YouTube has become one of the most powerful platforms for businesses, influencers, and creators. With over 2 billion monthly active users, YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world, right after Google. If you want to grow your YouTube channel, you need more than just creativity—you need data, insights, and a clear strategy. This is where SEMrush comes in.
SEMrush is well known as an SEO and digital marketing tool, but many people do not realize that it can also be used to improve YouTube performance. From keyword research to competitor analysis, SEMrush offers several features that help creators and businesses grow faster on YouTube.
In this article, we will go step by step on how to use SEMrush for YouTube, with practical tips and key facts that will help you optimize your videos, get more views, and build a successful channel.
Why Use SEMrush for YouTube Marketing?
YouTube SEO works differently than website SEO, but the goal is the same: make your content visible to the right audience. SEMrush provides tools to:
- Find the best YouTube keywords for titles, descriptions, and tags.
- Analyze competitors to see what’s working for them.
- Track rankings for your videos and measure performance.
- Understand audience intent with search trends.
- Improve content strategy by spotting gaps in your niche.
Using SEMrush saves time and ensures you are making data-driven decisions instead of guessing.
Getting Started with SEMrush’s YouTube Tools
To begin using SEMrush for YouTube, sign up for a SEMrush account—free trials offer limited access, while paid plans like Pro ($139.95/month) unlock full features for in-depth analysis. Log in and navigate to the App Center via the main menu, then search for “Keyword Analytics for YouTube” and click “Go to app” to start. This app integrates directly with YouTube data, providing metrics not available in standard YouTube Analytics, such as competitive rates and trending keywords.
Similarly, access the Rank Tracker for YouTube app to monitor rankings. Set your target country and timeframe (e.g., last month) to localize results, ensuring your research aligns with your audience’s location for more accurate insights. This initial setup takes just minutes and sets the foundation for targeted keyword discovery and optimization strategies.
Step 1: Set Clear Goals for Your YouTube Channel
Before using SEMrush, you should know what you want to achieve with your channel. Some common goals include:
- Growing subscribers
- Increasing views
- Driving traffic to your website
- Boosting brand awareness
- Monetizing your channel
Once your goals are clear, SEMrush can help you build a keyword and content plan that aligns with them.
Step 2: Keyword Research for YouTube
Keywords are the backbone of YouTube SEO. If you want your videos to rank in YouTube search results, you need to choose the right keywords. SEMrush’s Keyword Magic Tool is perfect for this.
Here’s how to use it:
- Go to Keyword Magic Tool inside SEMrush.
- Type a broad topic related to your video (example: “fitness tips”).
- Look at keyword suggestions and filter by Search Volume.
- Use Keyword Difficulty (KD%) to find easy-to-rank keywords.
- Select keywords with good search volume but lower competition.
Example: Instead of using a broad keyword like “fitness”, you may discover better long-tail keywords such as “10-minute workout for beginners” or “home workout without equipment”. These are easier to rank for and more likely to attract targeted viewers.
Pro Tip: Use SEMrush’s Keyword Intent filter to find keywords with “informational” or “transactional” intent. This helps you align your videos with what people are looking for.
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Step 3: Optimize YouTube Titles, DescriptiStep 4: Analyze Competitors on YouTube
One of SEMrush’s strongest features is competitor research. You can learn from successful channels in your niche.
Here’s how to analyze competitors with SEMrush:
- Go to Competitive Research → Organic Research.
- Enter your competitor’s website or channel URL.
- Check the keywords they are ranking for.
- Look at their most popular video topics.
This gives you content ideas and shows you what’s already working. You can then create videos that target similar keywords but with your own unique angle.
Example: If your competitor is ranking for “best email marketing tools”, you can create a video on “Top 5 Email Marketing Tools for Small Businesses”.ons, and Tags
Once you have the right keywords, use them naturally in your video metadata:
- Title: Add the main keyword at the beginning (e.g., “How to Use SEMrush for YouTube | Complete Guide”).
- Description: Write 200–300 words, include keywords, and explain the video clearly.
- Tags: Add variations of your keywords. SEMrush helps by showing related search terms.
By doing this, YouTube understands what your video is about and shows it to the right audience.
Step 5: Use SEMrush Topic Research Tool
The Topic Research Tool is another useful feature for YouTube creators. It helps you discover trending topics in your niche.
How to use it:
- Enter a broad topic (e.g., “digital marketing”).
- SEMrush will generate subtopics, headlines, and related questions.
- Use these to plan your video content calendar.
For example, if you see that “AI tools for marketers” is trending, you can create a video around that before your competitors.
