Isn't video content killer-link bait?
-
I have not tested this yet and but I cant find anything useful on it searching online.
My theory is that if you host a video on one of your own webpages and have the embed code of that video right under it then isnt everyone that grabs that embed code and sticks it on their site/blog giving you a backlink? When you click on an embed YouTube video it takes you straight to YT so surely someone embeds one of your videos that is hosted on your site it must give you a backlink?
If this is the case then what would the ancor text be if any? and how would you change it? What's the value of this think over a pure text link from the same page?
If this the above is correct then surely video is an incredible link building tool? The challenge still lies with making cost effective, quality video content but if you can get the hang of that then your on to a winner right? YouTube may get millions of hits and 'be the second biggest search engine' but having own branded, self hosted, killer-link-bait videos on your site must be the way forward?
Adding a video site map will help tell Google the video is there and it should get indexed in video searches. Also if it gets visibility in universal search you get visitors coming straight to you site....
-
To me, this is a bit like finding a successful infographic and then asking "Isn't image content killer link bait?".
Video, like image, is a medium for content delivery - rather than a type of content and this is how it should be considered in the context of link bait. Video content can be excellent link bait, but the form itself is not by default any more "linkable" than images, words or applications.
"Linkbait video" it requires a specific approach which often doesn't tie in very well with commercial interests. For someone to link to a video, there has to be specific value in the experience of watching it through -- this can be an aesthetic experience, humour, instruction or exciting delivery of information. for more information and advice on what makes a "linkable" video - check out this blog post on the topic - http://www.distilled.net/blog/social-media/youtube/creating-awesome-videos-for-seo/
There are also some specific problems with using video for Link Bait
- If you don't secure your video properly, the content can be ripped and uploaded to YouTube. As you rightly pointed out, Youtube is the worlds second biggest search engine, which means that individuals will use it to find your video content, rather than your own site. This means that often a lot of your earned links will go to an erroneous YouTube channel, rather than the targeted domain.
- Video is invasive when embedded on a website. Unlike reading or looking at an image, watching a video is an active and engaged process. You cannot skim read a video and thus, if someone embeds a video on their site - it has to be because they want their readers to temporarily disengage from their own content and spend the time watching the thing through.
- People don't link to mediocre videos. The internet is awash with average video content, the vast majority of which is on YouTube and never gets watched or linked to be anyone. While you can always pick-up a few links with an average blog post, PDF document, infographic or plugin, run of the mill video will get you nowhere.
So, yes, Video can be great link bait - but there's a lot of risks involved and you have to do an exceptional job really get the links coming in. I would encourage you to have a play and put something out there, but don't expect to get it right first time. Videos can be valuable even if they don't get links as they offer the opportunity for blended organic results, video results, exposure on YT and can help improve the overall richness and quality of your site.
-
Thanks for the reply.
I understand that the vido sitemap is key for Vseo but are you saying its crucial for link building as well?
Has anybody had results with link building with video content? Do we know for a fact that is someone embeds a video that resides on your site that you get a backlink? And what would the ancor text be?
I am looking into buying Easy Video Play - looks like is has all the features I am looking for (you can embed sign up forms in the video itself) and it uses Amazon F3 to host the videos and there is no monthly cost. I messaged them about sitemaps and you have to do it manually but it doesn't look do hard - if any one has used EVP before I would be really keen to hear ho you got on before I commit??
Regards,
Graham
-
Keys things to consider:
1. Video sitemap is key
2. You don't have to physically host the video assets to accomplish this. Most of the legit platforms (BrightCove, LiveClicker, Wistia) have a feature where they still host, but you indicate the URL of the page the video resides on, for the same effect.
3. The platforms (Wistia in particular) make it very easy to automate the site map and specify meta info for each video.
4. At the end of the day, you have to have great video content. (solid content and solid quality). Too many people right now are producing really bad video, and this will come back to hurt them. With great content, video can be a fantastic tool in the arsenal.
Got a burning SEO question?
Subscribe to Moz Pro to gain full access to Q&A, answer questions, and ask your own.
Browse Questions
Explore more categories
-
Moz Tools
Chat with the community about the Moz tools.
-
SEO Tactics
Discuss the SEO process with fellow marketers
-
Community
Discuss industry events, jobs, and news!
-
Digital Marketing
Chat about tactics outside of SEO
-
Research & Trends
Dive into research and trends in the search industry.
-
Support
Connect on product support and feature requests.
Related Questions
-
YouTube SEO: Can low quality videos you posted in the past hurt your seo for future videos ?
