Video consumption is at an all-time high, from video essays to ASMR. YouTube is flooded with creators covering everything from the norm to the niche. So how do you stand out from the crowd? YouTube search engine optimisation (SEO). The concept may seem intimidating at first, but as a YouTube SEO agency, we have a few suggestions for the top tools to check out. These tools work best when used collectively, choosing a select few rather than trying to overload yourself with every suggested tool. For the best results, choose 3 to 4 different ones to utilise. 

Quick breakdown of SEO for YouTube

YouTube SEO tools help you make smarter, data-led decisions across your YouTube content strategy. There is no one-size-fits-all tool, as each tool tends to help wth different aspects of YouTube SEO. Generally, they help with: 

• Topic research 
• Optimising metadata 
• Thumbnail creation and optimisation 
• A/B testing and analysing performance 

These tools work best when used collectively, choosing a select few rather than trying to overload yourself with every suggested tool. For the best results, choose 3 to 4 different ones to utilise. 

Top 10 YouTube SEO tools:

vidIQ: Keyword research features and optimisation prompts 

vidIQ is one of the most widely used YouTube SEO tools for identifying topics, analysing competitors, and optimising metadata. 

It helps with: 

• Keyword research and topic validation 
• Competitor performance insights 
• Optimisation prompts for titles, descriptions, and tags
• Trend alerts and opportunity tracking 

How to use vidIQ: 

• Install the Chrome extension to see keyword scores and competitor tags directly inside YouTube.
• Enter a topic to find related keyword variations and search volume.
• Use optimisation checklists when uploading videos.

The expected outcomes will include better topic selection aligned with real search demand, improved YouTube description SEO and keyword targeting, and higher visibility in YouTube search and suggested videos. 

TubeBuddy: Best for CTR testing and on-page optimisation 

TubeBuddy is backed by YouTube itself and is one of the most popular YouTube SEO checker tools. This tool integrates directly with YouTube Studio, so you can optimise videos without switching platforms. 

It helps with: 

• Metadata optimisation (titles, description, tags) 
• Thumbnail and title A/B testing 
• Workflow efficiency during publishing 

A/B testing is vital because it tests for the Click-through rate (CTR), which is one of YouTube’s strongest ranking signals.

How to use TubeBuddy:

• Upload your video 
• Create two thumbnail variations 
• Run a TubeBuddy A/B test 
• Keep the version with the highest CTR

This tool gives you a higher VTR from search and suggested videos, and improved long-term rankings through stronger engagement signals.

Canva: Create high-CTR thumbnails quickly 

Though not a specific tool for YouTube SEO, thumbnails have a strong influence on CTR, and Canva allows you to create high-CTR thumbnails at speed. 

It helps with: 

• Delivering consistent brand visuals by using Brand Kits
• Fast thumbnail creation using templates
• Scalable design workflows for teams

Best practices for thumbnail creation using Canva: 

• Mobile-first designs are vital as over 60% of viewers use mobile devices. It’s vital to ensure your design is readable on a small screen. 
• Use simple, bold text with a max of 5 words and avoid the bottom right corner, as the YouTube timestamp will hide it.
• Create a “curiosity gap” which makes viewers want to find out more, rather than just telling them what the video is about.
• Clear facial expressions and thumbnails that show extreme emotion can increase CTR by 20 to 30%.

This can give a higher click-through rate (CTR) and lead to more impressions that convert into views. 

YouTube search bar: The best free YouTube keyword research tool

Simple yet effective, YouTube’s search suggestions can be one of the most powerful free YouTube SEO tools available. The autocomplete suggestions reflect real user searches, which makes them ideal for topic validation. This is also useful for assessing your competition. Use the search bar to search words or phrases that relate to your channel and see where you rank, which page ranks highest, and see how your competitors optimise their videos for SEO. 

Google Trends: Helping you get ahead of the trends 

Google Trends allows you to see what’s trending before you produce content to target areas with high search volume. You can use it to compare multiple topic variations, filter by UK regions for local campaigns, and spot rising queries to target quickly.  This allows you to publish videos before demand peaks rather than after. 

