Every word you use matters on YouTube, from the title to the description to what you say out loud. Each one can be a factor in how well your content ranks online.
But how does SEO for YouTube Shorts work? Can it really make a difference to your YT views? Read this guide to find out!

What Is SEO for YouTube Shorts?
SEO, or search engine optimization, is a way of ensuring your online content shows up for other people. This is mainly through the use of keywords. With the right strategy (and the right keywords), your content could be at the front of the queue.
YouTube Shorts include a title and description. Making the most of these to wisely add keywords will inspire YouTube to recommend your Shorts. Ultimately, Shorts SEO is about how easy it is for people to stumble upon your vids.
There are over one billion YouTube videos with the tag “#Shorts.” This format is highly competitive, so it’s possible that embracing SEO will be the only way to find your audience.
Getting the Best SEO for YouTube Shorts
Your SEO strategy is about much more than just using the right words. However, this will still be the crux of your approach. Here are some tips for ensuring your Shorts rank well in YT’s search results:
- Find relevant keywords: Above all else, you need keywords that fit your content. There are plenty of tools that will help you find the terms that people are looking for.
- Include hashtags: Using these terms as YT hashtags also helps your videos. In fact, it’s possible people will look through these tags and find your YT Shorts that way.
- Say keywords out loud: YouTube keeps track of what creators say in their videos via their automatic captions. Say your biggest keywords at least once or twice in the Short.
- Check new trends: Short-form video is a great way to make more topical content. Keep an eye on the latest trends, and make sure you use their special terms and hashtags.
- Use short and long-tail keywords: Make sure some of your keywords are specific and others are more broad. This helps you rank for a wider range of search results.
- Make your video worth watching: SEO alone won’t give your video content the love it needs. It’ll also need good engagement and watch time to climb the Shorts algorithm.
- Post at the right time: Shorts do well in the afternoon or evening. Upload your Short at a time that fits your target audience. This way, more people will see it in their queue.
Using SEO Tools for YouTube Shorts
There are a range of online tools that can help you find the right keywords. Some are free, while others usually have a rolling monthly subscription fee. Broadly speaking, they offer highly similar features. Add details about your Short, and the tool will give you keywords that match it.
The most common tools include TubeBuddy, YT Cockpit, VidIQ, and TubeRanker. You can even use Google Trends to find which terms are big on YouTube. Your Shorts content follows roughly the same rules as your longer vids. But you might not have space to include as many terms.
These tools update their information every day in response to new trends. Some even give their own title suggestions. However, you can’t rely too much on online tools for your YouTube Shorts SEO strategy. It’s still worth trying out various options and seeing what works best for you.

How To Do SEO for YouTube Shorts via Hashtags
On any platform, hashtags should be a key part of your content strategy. This acts as a far more direct “signal” in terms of what your content is about. In fact, most Shorts creators add “#Shorts” to their videos. This is partly because YouTube directly recommends it for ranking purposes.
Again, it’s important to mix and match your hashtags. You should use more broad ones, such as “#beauty” or “#gaming,” alongside more specific tags. This could be about a challenge you’ll be taking part in. It could also have something to do with your location.
YouTube hashtags might be better for your description. Like regular YT videos, your Shorts can have up to 100 characters in their title. But the full-screen vertical format means only 40 of these will show up. Make the most of all 40 characters with a brief yet descriptive title.
Don’t stuff your Short’s description (or title) with keywords and hashtags. Trying to game the site and its algorithm this way simply won’t work. Always use SEO techniques naturally.

How YouTube Short Searches Work
SEO tools for YouTube Shorts rely on understanding the site’s algorithm. This changes virtually every day. New keywords and trends can instantly shift your YouTube SEO strategy. The Shorts format makes this more complex.
To elaborate, people don’t often search for Shorts. They usually scroll through YouTube’s official Shorts section. This shows one Short after another, with the app choosing which ones are most relevant to the user. Good Shorts SEO will also help you rank highly in this.
When searching on YouTube, there should be a special “Shorts shelf” below the first few results. This window shows the Shorts that are relevant to your search.
SEO for YouTube Shorts is only one part of climbing the algorithm’s ranks. The app uses a lot of other signals to decide when to show your content. For example, it also counts how long others watch the video for and if it’s relevant to them.

