Creator Keyword Research Tools

A guide to using Google Trends and VidIQ for creator market research and content strategy, based on insights from Colin and Samir.

Market Research Tools

• Google Trends

  • Use to track keyword popularity
  • Compare different keywords to see which performs better
  • Understand search trends and audience interest

• VidIQ

  • Shows top performing videos for specific keywords
  • Reveals how competitive keywords are
  • Displays trending videos in your category
  • Helps analyze successful thumbnails in your niche

Content Analysis Process

• Start with keyword research

  • Type potential keywords into VidIQ
  • Review top performing videos in category
  • Analyze what's working vs not working
  • Study successful thumbnail designs

• Evaluate Competition

  • Check how competitive keywords are
  • Look at search traffic volume on YouTube
  • Review trending videos in your space
  • Assess thumbnail strategies that work

Content Optimization

• Title Optimization

  • Study successful titles in your niche
  • Understand what drives click-through rates
  • Test different title formats
  • Learn from high-performing content

• Thumbnail Strategy

  • Review top performing thumbnails
  • Analyze what makes them effective
  • Consider hiring a thumbnail designer who understands YouTube strategy
  • Focus on packaging that drives engagement

Key Success Metrics

• Click-through rate
• Viewer retention
• Search visibility
• Engagement metrics
• Overall channel growth

This research approach helps creators:

• Understand their market
• Identify opportunities
• Optimize content
• Improve discovery
• Scale their channel effectively