Discovering YouTube’s Hidden Gems: Techniques to Uncover the Most Searched Keywords
Are You Missing YouTube’s Hidden Traffic Goldmines?
Ever wondered why some channels explode with views while others barely get noticed—despite great content? The secret often lies in the keywords they're targeting. Many creators only scratch the surface, hunting for obvious popular keywords. But the real growth happens when you discover both the most searched phrases and the hidden gem keywords: low-competition, high-opportunity topics ripe for discovery.
In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn:
- How to quickly find the most searched keywords for any topic on YouTube
- Techniques and free tools to uncover “hidden gems” your competitors miss
- How to validate opportunities, avoid common mistakes, and supercharge your channel’s visibility
Follow along, and by the end, you’ll be able to find 7–15 high-value keywords (including at least 2–3 hidden gems) for your own channel—even if you’re a complete beginner.
Preparation: What You’ll Need Before You Start
Before diving in, make sure you’re set up for success. Here’s your easy-to-follow checklist:
Essential Tools & Resources
- Web Browser (Chrome or Firefox recommended)
- YouTube Account (optional, but helps personalize suggestions)
- Google Trends (trends.google.com)
- Keyword Research Browser Extensions (install at least one):
- Keyword List Template or Spreadsheet (Download this free starter template)
Optional (Reach Advanced Insights)
- Keyword Tool.io YouTube Tool
- Ahrefs or SEMrush (Paid/Pro)
- VPN/Incognito mode (for unbiased autocomplete results)
Estimated Time: 20–30 minutes (basics), 30–60 minutes (deep-dive with multiple tools)
Step-by-Step: How to Discover Most Searched & Hidden Gem YouTube Keywords
Step 1: Start with YouTube Autocomplete for Instant Trends
- Go to YouTube.com and click the search bar.
- Type a ‘seed phrase’ related to your video’s topic. (Examples: “home fitness”, “travel hacks”, “coding for beginners”)
- Note the autocomplete suggestions that appear as you type. These are based on real, high-traffic searches—often the latest trends!
- Pro Tip: Use different seed phrases and browse suggestions for each. Try both short and long-tail ideas (e.g., “meal prep” vs. “meal prep for busy students”).
- Hidden Gem Move: Add a letter or space after your seed (e.g., “meal prep a”, “meal prep b”) to expand suggestions see more manual methods here.
Time Required: 5–10 minutes
Why This Works
YouTube autocomplete reflects actual, trending viewer queries. It’s your fastest window into current demand—no special tools needed!
Step 2: Use Google Trends (Set to YouTube Search)
- Go to Google Trends and switch the search type to YouTube Search (from the default Web Search).
- Enter your seed keyword from Step 1.
- Compare multiple candidate keywords (up to five) to see which are ‘rising’ or have steady high interest over time.
- Spot “breakout” or “rising” keywords—these can be hidden gems before they explode in popularity.
Pro Tip: Look back 12 months and 90 days to spot both evergreen and emerging trends. For highly seasonal topics (like holidays), filter for “Past 5 years.”
Time Required: 5–10 minutes
Why This Matters
Validating search interest here ensures you pick keywords with real, ongoing demand—not passing fads or low-impact ideas.
Step 3: Tap Into Keyword Tools for Metrics and ‘Related Terms’
- Install and open vidIQ or TubeBuddy in your browser (create a free account if needed).
- Search your target keyword on YouTube (with the extension active).
- Examine search volume, competition score, and related keyword lists—these appear as overlays next to the search results.
- Tip: Choose keywords with High/Medium search volume but Low/Very Low competition.
- Hidden Gem Technique: Sort related keyword lists by competition/score to surface “green-light” low-competition opportunities.
- (Optional) Run your seed keyword on Keyword Tool.io’s YouTube tab for hundreds of related ideas (free version gives 10–20 suggestions per search).
Estimated Time: 8–15 minutes to scan and shortlist
Example Success Metric:
Aim to compile 7–15 potential keywords in your template, with at least 2–3 niche/low-competition ‘gems’.
Step 4: Analyze Top Competitors for Inspiration (and Gaps!)
- Search your main topic on YouTube.
- Check the top 3–5 ranking videos:
- Study their titles, descriptions, and visible tags (vidIQ/TubeBuddy extensions will show tags).
- Note keyword patterns and unusual long-tail terms—these may become your unique angle!
- Record promising new keyword ideas in your template.
Pro Tip: Look for “untouched” questions in comments or less-optimized keywords in sub-5000 view videos ranking on page one.
Step 5: Validate & Prioritize Your Keyword List
- Cross-check shortlisted keywords in Google Trends for search interest consistency.
- Use your tools to compare competition and search volume again—eliminate high-competition/low-interest phrases.
- Pick your final 7–15, starring at least a few ‘hidden gems’ (long-tail, low-competition, consistent or rising search interest).
Time Required: 5 minutes (with a good template)
Download a ready-to-use checklist & template to organize and score your keywords.
Pro Tips, Troubleshooting & Advanced Shortcuts
Pro Tips
- Use Incognito window or a VPN set to the US for more diverse autocomplete results, as YouTube tailors to location/history.
- Expand ideas by mining Q&A sites (Reddit, Quora), or scanning YouTube comments for repeated, unanswered questions.
- Regularly update your keyword shortlist as trends shift—schedule a monthly research session.
Warnings & Common Pitfalls
- Don’t chase only the highest-volume keywords: Ultra-broad terms are harder to rank for unless your channel is large.
- Free tools = limited data: Don’t be discouraged if search volumes are missing—rely on pattern spotting (trends, competition color codes, etc.).
Troubleshooting & FAQ
Q: Stuck behind a paywall or missing data on vidIQ/TubeBuddy?
A: Use both tools in tandem (their caps differ), and supplement with Google Trends for trend validation.
Q: Getting conflicting data from different tools?
A: Trust trends over absolute numbers. Always cross-reference, and weight keywords that surface in all tools.
Q: “Autocomplete isn’t showing much”—why?
A: Try incognito mode, clear cookies, switch device/location, or experiment with spelling/spacing.
Q: No time to dig deep—how to get quick wins?
A: Autocomplete + Google Trends + competitor video tags (plus a spreadsheet) is the fastest basic workflow.
For a deeper troubleshooting reference, see this expert guide.
Wrap-Up: Unlock Your YouTube Growth With Pro-Level Keyword Research
You now have a proven roadmap to:
- Uncover trending, high-search keywords using just autocomplete and Google Trends
- Find lesser-known “hidden gems” with low competition
- Validate, shortlist, and repeat this workflow for every video idea or niche
Key Takeaway: Even with free tools and just 30 minutes, you can uncover 7–15 actionable keywords—including at least 2–3 high-ceiling hidden gems—every single session.
What’s Next?
- Download the free keyword checklist/template
- Try this workflow for your next 3 video topics—watch for keyword-driven performance spikes!
- Ready to level up? Explore pro tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush (see practical guide)
Don’t just upload—upload smart. Your audience (and your analytics) will thank you!
