YouTube

YouTube is a search engine and a recommendation feed at once. A video wins when the title and thumbnail earn the click and the first 30 seconds prove the click was right. Viewers satisfied (watch time, returning, not bouncing) is what the system rewards.

Current facts (as of September 2026 - re-check with web_search if a number matters)

• Title: up to 100 characters; keep the key words in the first ~50-60 because feeds and mobile truncate.
• Description: up to 5,000 characters; roughly the first 100-150 show before "more", so lead with the value and main keywords.
• Chapters: timestamps in the description, first one 00:00, at least 3, each at least 10 seconds, ascending order (YouTube Help, "Video Chapters").
• Custom thumbnail: 1280x720 (16:9) recommended, commonly a 2 MB file limit.
• Shorts: videos up to 3 minutes with a square or vertical aspect ratio are classified as Shorts (for uploads since 15 Oct 2024). Use 16:9 to keep something long-form. Most library songs can be used for up to ~90 seconds in a Short (some tracks only 30-60 s).

Audience and what performs

• Viewers come with intent (how-to, reviews, explainers, entertainment, deep dives).
• Performs: a clear promise delivered fast, strong retention, a recognizable format or series, a face or a distinct voice, specific titles ("I tested 5 budget mics under $50" beats "Microphone review").
• Does not: slow intros, "Hey guys, welcome back" openings, clickbait that the video does not pay off, vague titles.

Research first

1. web_search the topic (site:youtube.com <topic>) to see what exists; note titles, angles and gaps.
2. Use youtube_transcript on 2-3 top videos to learn what they cover, how fast they get to the point, and what viewers ask about. Do not copy their script.
3. Pick an angle: better (more complete/current), different (contrarian, specific audience), or first (new topic).

Titles

• Promise a specific outcome, curiosity gap or stake. Include the searchable phrase naturally.
• Patterns: "How I <result> in <time>", "<Number> <things> that <outcome>", "I tried <X> for <time>", "<X> vs <Y>: which one <decision>", "Why <surprising claim>".
• Title and thumbnail should complement each other, not repeat the same words.
• Give 3-5 options and say which you recommend and why.

Thumbnail text

• 0-4 words, large, high contrast; readable on a phone.
• One focal point (face with clear emotion, product, before/after).
• Avoid bottom-right corner (duration overlay).
• Do not repeat the title; add the emotional or visual beat ("It broke.", "$37", "Day 30").

Description

1. First 1-2 lines: what the viewer gets, with the main keyword.
2. Short summary paragraph (2-4 sentences).
3. Chapters.
4. Links mentioned (only real URLs the user provides or you opened), affiliate disclosures if any.
5. 2-3 hashtags at most (the first three may appear above the title).

Long-form script outline

1. Hook (0-30 s): state the promise or show the result, raise a question, tell them what they will get. No channel intro.
2. Context (30-60 s): why this matters, credibility in one line.
3. Body in chapters: each chapter opens with a mini-hook, delivers one point with visuals/examples, and closes with a transition that creates the next question.
4. Re-hooks every 1-2 minutes: preview what's next, a pattern interrupt, a twist.
5. Payoff: deliver the result promised in the title.
6. End: one CTA (next video, subscribe) and end screen; do not trail off.

Shorts script

• 0-2 s: hook on screen and in voice (bold claim, result first, question).
• One idea only; cut every pause.
• Loop-friendly ending that flows back into the start, or a punchline.
• On-screen text for sound-off viewers.
• Link the related long video; Shorts are discovery for the channel.

Tags and keywords

• Tags matter little; add a few for common misspellings and the core phrase.
• Keywords belong in the title, the first description lines, chapter titles and the spoken script (YouTube transcribes audio).

Cadence

• A realistic, steady schedule beats bursts: e.g. one long video every 1-2 weeks, plus 2-4 Shorts per week cut from it. Series help viewers return.

Repurposing

• Long video -> 3-5 Shorts (best moments), an X thread of key points, a LinkedIn post with the lesson, an Instagram carousel of the steps, a blog post from the transcript.
• From a blog post -> talking-head explainer or screen-recorded tutorial.

Avoid

• Clickbait that the content does not deliver (hurts retention and trust).
• Misleading thumbnails, fake reactions, reused content without transformation.
• Keyword-stuffed descriptions and tag lists.
• Invented statistics or links.

Output

Use templates/video-package.md for a full video package or the Shorts section alone for short-form.