I have a very old youtube channel (10 years maybe) with some low quality videos and a few thousands subscribers. Now I decided to give it go and make good quality videos. But one question keeps coming: maybe the fact that this channel is old and with bad videos with very low retention, this would affect the seo of the new videos ? Is it better to start a new channel from scratch ? even if its more difficult ? Thank you!
Image & Video Optimization | | glinski.netflix0 -
Products To Products links
Hi,
Image & Video Optimization | | Tormar
I want to create good internal linking structure, but I have a problem with product to product link. E.g. I have a new model of product: iPhone 6, and old iPhone 5, and I want to put link from iPhone 5 to iPhone 6, but if I make link like this, I dropped for a few positions. Also, if I have similar product e.g. photography Kit for iPhone 6, and I put a link from this additional product to iPhone 6, I will lose my position.
Why, do you have any recommendations?0 -
How do I best optimize a video for a client's name?
Hello everyone, I have a client who is obsessed with his videos being indexed directly under his site. We've already labeled his videos with his names, enhanced the meta data to the video to include his name, have added his website to his YouTube Channel, and also have synced his Google Plus Business Page with his YouTube Channel. Any other tips to further optimize his videos with his name? This is a new channel, with an age of only 2 weeks- but this client is being quite loud, and thought I would see if any Moz'ers have any other tips/ suggestions? Thanks Everyone! -Kristin
Image & Video Optimization | | Red_Spot_Interactive1 -
Duplicate Video within site
My questions is about duplicate video content. I haven't been able to get a clear understanding from reading the previous threads. We are hosting our videos with Vimeo and embedding into our site. I want to embed them in 2 locations - on our features page with Java (Can be seen here http://simpletexting.com/features/). I also want to embed them in our resource section so that we can link to them directly. I am wondering what the best way to do this for SEO and whether there is a chance that google will penalize us for duplicate content? If leave out the videos on the features page in the XML sitemap, does that address the problem? There are 2 threads I saw on the topic and they have somewhat conflicting opinion from the same person. http://www.seomoz.org/q/duplicate-video-content-question --Duplicate video on the same site is not a problem http://www.seomoz.org/q/duplicate-video-onsite-how-do-you-treat-this-in-sitemap -- Duplicate videos are a problem as google can recognize them as such due to audio wave patterns, video length etc. Thanks
Image & Video Optimization | | SimpleTexting0 -
Are multiple embeds of the same video considered content duplication?
We are considering using Wistia to host our “new” video content on our website. Currently we use YouTube and find many people watch our technical videos (Eg. Fitting videos have10k + views, which is very high for our niche industry) We currently have “the same” YouTube videos embedded on several different blog posts on our website, as the video is still relevant to what the post talks about Question: Since Wistia updates our video Robot.Txt file, would multiple embeds of the “same video” be seen as content duplication on google & “be harmful” as a result? Thanks
Image & Video Optimization | | Ray_UK0 -
Will linking to my citation sources help google recognize them / credit my places account?
Or will those sources be discounted by google then similar to how google discounts link exchanges? I have noticed some pages, like mapquest, don't really have a directory, so google might not be aware of their content unless it is linked too??? In this type of a case, would it help to link to mapquest's search results? then the citation will get picked up by google? Example: http://www.mapquest.com/?hk=6-i30tP49i
Image & Video Optimization | | adriandg0 -
Where to host viral campaign content?
I'm about to launch a series of viral videos for a growing UK brand, in which the viewer will have control of the storyline (e.g. tippex bear http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ba1BqJ4S2M). It will start with one theme (1 main 'landing page' video with a series of 'ending' videos). If successful, there will be more themes added in the same format (on-going campaigns). Each campaign will feature high volume niche keywords and will hopefully appear in the SERPs. The keywords will not compete directly with the main branded website but there will be some relevance. My question is, where is the best place to host the content? YouTube = max exposure, easier to get vid preview into SERPs but links to site are nofollow? must pay for customised page functionality - see this link http://www.quora.com/How-did-they-make-the-Tipp-ex-Interactive-YouTube-video **Microsite **= keyword rich domain for each theme with links to main site? more difficult to rank with new domains? Main website = (DA=44) easier to rank using existing domain, helps increase DA with new linkbait? Use video sitemap to appear in SERPs Blog = as above (blog hosted on main domain), but keeps main site focussed on core keywords I assume YouTube will achieve best reach/buzz, but would I miss out on any SEO benefits? Thanks.
Image & Video Optimization | | Tman31