YouTube is the OG for watching videos online.
In 2018, it remains King with more than one billion users. Plus, it recently amped up it’s features where it counts most: the mobile app. The redesign brought a cleaner look, adjustable viewer and the ability to watch videos in portrait mode.
Since YouTube is also used as a search engine nowadays (especially for the younger generations) it’s best to keep your entire video library on this channel — neatly organized in playlists — to maximize your chance of exposure.
But how do you optimize your videos so they will have the highest impact on the YouTube platform? Read on to find out.
![](https://editmate.co/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/WHAT-YOUTUBE-IS-BEST-FOR-1.jpg)
![](https://editmate.co/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IDEAL-LENGTH-1.jpg)
![](https://editmate.co/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/IDEAL-ASPECT-RATIO-2.jpg)
![](https://editmate.co/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Best-Place-for-a-CTA.jpg)
OTHER HELPFUL TIPS
- 60% of videos on YouTube are watched on mobile devices and the sharing rate is also higher on mobile devices, so design your videos accordingly (i.e. easily readable graphics and captions).
- Most viral videos on YouTube are nearly 10x longer than most viral videos on Facebook so don’t be afraid to post longer pieces
- Experts advise that you spend as much time you spend creating the video on devising your headline. On YouTube, it’s the most important piece of information in your entire video.
- Custom thumbnails with a consistent style will help you create a memorable brand that your target audience can easily identify (see examples below!). But remember: to get custom thumbnails for your videos, your account needs to be verified. How can you quickly and easily create good-looking thumbnails? We recommend Canva.
![](https://editmate.co/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Screen-Shot-2018-01-18-at-11.56.57-AM.png)
CUSTOM THUMBNAIL and HEADLINE examples from YouTube vlogger Evelyn from the Internets (one of our fave vloggers).
![](https://editmate.co/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Screen-Shot-2018-01-18-at-11.59.12-AM.png)
CUSTOM THUMBNAIL and HEADLINE examples from YouTube Channel Backlinko (a helpful resource for SEO and link building tips).
P.S. If you enjoyed this post, you might also like: Best Practices for Social Videos in 2017 and Social Video Marketing Do’s and Don’ts: An Infographic. 🙂
And once you optimize your video, make sure to create the perfect YouTube thumbnail image by reading this post from our friends at Pixelied: What’s the Ideal YouTube Thumbnail Size? [With Tips & Templates]