Before you post a video on YouTube, it helps to do some keyword research. This task reveals essential things about your video, like the popularity of your topic and the words people use to find videos like yours.
Knowing these details will help you get more views, especially now that YouTube is bursting with competition. You can use specific keywords to attract the right audience and ensure you get thousands of relevant, long-term views. And those same keywords will tell the YouTube algorithm what your video is about, ensuring that it appears on the right search pages.
So if you want more views, set your camera down for a while (we’ll come back to it, I promise!). For now, let’s explore the power of YouTube keyword research.
You probably hear about keywords all the time. But what are they?
On YouTube, a keyword is any collection of words people use to search for videos.
You use keywords all the time if you watch YouTube often. In fact, anything you type into the search bar is a potential keyword that helps YouTube show you the right video.
Just look at how many searches pop up when we type “iced coffee recipe.” YouTube uses our search term to pull additional yet relevant searches we might be interested in.
YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world, and every day many people type in the same search phrases again and again. These are the most searched keywords on YouTube, and knowing them can give your channel an instant edge. While these terms often have high competition, they also reflect what’s trending and what viewers want most.
If you’re trying to spot trending keywords on YouTube, look at:
We’ll also share how to balance big, popular terms with more specific ones later in this guide.
As per their length and usage, keywords are primarily divided into 3 main categories:
Long-Tail Keywords: These are longer keywords that contain several words and target a specific type of query. They don't usually have a high search volume, but people using long-tail keywords know exactly what they want to watch. "How to Get 10 Million YouTube Shorts Views: A 90-Day Plan" is a good example of a long-tail keyword.
Medium-Tail Keywords: These keywords have a moderate search volume and may contain a group of words or a phrase. Many consider medium-tail keywords to be the best of both worlds because they aren't too hard to rank for. A good example here would be, "How to Start a YouTube Channel: 10 Brilliant Tips."
Short-Tail Keywords: Short-tail keywords are often the most searched keywords on YouTube, like “YouTube Shorts,” “Minecraft,” or “MrBeast.” These are broad and competitive, but they reflect top YouTube searches that everyone is chasing.
The short answer: not always.
When you look at what people search on YouTube, you’ll see that the top keywords for YouTube usually bring massive traffic, but they’re also extremely competitive. Broad terms like "MrBeast", "Minecraft", or "music videos" are searched millions of times each month. The challenge is that big creators already dominate these searches on YouTube, making it tough for smaller or new channels to break through.
Instead, think of the most searched keywords as a starting point. Use them to understand what viewers care about, then layer on niche variations that give you a better chance of visibility. For example:
This balance lets you ride the wave of popular searches while still carving out your own space in YouTube results.
Pro tip: Use a keyword tool, like vidIQ’s keyword generator, to find the sweet spot of high search volume and low-to-medium competition. That’s where smaller creators can stand out.
Finding the best keywords on YouTube isn’t difficult, but sometimes the process can take a while. If you’re short on time, we recommend using a YouTube keyword tool. It cuts your research time in half by showing detailed information about various keywords, including:
And guess what? You can get all this and more from vidIQ’s keyword research tool!
Check out how easy it is to use in this video.
To get started, sign up for vidIQ right now. Then come back to this article to learn how to use the tool and see the best YouTube keywords.
Or, scroll down to see free research options!
It's important to have a clear topic for your YouTube video so you can focus your keyword research. Exploring one topic in depth allows you to target the right audience and discover the specific words they'll use to find your video.
So get clear on your purpose. Are you posting a Minecraft tutorial? A vlog at the Grand Canyon? Two baristas racing each other to make a Starbucks latte?
Read More: How to Find Winning YouTube Video Ideas in Minutes with vidIQ Remix
No matter what you’re aiming for, try to summarize the video idea in 1-2 sentences. If you can do that successfully, you’re ready to move to the next step.
The next step is brainstorming a list of words to describe your video. This task is all about identifying what makes your video special, so consider the key talking points you'll discuss or unique details about the theme.
For example, let’s say your video is about buying dog food for senior dogs. Your list could look something like this:
Once you come up with a list of potential words, your research becomes ten times easier. You won’t have to wonder, “What should I type into the keyword tool?” because you’ve already covered that part!
You can also use our AI keyword tool to discover relevant terms and drive traffic to your videos. All you have to do is place them in your titles and descriptions, then hit publish!
