"If you are a small channel trying to rank for 'Minecraft' or 'Weight Loss', you have already lost. You cannot beat the giants at their own game. You must change the battlefield."
The biggest mistake new YouTubers make is targeting broad keywords. They make a video titled "My Morning Routine" or "iPhone 16 Review" and wonder why it gets zero views.
The answer is simple: Competition. When a user searches for "iPhone 16 Review," YouTube will show them MKBHD or MrWhoseTheBoss. YouTube trusts them. It does not know you.
To grow from 0 to 1,000 subscribers, you need to use Long-Tail Keywords. These are specific phrases that big creators ignore because the search volume is "too low" for them—but perfect for you.
The Golden Rule of SEO
Broad keywords (Head Terms) have high traffic but impossible competition. Long-Tail keywords have lower traffic but high intent and zero competition.
Goal: Be a big fish in a small pond, not a minnow in the ocean.
1. What is a Long-Tail Keyword?
A long-tail keyword is a search query that usually consists of 3 to 5 words. It is highly specific.
Let's look at the difference in a real-world scenario:
| Type | Example Keyword | Competition | Your Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Head Term | "Coffee" | Impossible | 0% |
| Medium Tail | "French Press Coffee" | High | 5% |
| Long Tail | "Why is my French Press coffee muddy?" | Low | 90% |
Notice the last example. It is a specific problem. When someone types that into YouTube, they don't want a generic vlog; they want an answer. If your video answers that exact question, YouTube must rank you, because you are the most relevant result.
2. How to Find These Keywords (Free Methods)
You do not need expensive tools like Ahrefs or SEMRush to find these gems. The best tool is YouTube itself.
Method A: The Alphabet Soup Technique
Open YouTube in Incognito Mode (so your personal watch history doesn't bias the results).
- Type your broad topic into the search bar (e.g., "Vegan Diet").
- Do not hit enter. Look at the dropdown suggestions.
- Now type "Vegan Diet for " and go through the alphabet:
- "Vegan Diet for a..." (athletes, acne, arthritis)
- "Vegan Diet for b..." (beginners, bodybuilding, bloating)
These suggestions are not random. They appear because thousands of people have actually searched for them.
Method B: The "vs" Strategy
People love comparisons before they buy. These keywords have incredible monetization potential (high CPM).
Examples: "iPhone 16 vs Samsung S25 battery test", "ConvertKit vs Mailchimp for bloggers".
Go to Google Trends, type in your niche, and scroll down to "Related Queries." Look for queries marked "Breakout". These are brand new trends that have high volume but zero videos made about them yet.
3. Where to Put Keywords (SEO Optimization)
Once you have your long-tail keyword (e.g., "Best budget microphone for podcasting under $50"), you need to place it strategically.
A. The Title (Front-Loading)
Put the keyword at the start of your title.
Bad: "I bought this cool thing and it's the Best Budget Microphone."
Good: "Best Budget Microphone Under $50? (Fifine K669 Review)"
B. The Description & Chapters
YouTube now uses AI to "read" your video content.
- Write a natural paragraph in the description using the keyword in the first sentence.
- Crucial: Use Timestamps (Chapters). Name your chapters using search terms.
Example: 02:30 How to set up microphone on Windows 11.
C. The Transcript (Say It!)
YouTube auto-generates captions. If you say your keyword in the video, the algorithm hears it. Make sure you clearly state the problem and the solution verbally in the first 60 seconds.
4. The "Blue Ocean" Content Strategy
This strategy is how you build a library of videos that generate passive views for years.
Instead of making one video that gets 10,000 views in a week and then dies (viral/trend content), you make 50 videos that each get 20 views a day—forever.
As you dominate these small "long-tail" topics, you build authority. YouTube's algorithm starts to see you as an expert in the broader niche. Eventually, you can start targeting the broader "Medium Tail" keywords, and finally, the "Head Terms."
This is exactly the roadmap we outline in our 0 to 100k Growth Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I put keywords in the tags section?
Honestly? It doesn't matter much. YouTube has officially stated that tags are minimal for discovery. Spend that time working on your Thumbnail and Title instead.
Q: How do I know if a keyword is "Too Competitive"?
Search for it. If the top 5 results are all from channels with 1M+ subscribers and the videos are less than a year old, avoid it. If the top results are old (3+ years) or from small channels, it's an opportunity.
Conclusion
Ranking a small channel in 2025 isn't about luck. It's about answering questions that big creators are too busy to answer.
- Find a specific problem (Long-Tail).
- Create the best possible answer.
- Optimize your Title and Chapters.
Do this 50 times, and you won't just have subscribers; you'll have a loyal community. And once that traffic starts flowing, check how much revenue it generates below.