The SEO Formula That Tripled My YouTube, TikTok & Instagram Shorts Views

1. Introduction

In today’s creator economy, titles are your first impression. No matter how good your video is, if your title doesn’t trigger the platform algorithm, it won’t get pushed to new audiences.

That’s why short-form video SEO is no longer optional. This guide shows you how to research high-performing keywords, write platform-specific titles, and automate the entire process using AI.

2. Why Short-Form Video SEO Is Different

Short-form video titles have seconds to capture attention and signal relevance to the algorithm. Unlike long-form SEO, you must:

• Be concise (under 55 characters for TikTok and Instagram)

• Combine keywords with emotion or urgency

• Match the platform’s tone

3. The 3 SEO Secrets to Short-Form Viral Growth

1. Keyword Triangulation

Don’t rely on just one keyword. Instead, mix:

• A primary keyword (your core topic)

• A secondary keyword (context)

• A trending phrase (current buzz)

This combo improves algorithm compatibility and search discoverability.

2. Platform-Specific Trigger Words

Each platform rewards different styles:

• YouTube favors benefits (e.g., “How to fix…”)

• TikTok thrives on action verbs (e.g., “Watch me…”)

• Instagram boosts emotional titles (e.g., “This broke my heart…”)

3. Competitive Pattern Recognition

Study your niche’s top shorts. Look for:

• Title formats that repeat

• Keywords that appear often

• Common emotional triggers

Reverse-engineer these patterns and apply your own voice.

4. Tool Stack: VidIQ + Custom GPT

To streamline this process, use:

• VidIQ (Free tier is powerful enough)

  • Keyword score

  • Related/matching terms

• Custom GPT

  • Automates title generation

  • Includes platform-specific tone and character limits

5. Step-by-Step: How to Write Viral Titles

Let’s walk through the entire system.

Step 1: Research Keywords in VidIQ

• Search your topic: e.g., “Hixfield AI”

• Note the keyword score (above 60 is great)

• Export matching terms like:

  • “Real Magic”

  • “Hixfield AI Diffuse”

  • “Create movie shots from photos”

Step 2: Feed Keywords to GPT

Use a prompt like:

“Create SEO-optimized titles and captions for TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels based on these keywords.”

Your GPT should generate:

• YouTube Title: “Hixfield AI – The Game-Changing Tool for Creators in 2025”

• Instagram Caption: “I just changed content creation forever 📸✨”

• TikTok Hook: “This AI turns your selfie into a movie scene 🎬”

6. Bonus: Automate SEO with Transcripts

Want even better optimization?

1. Use Nota or any transcription tool

2. Upload your video

3. Export the transcript with timestamps

4. Upload transcript into GPT

5. Prompt:

“Use this video transcript to refine SEO titles and captions for each platform.”

This increases title relevance, prevents clickbait, and improves viewer retention.

7. How to Build Your Own Custom GPT (Quick Guide)

1. Visit ChatGPT → “Explore GPTs” → “Create”

2. Add these instructions:

   • Role: SEO title generator for short-form content

   • Input: Keywords, platform, transcript

   • Output: Titles, captions, hashtags

   • Format: Character-specific, tone-matched for platform

3. Upload a knowledge base with:

   • Instagram title limits

   • YouTube tag best practices

   • TikTok caption formulas

4. Save and reuse this GPT for every short you create.

8. Recap and Final Tips

To triple your short-form video views, you need to:

• Combine strategic keywords

• Use platform-specific phrasing

• Study and replicate proven title formats

• Automate your workflow with GPT + tools

This process turns what used to take hours into a 10-minute task. Your titles will work harder for you, and the algorithm will reward that.

FAQs

Q1: Is VidIQ free to use?
Yes, the free version offers basic keyword research, which is enough for this method.

Q2: Can I use ChatGPT without custom GPTs?
Yes, but building a custom GPT automates everything and saves time long-term.

Q3: How short should TikTok titles be?
Aim for under 55 characters. Hook quickly and leave curiosity.

Q4: What’s the best CTA for short-form videos?
“Watch till the end,” “This will blow your mind,” or platform-specific emotional lines work best.

Q5: Can I reuse the same title on all platforms?
Not recommended. Each algorithm favors different styles and structures.