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How to Boost SEO for Your Open.Video Channel

Jeff Bernard
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Want your Open.Video content to get discovered? This guide breaks down the key SEO steps - from linking your channel on your site to optimizing titles, thumbnails, and playlists so your videos rank higher and bring real traffic back to you.

How to Boost SEO for Your Open.Video Channel

How to Boost SEO for Your Open.Video Channel

Simple steps to get your videos discovered and your audience growing.

If you’ve launched an Open.Video channel, you already know the value: ownership of your content, traffic, and monetization. But great videos only go so far if no one can find them.

That’s where SEO (Search Engine Optimization) comes in. Let’s walk through how to set up your Open.Video presence so your videos show up in search, drive traffic to your site, and build loyal viewers.

1. Link Your Channel on Your Website

Make it easy for people (and search engines) to find your videos.Add a “Videos” link in your website’s main menu that points to your Open.Video page.

Example: example.com/videos or videos.example.com → directs to your Open.Video channel

Why it matters: Search engines use these internal links to understand your site’s content - and visitors are more likely to discover your videos.

2. Keep Your Channel Details Fresh

Your channel’s metadata is your first impression. Make sure everything’s filled out and optimized:

  • Channel Description: Explain what your videos are about and who they’re for.
  • SEO Title Tag: Include a keyword or two that describes your niche.
  • Banner Image: Use a professional, on-brand visual that sets the tone for your channel.

    • WIIFM: A complete, keyword-rich profile helps your videos appear in Open.Video, Google Search, and Answer Engines (LLMs)

    3. Optimize Video Titles and Descriptions

    Every video is an opportunity to rank. Use this quick checklist:

  • Write clear, clickable titles that include your primary keyword.
  • Use your description to summarize the video and add context with related keywords.
  • Include a link back to your site when relevant.

    • Pro Tip: Think like a viewer - what would you search to find this video?

    4. Use High-Quality, Engaging Thumbnails

    A thumbnail is your video’s billboard.

    Avoid pixelation and clutter. Choose a clean, high-contrast image that makes people want to click.

    Why it matters: An engaging thumbnail can improve your click-through rate, which search engines interpret as a quality signal.

    5. Submit Your Video Sitemap

    If you host videos on your site, submit your video sitemap to both Google Search Console and Bing Webmaster Tools.

    Example: example.com/video-sitemap.xml

    WIIFM: A sitemap helps search engines index your videos faster, giving them a better chance to appear in video search results.

    6. Link to Videos Throughout Your Website

    Add links to your videos from relevant articles or resource pages.Use descriptive anchor text like “Watch our tutorial on optimizing video titles” instead of generic phrases like “click here.”

    Why it matters: Internal links tell search engines your videos are valuable and connected to your content ecosystem.

    7. Embed Videos on Key Pages

    Embedding Open.Video content on your site keeps visitors engaged longer, boosting your site’s dwell time and SEO performance.

    Bonus: It also builds more context around your videos for search engines.

    8. Build Links (the Right Way)

    Share your Open.Video links across your social profiles, newsletters, and communities where your audience hangs out.

    Just avoid spammy link tactics. Focus on authentic engagement and helpful contributions.

    WIIFM: Each quality backlink boosts your authority and visibility especially if it comes from a trusted site.

    9. Let Your Audience Know

    Don’t just publish… PROMOTE

    Share new uploads in your newsletters, blogs, or social posts. Let followers know they can now watch your content directly on your domain (hosted on Open.Video), free from platform limitations.

    Why it matters: The more direct traffic and engagement your channel gets, the stronger your SEO signals become.

    10. Advanced Tips (When You’re Ready to Go Deeper)

  • Keyword Research: Use tools like Google Trends to find what your audience is searching for.
  • Relevant Tags: Add both broad and specific tags to describe your content accurately.
  • Custom Thumbnails: Design them to stand out and reflect your brand.
  • Encourage Engagement: Ask for likes, comments, and shares: these metrics signal quality to algorithms.
  • Playlists & Organization: Group related videos to improve watch time and help users find more of your content.

    • Final Takeaway

    SEO for Open.Video isn’t about gaming algorithms: it’s about making your content easy to find, understand, and enjoy.

    Do the basics well: link, optimize, and promote - and you’ll start seeing real traffic, engagement, and revenue growth from your owned video presence.

    About Jeff Bernard

    Jeff Bernard brings a wealth of experience in curating innovative digital strategies that drive user acquisition, engagement, and ultimately, digital revenue growth. He currently serves as VP of Content Partnerships at Open.Video, where he helps creators break free from walled gardens and take ownership of their content on the open web. Jeff also leads as the VP of Global Publisher Success at Ezoic, a recognized leader in the digital advertising space. He holds an M.B.A. from the University of Redlands and a B.A. in Communication from California State University San Marcos. Outside of work, Jeff enjoys life with his wife and two boys - often found coaching youth soccer or battling it out on the tennis court.