12 Smart YouTube SEO Experts to Watch to Grow Your Channel
Last updated on Wednesday, August 30, 2023
But most people cry and give up because they feel it’s too hard creating content and doing SEO for YouTube. You must have the patience and persistence to win long-term.
Learning and applying YouTube SEO principles will catapult your chances of success more than isolated knowledge and experiences alone.
That’s because principles will outlast algorithm updates, SEO tactics, or trends that come next.
To help save you time, I’ve compiled a list of some of the best YouTube SEO experts to grow your channel.
Who should I watch to learn about YouTube SEO?
Some of the best SEO YouTube channels to watch are:
Adam Enfroy
Sunny Lenarduzzi
Sam Oh
Brian Dean
Enrico Incarnati
Justin Brown
Gillian Perkins
Sean Cannell
Hasan Aboul Hassan
Kelechi Mgbemena
Neil Patel
Annie Dubé
1. Adam Enfroy [Blog Growth Engine]
Adam’s YouTube Channel:
Must watch:
Learn the latest on how to:
Discover the best video ideas
Optimize your videos
Uncover videos that can get you more views
Make money with your YouTube channel without Adsense
YouTube SEO | How to Explode Your View Count in 2023
Why learn from Adam?
Adam is becoming a legend in the SEO space.
He shares how to build a successful blog, monetize via affiliate marketing, and grow a successful blog / YouTube channel with the “brand of you.”
Adam’s journey from being broke to working as a stressed-out corporate marketer to finally becoming a wealthy online entrepreneur might inspire you (it certainly did for me).
His blog already generates over 500,000 monthly searches in just a few years.
It’s not just vanity metrics because 389 blog posts make him $207,000 monthly.
I want to be like him when I grow up. 🤪
2. Sunny Lenarduzzi
Sunny’s YouTube Channel:
Sunny Lenarduzzi - her YouTube SEO formula
Must watch:
While this particular video is from 2018, many insights from her YouTube SEO formula can still be used today.
Sunny talks about retention, watch time, and the other top factors to rank higher and get more views on YouTube.
VIDEO SEO - How to Rank #1 in YouTube
Why learn from Sunny?
Sunny teaches YouTube SEO for creators and business people who want to grow their channel, get more views, and monetize their YouTube channel.
Drawing from her experience in television broadcasting, publications, and various marketing roles. She has become an entrepreneurial YouTube mentor who knows how to keep you hooked with her expertise, including the ins and outs of growing a personal brand on YouTube.
Her charisma and down-to-earth videos make learning from her a blast.
I added Sunny to this list because she understands the algorithm is your audience, and all her videos are like having a personal conversation with her.
Sunny is very popular and is usually asked to speak, coach, and consult on digital marketing topics and also teaches through her online courses.
3. Sam Oh [Ahrefs]
Ahrefs YouTube Channel:
Must watch:
In this step-by-step tutorial, you’ll learn the following:
- Why YouTube SEO is important
- How to do proper keyword research
- Best practices for choosing a video topic
- How to create videos that perform well
- Optimizing your video to rank high in YouTube search
How to promote your video
Why learn from Sam?
Sam is highly knowledgeable in all aspects of SEO.
I’ve seen many of his videos from beginning to end because they’re easy to watch!
Even when it comes to explaining detailed strategies and technical SEO details, I don’t nod off to sleep.
Being on the Ahrefs team gives him access to data and perspectives on SEO that others don’t have.
Most people in the SEO world know about Ahrefs tools, but it’d be a shame not to learn from their wealth of knowledge on YouTube.
It’s one of the best YouTube channels to learn almost everything about SEO.
4. Brian Dean [Exploding Topics]
Channel:
Must watch:
This video is from five years ago, yet you can still win by doing these SEO techniques that work to rank.
You’ll learn:
- The right and wrong way to optimize video titles
- How to increase the number of “video engagement signals.”
The “TAB” Formula to optimize videos correctly
Why learn from Brian?
Brian is very famous in the SEO space.
He founded Backlinko in 2012, writing and recording a plethora of actionable SEO content.
He recently sold it and moved on to his SaaS company, Exploding Topics.
While a lot of his YouTube SEO content is from a few years back, the SEO principles he teaches are timeless and can still work today.
Brian has begun posting videos again recently, and you can gain some wisdom on why he did it by watching “Why I let my channel die.”
5. Enrico Incarnati [TubeBuddy]
Channel:
Must watch:
Use the Matthew Beem Strategy to increase your visibility and attract a larger audience.
The video is geared toward small channels looking to scale growth faster.
This YouTube SEO Secret will SKYROCKET your views
Why learn from Enrico?
Enrico works with TubeBuddy, a popular browser extension site for YouTube creators to optimize and manage their channels.
As a YouTube strategist, he talks about topics that can fuel your growth to rocket to the top of search results.
6. Justin Brown [Primal Video]
Channel:
Must watch:
YouTube SEO: Is YouTube Search REALLY Dead?
Why learn from Justin?
Justin is the main star and brains behind Primal Video.
Justin covers not only YouTube SEO topics but also behind-the-scenes topics like where to find the best royalty-free music, how to cut and trim videos with a video cutter, and where to find the best filming gear.
He also shares detailed tips such as “how to go from 0 to 1000 subscribers faster,” how to make the perfect thumbnail, or how to use a YouTube intro maker.
