With 2.5 billion active users, YouTube is an undeniably important channel for your marketing efforts. Knowing how to optimize your YouTube channel can help you increase your chances of discoverability and reach more people.
As both a YouTuber and HubSpot‘s resident creator economy expert, I know a lot about YouTube and how to go viral on the platform. So, believe me when I say it’s not just keywords you have to think about.
![→ Download Now: 7 YouTube Video Description Templates [Free Prompts]](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/53/0b51489d-5d5c-4054-b30c-86008871e5f1.png)
Creating engaging YouTube descriptions is one of the most important tactics for optimizing your YouTube channel. We’ll discuss creating compelling descriptions for your YouTube channel and videos here.
What is a YouTube Description?
A YouTube description is a section where a content creator can provide additional information about their video content. This can include content descriptions, links to related content, social media or website links, and more. The goal of a YouTube description is to help viewers understand what the content is about. It can also help optimize videos for search. There are two types of YouTube descriptions: the overall description of the channel and the descriptions of an individual video.
YouTube Channel Descriptions
YouTube channel descriptions are a little like the About Page of a website. It appears under the “About” tab of your channel’s YouTube page.
Your YouTube channel description conveys to potential viewers what your content will cover, including the issues you tackle and the communities you serve. You’ll be able to add this when setting up your YouTube channel.
Take a look at my YouTube channel’s description as an example. Notice how I introduce myself, state the kind of content viewers can expect, and reference my target audience.
I also have links to other platforms connected to my channel, such as Instagram, X, TikTok, and my website.
As YouTube creators, our primary goal is to attract and turn viewers into subscribers, often using the channel description. With that in mind, use keywords your intended audience would use to search for your content.
See how “anime” is used multiple times in my channel’s description.
YouTube Video Descriptions
Every YouTube video includes a description that can be found under the viewport of the video.
It’s crucial that each of your YouTube videos include a unique description to increase the likelihood of your video being found when someone is searching for a particular topic.
As a YouTube content creator, I always craft my video descriptions knowing they can attract and convert an audience. So, I always optimize my video descriptions for SEO — and you should, too.
Keep reading if you‘re unsure how to start crafting compelling YouTube descriptions. I’ll explore tactics you can employ and provide templates to ensure you have everything you need to excel on YouTube.
How to Create Compelling YouTube Video Descriptions
- Use YouTube description templates.
- Explain your content.
- Include a call to action (CTA).
- Add your personality.
- Use timestamps to make videos scannable.
1. Use YouTube description templates. [Free Prompts]
HubSpot compiled several YouTube video description templates to help your business provide context to your viewers, rank better in search, organize your team, and link to relevant web pages on your site.
Download These Templates for Free
2. Explain your content.
My colleague, Caroline Forsey, spoke with Eric Peters, a Senior Growth Product Manager on HubSpot’s Academy team, to explore the best tactics for writing YouTube descriptions.
He said, “[YouTube descriptions] are one of the primary ways YouTube knows what your video is about. Include links, additional resources, links to other videos and playlists, etc. Make sure the description box is easy to read.”
Peters explained that your YouTube video description and closed captioning should incorporate keywords into your description.
It also helps with accessibility for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Hence, adding closed captioning to your videos is essential for accessibility.
For instance, take a look at one of HubSpot Marketing’s YouTube video descriptions:
A YouTube description differs from a web page meta description. Content creators explain the entire video in a YouTube description and even link to external resources.
Peters says:
“You get 5,000 characters total, so make use of it. YouTube creators use asterisks or all-caps to differentiate titles from body copy because it’s all plain text.
Consider writing up a text version of the key points from the video, or even copying the transcription and paste it into the description.”
Most of my most recent YouTube videos consist of interviews from my podcast.
So, I‘ll often save time by writing out the description I’d use for my podcast episode that would appear on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, then copying and pasting the same description into YouTube.
I‘d then tweak it to include more keywords or important links to other platforms. I’ll also customize my YouTube video description with the bold, italic, or strikethrough options at the bottom of the description box.
For information, click here.
3. Include a call-to-action (CTA).
Your YouTube description is a fantastic opportunity to ask viewers to continue engaging with your channel or find additional resources to help them learn more about a topic of interest.
