SEO Optimization for Maximum Reach

Great Content That Nobody Finds is Useless

AI can help you optimize for search engines and platform algorithms so your content reaches the people who need it.

SEO Basics for Content Creators

Three types of SEO:

1. Search engine SEO (Google, YouTube)

• Keywords in title, description
• Quality content and engagement
• Backlinks and authority

2. Platform algorithm (TikTok, Instagram)

• Watch time, completion rate
• Engagement (likes, comments, shares)
• Trending topics and sounds

3. Discovery features

• Suggested content
• Browse features
• Related content

Keyword Research with AI

Finding what people search:

Prompt:

My niche: [your content area]
Target audience: [description]

Generate 30 keyword phrases people are searching for related to:
- [Sub-topic 1]
- [Sub-topic 2]
- [Sub-topic 3]

For each keyword:
- Search intent (informational/tutorial/etc)
- Competition level estimate
- Content format suggestion

Validate with:

• Google Trends
• YouTube search suggestions
• TikTok search
• Answer The Public

Title Optimization

AI title generation:

Prompt:

Video topic: [your topic]
Primary keyword: [keyword]
Platform: [YouTube/TikTok/Blog/etc]

Generate 15 title options that:
- Include primary keyword naturally
- Are attention-grabbing
- Promise clear value
- Are 50-60 characters (YouTube) or 100 characters (Blog)
- Avoid clickbait

Formats to try:
- How-to: "How to [achieve result]"
- Listicle: "7 Ways to [benefit]"
- Mistake: "Stop [doing wrong thing]"
- Comparison: "[X] vs [Y]: Which is Better?"
- Question: "Why [surprising fact]?"

A/B test titles when possible.

Description Optimization

YouTube description:

Prompt:

Video title: [title]
Key points covered: [list]
Primary keyword: [keyword]
Related keywords: [list]

Write YouTube description:

First 2 lines (appears above "Show More"):
- Hook + value proposition
- Include primary keyword

Full description:
- Detailed summary
- Timestamps for key sections
- Links to related content
- Call to action
- Naturally include related keywords
- 200-300 words

Blog post meta description:

Prompt:

Article: [title and brief summary]
Primary keyword: [keyword]

Write meta description (155-160 characters):
- Include primary keyword
- Compelling reason to click
- Clear value proposition
- Active voice

Tag and Hashtag Strategy

YouTube tags:

Prompt:

Video topic: [topic]
Primary keyword: [keyword]

Generate 20 tags for YouTube:
- 5 specific (exact topic)
- 5 medium (broader topic)
- 5 general (niche)
- 5 trending (current topics if relevant)

Order by importance.

Instagram/TikTok hashtags:

Prompt:

Post topic: [topic]
Platform: [Instagram/TikTok]

Generate hashtag strategy:
- 5 niche-specific (small, engaged communities)
- 10 medium reach (10k-500k posts)
- 5 broad reach (500k+ posts)

Total: 20-30 hashtags
Explain strategy for each group.

Understanding Platform Algorithms

YouTube algorithm priorities:

• Click-through rate (CTR) on thumbnails/titles
• Watch time and average view duration
• Engagement (likes, comments, shares)
• Session time (keeps viewers on platform)

TikTok algorithm priorities:

• Completion rate (watch full video)
• Re-watches
• Engagement rate
• Watch time
• Trending sounds/hashtags

Instagram algorithm priorities:

• Engagement in first hour
• Saves and shares (higher value than likes)
• Time spent viewing
• Relationship with poster

AI optimization prompt:

Platform: [specific platform]
Content type: [video/post/etc]
Current performance: [metrics]

How can I optimize this content for [platform]'s algorithm?

Consider:
- Title/caption improvements
- Engagement tactics
- Optimal posting time
- Content structure
- Platform-specific features to use

Topic Clustering

Content cluster strategy:

Prompt:

Create a content cluster plan for:

Pillar topic: [broad topic]

Generate:
1. 1 pillar piece (comprehensive, 15-20 min video or 2000+ word article)
2. 10 supporting pieces (specific subtopics)
3. How they link together
4. Keywords for each

Goal: Build topical authority in [niche].

Optimizing for Featured Snippets

Google answer boxes:

Prompt:

Question: [specific question your audience asks]

Write content optimized for Google featured snippet:
- Direct answer (40-60 words)
- Definition format
- List or table format
- Step-by-step if how-to

Then expand into full article.

Thumbnail and Hook Optimization

AI thumbnail text suggestions:

Prompt:

Video title: [title]
Key benefit: [main takeaway]

Suggest 10 thumbnail text options:
- 3-5 words maximum
- Large, readable text
- Creates curiosity
- Complements title (doesn't repeat)

Examples: "This Changed Everything", "The Secret", "Watch This"

Competitive SEO Analysis

Prompt:

My video topic: [topic]

Top 5 competing videos:
1. [Title - Views - Upload date]
2. [Title - Views - Upload date]
3. [Title - Views - Upload date]
4. [Title - Views - Upload date]
5. [Title - Views - Upload date]

Analyze what's working:
- Common keywords
- Title patterns
- Thumbnail styles
- Video length
- Content angles

Suggest how I can differentiate while optimizing for same search intent.

Search Intent Matching

Four types of intent:

Informational: "What is [topic]"

• Content: Explainer, definition
• Format: Educational

Navigational: "ChatGPT login"

• Content: Specific page/brand
• Format: Direct, brief

Transactional: "Buy [product]"

• Content: Reviews, comparisons
• Format: Affiliate, recommendations

Tutorial: "How to [task]"

• Content: Step-by-step
• Format: Tutorial, walkthrough

Prompt:

Keyword: [your keyword]

What's the primary search intent?
What content format best matches this intent?
What should the structure be?

Evergreen vs. Trending Content

Evergreen (long-term SEO):

• Fundamental topics
• How-to guides
• Optimized for search keywords
• Consistent traffic over time

Trending (short-term boost):

• Current events
• Platform trends
• Viral moments
• Spike then decline

Prompt:

I want to create content about [topic].

Suggest:
1. 5 evergreen angles (long-term search value)
2. 5 trending angles (current interest)
3. How to combine both (trending hook, evergreen value)

Analytics Review with AI

Monthly SEO audit:

Prompt:

Here's my content performance data:

Top performers:
- [Title - views/traffic - keywords]

Underperformers:
- [Title - views/traffic - keywords]

Analyze:
1. What's working (patterns in top performers)
2. Why underperformers failed
3. SEO opportunities I'm missing
4. Content gaps to fill
5. Optimization recommendations

Platform-Specific SEO Tactics

YouTube:

• 8-10 minute videos (sweet spot for ad revenue + retention)
• Timestamps in description
• Pinned comment asking for engagement
• End screen CTAs
• Playlists for binge-watching

Blog/Website:

• Header hierarchy (H1, H2, H3)
• Internal linking
• Image alt text
• Meta descriptions
• URL structure

TikTok:

• Trending sounds
• On-screen text with keywords
• Captions with hashtags
• Duet/stitch popular content
• Series/parts for retention

Instagram:

• Alt text on images
• Keyword-rich captions
• Location tags
• Relevant hashtags
• Engagement pods (carefully)

SEO Checklist

Before publishing:

• Primary keyword in title
• Keyword in first 100 words
• Compelling meta description
• Relevant tags/hashtags
• Internal links to related content
• Clear structure (headers, timestamps)
• Optimized thumbnail (if video)
• Call to action for engagement
• Mobile-friendly formatting
• Proofread for quality