Video and search engines

[GregPDX]

Every now and then I'll see a video rank really high for my key words. Not my video, but usually some news paper or local news station website.

Has anyone had experience getting a video to rank high for their key words? If so, how high? and what tools are you using to host and post the video?

[MarcinSarasota]

No, but I will try soon. I am about to shoot some footage of my area. When I do see video's ranking in the top 10 I noticed that they are popular with a lot of views. I think it is just like a website. Quality and popularity helps with rankings.

[jamesww]

I have. In fact I have a couple of terms where my videos own half the search results on the first page. You need to add video specific meta data to your embed code. Quality of the video, format, non of that seems to matter.

[GregPDX]

what are you using? Youtube? another vendor?

[jamesww]

I am using Tubemogul.com because I can syndicate to multiple video sharing accounts with one upload. Most of the time it works well.

[Philman]

I have. In fact I have a couple of terms where my videos own half the search results on the first page. You need to add video specific meta data to your embed code. Quality of the video, format, non of that seems to matter.

When it comes to video, you need to keep this in mind: Google spiders (or any spiders, for that matter) have troubles reading code. What they do read well though is standard text. So, it won't really matter what your embed code looks like; it all comes down to the meta data you use to help describe your video both to your audience and the web spiders. Since quality of video and format can not really be read by a spider, it won't affect your rankings.

Just keep in mind that when it comes to spiders and your rankings, it all comes down to the text you use. Anything integrated in your video won't do anything, as spiders won't be able to read them.

And to answer your question, I have also had some very good success with videos. It takes some time and testing, but once you figure out what to do in conjunction to the whole universal search migration, you should start seeing positive results.

[PV81]

I created a YouTube page recently for a bunch of videos we produced and I am excited to see what results (if any) the videos generate. I am trying to learn all the in's and out's of YouTube and figure out how to setup the page correctly so if anyone has any tips or tricks please spam me!!

Thank you!

[jamesww]

When it comes to video, you need to keep this in mind: Google spiders (or any spiders, for that matter) have troubles reading code. What they do read well though is standard text. So, it won't really matter what your embed code looks like; it all comes down to the meta data you use to help describe your video both to your audience and the web spiders. Since quality of video and format can not really be read by a spider, it won't affect your rankings.

Just keep in mind that when it comes to spiders and your rankings, it all comes down to the text you use. Anything integrated in your video won't do anything, as spiders won't be able to read them.

And to answer your question, I have also had some very good success with videos. It takes some time and testing, but once you figure out what to do in conjunction to the whole universal search migration, you should start seeing positive results.

I don't think that you understood what I stated. Nor have you spent the last three months testing numerous releases made in academic papers. Video specific meta data is text and it gets added to the object of the embed code. It is little more than a title, description, source of video file, and date addition was made.. I found a web standard suggestion in an academic paper released that seems to be working well. I have access to several journals through Cornell University because I do the final recruitment interviews for applicants from the North side of Houston. In addition I have been watching and recording video specific meta data usage by meta cafe and aol video. They both seem to get video ranked well and in some cases beyond that seen from youtube.

In addition I disagree with you on whether search engines have the ability to use additions to the flash video for indexing. Some major advancements have been made in that regard within the academic world and if they are annoucing it, it soon will likely be some part of algos. How much no one can tell you. Technologic ability of today makes it resonable to use it as a component.

Now with this all said I think that Eric Blackwell makes a good point about this information not taking over the algos but being simply a piece to the puzzle. It is just one little place where you can gain an edge on your competitors and likely will not become the sole most important item to ranking web pages. If you are in disagreement with me bring forth your data and we can compare.

[GregPDX]

Thanks for the tips! I'm going to be doing some neighborhood videos in the next few weeks. So, we shall see how they do in the search results.

[jamesww]

Update on Video and Google. I am seeing a whole slew of different video platforms video being bounced around in serps for certain keywords. After this happens for awhile I have noted that Google seems to pick two videos for the keyword and creates a thumbnail listing. They are almost always placed in the number 4 spot below are some examples.

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...tes+of+tour+18

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&r...ston%2C+humble