Here, we use the phrase "YouTube Short" to generate related keywords.
After clicking on "generate", the tool will provide a list of related keywords and a score to prioritize their use.
Now it's time to take your word list for a spin. If you’ve signed up for vidIQ, then head to this page and click the Discover tab on the left, then Keywords. You can also find it lower on the dashboard screen.
Go to the search bar and paste in a phrase from your keyword list. Then hit enter!
We’ll use “dog food for older dogs” as an example.
Next, let’s see how the tool analyzes monthly search volume, competitiveness, related terms, and additional questions people ask.
After hitting enter on your search, look directly below the search bar; you'll notice a keyword score for the term you just typed. This number represents the quality of your keyword in terms of search volume and competition.
Generally, you want to use high-volume, low-competition keywords on YouTube. For example, “dog food for older dogs” has a medium search volume and low competition overall — not bad for a few seconds’ work!
Now we know the search volume for this topic is high enough to get views without facing too much competition. That's a great sign because it’s not easy finding low-competition keywords (wipes forehead sweat).
Want to see other versions of the keyword you're exploring? Take a look at the Matching Terms panel, which is right below the keyword score.
As you can see, the tool shares additional keywords we should consider. You might find some that describe your video better or have a higher keyword score, so take advantage of this panel.
With related keywords, you can explore how people search for the smaller details related to your topic, which is always good to know.
But even better, related keywords can expose the content gaps in other YouTube videos — the "subtopics" viewers care about but don't get to see because they're missing from a video. So, you can use related keywords to fortify your content with information people are looking for.
To see related keywords, go to the Related Keywords section on the right side of the screen. Click View all Keywords.
When we expand the list, we get more related keywords, including:
People are searching for these related topics, so it makes sense to cover them in the video.
Imagine that viewers are asking questions about a topic on YouTube. In that case, you can make your video 10 times more valuable by providing a clear, helpful answer.
To do this, head to the Questions panel in the bottom right corner of the screen.
Sometimes you won’t see any questions if your topic is narrow, like the one we've chosen (dog food for older dogs). When that happens, try expanding your search to a broader term.
Using a dedicated tool is the easiest way to research, but there are other ways to get keyword ideas on YouTube. Here's a quick list!
Have you noticed that the YouTube search bar auto-completes every query? You could type the phrase "how to cook" — a basic search — and YouTube will share a list of relevant searches to explore. This is also one of the best ways to spot trending searches on YouTube, since autocomplete shows what’s being searched most right now.
Pay attention to these suggestions. If YouTube is recommending them, it's because viewers are searching for them right now. You can use these "freebies" to kick off your research.
Want to make the suggestions more targeted for your niche? Make sure you're using the correct verbs. We used "cook" in the example above, which works well for a culinary channel. But there are plenty of words you can use to get better suggestions:
Have you heard of related Google searches? You’ll see them at the bottom of Google search pages, like these keywords for the popular search phrase “YouTube Shorts monetization.”
So how do these keywords affect your content?
If you produce quality YouTube videos (that have keywords from related searches), Google might recommend your content at the top of search pages. Imagine all of that free traffic going straight to your videos!
Want to find popular keywords you can trust? Go to Google Trends and type in any phrase related to your content. Google will show you the relative popularity of that keyword over time, the regions people are searching from, related topics, and questions people ask.
By switching to the "YouTube" filter, you’ll instantly see which terms are climbing in popularity. This reveals trending keywords on YouTube that could become tomorrow’s top searches.
Overall, Google Trends can help you identify popular keywords and topics for your audience. It can also help you optimize your videos for search engines and improve your visibility on YouTube.
Did you know that YouTube tracks the most popular searches on your channel? To see this information, pop into the YouTube Studio and head to the Research tab (YouTube Studio > Analytics > Research).
Once there, you'll find a feature called Your Viewers’ Searches.
This reveals what your viewers search for on YouTube, so you know which videos to make next and the specific keywords to pair them with.
On the vidIQ channel, we’re seeing searches like “how to increase subscribers,” “how to make thumbnails,” and “best video editing app for Android.”
If you're aiming to rank on YouTube, channel keywords are one of your secret weapons. Unlike video-specific keywords that help individual videos reach the right audience, channel keywords signal to YouTube what your entire channel is about, giving the platform context about your niche, content focus, and target audience. Here’s why they matter:
When you set up your channel keywords strategically, YouTube is better able to categorize your channel in search results. This means that people looking for content within your niche are more likely to stumble upon your channel, even if they haven’t seen any of your videos yet.