Step 6: Track Video Rankings with SEMrush
Tracking performance is key to YouTube success. SEMrush allows you to monitor how your videos are ranking over time.
- Use the Position Tracking Tool to add your target keywords.
- Track your rankings on both Google search and YouTube search.
- Monitor changes and adjust your strategy if your rankings drop.
This helps you understand which videos are performing well and which ones need optimization.
Step 7: Improve Engagement with SEMrush Insights
YouTube favors videos that keep people watching. SEMrush data can help you improve engagement by:
- Showing related search terms to use in titles and thumbnails.
- Helping you craft better descriptions that increase click-through rate (CTR).
- Identifying video length trends in your niche.
If SEMrush shows that most top-ranking videos in your niche are 8–12 minutes long, you should aim for a similar video length.
Step 8: Combine SEMrush with YouTube Analytics
SEMrush gives you data about keywords, competitors, and trends. YouTube Analytics provides information about your actual viewers—such as watch time, demographics, and traffic sources.
When you combine both, you get the full picture:
- SEMrush = Keyword and competitor insights
- YouTube Analytics = Viewer behavior and performance data
Together, they help you create better content, improve rankings, and grow your channel faster.
Final Thoughts
YouTube is one of the best platforms for building a brand, but competition is tough. To stand out, you need more than creativity—you need a strategy backed by data.
Using SEMrush for YouTube helps you:
- Discover the right keywords
- Analyze your competitors
- Optimize titles, descriptions, and tags
- Track your video rankings
- Plan trending content
Whether you are a small business, a marketer, or a content creator, SEMrush gives you the tools you need to grow your YouTube channel effectively.
If you are serious about getting more views and subscribers, start using SEMrush today and take your YouTube SEO to the next level.
Advanced Tips for Maximizing SEMrush on YouTube
To supercharge your efforts, integrate SEMrush with other tools: use Organic Research to check if keywords trigger video SERPs on Google, and export keyword lists to spreadsheets for mapping videos. Prioritize content gaps where search intent isn’t fully met, as indicated in YouTube’s Research Report, and focus on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) in videos for better rankings.
For 2025, emphasize mobile optimization since over 70% of YouTube views are mobile, and test A/B thumbnails based on SEMrush competitor analysis. By consistently applying these SEMrush-driven tactics, creators report up to 30% increases in organic views, making it a must-have for scaling your YouTube channel effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use SEMrush for YouTube SEO?
Yes, SEMrush can be used for YouTube SEO. While it was originally built for websites, many of its tools—like Keyword Magic Tool, Topic Research, and Position Tracking—also work for YouTube. These features help you find keywords, optimize video titles and descriptions, and monitor performance.
How do I find YouTube keywords with SEMrush?
To find YouTube keywords in SEMrush, open the Keyword Magic Tool, type in a broad topic, and filter results by search volume and keyword difficulty. You can then select the best keywords for your video title, description, and tags. Long-tail keywords often work best for YouTube.
Does SEMrush help with YouTube tags?
Yes. SEMrush suggests related search terms that you can use as YouTube tags. Tags should include your main keyword plus variations, so your video can appear in more searches.
Can SEMrush track my YouTube rankings?
Yes. With the Position Tracking Tool, you can track how your videos rank for specific keywords on both YouTube search and Google search results. This helps you measure growth and adjust your strategy.
Is SEMrush better than free YouTube SEO tools?
Free tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ are great for beginners, but SEMrush provides a deeper, all-in-one SEO solution. It not only helps with YouTube but also supports your website, social media, and overall digital marketing.
Can SEMrush analyze my YouTube competitors?
Yes. SEMrush allows you to check which keywords your competitors are ranking for, what topics they cover, and how they perform. You can use this insight to create better videos and target untapped opportunities.
How do I improve my YouTube video descriptions with SEMrush?
Use SEMrush to find high-volume keywords and add them naturally into your video descriptions. Make sure your description is at least 200 words long, includes your main keyword early, and provides a clear summary of your video.
Does SEMrush show trending YouTube topics?
Yes. The Topic Research Tool in SEMrush helps you find trending questions, subtopics, and headlines in your niche. You can use this to create videos on topics people are currently searching for.
Can SEMrush help grow my YouTube subscribers?
Indirectly, yes. SEMrush won’t give you subscribers instantly, but it helps you rank higher, get more views, and reach the right audience. When your videos appear more often in searches, you naturally attract more subscribers.
Is SEMrush worth it for small YouTube channels?
Yes, especially if you want long-term growth. While free tools may be enough at the beginning, SEMrush provides a professional strategy to scale your channel faster. If your channel is connected to a business or website, SEMrush becomes even more valuable.