Find information on everything to run a successful YouTube channel - check him out!
7. Gillian Perkins
Channel:
Must watch:
Gillian explains how she:
Increases audience engagement
Improves video CTR to rank higher
Uses target keywords and tagging better
Understands search intent
Increases average view duration
[YOUTUBE SEO BASICS - Rank Your Videos #1 on YouTube [Fast]](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjyqaRRLx_g)
Why learn from Gillian?
Gillian is an entrepreneur who guides people on how to start an online business.
Her videos lean towards business and money management topics such as budgeting, saving, investing, and building wealth.
People who aspire to be in the same industry could learn from her SEO tips, strategies, and success stories.
8. Sean Cannell [Think Media]
Channel:
Must watch:
This video is very insightful and demonstrates how the power of fully optimizing content can make you thousands of dollars per video.
Tune in to learn SEO:
The newest form of SEO strategy -- Content Engine Optimization “CEO.”
A modern way to optimize videos to rank
Why learn from Sean?
Sean Cannell is a successful entrepreneur, YouTuber, and author.
He has a strong background in video marketing and video content creation.
The “Think Media” channel offers SEO advice, strategies, and tips content creators can use to win at YouTube.
Sean teaches advanced SEO techniques and audience engagement techniques that help countless new and experienced creators grow their channels, increase views, and optimize their content for maximum visibility.
9. Hasan Aboul Hassan [H-Educate]
Channel:
Must watch:
Hasan demonstrates how he optimizes his videos to rank on top of YouTube!
Keyword research
Video Optimization
Boosting your video
Why learn from Hasan?
Hasan has many years of experience in SEO and teaches his viewers hands-on lessons to achieve better results with YouTube content.
He also regularly shares insights, tips, and tutorials on many aspects of digital marketing.
His company PromoteKit offers more than 30+ free online marketing tools for SEO and YouTube.
YouTube tools: keyword, title generator, name generator, video ideas, channel search, and popular videos explorer
SEO tools: keyword research, bulk keyword, questions people ask, backlinks checker, competitor research, domain authority checker, and website top keywords checker
10. Kelechi Mgbemena
Channel:
Must watch:
One of the best and most detailed SEO tutorials online for beginners, with some golden nuggets for advanced YouTubers.
Craft captivating titles and descriptions
Choosing tags
Thumbnails best practices
Learn keyword optimization strategies using TubeBuddy
YOUTUBE SEO | Increase Your Views and Rank Higher With These Simple KEYWORD OPTIMIZATION Strategies
Why learn from Kelechi?
Kelechi is a YouTuber who originally started off doing videos on hair and makeup.
Now she has 80+ videos on how to start and grow your YouTube channel.
People can learn from the wins and mistakes she shares publicly in her videos, especially if you’re making similar types of beauty content.
11. Neil Patel
Channel:
Must watch:
View this video course to unlock the full potential of being a creator:
From zero to 100K subscribers
How to build your channel the right way
Top-performing content types
How to script and storyboard
Lessons from MrBeast, Logan Paul, and Ed Sheeran
How to promote YouTube videos
How to generate millions of views without going viral
If started the YouTube channel again
Secret to being popular
How long did it take to earn 10K subscribers
SEO optimization tips to rank #1
How To Go From Zero to 100,000 Subscribers on YouTube - YouTube Unlocked
Why learn from Neil?
Neil is an OG in the marketing space, so he deserves a spot on this list.
He founded a marketing agency called NP Digital and has an excellent SEO tool, Ubersuggest.
His blog on NeilPatel.com and YouTube channel has a wealth of valuable insights on every facet of digital marketing with a breakdown of complex topics in a conversational, easy-to-follow format.
12. Annie Dubé
Channel:
Must watch:
This video is packed with useful info about:
- Why SEO + ranking in search is still relevant in 2023
- How to do proper keyword research
- How to give your videos the right “wrapping” for more views
- How to optimize your videos to rank top of search
- What does and doesn’t matter for optimizing videos
- Using your keywords to optimize your video tags
- How to write a description that ranks high on YouTube
- Writing titles that rank your videos and get views
Monitoring your results and making tweaks
How to Rank YouTube Videos with SEO | How I Got 2.7M Views IN MY SLEEP and You Can too!
Why learn from Annié?
While Annié is one of the least popular on this list, she packs a punch when it comes to providing timely and relevant content on YouTube, SEO, and making money on social media.
As she continues to make videos and develop her style as a YouTuber, she’s bound to see some dynamic growth in the next few years.
What’s great is that she talks about trending topics, and her skill level is relatable to others on the same path as a creator.
Her content also shows personal growth and daily life experiences, which some people might enjoy.
Wrap Up
You could spend weeks watching YouTube experts on how to grow your YouTube channel using SEO and other ranking methods.
The important part is to go out there and take action.
So that means to watch something -- then try to apply what you learned to your videos.
Don’t try to stay in the safe zone where you think no one will judge you, and you can’t get hurt by other people’s opinions.
If you develop superior SEO skills on YouTube, you can dominate the search results and become a recommended channel more often.
Article by:
Marc Bovenzi
Digital Marketer
Marc Bovenzi is a digital marketer of 8 years who consults SaaS companies on content marketing and SEO to improve ROI. He writes about trending topics such as business strategy, sales, marketing, AI, and automation on his personal brand site.