Channel keywords give YouTube more clues about the main themes of your content, helping the algorithm decide who should see it. YouTube’s algorithm loves clarity, so if your channel keywords align with the topics you cover, you increase your chances of appearing in the suggested videos and the "Up Next" feed for viewers interested in similar topics.
With consistent, well-chosen channel keywords, you’re telling both YouTube and your audience what to expect from your content. This strengthens your brand identity and helps new visitors quickly understand what your channel is about, increasing the likelihood they’ll hit “Subscribe” if they’re interested in your topics.
As your channel grows, channel keywords help you maintain focus and attract the right audience consistently. By targeting specific, relevant keywords from the beginning, you build a stronger, more loyal subscriber base who genuinely care about your content. That audience consistency is essential for sustainable growth over time.
To optimize your channel keywords, research top channels in your niche to see what terms they’re using. Then, choose 5–10 keywords that best represent your channel’s core focus. Avoid generic terms like “fun” or “interesting” and instead zero in on phrases that are specific and descriptive, like “digital marketing tips” or “DIY home improvement.”
Once you find the right keywords, how do you attach them to your videos?
You can start by adding relevant keywords to:
The YouTube algorithm will then analyze those keywords to understand your video better, rank it within YouTube search, and suggest it to specific viewers.
When you build a list of keywords for YouTube, it helps to check how hard it is to rank for a term. Keyword difficulty shows how tough a topic is because of the current competition. There are a few points to consider.
Tools by vidIQ show you a competition score for your desired keywords. The ones with a lower score offer a better chance to rank. For example, a niche query like "youtube channel keywords list for cooking channels" might be easier to rank for than the broad term "YouTube keywords."
Mix easier topics with more competitive ones in your strategy. Start with low-competition keywords to gain early traction and then try tougher ones as your channel grows. This mix lets you build a base and then reach for bigger goals.
As a content creator, it’s important to find keywords for your YouTube video. You never know who’s looking for a specific video, so it makes sense to use the right words, if any, to help people find your content and get more views.
To quickly summarize, here’s how to get keyword suggestions for YouTube:
When you understand the most searched keywords on YouTube, and combine them with niche ideas that fit your channel, you’re setting yourself up for long-term growth.
Keep an eye on trending keywords on YouTube with tools like vidIQ and Google Trends, and always balance them with specific phrases that match your audience. That’s how creators tap into top YouTube searches while still standing out from the crowd.
YouTube keywords are the words or phrases people type into the YouTube search bar to find videos. They help YouTube understand what your content is about and connect it with the right audience. Using the right keywords in your titles, descriptions, and tags can improve visibility, views, and subscriber growth.
The most common things people search on YouTube are music, gaming, tutorials, and trending pop culture topics. These searches on YouTube often include short, high-volume terms like Minecraft, MrBeast, or how to. While these top keywords for YouTube bring huge traffic, they’re also competitive. Smaller creators should look for niche variations to stand out.
You don’t need dozens of keywords for a single video. Focus on 1–2 primary keywords that match your video’s main topic, plus 3–5 secondary variations or related phrases. This gives YouTube enough context without looking spammy. Quality matters more than quantity, choose keywords that reflect what people actually search on YouTube in your niche.
To find trending searches on YouTube for your niche, start with autocomplete suggestions in the YouTube search bar, then check Google Trends with the filter set to “YouTube Search.” Keyword tools like vidIQ can also show you search volume, competition, and related terms to help you discover the best opportunities in your niche.
vidIQ’s Keyword Tool is a great choice for beginners. It shows search volume, competition scores, and related keywords so you can quickly find the best terms for your videos. Other free options include YouTube’s autocomplete and Google Trends, but a dedicated tool gives you deeper insights and saves time.
You’ll know your keywords are working when your videos gain more impressions, higher click-through rates, and steady subscriber growth. In YouTube Studio, check Analytics → Reach to see which keywords drive traffic. If your video ranks for relevant searches and watch time improves, your keyword strategy is paying off.
Lydia Sweatt is a writer who loves balancing her article/blog time indoors with a healthy dose of nature. She bikes, hikes, and identifies edible plants along the way.
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