How to Use vidIQ

Getting started with vidIQ

In this guide, you'll learn how to set up vidIQ and use it to enhance your YouTube channel's performance. By the end, you'll be able to conduct keyword research and track competitors effectively.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

1. Go to vidIQ's website.
2. Click on the "Get Started for Free" button.
3. Create an account using your email or sign in with Google.
4. Once signed in, download the vidIQ Chrome Extension from the Chrome Web Store and click "Add to Chrome".
5. After installation, pin the extension by clicking the puzzle piece icon in Chrome and selecting "Pin" next to vidIQ.

Step 2: Your first keyword research

1. Navigate to YouTube and search for a topic relevant to your content.
2. Click on a video to open it. You’ll see the vidIQ panel on the right side, displaying analytics.
3. Look for the "Keywords" section. Here, you can see the keyword score, which indicates how well the keyword is performing.
4. Click on "Keyword Inspector" to explore related keywords and their competition scores.
5. Use the "Tag Suggestions" feature to add relevant tags to your video.

Step 3: Get better results

1. Use the "Competitor Analysis" feature in the vidIQ panel to track videos from creators in your niche.
2. Click on "Video Scorecard" to see how your videos stack up against competitors. Focus on improving areas like thumbnail quality and engagement metrics.
3. Regularly check your "Channel Audit" for insights on your overall performance and areas for improvement.

Pro tip

Use the "Trend Alerts" feature to get notified about rising keywords in your niche. This can help you jump on trending topics before they become saturated.

Common mistake to avoid

Many beginners forget to check the "SEO Score" for their videos. Ensure you optimise your titles, descriptions, and tags based on the insights provided by vidIQ to improve your video’s discoverability.