How Can You Use YouTube Backlinks to Boost Your SEO?

Struggling to get your website noticed despite publishing great content? You’re not alone. With so much competition online, simply writing blog posts or optimizing keywords often isn’t enough to move the needle.

One often-overlooked strategy that can give your SEO a real boost is using YouTube backlinks from your videos or channel that point back to your website.

Here’s the thing….

According to Oklahoma State University, YouTube isn’t just a video platform; it’s also the second-largest search engine in the world. That means when you add links to your content on YouTube, you’re not only driving traffic. 

You’re also building signals that tell Google your site is active, relevant, and worth showing in search results.

In this guide, we’ll break down how YouTube backlinks work and how to start using them to strengthen your SEO and get more people to your site.

What are YouTube backlinks?

YouTube backlinks lead to your website or web pages from different parts of the YouTube platform. 

These links can be placed in video descriptions, your channel’s “About” section, pinned comments, community posts, or through cards and end screens in your videos. 

Most YouTube links are no-follow, which means they don’t directly pass on SEO authority the same way other website links might. However, adding backlinks from YouTube to your website can still significantly boost your SEO efforts.

Google crawls YouTube content; even though most links are no-follow, it still indexes video descriptions and channel pages. 

This activity contributes to your site’s overall visibility and strengthens your authority and trust signals—key elements of EEAT. 

Just like niche edits, YouTube backlinks can play a strategic role in supporting topical relevance and driving qualified traffic.

But they’re still very useful. They help send people to your site, increase your content’s visibility, and support your SEO goals by driving traffic and engagement.

🎯 Did You Know? YouTube is the world’s second most-used search engine. Adding links to your website from a popular video can help bring in traffic from an audience that might not find you on Google.

Why are YouTube backlinks important for your website?

YouTube backlinks can play a valuable role in helping your website grow not just in traffic, but in visibility, credibility, and long-term search performance. 

Here’s how they help.

Driving targeted traffic from videos

According to Global Media Insight, YouTube has over 2.7 billion monthly active users as of 2024. That’s a huge audience. 

By placing links in your video descriptions or pinned comments, you can direct viewers straight to your site.

What makes this traffic valuable is that it’s already interested. 

If someone is watching a video about your topic, and you give them a link to learn more or take action, they’re far more likely to click through and engage with your site.

A report from Wyzowl shows that 99% of marketers say video has helped people better understand their product or service, the highest it’s ever been.

Expanding brand visibility online

YouTube videos can show up in Google search results, which gives your content another way to be found. 

If your video includes a link to your website, that link has a better chance of being seen and clicked, even by people who never visit your actual YouTube channel.

This kind of exposure helps people get familiar with your brand across different platforms. 

And the more people see your brand, the more likely they are to remember it, trust it, and visit your site.

What types of YouTube backlinks can you build?

If you’re looking to get more SEO value from YouTube, the first step is knowing where to place your links. YouTube offers several options, each with its strengths. 

Whether you’re promoting a blog post, landing page, or running a SaaS link-building campaign, knowing the right placement can amplify your efforts.

Let’s walk through them one by one.

Here’s how each type works, when to use it, and how to get the most out of every link you share.

Video Description Links

This is the most common and most effective place to add backlinks.

Every time you upload a video, YouTube gives you a space to write a description. In this section, you can include clickable links to your website, blog posts, service pages, lead magnets, or even affiliate products.

Matt Diggity, a well-known expert, consistently adds valuable links in his video description, including guides, service pages, and affiliate resources. 

This not only drives targeted traffic but also supports his wider content strategy by connecting YouTube views with website visits.

Why it matters:

This section is always visible beneath your video and is often the first place viewers look for more information. If your video ranks well or gets embedded elsewhere, the links in the description stay active and continue driving traffic.

YouTube profile section Links

Your YouTube profile gives you space to add clickable links right on your channel page. These show up as icons or text near your banner, making them easy to spot for anyone visiting your profile.

Why it works:
Even if someone doesn’t watch your videos, they might still check out your channel. These profile links are visible at all times, giving your website steady exposure.

You can add up to five links, so use this space wisely. It’s a good place to include your homepage, contact form, service pages, or a current promotion.

