video-optimization

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# SEO On-Page: Video Optimization

Guides video optimization for Google Search (main results, video mode, Google Images, Discover), video sitemap, VideoObject schema, and indexing. **Note**: Google now prioritizes YouTube video results in search; YouTube + Reddit comprise ~78% of social media citations in AI Overviews. For YouTube-specific optimization, see **youtube-seo**; for GEO distribution via YouTube, see **generative-engine-optimization**. References: [Google Video SEO](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/video), [Semrush YouTube SEO](https://www.semrush.com/blog/youtube-seo/).

**When invoking**: On **first use**, if helpful, open with 1–2 sentences on what this skill covers and why it matters, then provide the main output. On **subsequent use** or when the user asks to skip, go directly to the main output.

## Scope

- **Discovery & indexing**: HTML embed elements, video sitemap
- **Metadata**: Title, description, thumbnail; stable URLs
- **Structured data**: VideoObject schema
- **Features**: Video preview, key moments (Clip, SeekToAction), LIVE badge
- **YouTube prioritization**: Google favors YouTube in search; embed or host on YouTube for GEO citation

## YouTube in Google Search (2025+)

**Google prioritizes YouTube video results** across search. YouTube receives 48.6B monthly visits (second to Google.com) and is treated as core search infrastructure for AI-driven discovery. [Search Engine Land](https://searchengineland.com/youtube-seo-ai-overviews-467253)

| Context | Implication |
|---------|-------------|
| **AI Overviews** | YouTube citations surged 25.21% since Jan 2025; instructional (+35.6%), visual demos (+32.5%); long-form dominates (94%) |
| **GEO** | YouTube + Reddit = ~78% of social media citations; Perplexity (38.7%) and Google AI Overviews (36.6%) drive most YouTube citations |
| **Strategy** | Embed YouTube on site pages for dual indexing; or host on YouTube for GEO citation. See **youtube-seo**, **generative-engine-optimization** |

## Initial Assessment

**Project context:** Read root `contextus.md` when present and load only the modules relevant to this task. Without Contextus, use available project material or user-provided facts and ask for missing information; do not create a parallel context system.

Identify:
1. **Hosting**: Self-hosted vs YouTube/Vimeo embed
2. **Page type**: Dedicated watch page vs supplementary (e.g. blog with embedded video)
3. **Features needed**: Preview, key moments, LIVE badge

---

## 1. Discovery & Indexing

### Use Standard HTML Embed Elements

Google finds videos in `<video>`, `<embed>`, `<iframe>`, or `<object>`. **Do not** use fragment identifiers to load video; avoid requiring user interaction (click, swipe) to load.

| Do | Don't |
|----|-------|
| `<video><source src="...mp4"/></video>` | Fragment-only load; JS-injected without fallback |
| `<iframe src="https://youtube.com/embed/...">` | Hide video behind paywall without paywall structured data |

**JavaScript injection**: If video is injected via JS, ensure it appears in rendered HTML; use URL Inspection in Search Console. If using Media Source API, inject HTML video container even when API fails so Google can find metadata.

### Video Sitemap

Submit a [video sitemap](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/crawling-indexing/sitemaps/video-sitemaps) to help Google discover videos. Use `<video:video>` extension; `<loc>` = watch page URL.

**Structure** (from Google):

```xml
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<urlset xmlns="http://www.sitemaps.org/schemas/sitemap/0.9"
        xmlns:video="http://www.google.com/schemas/sitemap-video/1.1">
  <url>
    <loc>https://example.com/videos/watch-page.html</loc>
    <video:video>
      <video:thumbnail_loc>https://example.com/thumbs/123.jpg</video:thumbnail_loc>
      <video:title>Grilling steaks for summer</video:title>
      <video:description>Bob shows you how to grill steaks perfectly.</video:description>
      <video:player_loc>https://example.com/player?video=123</video:player_loc>
    </video:video>
  </url>
</urlset>
```

See **xml-sitemap** for sitemap index. Video sitemap is an extension; can be standalone or combined.

### Indexing Requirements

- **Watch page** must be indexed and perform well in search
- **Video embedded** on watch page; not hidden behind elements
- **Thumbnail**: Valid, stable URL; ≥60×30 px; ≥80% alpha >250 (no heavy transparency)
- **Supported formats**: 3GP, 3G2, ASF, AVI, DivX, M2V, M3U, M3U8, M4V, MKV, MOV, MP4, MPEG, OGV, WebM, WMV, etc. **Data URLs not supported.**

### Dedicated Watch Page

For video features (main results, video mode, key moments, LIVE badge), create a **dedicated watch page** per video—page whose primary purpose is to display that video. Examples: video landing page, episode player page, news video page. **Not** watch pages: blog with embedded video, product page with 360° video, category page with multiple videos.

---

## 2. Stable URLs

- **Thumbnail**: Stable URL; CDNs with fast-expiring URLs can prevent indexing
- **Content URL**: Stable for video preview and key moments; use `contentUrl` in VideoObject
- **Player URL**: Stable for `embedUrl` / `player_loc`

---

## 3. Thumbnail & Metadata

### Thumbnail Sources (in priority order)

| Source | How |
|--------|-----|
| `<video>` poster | `poster` attribute |
| Video sitemap | `<video:thumbnail_loc>` |
| VideoObject | `thumbnailUrl` |
| OGP | `og:video:image` |

Use **same thumbnail URL** across all metadata sources.

### Thumbnail Specs

| Spec | Requirement |
|------|-------------|
| Formats | BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, WebP, SVG, AVIF |
| Size | Min 60×30 px; larger preferred |
| Transparency | ≥80% of pixels with alpha >250 |
| Access | Must be crawlable (no robots.txt block, no login) |

### Unique Metadata per Video

Provide **unique** `thumbnailUrl`, `name`, and `description` for each video in structured data and sitemap. Consistency with visible content is required.

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