all aligned with the video’s theme. They also matched what was popular at the time. It’s not just about the keyword; it’s about how it fits the content and context.
How to Find the Best SEo Keyword
So, how do you find this magical keyword? Here are some steps:
- Understand Your Audience: Know who you’re making the video for. Are they into gaming, music, or DIY projects? That helps narrow down keywords.
- Research Current Trends: Use tools like Google Trends (Google Trends) to see what’s hot. For March 2025, you might find keywords like “ASMR” or “song” still trending, based on recent data.
- Check Search Volume and Competition. Use SEo tools like Semrush (Semrush Blog) or Ahrefs. These tools help you to see how many people search for a keyword. They also show how competitive it is.
- Look at YouTube Suggestions: Start typing in the YouTube search bar, and it will suggest popular terms. That’s a quick way to see what’s being searched.
- Optimize Your Video: Once you pick a keyword, use it in your title, description, and tags. For instance, if your keyword is “funny cat videos,” you might choose a title like “10 Funny Cat Videos.” This title will make you laugh.
But remember, even with the perfect keyword, your video needs to be engaging. Make it funny, emotional, or something people can’t help but share. That’s where the real magic happens.
Table: Factors for Choosing the Best SEo Keyword
| Factor | Description | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| High Search Volume | Many people are searching for the keyword | High |
| Relevance to Content | The keyword accurately describes the video’s content | High |
| Manageable Competition | Your video has a chance to rank high for the keyword | Medium |
| Trending or Current Events | The keyword is related to what’s popular right now | Medium |
| Emotional Appeal | Keywords that suggest the video is funny, amazing, etc. | Low-Medium |
This table helps prioritize what to look for, making it easier to choose.
Additional Considerations
Now, let’s talk about some extras. The user’s question is from 2025, and it’s March 7, 2025, right now. I have data only up to February 2025. It shows “ASMR,” “Kendrick Lamar,” “song,” and “karoke” as top searched keywords (Top Searches on YouTube). But trends can shift, so it’s always good to check the latest.
Also, while SEo is important, don’t forget other factors. The video’s thumbnail, posting time, and even subtitles can help engagement. For example, subtitles can make your video accessible to more people, increasing shares (Sprout Social).
And here’s something interesting: some studies suggest that “Fortnite” or “prank” were keywords associated with higher views in the past. However, that was in 2019 (Pew Research Center). Today’s trends might be different, so stay updated.
FAQ Section
To round things out, here are 10 questions and answers related to the topic, but not covered in the article, to give you more insights:
- What is the difference between SEo for videos and SEo for websites? SEo for videos focuses on optimizing video metadata like title, description, and tags to rank higher in video search results. SEo for websites involves optimizing web pages to rank higher in general search results.
- Can I use multiple keywords in my video’s title and description? Yes, it’s recommended to use relevant keywords naturally in your title and description. This approach allows you to cover more ground and attract a broader audience.
- How often do I need to update my keywords? Keywords can change over time. It’s a good idea to periodically review your video’s keywords. This helps you stay relevant with current trends.
- Is there a specific length for video titles that works best? YouTube recommends keeping titles between 50-60 characters for optimal display. However, the most important thing is to make the title descriptive and engaging.
- Do hashtags help in video SEo? Yes, using relevant hashtags can help categorize your video and make it discoverable through hashtag searches on YouTube.
- How does the video’s length affect its virality? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Shorter videos might be more shareable, but longer, in-depth content can also go viral if it’s highly engaging.
- Can I pay for my video to go viral? While you can pay for advertising to boost your video’s visibility, virality is organic and can’t be directly bought. Ads can help increase views, but engagement and sharing depend on the content’s quality.
- What role does the video’s cover image play in SEo? The cover image, or thumbnail, doesn’t directly affect SEo, but it can influence click-through rates. A compelling image can encourage more people to click on your video, which indirectly helps.
- Is it better to post videos at certain times of the day? Posting when your target audience is most active can increase initial views. This can boost engagement. These factors might help the video gain traction.
- How does YouTube’s algorithm affect video discovery? YouTube’s algorithm considers factors like watch time, engagement, and relevance to the user’s search query or interests. Optimizing your video for these factors can improve its visibility.
This comprehensive analysis should give you a solid foundation to tackle video SEo and chase that viral dream. Good luck. Remember, it’s about finding the right balance between SEo and creating shareable content!
Sources
- YouTube Keyword Research: A Complete Guide
- 3. Certain keywords in video titles and descriptions were associated with more views
- List of most-viewed YouTube videos
- Top Searches on YouTube (February 2025)
- Global top YouTube search queries 2024
- Increase YouTube Engagement Rate in 10 Ways
- Google Trends
Discover more from Make Money
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
