YouTube Video SEO: How to Rank in Local Searches

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in Local SEO Services and give you a step-by-step guide on YouTube video SEO: how to rank in local searches, ensuring your content reaches the customers that matter most in your region.

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in local SEO services, helping businesses improve visibility across Google, YouTube, and other search platforms. Video is now one of the most powerful tools for building a local audience, and YouTube plays a vital role in this strategy. With over two billion users, YouTube functions as both a social platform and a search engine, meaning SEO is just as important for video content as it is for websites. The question is, how can you optimise your videos to rank in local searches?

Why YouTube SEO Matters for Local Businesses

YouTube SEO helps your videos appear when users search for services or topics relevant to your business. Local optimisation takes it a step further by targeting viewers in your area. This means when people search for terms like “plumber in Bedford” or “best solicitor near me,” your video has a higher chance of appearing in both YouTube and Google results.

Videos that rank well locally not only build awareness but also drive qualified leads to your business. Local audiences are more likely to convert because they’re actively searching for nearby solutions.

Step 1: Research Local Keywords

Just like traditional SEO, YouTube optimisation begins with keyword research. Identify the terms your local audience uses to find businesses like yours.

• Use tools such as Google Keyword Planner, TubeBuddy, or Ahrefs to find search terms with local intent.

• Focus on phrases that combine your service and location, for example, “Bedford hair salon” or “emergency electrician Milton Keynes.”

• Check YouTube’s autocomplete suggestions by typing your core keyword to see related searches.

Once you’ve chosen your keywords, use them naturally throughout your video title, description, and tags.

Step 2: Optimise Your Video Title

Your video title is the most important SEO factor on YouTube. It tells both users and algorithms what your video is about.

• Include your primary keyword and location naturally in the title.

• Keep it under 60 characters so it doesn’t get cut off in search results.

• Make it compelling to encourage clicks.

Example: “How to Choose a Reliable Plumber in Bedford | Local Plumbing Tips.”

Step 3: Write a Strong Video Description

A detailed description gives YouTube more context about your content and helps local viewers find your business.

• Start with a few sentences that include your target keyword and location.

• Explain what the video covers and why it’s useful.

• Add your business name, contact details, and a link to your website or Google Business Profile.

• Include calls to action like “Call us today for plumbing services in Bedford.”

Aim for at least 200 words to give YouTube enough information to understand your topic.

Step 4: Use Relevant Tags

Tags still play a supporting role in YouTube SEO. They help YouTube associate your video with related content and recommend it to viewers.

• Use a mix of broad and local tags.

• Include your city or region, service type, and any variations of your keyword.

• Avoid irrelevant tags or overstuffing—keep them focused.

Example tags for a local electrician might include “electrician in Bedford,” “Bedford electrical repairs,” and “local home safety checks.”

Step 5: Add a Localised Thumbnail

Thumbnails attract clicks and improve watch time. A good thumbnail should be visually engaging and clearly branded. For local businesses, adding your location or logo can help viewers instantly recognise your relevance.

• Use clear text overlays like “Bedford Expert Tips” or “Milton Keynes Repair Guide.”

• Keep colours consistent with your brand.

• Ensure it’s easy to read on both desktop and mobile.

High-quality thumbnails can significantly increase click-through rates, improving your overall ranking.

Step 6: Include Location Metadata

Adding location metadata helps YouTube and Google understand where your business operates.

• Upload your video and go to Advanced Settings in YouTube Studio.

• Add your location under “Video location.”

• If relevant, tag your video with local categories or topics.

This helps YouTube connect your content with searches made by users in the same region.

Step 7: Add Captions and Transcripts

Transcripts improve accessibility and give YouTube more text to crawl for keywords. Local mentions in your spoken dialogue (such as city names or neighbourhoods) will also be picked up by the algorithm.

• Upload accurate subtitles or use YouTube’s auto-caption tool and edit for clarity.

• Add your keyword and location naturally in your script.

Captions enhance user experience and boost your chances of ranking higher.

Step 8: Embed Videos on Your Website

Embedding your videos on relevant pages of your website strengthens both your website SEO and your YouTube rankings. Search engines see engagement from multiple sources as a signal of authority.

• Add your videos to service pages, blog posts, or your homepage.

• Include schema markup (VideoObject) to help Google index your content properly.

When people watch your embedded videos, it increases views and engagement metrics on YouTube, helping you rank higher in local results.

Step 9: Encourage Engagement

Engagement signals—likes, comments, shares, and watch time—strongly influence YouTube’s ranking algorithm.

• Ask viewers to like, comment, and subscribe at the end of your video.

• Respond to comments to build community engagement.

• Share your videos on social media, newsletters, and local forums.

The more people interact with your video, the more YouTube promotes it to others in your area.

Step 10: Optimise Your Channel for Local SEO

Your overall channel should also reflect your local presence.

• Include your location in your channel description and “About” section.

• Add links to your website and Google Business Profile.

• Use local keywords in your playlist titles and descriptions.

Having a consistent local identity across all videos and channel elements reinforces your authority in the area.

Step 11: Promote Your Video Locally

Don’t rely solely on YouTube’s algorithm. Actively share your videos within your community.

• Post them on your Google Business Profile under “Updates.”

• Share on local Facebook groups or LinkedIn communities.

• Include videos in email newsletters to existing customers.

Local promotion increases your initial engagement, helping your video gain traction faster in search results.

Step 12: Analyse and Improve

Regularly review your YouTube Analytics to track how your videos perform.

• Monitor metrics like views, watch time, traffic sources, and audience location.

• Identify which keywords or topics attract the most engagement.

• Update old video descriptions or titles with improved local keywords.

SEO is ongoing—small, consistent improvements lead to long-term growth.

Final Thoughts

Ranking YouTube videos in local searches requires more than just uploading content. By combining keyword research, metadata optimisation, and audience engagement, small businesses can use YouTube as a powerful tool to reach customers in their area.

At Lillian Purge, we help local businesses create and optimise video content that drives views, engagement, and real-world leads.

If you want to improve your YouTube visibility and attract more local customers, get in touch today.

We have also written in depth articles on YouTube marketing strategies for brick-and-mortar businesses and YouTube vs TikTok: which is better for local businesses? as well as our YouTube Hub to give you further guidance.