How to Find the Best YouTube Keywords (Step-by-Step)

Want to rank your YouTube videos at the top of search results?

It all starts with one thing: the right keywords.

In this guide, you'll learn exactly how to find high-performing keywords that boost your video views, increase your subscriber count, and help your channel grow — even if you're just starting out.

Let’s break it down.

Why Keywords Matter on YouTube

Keywords are simply the words or phrases people type into search (on Google or YouTube) to find what they’re looking for.

For example:
Someone curious about building a website might search “how to create a WordPress site.”

That phrase — "how to create a WordPress site" — is a keyword.

The better your keywords match what people are searching for, the more likely your video is to show up in their results — and get clicked.

The 3 Manual Keyword Research Methods (No Tools Needed)

You don’t need expensive tools to get started. In fact, you can find great keywords right on YouTube using these three simple techniques:

1. Basic YouTube Search

Type your topic (e.g., "write a blog") in YouTube's search bar.
Look at the autocomplete suggestions — these are based on popular search queries.

Click a suggestion, analyze the top 3 videos:

What's their title?
Do they have a strong thumbnail?
Are the views high?

Take notes. These videos are ranking for a reason.

2. The Alphabet Method

After your main keyword, type a space, then a letter (A–Z).
YouTube will show new keyword suggestions like:

“write a blog article”
“write a blog and make money”

Repeat with different letters to uncover dozens of content ideas.

3. The Asterisk Trick

Insert an asterisk (*) within your phrase (e.g., "how to * blog").
This acts as a “wildcard” and shows keywords people often use between those words.

It’s a simple hack that often reveals hidden long-tail keywords.