Future-proof your SEO strategy by creating content your audience is actually searching for
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I sat down with Melissa Mitchell on the Wandermint Warrior Podcast to talk about something I witnessed firsthand in my own business: the power of video content for SEO.
It’s a topic that hits close to home because I personally experienced the incredible impact of this pairing while running my first business.
When I was building my pregnancy and postpartum personal training brand, my blog was my primary marketing engine. My written content did an admiral job of getting me found.
But when I started creating video content and embedding it into my blog posts to augment my written content, my (qualified) traffic started to grow even faster.
And, all of a sudden, I was showing up not just in Google’s search results, but in its video results too, an entirely new source of discoverability I hadn’t been tapping into.
Here’s the thing I wish more business owners really internalized:
Instagram Reels disappear from feeds in 24 hours. TikToks get buried. But a well-optimized YouTube video embedded on your website keeps working for you, month after month, bringing in new clients while you’re focused on other parts of your business.
The importance of video for SEO goes beyond YouTube itself. When you integrate it with your website, you create content that works on multiple search engines at once. You’re building a system where people who are actively searching for what you offer can find you in multiple places.
YouTube + your website = compounding visibility that doesn’t depend on showing up every single day on social media.
How YouTube and Your Website Work Together
Does video content improve SEO?
The short answer is yes. When it’s integrated strategically, video content gives you additional chances to rank and new ways for clients to discover you.
Here’s what I mean: search engines are search engines. The same core principles that help you show up on Google also help you show up on YouTube. You’re using keywords and content to connect with people who are actively searching for what you offer.
But here’s where it gets interesting. When you create a YouTube video and embed it on your website, you’re not just creating one piece of content. You’re creating three distinct discovery pathways for potential clients to find you:
- YouTube search – Someone searches for your topic directly on YouTube and finds your video
- Google video results – Someone searches on Google, and your video shows up in the video tab or carousel
- Your blog – Someone finds your blog post through Google search, and your embedded video adds depth to that content
Same video. Three different entry points. And you didn’t have to create separate content for each one.
This is the business benefit most people overlook: you’re not doing more work, you’re making your existing work visible in more places.
When someone lands on your blog post and sees your video embedded there, they get to choose how they want to consume your content. Some people want to read. Some people want to watch. You’re meeting them where they are.
Why This Combo Builds Authority
When you follow video SEO best practices, like clear titles, keyword-rich descriptions, and captions, you’re not only helping YouTube, you’re reinforcing your topical authority on Google.
Here’s how it works:
Topical authority matters to search engines.
When you consistently create content around your core expertise, Google starts to see you as a credible source in that niche (– that’s topical authority).
Each optimized video-blog combo you publish becomes another signal that you know what you’re talking about. You’re not just writing about pelvic floor health or postpartum fitness or brand strategy once. You’re building a body of work that demonstrates depth and expertise.
Reputation signals also play a role.
Google rewards consistent, high-quality content across platforms. When your YouTube channel is active, your blog is regularly updated, and both are optimized around the same topics, you’re building a stronger case that you’re an authority worth ranking.
And then there are backlinks.
Every time you link back to your website from your YouTube video description, you’re creating a trust signal. Google sees that link from YouTube (a high-authority platform) pointing to your site, and it borrows some of that trust. It’s like getting a recommendation from someone Google already knows and respects.
The result? Your website becomes easier to find. Your content ranks higher. And potential clients start seeing your name pop up in multiple places, which builds familiarity and trust before they ever reach out.
Want to Hear the Full Conversation?
I recently joined Melissa Mitchell on the Wandermint Warrior Podcast to dive deeper into how service-based business owners can use YouTube videos to strengthen their website’s SEO.
We talked about practical strategies, common mistakes to avoid, and how to make your content work harder across multiple platforms.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- The three pillars of website SEO and how video fits in
- Why your images might be slowing down your site (and hurting your rankings)
- How to turn YouTube transcripts into SEO-friendly blog posts
- Simple ways to optimize your videos for both YouTube and Google search
Listen to the full episode to get even more actionable tips you can implement today.
How to Turn YouTube Videos Into Blog SEO Assets
Think of each blog post as a way to repurpose video content for SEO. Your video adds multimedia depth, and depending on how you use it, the content itself becomes something Google can index and rank.
Here’s how to optimize video content for SEO when bringing it onto your website. There are two main approaches, and which one you choose depends on the type of content you’re creating.
