How to Title YouTube Videos: Tricks & Best Practices
What’s the first thing viewers see before clicking or scrolling? Yep, your video title. YouTube is overflowing with content—thousands of billions of videos. So, what’s the difference between being another video in the infinite digital void and standing out by nailing your title?
Crafting irresistible titles isn’t rocket science, and you’re about to find out secrets, tips, and tricks for titles that kick butt. As a bonus, you’ll learn how Gling.ai can aid your editing.
How To Create YouTube Titles Like a Pro
Your YouTube title isn't just there to label your video. It's your front-line YouTube marketing tool, a one-liner that can make or break your video's viral success, win or lose the CTR wars. Great titles do three things:
- Boost your video’s visibility on YouTube and Google searches
- Catch viewers' eyes and make them curious enough to click
- Set the right expectations for your content
Even the most outstanding content can disappear into the YouTube black hole without a solid title. So, let’s get into how you can level up your title game.
SEO-Savvy Titles: How to Get YouTube to Love U
By now, the world knows Google owns YouTube, and like any decent search engine, it rewards videos that show how to speak its language. The keyword language, that is. Using the right keywords in your title isn’t just important—it’s necessary. Here, we share the secret of how to do it.
Finding Keywords That Stick
You don’t need fancy tools to find potent keywords. Here’s where to look:
- YouTube Search Bar: Type in a few words related to your video, and see what autocomplete suggests. This gives you an idea of what people are actively searching for.
- Competitor Videos: Peek at the top videos in your niche. What keywords are they using? Watch and learn from them.
- Google Trends: This tool shows you what’s currently hot regarding search trends. You can even filter it down to YouTube-specific searches.
Tip: Put your most important keywords at the beginning of your title—this helps your SEO.
Example of Smart Keyword Use:
Weak Title: “Easy Editing Tricks”
Strong Title: “Easy Video Editing Tricks for Beginners: Step-by-Step”
Keep It Short but Punchy (Because No One Likes a Long Title Like This One)
Less is more when it comes to video titles. YouTube titles get cut off after about 60 characters, especially on mobile. Your viewers won’t read the full title if it’s too long, which could mean they’ll pass on clicking.
Why Short Titles Win
- Complete visibility on all devices: Your title is readable, no matter where it’s viewed.
- Clear and concise: Viewers immediately know what the video is about.
Quick Checklist for Short Titles
- Aim for under 60 characters.
- Put your main keywords first.
- Keep it direct and to the point—no fluff.
Example:
- Long and Complicated: “The Most Comprehensive Guide to Using Premiere Pro for Beginners Who Want to Learn Video Editing”
- Short and Sweet: “Premiere Pro Editing for Beginners: Quick Guide”
Titles That Make People Feel Things: Shoot To The Heart
Good titles tell you what the video’s about. Great titles make you feel like you need to click. Emotional triggers like curiosity, excitement, and urgency make your titles stand out. Would you click “How to Edit Videos” or “Edit Videos Like a Pro in 5 Minutes”?
Emotional Triggers to Play With:
- Curiosity: “What No One Tells You About Editing Videos”
- Urgency: “Watch This Before You Edit Another Video”
- Excitement: “5 Editing Tricks That’ll Make Your Videos Pop!”
Here’s a power word cheat sheet to sprinkle into your titles for that extra click-worthy magic:
Brackets & Parentheses (The Click-Boosting Hack You Should Be Using)
Ever notice those little extras in brackets or parentheses in some YouTube titles? There’s a reason they work—they add extra clarity or intrigue without making the title clunky. It’s like a mini preview of what’s inside your video.
Examples:
- “How to Film on a Budget (Without Losing Quality)”
- “Top 5 Video Editing Tips [Beginner-Friendly]”
Use brackets or parentheses to highlight bonus content, steps, or special features.
Quick Tips for Bracket Use:
- Keep it relevant: Only add what enhances the title.
- Use sparingly: One set of brackets or parentheses is enough.
Avoid the Clickbait Trap: Keep it Interesting [But Real]
Clickbait might get you views in the short run, but it kills your credibility in the long run. No one likes being tricked into clicking a video that doesn’t deliver what it sells.
How to Avoid Clickbait:
- Deliver your promise: Ensure the video content matches the hype.
- Don’t exaggerate: Instead of “This Editing Trick Will Change Your Life,” try something more realistic like “How This Simple Editing Trick Can Save You Hours.”
Clickbait may get the click, but honesty keeps the viewer watching.
Gling.ai: Your Editing Aid to Stellar Content
Why Gling Rocks for YouTube Creators:
- AI-Driven Edits: Gling’s AI does the heavy lifting by automatically cutting and cleaning up your videos.
- Say Goodbye to Boring Editing: Gling.ai cuts editing time so you can focus more on content creation and less on timeline lags.
- User-Friendly: Whether you're a newbie or a super pro, Gling makes video editing as simple as point-and-click.
Gling’s Time-Saving Features
Titles and Edits: A Perfect Pairing
Your video's title is your first—and maybe only—chance at grabbing attention in a universe of content. You'll get more clicks and views by using the right keywords, keeping it short and sweet, and tapping into emotions. But don't forget—the title is just half the battle. A polished video keeps people engaged, and that's where Gling saves the day. Once you've nailed your title, consider using Gling to add subtitles to video for even broader appeal.
Remember, it’s not just getting viewers to click—it’s getting them hooked and keeping them coming back.
