youtube-metadata

name: youtube-metadata description: Generate optimized YouTube video metadata including titles, tags, and descriptions. Use when creating or optimizing YouTube content, when asked to write video titles, generate tags, create video descriptions, or improve YouTube SEO. Handles requests like "create YouTube metadata for my video about X", "write a YouTube title and description", "generate tags for my cooking video", or "optimize my video for YouTube search".

YouTube Metadata Generator

Overview

Generate SEO-optimized YouTube metadata (titles, tags, descriptions) following platform best practices to maximize discoverability and engagement.

Metadata Components

1. Title Generation

Create compelling, searchable titles (60 characters or less recommended):

Best practices:

• Lead with main keyword/topic
• Make it compelling and click-worthy
• Include numbers when relevant ("5 Tips", "Top 10")
• Use power words (Ultimate, Complete, Essential, Proven)
• Front-load important information
• Avoid clickbait - deliver on promises

Format examples:

• How-to: "How to [Action] in [Time/Context] | [Benefit]"
• Listicle: "[Number] [Topic] That [Benefit]"
• Tutorial: "[Topic] Tutorial: [Specific Outcome]"
• Review: "[Product] Review: Is It Worth It?"

2. Tag Generation

Create 5-15 relevant tags mixing broad and specific terms:

Tag strategy:

• Start with 2-3 exact match tags (main topic)
• Add 3-5 broad category tags
• Include 3-5 long-tail specific tags
• Add branded tags if applicable
• Use YouTube autocomplete for ideas
• Mix single words and phrases

Tag types:

• Primary: Core topic (e.g., "coffee brewing")
• Secondary: Related topics (e.g., "pour over coffee", "coffee tutorial")
• Broad: Category (e.g., "coffee", "how to")
• Long-tail: Specific searches (e.g., "best coffee brewing method for beginners")

3. Description Writing

Create comprehensive descriptions (5000 character limit):

Structure:

1. Opening (first 2-3 lines, ~150 chars): Hook + value proposition. Critical - shows in search results
2. Main content: Detailed video summary, key points, timestamps
3. Calls to action: Subscribe, like, comment prompts
4. Links: Related videos, playlists, resources, social media
5. Hashtags: 3-5 relevant hashtags (first 3 show above title)
6. Boilerplate: Channel info, contact, disclaimers

Description best practices:

• Front-load important keywords in first 150 characters
• Include timestamps for key sections
• Add related keyword variations naturally
• Link to other relevant videos and playlists
• Include social media and website links
• Use line breaks for readability
• Add hashtags strategically (max 15, recommend 3-5)

Workflow

Step 1: Understand the Video

Ask about or analyze:

• Video topic and main subject
• Target audience
• Video length and format
• Key points or sections covered
• Unique angle or value proposition
• Existing channel niche/topics
• YouTube video URL (if uploading to existing video)

Step 2: Research Keywords

Consider:

• Primary keyword (main topic)
• Secondary keywords (related topics)
• Search intent (informational, tutorial, review, etc.)
• Trending terms in the niche
• Competition level for keywords

Step 3: Generate Multiple Metadata Options

Create 3-5 complete metadata sets, each containing:

• Title (under 60 characters)
• Tags (5-15 tags)
• Description (optimized with all sections)

Vary approaches across options:

• Different title formulas (how-to, listicle, direct)
• Different hook approaches
• Different keyword emphasis
• Different tone/style

Present all options clearly labeled (Option 1, Option 2, etc.) for user review.

Step 4: User Selection

Use AskUserQuestion tool to prompt user to select their preferred option:

• Present all generated options with clear labels
• Allow user to choose their favorite complete metadata set
• Option for user to request modifications or combinations

Step 5: API Upload (Optional)

If user wants to upload metadata to YouTube:

• Verify YouTube API credentials are configured
• Extract video ID from provided URL
• Use YouTube Data API v3 to update video metadata
• Confirm successful upload with user

Step 6: Optimize and Review

After selection/upload, verify:

• Title under 60 characters
• Tags are relevant and varied
• Description front-loads keywords
• Hashtags are strategic (3-5)
• All CTAs are included
• Links are correct and functional
• Metadata successfully uploaded (if API was used)

Output Format

Present metadata options in clear, copy-ready format:

=== OPTION 1: [Brief description of approach] ===

TITLE:
[60-char optimized title]

TAGS:
tag1, tag2, tag3, tag4, tag5, tag6, tag7, tag8

DESCRIPTION:
[First 150 characters - appears in search]

[Main content with timestamps]

[CTAs]

[Links]

#hashtag1 #hashtag2 #hashtag3

[Boilerplate]

---

=== OPTION 2: [Brief description of approach] ===

TITLE:
[Alternative 60-char title]

TAGS:
[Alternative tag set]

DESCRIPTION:
[Alternative description with different hook]

---

[Additional options 3-5...]

After presenting options, use AskUserQuestion to let user select their preferred option.

Advanced Considerations

For series/channel consistency:

• Maintain consistent branding in titles
• Use series-specific tags
• Cross-reference related videos
• Build playlist structure in descriptions

For algorithm optimization:

• Include key terms in all three components
• Match metadata to actual content (retention matters)
• Update older video metadata periodically
• A/B test title variations when possible

For different video types:

• Tutorials: Emphasize learning outcomes
• Reviews: Highlight verdict/verdict preview
• Vlogs: Focus on unique experience/story
• Commentary: Lead with hot take/perspective

YouTube API Integration

Setup Requirements

To enable automatic metadata upload to YouTube:

1. Enable YouTube Data API v3:

   • Go to Google Cloud Console
   • Create a new project or select existing one
   • Enable "YouTube Data API v3"
   • Create OAuth 2.0 credentials

2. Store credentials:

   • Download OAuth client credentials JSON
   • Save as scripts/client_secrets.json in the skill directory
   • First run will prompt for authorization and create token.pickle

3. Install dependencies:

   pip install google-auth google-auth-oauthlib google-auth-httplib2 google-api-python-client
   

API Usage

The skill includes scripts/upload_metadata.py which:

• Accepts video ID and metadata (title, tags, description)
• Authenticates using OAuth 2.0
• Updates video metadata via YouTube Data API v3
• Returns success/error status

Usage:

python scripts/upload_metadata.py --video-id VIDEO_ID --title "Title" --tags "tag1,tag2,tag3" --description "Description text"

Security Notes

• Never commit client_secrets.json or token.pickle to version control
• Credentials are stored locally and only used for API calls
• User must authorize access through Google OAuth flow
• API has quota limits (10,000 units/day default)

Reference Materials

For detailed platform-specific guidelines and advanced optimization strategies, see:

• references/youtube_best_practices.md - Comprehensive YouTube SEO guidelines