Approach 1: YouTube Episode Notes (Transcript-Based Posts)
This approach works well when your video is the main content, like a YouTube tutorial, podcast episode, or teaching video. The blog post becomes the home base for that video, complete with a formatted transcript.
How to structure it:
- Embed the YouTube video at the top of the post
- Add a bulleted summary highlighting the main takeaways
- Include timestamps that link to specific sections of the video
- Break up the transcript with subheadlines to make it scannable
Nobody wants to read a giant wall of text. If you’ve ever landed on a podcast show notes page that’s just one long, unformatted transcript, you know what I mean. It’s overwhelming, and most people will bounce.
By formatting your transcript with structure and context, you make it useful for both humans and search engines. Google gets more information about what your page covers, and visitors can choose whether they want to watch, read, or skim.
And one note: don’t set your YouTube embed to autoplay video. Autoplay slows page load speed, frustrates visitors, and hurts your on-page SEO signals. Let people choose when they’re ready to watch.
Approach 2: Videos as Supporting Content Within Blog Posts
The second approach is when the video isn’t the main content. It’s there to support or demonstrate something you’re already writing about.
For example, if you’re writing a blog post about postpartum core exercises, you might embed a short video showing proper form for a specific movement. Or if you’re explaining a multi-step process, you might include videos that demonstrate each individual step.
In this case, you’re not including a transcript. The blog post is the primary content, and the video adds visual clarity or depth.
How to use it effectively:
- Embed the video where it’s most relevant in the flow of the post
- Add a brief caption or context above or below the video so readers know what they’re about to watch
- Make sure the video complements the written content without replacing it
This approach lets you meet different learning styles. Some people want to read your instructions. Others want to see you demonstrate. By including both, you’re making your content more accessible and more helpful.
YouTube-to-Website SEO Best Practices
If you’re wondering how to optimize video content for SEO across both platforms, think consistency: file names, titles, captions, and backlinks should all align with your broader SEO keyword strategy.
Here are a few specific ways to make sure your YouTube videos are working to support your website SEO:
1. Always Link Back to Your Blog Post
In every YouTube video description, include a direct link to the corresponding blog post on your website. This creates a backlink from YouTube (a high-authority platform) to your site, which is a trust signal Google pays attention to.
It also gives viewers an easy way to find more information, download resources, or take the next step with you.
2. Optimize Your Video for Google, Not Just YouTube
When you upload a video to YouTube, you’re not just optimizing for YouTube’s algorithm. You’re also optimizing for Google’s video search results.
That means:
- Rename your video file before uploading it. Use keywords in the file name (e.g., “video-content-for-seo.mp4” instead of “IMG_1234.mp4”)
- Use keyword-rich titles that clearly describe what the video is about
- Write detailed descriptions that include your target keywords naturally
- Upload captions and transcripts for accessibility and searchability
Google reads all of this information. The more context you provide, the better your chances of showing up in search results.
3. Keep Your Strategy Aligned Across Platforms
The same keywords you’re targeting on your website should show up in your YouTube content.
If you’re trying to rank for “postpartum fitness tips,” make sure that phrase appears in your video title, description, blog post title, and meta description.
This consistency reinforces your topical authority and makes it clear to search engines what you’re an expert in. You’re not confusing the algorithm by using different language in different places. You’re sending a unified signal.
Stop Making Disposable Content
Here’s the reality: most of the content you’re creating right now has a shelf life of about 24 hours. You post it, it gets a little engagement, and then it disappears into the void.
But when you pair YouTube videos with your website, you’re building something different. You’re creating assets that keep working long after you hit publish. Every video you optimize and embed becomes another entry point for potential clients to discover you. Every transcript you format becomes content Google can index and rank. Every backlink you create strengthens your site’s authority.
YouTube + your website = a system that compounds over time. The content you create today will still be bringing in traffic and leads six months from now, a year from now, even longer.
Ready to make your website easier to find?
If you want to get a handle on the keyword research side of this strategy, grab my free guide, SEO Simplified. It’s a fill-in-the-blank workbook that walks you through how to identify the exact words your ideal clients are searching for and where to use them on your website.
And if you haven’t already, listen to the full podcast episode with Melissa Mitchell above. We dive into even more tactical tips you can start using today to make your content work harder across multiple platforms.
