This workflow transforms raw video content into SEO-optimized assets that rank on both YouTube and Google's video results. You'll use AI transcription to generate accurate captions, create optimized clips for multiple platforms, and implement structured data markup to maximize visibility in video carousels and featured snippets. By the end, you'll have a complete video SEO package: optimized main video, multiple short-form clips, keyword-rich metadata, and proper schema markup.
The process works best for educational, tutorial, or informational videos where transcript accuracy and keyword optimization provide maximum SEO value. This workflow is essential for content creators, digital marketers, and businesses looking to capture video search traffic across multiple platforms.
What You'll Need
Before starting, ensure you have your raw video file ready (preferably 5+ minutes for best results), a Descript account for transcription and editing, Opus Clip access for AI-powered clip generation, and Semrush for keyword research. You'll also need your target keyword list and basic understanding of your video's primary topics. Having your YouTube channel set up and website ready for video embedding will help with immediate implementation.
Step 1: Generate AI Transcription and Initial Edit
Time: 30-45 minutes | Tool: Descript Upload your raw video file to Descript and let the AI transcription engine process it completely. Once transcribed, review the text for accuracy, paying special attention to technical terms, brand names, and industry jargon that AI might misinterpret. Use Descript's collaborative editor to make corrections by clicking directly on words in the transcript. Next, use Descript's "Remove Filler Words" feature to automatically clean up "ums," "ahs," and repetitive phrases that hurt SEO and user experience. This feature typically removes 15-20% of unnecessary content while maintaining natural flow. Export both the cleaned video file and the corrected transcript as separate files—you'll need both for the next steps.
Step 2: Research Video Keywords and Optimize Metadata
Time: 45 minutes | Tool: Semrush Open Semrush's Keyword Magic Tool and input your video's main topic to generate a comprehensive keyword list. Focus on long-tail keywords with 3+ words that match your video content exactly. Look for keywords with decent search volume (100+ monthly searches) but lower competition scores (under 60%) for better ranking opportunities. Use Semrush's Keyword Gap analysis to compare your target keywords against top-ranking videos in your niche. Export the top 20-30 keywords that align with your content. Create your video title using the primary keyword within the first 60 characters, write a 2-3 sentence description incorporating 3-5 secondary keywords naturally, and develop 8-12 relevant tags mixing broad and specific terms. Always prioritize user intent over keyword density—your metadata should sound natural and compelling.
Step 3: Create Short-Form Clips for Multiple Platforms
Time: 45-60 minutes | Tool: Opus Clip Upload your edited video file to Opus Clip and select "Auto-generated clips" with your target platforms (YouTube Shorts, TikTok, Instagram Reels). The AI will analyze your video content and identify the most engaging 30-90 second segments based on hook strength, content completion, and audience retention patterns. Review each generated clip and use Opus Clip's editing interface to adjust start/end times, add captions, and customize aspect ratios for different platforms. Pay attention to the AI confidence score—clips scoring 80%+ typically perform best. Generate 5-8 clips from a single long-form video, ensuring each has a clear hook within the first 3 seconds and a complete thought or tip. Export all clips with platform-specific formatting and save the suggested captions for each.
Step 4: Implement Video Schema Markup
Time: 30 minutes | Tool: Manual coding or Schema Pro plugin Create structured data markup for your video content using VideoObject schema. Include essential properties: name (video title), description (optimized meta description), thumbnailUrl (high-quality thumbnail image), uploadDate, duration, and contentUrl. Add the transcript text in the "transcript" property to help search engines understand your video content better. If embedding on WordPress, use a schema plugin to add this markup automatically. For custom sites, implement the JSON-LD structured data in your page's head section. Include additional properties like "hasPart" to mark specific video segments and "mentions" to reference related entities or topics discussed. Test your implementation using Google's Rich Results Test tool to ensure proper recognition.
Step 5: Deploy and Monitor Performance
Time: 20-30 minutes | Tool: Semrush Position Tracking Upload your optimized main video to YouTube with the researched title, description, and tags. Add the corrected transcript as closed captions and select an engaging thumbnail that includes readable text. Embed the video on your website with proper schema markup and surrounding content that includes your target keywords naturally. Set up position tracking in Semrush for your target video keywords, monitoring both traditional search results and video carousel appearances. Track metrics including video views, click-through rates from search, average view duration, and ranking positions for your primary keywords. Schedule weekly check-ins to analyze performance and adjust metadata based on actual search queries driving traffic.
Common Pitfalls
- Relying on auto-generated transcripts without manual review—AI transcription errors hurt both accessibility and SEO value
- Keyword stuffing in video descriptions instead of creating natural, compelling copy that encourages clicks and engagement
- Creating clips that don't have clear hooks or complete thoughts, leading to poor retention rates across platforms
- Implementing schema markup incorrectly or forgetting to test it, which prevents videos from appearing in rich results
Expected Results
Within 2-4 weeks, expect improved visibility in video search results and YouTube suggested videos. Your main video should begin ranking for target long-tail keywords, while short-form clips drive additional traffic from social platforms. Track improvements in video carousel appearances, increased organic video views, and higher click-through rates from search results. Quality transcripts will also improve accessibility compliance and provide additional keyword context for search engines to index.