How to use Google Trends: 

• Enter two or more topic variations (e.g. “YouTube SEO tools” vs “YouTube SEO checker”).
• Set the location to the United Kingdom if targeting UK search demand.
• Adjust the timeframe (12 months for seasonality, 5 years for long-term trends).
• Scroll to “Related queries” and filter by “Rising.”
• Prioritise topics showing upward momentum before producing content.

YouTube Analytics (YouTube Studio): Measure SEO outcomes and optimise your dashboard 

Every YouTube creator gets access to this free tool, and it essentially tracks how viewers interact with your channel. It reports: 

• Click-through rate (CTR) 
• Average view duration 
• Watch time 
• Retention curve 
• Traffic sources such as search, suggested or browse

You can use Advanced Mode to compare videos and identify patterns in retention drop-offs.

If your rankings are strong but retention drops early, YouTube will stop recommending the video, even if your YouTube description SEO is perfect.

Social Blade: Smarter positioning within competitor growth trends and upload frequency 

Social Blade is a tool used to provide a quick overview of competitor growth trends and upload frequency. You can use it to: 

• Benchmark channel growth rates 
• Analyse upload consistency 
• Sense-check niche competitiveness 

How to use it:

• Search for a competitor’s channel.
• Review long-term subscribers and view growth graphs.
• Look at upload frequency and historical spikes.
• Compare 2 to 3 competitors to identify patterns (e.g. consistent weekly uploads, seasonal spikes, Shorts-driven growth).

Rapidtags: Instantly generate SEO optimised tags 

For SEO, titles, thumbnails, and watch time remain the most influential aspects of YouTube SEO, but tags support topic relevance and are essential in boosting your page’s findability. Rapidtags generates relevant YouTube tags instantly for your videos.

For best practice: 

• Keep tags highly relevant 
• Avoid spammy or misleading tags 
• Align tags with your primary keyword 

How to use Rapidtags: 

• Enter your primary keyword into Rapidtags.
• Copy the suggested tag list.
• Remove irrelevant or overly broad tags.
• Ensure your tags match your title and core topic exactly.

Ahrefs: Data-driven YouTube keyword tool

Ahrefs is one of the most popular keyword research tools out there, with a dedicated YouTube keyword research tool that offers volume estimates and keyword difficulty insights. It can be used to identify search demand at scale, cluster related keywords, and validate opportunities before filming. 

How to use Ahrefs: 

• Enter a broad seed keyword into the YouTube keyword research tool.
• Filter by search volume and keyword difficulty.
• Review matching terms and related questions.
• Identify one primary keyword and 2 to 3 supporting variations.
• Build your title around the primary phrase and naturally incorporate variations into your description (strong YouTube description SEO supports contextual relevance).

 Morningfame: Guided optimisation and performance diagnostics 

This tool is slightly different from traditional YouTube SEO tools. Anyone with a YouTube channel can use the service, but it is an invitation-only service that requires a referral code to sign up. The key features include: 

• Simple keyword research with competition scoring
• Video optimisation checklists 
• Performance diagnostics 
• Side-by-side comparison with top-ranking videos

Choosing your YouTube SEO tools 

As stated at the beginning of this page, don’t try to use all of these tools expecting the best results. We recommend 3 to 4 tools that offer different results, for example: 

• Research and keyword optimisation: vidIQ or Ahrefs 
• On-page and testing: TubeBuddy 
• Designing thumbnails and playlist covers: Canva 
• Validation: Google Trends 
• Measurement: YouTube Studio 

YouTube SEO tools don’t replace strategy; they support it. 

At Six Digital, we understand that the right YouTube SEO tools support the process, but strategy is what drives results. By focusing on technical optimisation, strong CTR, audience retention, and search intent, you can turn YouTube into a reliable part of your wider digital marketing strategy, not just a brand awareness platform.

If you’re ready to move beyond experimentation and build a repeatable YouTube growth system, we’d love to help. View our YouTube SEO services or contact us for a consultation on your channel. We work with you to build your YouTube success story.