Changing Your Short’s Title
Your video titles are a way of clearly displaying the Short’s “point.” People will see this and build an instant expectation of what the video is. But your first title might not make much of an impact. A lot of creators actually change their titles a few times to “reset” their SEO.
The extent to which this works isn’t fully clear. However, swapping out a vid’s keywords changes how it appears in search results. People use this as a second chance with the YT algorithm. You can edit these titles like any other video. Here’s how:
- On YouTube, tap your profile image in the top right.
- In the drop-down menu, click on YouTube Studio.
- Press Content on the left-hand side menu.
- On the Shorts tab, click the video you want to edit.
- You can now freely change the title and description.
- Remember to press Save before exiting the Studio.
Benefits of Using Shorts SEO
Finding the best SEO for YouTube Shorts takes time. However, it could unlock powerful benefits for your video and your whole channel. Here’s how it can help you grow:
- Embracing short-form content: Shorts are a very popular format with younger users. If you want to connect with this demo, making YT Shorts that rank well is the first step.
- Finding your audience: SEO helps connect you with people interested in the terms you use. If you use them well, you’ll soon find the viewers your account’s been looking for.
- More engagement: When your videos reach the right people, you’ll get higher audience engagement. In fact, the users who find your Shorts might subscribe to your YT page.
- Social proof: More views make your videos look more impressive. This means people in your niche will trust you more. Good SEO lets you build this reputation in no time.
- Higher overall traffic: If your concise content thrives, this could carry over to other videos. YT will suggest your longer videos to more users, helping your whole channel grow.
- Showing up sooner: The sooner you show up in someone’s Shorts, the more likely they are to watch your video. If you’re further down the queue, they might not scroll that far.
- Better YT metrics: Good SEO will boost your YouTube Analytics across the board. This could help you unlock new brand deals and command higher prices in the process.

Reposting Shorts on Other Platforms
Growing your video’s reach could also involve sharing it on other social media platforms. These sites are likely to have their own SEO rules. For example, you could tweet about the Short on X (formerly Twitter). This will help it reach more people who might not usually browse YT’s Shorts.
You could also share your Short on platforms that give you more space to work with. This could be your brand’s Facebook page. It might go alongside a long post full of useful keywords. You’ll even be able to embed the video directly onto a webpage on most platforms.
Mixing platforms also raises the question of “backlinking.” This is when one website or piece of content links to another, boosting the “target” link’s authority. Sharing a Short on another platform via its URL could help it rank higher on YouTube.

Does Buying Views Help Your Short’s Search Ranking?
Figuring out how to do SEO for YouTube Shorts doesn’t have to be your only strategy. You could also buy extra views for your Shorts. This boost (especially in tandem with Shorts likes) tells the site to promote your video. However, you should still add keywords to sustain this growth.
If you do decide to buy Shorts views online, always use a reputable service. Too many sites use bot viewers. This boosts the numbers, but YouTube can tell these are bots. You won’t see many, if any, long-term benefits for your channel.
Mixing techniques together gives your video an even greater boost. Using keywords that keep your audience in mind and buying views lets your Short soar through the algorithm. Even just a few thousand extra views will give you a better chance in a crowded niche.
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SEO for YouTube Shorts helps your videos get more views in no time. Buying views and followers similarly gives you the boost you’ll need on any platform. At Goread.io, we offer genuine online followers who engage with your content.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many keywords should I use on YouTube Shorts?
Since you won’t have a lot of space, stick to five at most. One or two of these should be in your title. For better results, mix broad and specific terms.
What is the ideal Short length?
Your Short needs to be the right length to keep people’s attention. Aim for around 30 seconds. It shouldn’t be even a second longer than it needs to be to make its point.
Can popular Shorts earn money?
You can monetize your Shorts just like any other YT video. This places an ad before your Short when people are scrolling. The better your SEO, the more views and money you’ll get.