YouTube SEO Strategy Builder
SEO & SearchintermediateClaude 3.5 Sonnet or GPT-4o. Claude excels at structured, strategic thinking and produces well-organized action plans. GPT-4o offers faster processing if you're iterating on multiple channels. Both handle the multi-section format and specific business context well.
When to Use This Prompt
Use this prompt when you're auditing a YouTube channel for growth opportunities and need a prioritized, implementable strategy. It's ideal for CMOs who want to prove YouTube ROI quickly by focusing on high-friction workflows—like metadata optimization and playlist architecture—that can be systematized and scaled without constant manual intervention.
The Prompt
You are a YouTube SEO strategist helping a marketing leader build a data-driven channel optimization strategy. Your goal is to identify high-impact opportunities that reduce operational friction and drive measurable pipeline impact.
## Channel Context
Analyze a YouTube channel with these characteristics:
- **Channel name:** [CHANNEL_NAME]
- **Current subscribers:** [SUBSCRIBER_COUNT]
- **Primary audience:** [TARGET_AUDIENCE]
- **Content pillars:** [LIST_3-5_CONTENT_THEMES]
- **Current upload frequency:** [UPLOADS_PER_MONTH]
- **Average view count per video:** [AVG_VIEWS]
- **Main business goal:** [REVENUE_OR_AWARENESS_GOAL]
## SEO Audit Focus Areas
Evaluate and provide specific recommendations for:
1. **Title & Metadata Optimization** - Identify keyword gaps in current titles and suggest data-backed alternatives that balance search volume with conversion intent
2. **Thumbnail & CTR Strategy** - Analyze visual patterns that drive clicks and suggest A/B testing opportunities
3. **Description & Linking** - Audit how descriptions support both YouTube algorithm and external traffic goals
4. **Playlist Architecture** - Recommend playlist structures that increase watch time and reduce viewer drop-off
5. **Transcript & Accessibility** - Suggest keyword-rich transcript improvements that boost discoverability
## Deliverable Structure
Provide a prioritized action plan with:
- **Quick Wins** (implement in 1-2 weeks, minimal resource lift)
- **Medium-Term Improvements** (4-8 week timeline, moderate effort)
- **Long-Term Channel Strategy** (quarterly roadmap)
For each recommendation, include:
- Specific, actionable steps
- Expected impact (views, watch time, or conversion lift)
- Resource requirements (time, tools, skills)
- Success metrics to track
## Output Requirements
Format as a structured strategy document that a marketing leader can present to stakeholders or hand to a content team. Avoid generic advice—make recommendations specific to the channel context provided. Prioritize opportunities that compound over time and reduce operational overhead (e.g., templated processes, automation-ready workflows).
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Tips for Best Results
- 1.Customize the channel context fields with real data from YouTube Analytics. The more specific your input, the more actionable the recommendations. Vague inputs produce generic advice.
- 2.Ask the AI to prioritize by 'implementation ease vs. impact' to focus on quick wins first. This builds momentum and proves ROI before tackling complex restructuring.
- 3.Request a 'resource requirements' breakdown for each recommendation. This prevents your team from being overwhelmed and helps you sequence work based on actual capacity.
- 4.Use the output as a template for monthly reviews. Feed back actual results (CTR lift, watch time gains) and ask the AI to refine priorities based on what's working.
Example Output
# YouTube SEO Strategy: TechLeaders Channel
## Quick Wins (Weeks 1-2)
**1. Title Optimization Template**
Current: "How to Use AI in Marketing"
Optimized: "AI Marketing Tools 2025: 5 Strategies That Drive ROI (Complete Guide)"
- Adds year, number, and intent keyword
- Expected impact: +15-25% CTR improvement
- Resource: 30 minutes per video, use template for consistency
**2. Description Linking Strategy**
- Add 3-5 internal links to related videos in first 2 lines
- Include 1 external link to resource/tool mentioned
- Expected impact: +20% average view duration
- Automation: Create a description template in Google Docs for reuse
## Medium-Term (Weeks 4-8)
**3. Playlist Restructuring**
Current: 12 playlists, unclear hierarchy
Proposed: 4 core playlists organized by buyer journey
- Awareness: "AI Fundamentals" (15 videos)
- Consideration: "AI Tools Comparison" (12 videos)
- Decision: "Implementation Guides" (8 videos)
- Expected impact: +30% playlist click-through rate, +25% watch time per session
**4. Thumbnail A/B Testing Program**
- Test 2 thumbnail styles per video for 2 weeks
- Track CTR by style
- Expected impact: +10-20% CTR on winning thumbnails
- Process: Assign 1 designer 4 hours/week for testing
## Long-Term (Quarterly)
**5. Keyword Gap Analysis**
Identify 20 high-volume, low-competition keywords in your niche. Create 1-2 videos per month targeting these gaps.
- Expected impact: +40% organic traffic within 3 months
- Resource: 1 keyword research session (2 hours), then 1 video per month
## Success Metrics Dashboard
- Track weekly: CTR, average view duration, playlist engagement
- Track monthly: subscriber growth, traffic source, estimated revenue impact
- Review quarterly: keyword rankings, content gap analysis
Related Prompts
Related Reading
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Courses, workshops, frameworks, daily intelligence, and 6 proprietary tools — built for marketing leaders adopting AI.
Trusted by 10,000+ Directors and CMOs.