Improving video descriptions on YouTube
Providing context to videos on YouTube can help artists gain more exposure on the platform.
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Let’s dive into today’s topic:
Improving video descriptions on YouTube
Providing context to videos on YouTube can help artists gain more exposure on the platform.
Why it matters
Getting recommended is a powerful way to reach new audiences.
YouTube employs several content recommendation algorithms, such as:
Personalised video recommendations on YouTube’s homepage.
Automatically playing related content after finishing a video.
Displaying related content in the sidebar while watching a video.
By providing detailed context in video descriptions, artists can support these algorithms, maximise their presence on YouTube, and increase their exposure.
With a character limit of 5.000, YouTube video descriptions offer ample space to add context and detail. This can also boost viewer engagement and help attract and retain new viewers.
How it works
To update video descriptions, navigate to YouTube Studio > Content > [select video].
Here are some best practices for enhancing video descriptions:
Identify Keywords: Consider how people search for videos and research popular keywords related to your content. Include at least two keywords in the description. Utilise the research tab in the channel’s YouTube Analytics.
Make the first line appealing: Most users will see this before the “show more” button.
Use Video Chapters: List at least three timestamps in ascending order. The first timestamp should start at 00:00, and each chapter should be a minimum of 10 seconds long.
Mention Collaborators: Use @ tags to credit creators who worked on the video.
Format Text: Use formatting options like
*bold*,_italics_, or-strikethrough-and include paragraphs and emojis.Include a Consistent Biography: Connect videos into a context ecosystem by adding a short artist biography at the end of each description.
Focus on YouTube Growth: Prioritise YouTube engagement over redirecting viewers to other platforms like TikTok or Instagram.
Go deeper
Earlier, the
published a comprehensive manual and template for the perfect YouTube video description:
Yes, but..
Music video views based on recommendations often come from lower-intent viewers because they are auto-played after other related videos.
The goal is to make the video description appealing to users who enjoy the music and want to learn more about the content. Engaging video descriptions can create a positive first impression for potential new fans.
Take action now
Artists could start by improving the description of one of their YouTube videos and monitoring the results in YouTube Analytics over the following weeks.
Your thoughts
What does the description of your best-performing YouTube video look like?
Join the conversation and engage with hundreds of artists, creators, and industry professionals in the comments.
Further reading
Tips for video descriptions (YouTube)
How an artist's career resembles a Netflix series (The Fanbase Builder)
Learn how other creators optimise their YouTube videos (The Fanbase Builder)
How to leverage user intent (The Fanbase Builder)
Optimize your default YouTube video description in 30 minutes (Artist Lockdown Challenge)
How YouTube Works (YouTube)
Get more music video views: YouTube optimization checklist (Amber Horsburgh)