Comment backlinks

This type of backlink is often underused, but it can be surprisingly powerful when done right.

You can post a comment on your video or reply to others and include a link to something helpful, like a full blog post, a step-by-step tutorial, or a product page that relates to what the video covers.

But here’s the key.

It needs to feel natural and helpful, not pushy. If the link adds real value, viewers are more likely to click and trust it.

Community post links

Now, channels with fewer than 1,000 subscribers can also use the Community tab, making it easier for newer creators to engage audiences and share backlinks.

Why use it?

These posts can appear directly in your subscribers’ feeds, even if they haven’t watched your recent videos. That gives you an extra channel to share your content, promote events, or link to special offers.

💡 Pro Tip: Use a casual tone in community posts like you’re talking to your followers, not pitching to them. Add context with the link so people know exactly what they’ll get.

How to create effective YouTube backlinks?

Getting backlinks from YouTube is one thing. Making them work well, that’s where the real results come in. Just like with manual link building, strategy matters more than just placement.

So, how do you make every link count?

Let’s walk through four proven methods that not only help you add backlinks but also make sure people actually click them.

Optimize video descriptions

Your video description is prime real estate. It’s one of the first things people see when they check out your content, and it’s also where Google looks for context when indexing your video.

Here’s how to make the most of it:

• Add your main link in the first 2–3 lines so viewers see it without clicking “Show more.”
• Use clear calls-to-action (CTAs) like “Read the full article,” “Download the guide,” or “Visit our shop.”
• Include keywords around your links to support both SEO and viewer understanding.
• Add timestamps to break down your video into sections. This improves user experience and can boost visibility in search results with key moments.
• Use relevant keywords naturally throughout the description to help Google understand the topic and improve on-video SEO.

💡 Pro Tip: Think of your video description like a mini blog post. The more helpful and keyword-rich it is, the better it performs for both viewers and search engines.

Add links through pinned comments

Not everyone reads the video description, but many scroll through the comments.

That’s why pinning your comment with a helpful link is a smart move. You can use this to offer bonus content, link to a related article, or send viewers to your contact page.

Why it works:

Pinned comments stay at the top of the section, so they’re always visible, and they feel more like a personal recommendation than a promotion.

Try something like this:

💬 Want a full breakdown of what I covered in this video? Here’s the step-by-step guide: [yourlink.com]

Use cards and end screens strategically

YouTube cards and end screens are interactive elements you can place during or at the end of your video. 

While you can’t link directly to external sites unless you’re part of the YouTube Partner Program, you can use them to drive traffic to other videos that do contain links.

Here’s an example of using an end screen to promote another video that includes a backlink. By doing this, you create a content flow that leads viewers deeper into your funnel and drives more traffic to your site.

Here’s the trick.

Use cards to lead viewers deeper into your content funnel, maybe to a related tutorial or product demo. Then use that second video’s description or comments to include your backlink.

💡 Pro Tip: Use end screens to suggest the next step in your content journey. Example: “Watch our full walkthrough” or “Learn how to get started

Collaborate with other creators

This is one of the most powerful and often underused ways to build backlinks from YouTube.

When you collaborate with other creators, you can appear in each other’s videos, link to each other’s channels or websites, and tap into each other’s audiences.

💡 Pro Tip: Use UTM parameters on your links to track referral traffic in Google Analytics. It helps you measure how much traffic and engagement your YouTube backlinks are actually driving.

You get exposure to a new group of viewers, and you both gain backlink opportunities in descriptions, comments, and shoutouts.

Ask collaborators to link to your site in the description with a short blurb about what you offer. You can do the same for them.

Final thoughts

YouTube isn’t just a platform for videos. It’s a powerful tool for growing your online presence. 

When used the right way, YouTube backlinks can drive steady traffic, boost your brand’s visibility, and support your overall SEO strategy.

It’s about creating value, sharing useful content, and making it easy for people to find your website at just the right moment.

The best part? These strategies don’t require big budgets or technical skills, just consistency, creativity, and a focus on helping your audience.

Get in touch with us, and we’ll help you plan a backlink strategy that fits your goals and drives real results.

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