The Video SEO Strategy That Turns Website Content Into an Asset

Video is everywhere right now. Everyone’s adding it to their content strategy because it feels like the thing to do, and on the surface, it makes sense. Video looks good on a page, it keeps people’s attention, and it makes your brand feel current.

But here’s what most people miss: if it’s just dropped onto a page without any thought, it’s not an actual strategy. Search engines don’t know what it’s about, and people don’t have a reason to click.

Which is why so many businesses get frustrated with the process. They spend time and money creating videos, but the results don’t show up in their analytics. But it’s not the video that’s the problem, it’s the way it’s set up.

When videos on your website are set up the right way, they stop being filler and start building trust, visibility, and authority for your brand. And it doesn’t take a complicated strategy to make that happen. 

A few details—thumbnails, titles, and transcripts—make the difference between a video that just takes up space and a video that actively helps your brand grow.

Thumbnails That People Want to Click

Search results with thumbnails grab attention. But if your thumbnail is just a blurry freeze-frame, you’re leaving clicks on the table. And clicks are the signal that search engines pay attention to.

Creating a custom thumbnail gives you control (and just looks better). YouTube reports that 90% of their top-performing videos use custom thumbnails, and the same principle applies when you embed a video on your website.

Think about it: a page called Choosing the Right CRM for Your Business with a thumbnail of a founder at their laptop and bold overlay text like Best CRMs in 2025 is going to earn more clicks than a random frame of a spreadsheet.

If you’re wondering what type of thumbnail works in 2025, focus on these details:

• Keep the layout clean so your message is clear at a glance.
• Use strong contrast so the text and image stand out.
• Make sure the design is easy to read on a small screen.
• Choose images that spark curiosity, like close-up reactions, before-and-after splits, or simple comparisons.

Remember, at the end of the day, a thumbnail that gets the click is the only kind worth making.

Titles That Tell Google (and People) What You’re About

Your video title does double duty. 

It’s for the viewer, but it’s also one of the first things search engines crawl.

A vague title like Company Overview tells Google nothing. But a title like SEO Blog Strategy That Builds Authority While You Sleep gives both people and algorithms exactly what they need: clarity and keywords.

The more specific the title, the better your chances of ranking, and the stronger your online reputation looks in the process. 

Moz’s long-running Whiteboard Friday series is a perfect example. They don’t say “SEO Tips Video.” Each title is precise and keyword-driven, which is why their videos show up everywhere.

Transcripts and Takeaways That Make Content Searchable

Search engines can’t watch video (yet), so without text to scan, they’re blind to what’s inside. 

Adding a transcript changes that. Suddenly, every word is crawlable. Long-tail keywords get picked up. The page as a whole becomes more relevant.

And the upside doesn’t stop at SEO. Transcripts make your content more accessible. Which means that whether someone is watching on mute or needs captions, you’re meeting them where they are. 

Adding quick takeaways pushes it even further. 

A short summary at the top or a few bullet highlights give people the gist right away. It’s helpful for the reader, gives search engines more to work with, and can even land your content in featured snippets.

TED is the best proof point. Every talk has a transcript and takeaways. That’s why their videos don’t just go viral for a week—they stay searchable, quotable, and relevant for years.

Making Video Work for Your SEO Strategy

A video haphazardly uploaded on your website won’t do much on its own. 

But, a video treated like an asset—with the right details in place—can strengthen SEO and credibility every time someone hits play. 

Because when your thumbnail earns clicks, your title proves expertise, and your transcript makes content searchable and accessible, you’ve turned a single video into something much bigger. 

You’ve built trust, sent stronger SEO signals, and given your brand another way to grow its authority online.