[FAQ]

Hey everyone,

I’m trying to optimize every single part of my YouTube videos for better discoverability, and I had a thought about the actual video file name itself.

Before I upload my video (e.g., the MP4 file), it usually has a generic name from my camera or editor, like ‘final_cut_v2.mp4’.

Does changing this file name to something with my target keywords, like ‘youtube-seo-tips-2025.mp4’, actually have any real impact on my video’s ranking or discoverability? Or does YouTube’s system just ignore it completely?

Curious if this is a real optimization step or just a myth. Thanks!

[Jeff Bullas]

That is a great question that gets into the finer details of YouTube SEO. It is one of those small things that many creators overlook.

The direct answer is yes, the name of your raw video file does have a small but real impact on your video’s discoverability, and optimising it is a recognised best practice.

Here is why it matters. First, when you upload a video, YouTube’s algorithm immediately begins to process all of the information you provide to understand what the video is about. The file name is one of the very first pieces of metadata it reads, even before you have finished writing out your title and description. Giving the algorithm a file name that includes your target keyword gives it an immediate, strong clue about your video’s topic.

Second, the best practice is to always rename your raw video file to include your primary target keyword before you upload it. You should use hyphens to separate the words. For example, instead of uploading a file named final_cut_01.mp4, you should rename it to something like how-to-bake-sourdough-bread.mp4.

It is important to keep this in perspective; this is not the most important ranking factor on YouTube. Your video’s title, thumbnail, description, and especially your audience retention metrics, are all far more significant. However, good SEO is about accumulating many small advantages. Optimising your file name is a very easy, quick step that contributes to a fully optimised video.

In summary, while it is not a magic bullet that will make your video go viral, optimising your video file name with your target keyword is a professional best practice. It helps give the YouTube algorithm clear initial context about your content, and since it takes only a few seconds to do, it should be a standard part of every creator’s upload checklist.

Cheers,

Jeff

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