Best Free SEO Tools to Rank YouTube Videos

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Why YouTube SEO Matters for Your Videos

SEO for YouTube is all about optimizing your videos so that they rank higher in search results. By improving your SEO, you can make your videos more discoverable, increase watch time, and build your subscriber base. Imagine you're hosting a concert: the better you advertise it, the more people will show up. Free SEO tools are your best advertising assistant, guiding people to your content effortlessly.

How Free SEO Tools Can Help Your YouTube Channel

Many YouTubers believe they need expensive software to rank their videos. However, there are many free tools available that can help you identify high-performing keywords, analyze competitors, and optimize your video titles, descriptions, and tags. Using these free SEO tools, you can still achieve great results without spending a dime.

Now, let's dive into some of the best free SEO tools that can make your YouTube SEO journey smoother.

1. TubeBuddy (Free Version)

TubeBuddy is a popular browser extension that simplifies YouTube SEO for creators. The free version offers a variety of SEO features, including keyword research and video optimization tools.

• Key Features:
  • Basic keyword research
  • SEO recommendations for titles, descriptions, and tags
  • Thumbnail generation
  • Analytics overview

Even with its free version, TubeBuddy acts like a pocket-sized SEO assistant, helping you with everything from choosing the right keywords to creating compelling thumbnails.

2. VidIQ (Free Version)

VidIQ is another excellent tool for YouTube SEO, offering both free and premium plans. The free version includes essential SEO tools to help you rank higher and understand your video performance.

• Key Features:
  • Basic keyword research
  • Competitor analysis
  • SEO score for videos
  • Performance tracking

VidIQ works like a magnifying glass for your YouTube content, showing you exactly what’s working and what needs improvement.

3. Keywords Everywhere (Free Plan)

Keywords Everywhere is a browser extension that shows keyword data like search volume, competition, and cost-per-click (CPC) for YouTube searches.

• Key Features:
  • YouTube-specific keyword data
  • Search trends
  • Free access to historical search volume

Using Keywords Everywhere is like having a GPS for your SEO journey, guiding you through the best-performing keywords for your video content.

4. Ubersuggest (Free Plan)

Ubersuggest is primarily known for website SEO, but it also offers YouTube SEO insights. Its free version provides a limited number of daily keyword searches, helping you uncover relevant keywords and optimize your content.

• Key Features:
  • Keyword suggestions
  • Search volume and competition analysis
  • Backlink data

Ubersuggest serves as a treasure map for finding golden SEO opportunities, even with its limited free plan.

5. Keyword Tool for YouTube (Free Version)

As the name suggests, Keyword Tool for YouTube is specifically designed to generate keyword ideas for YouTube videos. The free version allows you to generate keyword suggestions based on user searches.

• Key Features:
  • YouTube keyword suggestions
  • Long-tail keyword generation
  • Competitor keyword analysis

This tool is like having a brainstorm buddy that generates fresh and relevant keyword ideas for your videos.

6. Rapid Tags

Rapid Tags is a free online tool that generates optimized tags for your YouTube videos. Tags are essential for helping YouTube’s algorithm understand your content and improve discoverability.

• Key Features:
  • Instant tag generation
  • Tag recommendations based on video content
  • No account required

Rapid Tags is the SEO equivalent of a fast-food restaurant, quickly serving up the perfect tags for your videos without the wait.

7. YouTube Analytics (Free Tool)

YouTube built-in YouTube Analytics tool offers valuable insights into your video performance. While it doesn’t provide keyword data, it helps you understand audience behavior, which is crucial for SEO.

• Key Features:
  • Video performance tracking
  • Audience insights
  • Watch time and engagement metrics

YouTube Analytics is your backstage pass to understanding what your audience loves, helping you fine-tune your content strategy.

8. Google Trends

Google Trends is a free tool that lets you explore the popularity of search queries over time. It’s an excellent way to see which keywords are trending on YouTube and create content that aligns with current interests.

• Key Features:
  • Real-time search trend analysis
  • Comparative keyword data
  • Regional search data

Using Google Trends is like having your finger on the pulse of what’s trending in your niche, helping you stay relevant.

9. Canva (Free)

Although Canva is not an SEO tool, it’s essential for creating custom YouTube thumbnails. Thumbnails are often the first thing viewers see, and a well-designed one can significantly boost your click-through rate (CTR).

• Key Features:
  • Free design templates for thumbnails
  • Drag-and-drop editor
  • Customizable fonts, images, and elements

Canva is like your personal graphic designer, helping you create eye-catching visuals that draw viewers to your videos.

Tips for Maximizing the Benefits of Free SEO Tools

Using free tools is great, but to truly get the most out of them, here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Consistency is Key: Regularly use tools like TubeBuddy and VidIQ to track performance and make necessary adjustments.
2. Focus on High-Performing Keywords: Use Keywords Everywhere and Ubersuggest to target keywords with decent search volume but low competition.
3. Engage Your Audience: Use YouTube Analytics to study viewer engagement and create content that resonates with them.
4. Design Click-Worthy Thumbnails: Create attractive thumbnails using Canva to increase your CTR and video rankings.
5. Stay Updated: Check Google Trends regularly to create timely and trending content.

Conclusion 

There’s no need to invest in expensive software when plenty of free SEO tools can help you rank your YouTube videos effectively. Tools like TubeBuddy, VidIQ, and Keywords Everywhere provide valuable insights that can make a significant difference in your channel’s growth. From keyword research to performance analysis, these tools are essential for any YouTuber looking to improve their SEO strategy.

By consistently using these tools and optimizing your videos, you’ll be well on your way to building a successful YouTube channel without spending a penny.

FAQs

1. What are the best free SEO tools for YouTube?
Some of the best free SEO tools for YouTube include TubeBuddy, VidIQ, Keywords Everywhere, and Rapid Tags.

2. Are free SEO tools as effective as paid ones?
While free SEO tools may have some limitations, they are still highly effective for optimizing your videos and improving your rankings.

3. How do free SEO tools help in YouTube ranking?
Free SEO tools assist with keyword research, video optimization, and performance tracking, all of which are critical for improving your video rankings.

4. Can I use multiple SEO tools for YouTube?
Yes! Many creators use a combination of tools like TubeBuddy, VidIQ, and Ubersuggest to cover different aspects of YouTube SEO.

5. Do I need a paid tool to succeed on YouTube?
No, you can achieve great results using free SEO tools as long as you use them consistently and optimize your videos effectively.

Hassan Ali

Founder / CEO

Hassan Ali is the Founder and CEO of Rankify Pro. RankifyPro offers free, easy-to-use SEO tools to improve your online visibility. Access YouTube tools, text analysis, and website management features. Get the support you need to succeed online.