10 Essential Things You MUST Do After Uploading a YouTube Video for Maximum SEO Success

Digital Marketing Make Money Online Money Youtube Youtube, Youtuber iNthacity Network June 6, 2025 0 Comments

Ever wondered why some small YouTubers skyrocket to fame while others struggle to hit 100 views? The secret isn’t just in the content—it’s in what you do after you hit that publish button. In this article, we’re diving deep into 10 actionable steps to make your YouTube videos go viral, inspired by insights from Belmont’s video but with my own unique spin. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned creator, these strategies will help you outrank the competition and grow your channel faster than ever.

Why Your Video File Name Matters More Than You Think

Let’s start with something most creators overlook: the file name of your video. When you’re a small channel, YouTube’s algorithm needs all the help it can get to understand your content. Naming your file something like “FunnyCatVideo.mp4” won’t cut it. Instead, make the file name as close to your video title as possible. For example, if your title is “10 Hilarious Cat Fails You’ve Never Seen,” name your file “10_Hilarious_Cat_Fails_Youve_Never_Seen.mp4.” This gives YouTube more metadata to work with, helping it categorize your video correctly and boosting its chances of being discovered.

Optimize Your Description Like a Pro

Your video description is a goldmine for SEO, especially for small channels. Here’s a game-changing tip: use ChatGPT to write your description. Simply input your video title or transcript and ask ChatGPT to pack it with high-volume keywords. This creates a readable, keyword-rich description that boosts your video’s visibility. Pro tip: avoid the outdated practice of dumping tags into your description—it’s spammy and could get you penalized.

Hashtags and Links: The Secret Sauce

Hashtags and links are your best friends when it comes to driving traffic. Add 3-5 relevant hashtags to your description, focusing on high-search-volume terms. For links, include deep links to your other videos or playlists. This creates a funnel that keeps viewers on your channel, increasing session time and boosting your video’s performance. For example, if you’re watching a video on Belmont’s channel, you’ll notice a playlist of related videos on the right. This is a powerful way to turn one view into multiple views.

Thumbnail Swaps: Breathe New Life Into Your Videos

Thumbnails are the first thing viewers see, so they’re crucial for click-through rates. If a video isn’t performing well, try swapping the thumbnail after 7 days. Tools like vidIQ can help you analyze which thumbnails work best. Create 3-4 versions and use YouTube’s A/B testing feature to find the winner. For inspiration, check out 1 of 10, an AI tool that shows you the most viral thumbnails in your niche.

Tags: Don’t Skip This Step

Tags may seem outdated, but they’re essential for new channels. Use a free tag generator or vidIQ’s tag inspector to find high-volume keywords. Order your tags from most to least relevant, as YouTube prioritizes the first few. This gives the algorithm more context about your video, increasing its chances of being recommended.

End Screens: Turn One View Into Many

End screens are a powerful way to keep viewers engaged. Instead of promoting multiple videos or links, focus on one highly relevant video. For example, if you’re watching a video on “How to Grow on YouTube,” the end screen could link to a follow-up video like “Advanced YouTube Growth Strategies.” This creates a seamless viewing experience and boosts session time. Pro tip: avoid linking to the same video in consecutive end screens—it’s a dead end for viewers.

Let Your Video Sit Before Publishing

Before making your video public, set it to unlisted or private for 24-48 hours. This gives YouTube time to analyze the metadata and categorize your content. It also ensures your video is fully processed and ready for high-quality playback. Bonus tip: manually place mid-roll ads every 2 minutes for maximum monetization.

Subtitles: Unlock a Global Audience

Adding subtitles in multiple languages can increase your views by 10-20%. Use YouTube’s automatic captions as a starting point, then add translations for popular languages. This makes your content accessible to a global audience and improves retention rates. For example, if your video is about tech tutorials, you’ll likely attract viewers from countries like India, Brazil, and Germany—so add subtitles in Hindi, Portuguese, and German.

Rewatch Your Video for Instant Engagement

After publishing, rewatch your video from start to finish on multiple devices. This gives your video an instant boost in retention and engagement. Use a second account to like, comment, and subscribe to your channel. This trick works even for channels with millions of subscribers, so don’t skip it.

Link Shorts to Long-Form Videos

YouTube Shorts are a goldmine for driving traffic to your long-form videos. Create a dedicated Shorts channel and link it to your main content. Tools like Nexus Clips can help you repurpose long-form videos into viral Shorts. This strategy can convert Shorts viewers into long-form viewers, giving your channel a massive boost.

Bonus Tip: Engage With Every Comment

As a small creator, responding to every comment is a game-changer. It fosters community, increases engagement, and signals to YouTube that your video is worth promoting. Plus, it encourages viewers to come back and interact with your content again.

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10 things you MUST do after uploading a YouTube video

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Final Thoughts: Your Path to YouTube Stardom

Growing a YouTube channel isn’t just about creating great content—it’s about optimizing every step of the process. From file names to thumbnails, tags to end screens, these strategies will help you outrank the competition and grow your channel faster than ever. So, what are you waiting for? Start implementing these tips today and watch your views soar.

What’s your biggest challenge as a small YouTuber? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let’s start a conversation. Don’t forget to join the iNthacity community—the “Shining City on the Web”—where we share tips, tricks, and insights to help you succeed. Like, share, and let’s grow together!

Wait! There's more...check out our gripping short story that continues the journey: Fearless Hero

original sci-fi short story set in the late 22nd century, featuring a bold protagonist navigating a high-stakes conspiracy on a colonized Mars

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