The Small Businesses’ Guide to Ranking on Google’s New Short Video Tab!

Hey there, small businesses!
If you’re looking to boost your brand’s visibility, Google’s latest update is BIG NEWS!

Google is now ranking short-form video under its own ‘short video’ tab.
This means it’s taking your shorts, reels and TikToks directly from Social Media and ranking them for all to find!

This update is a real game-changer for reaching a wider audience, and with the right approach, you can certainly start to feel the results and benefits of your videos ranking on Google. This blog post will walk you through the essential steps to get your SEO short videos ranking higher.

Before we dive into the detail, let’s quickly get our heads around what makes a short video truly stand out. It really comes down to creating content that people are actively searching for. Think for a moment about the questions your potential customers are typing into Google, Then craft engaging, helpful, and friendly videos that neatly provide those answers!
Boom – you’re about 80% of the way there!

Want to know more about short-form video SEO success on Google? Right then, let’s get stuck in!
Here are my top tips and advice, all carefully aligned with Google’s latest guidance for ranking short videos.

1. People-First Content: Your Key to Winning Over Google (and Your Audience!)

Google’s core ranking systems are fundamentally about rewarding content that genuinely helps people. This isn’t just a casual suggestion; it’s the bedrock of their E-E-A-T framework, which stands for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. Think of it as your content’s report card, and it’s particularly vital for Google’s short video tab.

• Experience: Have you actually done what you’re talking about? If you’re reviewing a product, have you properly used it? If it’s a tutorial, have you followed the steps yourself? Show off your firsthand knowledge!
• Expertise: Do you truly know your subject? Are you a credible source for the information you’re sharing? Your audience should feel confident that you’re an expert in your field.
• Authoritativeness: Is your content widely recognised as a go-to resource in your area? Do other experts reference or link to your work? Building authority takes a bit of time, but it’s incredibly rewarding.
• Trustworthiness: Is your content accurate, honest, and safe? Be transparent, cite your sources if necessary, and always prioritise factual information.

For your short-form videos, this means:

• Authenticity is Paramount: Short-form video thrives on genuine connection. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through! Be relatable, be yourself, and create content that truly offers value or entertains.
• Solve a Problem or Deliver Quick Value: Think “how-to” guides, rapid tips, engaging product demonstrations, or insightful analyses. Get straight to the point and deliver that value swiftly!
• Clearly Communicate “Who, How, and Why”: Make it abundantly clear who created the content, how it was made (if you’ve used AI, do be transparent!), and the purpose behind it. Transparency builds trust and really helps with your video SEO on Google.

2. Optimise your Short Videos for Discoverability:

Just like a traditional webpage, your videos need to be easily found by Google. This is where SEO for video comes in, ensuring your content appears prominently on the Google short video tab.

• Keyword Research is Essential: This is your starting point, truly! Identify the relevant and high-traffic keywords for your niche. Tools like Google Keyword Planner or Google Trends are incredibly useful here. Think about “how-to” videos, quick tips, helpful guides, and current trends. And don’t forget location-specific keywords if you’re targeting a local audience!
• Craft Compelling, Keyword-Rich Titles: Your title is your video’s very first impression. Make it count! Pop your main keyword (e.g., “SEO short videos,” “rank short videos Google”) early in the title and keep it concise (ideally under 60 characters) so it displays fully in search results. Make it engaging and actionable – something that just begs to be clicked!
• Write Detailed Descriptions: This is your opportunity to give Google (and your audience) more context. Provide a comprehensive overview of your video’s content, naturally weaving in your target keywords related to Google short video ranking. Aim for descriptions between 200-300 words. And do remember to include calls-to-action (CTAs) and any relevant links!
• Use Relevant Tags: Tags simply provide additional context to Google about your video’s topic. Use a good variety of relevant keywords and phrases.
• Create Eye-Catching Custom Thumbnails: Your thumbnail is arguably the most important factor for getting clicks. Use high-quality, visually appealing images with bold colours and clear, readable text. Highlight key points or emotions to entice clicks, and maintain a consistent brand style across all your thumbnails. Always check how they look on both desktop and mobile!
• Video File Optimisation: Use descriptive file names (e.g., how-to-optimise-google-short-video.mp4, seo-short-video-ranking.mp4). Choose widely supported formats like MP4 or WebM, and compress your videos to reduce file size without sacrificing quality. Faster loading times make for a much better user experience!

3. Prioritise Engagement and User Experience in your short form video SEO

Google’s algorithms pay close attention to how users interact with your content; it’s a strong signal of quality and relevance. The more engaged your audience, the better your short video SEO will perform!

• High-Quality Production: While short-form videos can often be a bit raw and spontaneous, do aim for clear audio and visuals. Good lighting and a decent microphone can make a significant difference to how professional and engaging your video feels.
• Hook Your Audience Early: Those first 10-15 seconds are absolutely crucial for holding onto viewers. Start with an engaging intro that immediately grabs attention and makes people want to keep watching.
• Maintain Interest: Keep your content dynamic and avoid any unnecessary waffle. Every second should add value, entertain, or inform. Keep it snappy!
• Encourage Interaction: Don’t be shy – include clear calls-to-action within your videos! Ask viewers to “like,” “comment,” “share,” or “subscribe.” And here’s a big one: actively respond to comments and engage with your audience. This builds a great community and signals to Google that your content is valuable.
• Promote Across Channels: Don’t just rely on organic search. Share your short videos (whether they’re YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, or TikToks) across all your social media platforms, embed them on your website, and even include them in your email newsletters. Driving initial views and engagement from various sources can give your videos a really healthy boost for Google short video ranking.
• Optimise for Mobile: This is absolutely essential! Short-form video is primarily consumed on mobile devices. Ensure your videos are vertical (a 9:16 aspect ratio is preferred by Google for this tab) and optimised for a seamless mobile viewing experience.

By consistently applying these methods, focusing on “people-first” content, and smart video SEO strategies, I’m confident you’ll significantly increase the chances of your short-form videos ranking prominently on Google’s new video tab and reaching a much wider, more engaged audience.

What are your biggest questions about getting your short videos seen on Google? Pop them in the comments below!

Need help creating SEO written or video content for Google and search engines?

I’m Keelie Briggs, a marketing consultant based in Swadlincote, South Derbyshire, supporting our local businesses with marketing strategy, SEO, Social Media and training.

Let’s chat!

Or, find out How AI Is Changing SEO – And What Small Businesses Can Do About It.