For instance, let’s say I create a brief “How to Add Filters to Instagram” YouTube video, but I also have an in-depth “How to Use Instagram for Marketing” blog post. Why not link it in the description?
Most likely, anyone watching my Instagram video on YouTube would be equally grateful for the opportunity to learn more through a blog post.
Perhaps I simply want to ask viewers to subscribe, turn on notifications, or share my content with their networks. These are all acceptable CTA’s for a description.
Personally, I always include a call to action in my YouTube video descriptions, telling viewers to follow my other social media accounts, subscribe to my blog, or listen to my corresponding podcasts on other platforms.
Experience has shown me it’s best practice to format the description so that the most critical information is first.
Peters advises, “The first 200 characters are above the ‘more’ fold on the description box, so if you want your CTA/link to be seen by most people, keep it within the first 200 characters.”
After the first 200 characters, the text will be cut off, and viewers must click “Show more” to see the rest. I know I don‘t always click “Show more” when watching a video, so your audience likely won’t either.
Therefore, you must count your first 200 characters.
4. Add your personality.
A YouTube description should be fun and demonstrate your brand’s personality with a unique voice. Unlike traditional forms of advertising, this is an opportunity for you to instill creativity and humor into your content.
Brian Dean’s YouTube channel is an excellent example of this. His YouTube descriptions often mirror the way he speaks. I enjoy his descriptions because they are candid and casual, and he makes it feel like he’s writing to a friend.
Consider checking out HubSpot Academy’s comprehensive YouTube Marketing course to learn more about using YouTube for marketing purposes.
5. Use timestamps to make videos scannable.
Including timestamps in your video description can make your video more user-friendly and help your content rank well on search engines.
YouTube video timestamps appear within search results, improving user retention by directing users to the most relevant portions of videos from SERPs.
Users can search for keywords in your video’s description and click on a thumbnail on the SERP to view the portion of your video that answers their search query.
YouTube Channel Description Examples
Every YouTube channel description should allude to a specific niche or central theme. You want to tell your audience what they will learn from your channel.
This will give them a reason to tune in to your channel, subscribe to it, and continue learning from you and your videos.
Additionally, when you add your niche to your YouTube description, your audience can more easily find you in a sea of potentially similar creators.
1. Wes McDowell
Wes McDowell ‘s YouTube channel targets viewers in the digital marketing niche. The channel description mentions its mission: teaching small business owners digital marketing strategies they can use to grow their businesses.
The description also lists topics the channel will feature in its videos, invites viewers to subscribe, and describes its benefits.
Why I Love It
This YouTube channel description is clear and direct. It details what viewers will get when they come to the channel. This description also describes the marketing strategies and techniques viewers will learn.
Clarity goes a long way in making a channel easily searchable and rankable on YouTube.
2. Yoga With Adriene
Yoga With Adriene‘s YouTube channel description highlights one of the channel’s main values: inclusion.
The channel description mentions that everyone is invited to participate and learn more about yoga through her videos, regardless of their skill level.
The description also recommends videos that beginners can watch to become familiar with the content.
Why I Love It
This channel description is an excellent example of how a company‘s mission can be useful for video content. The description gives subscribers a glimpse into Yoga with Adriene’s values, creating a connection with the viewer.
This angle is helpful for ranking on YouTube because it’s aligned with morals and values that subscribers can easily identify with.
I started watching Yoga with Adriene‘s videos partially because the channel description convinced me they’d be great for beginners (and they are!).
3. Wild Wonderful Off-Grid
Wild Wonderful Off-Grid ‘s YouTube channel description positions the channel within a niche by using the keywords “off-grid,” “self-reliant,” and “building our own home” to appeal to viewers who are interested in living off-the-grid.
The description also invites viewers to visit their online store and social media profiles.
Why I Love It
This YouTube channel description establishes a niche, describes the channel’s content, provides background information about the creators, and encourages subscribers and viewers to participate further in their brand.
I also love how the description also directs their audience to other aspects of their business, such as their store and social media platforms, which fosters value for their subscribers.
4. The Pals
The Pals‘ YouTube channel description introduces the channel’s creators, lists the video games the channel will highlight, and provides each creator’s personal YouTube channel and Roblox username.
Why I Love It
This YouTube channel description focuses on the entertainment the channel provides.
The description targets subscribers seeking gaming knowledge and mentions the creators’ journeys to set the channel apart from others in the same niche and genre.
5. Florian Gadsby
Florian Gadsby‘s YouTube channel description introduces the channel’s creator and lists the topics viewers can expect to see when they subscribe.
It also links to the creator‘s social media and newsletter and provides information about the creator’s online store, including its restocking schedule.
Why I Love It
This YouTube channel description takes a personal approach to the subject matter. The description gives visitors clarity about the channel’s content and artistic focus.
It also encourages viewers to interact with the creator on their social media platforms to learn more about them and view more of their content.
6. SciShow
SciShow‘s YouTube channel description introduces the channel’s creators and hints at the topics viewers can expect to see weekly.
The description also outlines the channel’s posting schedule and mentions other YouTube channels associated with the brand.
Why I Love It
This YouTube channel description tells its viewers when they will see uploads. This is an excellent strategy to ensure users visit the channel right when they’re expecting to see new content.
If views go up on a page, the YouTube algorithm will likely boost your channel to a broader audience. Just make sure you stay on schedule.
I personally avoid putting the schedule for future uploads in my descriptions because mishaps happen, and I don‘t want to let my viewers down. But that’s just a personal hang-up I have.
7. Unbox Therapy
Unbox Therapy‘s YouTube channel description states the channel’s tagline, gives an overview of the channel’s content, and provides a contact email for business inquiries.
Why I Love It
This simple channel description piques viewers‘ interest with a captivating tagline and a straightforward explanation of the channel’s content.
It also includes an email that allows viewers to contact the creators to inquire about the business and ask professional questions about the channel.
8. IsaWelly
Isa-Welly’s YouTube channel description immediately emphasizes her Registered Nutritional Therapist and Wellbeing Coach credentials before going into the purpose of her platform and what viewers can expect.
What I Love: I love that Isa Welly establishes trust with her audience by highlighting her professional experience. The bio is also very short and to the point, reducing the chances of confusion and keeping the reader’s attention.
9. Sundas Khalid
Sundas Khalid ‘s YouTube channel description starts with a friendly “Hey!” before explaining who she is and what she does: “I am Sundas, and I help you succeed in the data science and tech fields.”
The description then dives into her background as a self-taught data scientist.
It also highlights her achievements as someone with 10 years of experience across two prominent companies where she was a high performer at each.
What I Love: I love Sundas Khalid because she relates to her audience by using a friendly tone and explaining that she is self-taught and from a non-tech background.
Her approach shows she creates content for viewers who may have little to no experience in the tech field but want to break into the industry or sharpen their knowledge.
I especially like how she includes a disclaimer at the end, letting readers know her opinions are her own and do not reflect those of the company she works for. It’s a great example of transparency while separating your work and creativity.
10. Matte Wolfe
What Matte Wolfe’s description lacks in words it makes up for in key links. Wolfe’s YouTube channel includes links to his blog, Twitter (now X) account, and his AI tools database.
What I Love: Wolfe’s channel description is a great model for how less is more, especially if your channel covers a broad spectrum of topics within your niche.
Just make sure you use the extra space saved in your channel to highlight important links, such as to your blog, social media channels, or business.
YouTube Channel Description Templates
Now that we’ve covered the basics look at a few templates you can use to craft a compelling YouTube description.
1. Playful YouTube Channel Description Template
You might create a playful, easy-going channel ‘About Me’ description, like this one:
Hi, I’m [Name]. This is my channel about increasing your sales, effectively targeting your audience, and growing an email list that you can use to grow your business.
If you’re a marketer who wants to learn marketing strategies to get [result, i.e., more traffic to your site], subscribe to my channel.
My channel publishes videos that focus on storytelling content that connects X, shows you how to infuse your authenticity in your brand, and gives you a marketing strategy that feels organic.
If that sounds like it could be helpful for you, please join me!
2. Third-Person YouTube Channel Description Template
Alternatively, you can craft a YouTube description that describes what your company does from a third-person point of view, like this one:
[Company] is the worldwide leader in X, Y, and Z. Since [year], [Company] has been on a mission to [insert company vision or purpose here].
To learn more about [Company], its values, and its [company offering], subscribe to our channel to stay informed.
3. Niche YouTube Channel Description Template
Tell your subscribers what you’re all about and describe your niche when writing your YouTube channel description.
[Name] and [Name] have nuanced discussions about dating, their lifestyle, and relationships. They discuss current topics that affect modern dating and how to maneuver relationship patterns. You can purchase [Name] and [Name]’s [product] to learn more about improving your knowledge of relationships.
4. Inviting YouTube Channel Description Template
Building a relationship with your followers is one of the most important things you can do as a content creator. This template invites them to join you as you grow your brand.
This channel gives everything you need to know about gaming, including the latest equipment reviews, new game reviews, and once-a-week live streams. Watch as I, [name], try to beat my high score in the latest release of [insert game name here].
5. Personal YouTube Channel Description Template
Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable with your audience. Adding personal touches to your YouTube channel description, like the template below, can help you become more authentic.
This is a personal journey of how I became a painter. Learn about what paints I purchase, the tools I use, and the techniques I learned during school. Art is my passion, and I express my love for [insert passion] through it.
6. Straight-forward YouTube Channel Description Template
Tell your audience exactly what they can expect from your channel by using this template:
This channel gives pop culture commentary through a [political ideology] political lens. We make commentary on books and current events. We also upload a new video every Wednesday and Friday.
YouTube Video Description Examples
A helpful video description can spike your audience’s interest, resulting in longer watch times, better view counts, and even new subscribers.
Plus, it can help with YouTube SEO, allowing YouTube’s algorithm to understand your content and suggest it to new users, further boosting your YouTube metrics.
1. “5 Best Coding Languages for Beginners 2021” by nicole . young
The description of nicole . young’s YouTube video, “5 Best Coding Languages for Beginners 2021,” hooks the viewer by posing a question that will be answered in the video.
The video description also includes a benefit the viewer will gain from watching the video.
Why I Love It
In this video description, the creator summarizes the video‘s title and specifies the target audience. The text will help audiences (and YouTube) understand the video’s content.
This creator understands that the channel description is prime real estate for contact information, social media handles, and calls to action, persuading viewers to stick around.
2. “How to Write Counterpoint – Music Composition” by Music Matters
The description of Music Matters’s YouTube video, “How to Write Counterpoint – Music Composition,“ uses keywords such as ”writing counterpoint,“ ”music composition lesson,“ and ”understanding counterpoint” to appeal to audiences that are interested in learning the music composition technique.
The description also includes timestamps that viewers can use to skip to the portion of the video that addresses the specific topic they want to learn about.
Why I Love It
This YouTube video description uses keywords to appeal to a niche audience. The specificity makes it easily searchable on YouTube. Using keywords to make each video search-friendly will drive traffic to your video’s specific content.
3. “How to Create a 90-Day Plan for your Business (+ Free Workbook)” by Anna Clark
The description of Anna Clark’s YouTube video, “How to Create a 90-Day Plan for your Business (+ Free Workbook),” includes links to the creator’s website, courses, newsletter, and social media accounts, and a workbook that viewers can download and complete as they watch the video.
Why I Love It
It’s good to involve your viewers in other aspects of your business. The interaction and engagement you earn will help you rank against other active channels.
Directing your viewers to other resources for your business will also help your YouTube channel drive traffic to your website, increasing your authority in your business niche.
4. “How To Create An Email Sales Funnel” by Wishpond
The description of Wishpond’s YouTube video, “How To Create An Email Sales Funnel,” hooks the viewer by stating that the video is the fourth installment in a series and linking to the previous video.
The video description also incentivizes viewers to learn more about the company.
Why I Love It
This description segments the video as a section of a more extensive series. If subscribers learn that you provide similar content on your channel, they will be more inclined to watch your other videos.
The description also lets viewers know there’s a free demo of the service. If you sell different products or services in your business, link them in the description.
5. “How to Outline Your Novel – Part 2” by Writing with Jenna Moreci
The description of Writing with Jenna Moreci’s YouTube video, “How to Outline Your Novel – Part 2,” hooks the viewer by stating that the video is the second installment in a series and linking to the previous video.
The video description also lets viewers learn more about the creator’s products.
Why We Love It
This video description is excellent because it lets viewers know what’s coming next. Inserting a “new segment” in your YouTube series lets viewers anticipate your next video.