youtube-copy

YouTube Copy

Write the four pieces of YouTube metadata that drive clicks and rank: title, description, tags, chapters. Ground everything in the provided source (transcript / topic) — never invent claims the source doesn't support. For chapters you need a timestamped source (SRT or words.json); without timestamps, ask for them or skip chapters.

Output format

Write youtube.md (or print the same structure) exactly like this:

# YouTube

**Title**

<title>

**Description**

<description>

**Tags**

#tag1 #tag2 #tag3 ...

**Chapters**

00:00 - <chapter>
01:15 - <chapter>
...

(When /produce-video calls this skill, write youtube.md into the output folder.)

Writing rule (non-negotiable)

Never use em-dashes (— or –). Use a hyphen - instead. This applies to the title, description, chapter separators, everything.

Title (the single highest-leverage element)

• 60-70 characters (hard max 100; anything past ~70 truncates on most surfaces).
• Primary keyword near the front so YouTube and viewers see the topic immediately.
• Do all three: spark curiosity/emotion (surprise, urgency, FOMO, benefit), include the keyword, and set honest expectations (a title that oversells tanks watch-time and is clickbait — avoid it).
• Use a number when natural (numbers attract the eye) and emotive/power words ("actually", "finally", "stop", "the right way", "type-safe", "without").
• Use the audience's real lingo, not generic phrasing.
• Optional: 1-2 relevant hashtags only if they add discovery; usually skip in the title.
• Avoid: misleading bait, ALL CAPS spam, profanity, >70 chars.
• Useful formula starters (pick what fits, don't force): "How to X (without Y)", "The X that Y", "Stop doing X - do this instead", "X explained in N minutes", "I tried X so you don't have to", "N ways to X".

Description

Structure, front-loaded (the first ~100-160 chars show above the fold / in search):

1. Hook (first 1-2 sentences) containing the primary keyword — answer "what is this and why watch it?". Promise the outcome.
2. A short paragraph (2-4 sentences) expanding what the viewer learns.
3. Chapters/timestamps (see below) for videos > ~10 min (or whenever there are clear sections).
4. Optional links/CTA (main link, "watch next", subscribe) - only if the user provided them; don't fabricate URLs.
5. 2-3 relevant hashtags at the very end.

• Length: tight and useful, roughly 150-300 words / under ~1000 characters. Write for humans; weave related keywords naturally, never keyword-stuff.

Tags

• 5-15 tags, comma/space free per tag (no spaces inside a multi-word tag is not required, but keep them clean).
• Primary keyword/phrase first, then a mix of broad (e.g. react, webdev) and specific (e.g. react router loader data, unstable_useRouteLoaderData).
• Quality over quantity; all tags must genuinely describe the content. No unrelated/spam tags, no competitor names.
• Output them prefixed with # in youtube.md for readability (they're entered without # in YouTube's tag box).

Chapters (need a timestamped source)

YouTube's hard rules: first chapter must be 00:00, at least 3 chapters in ascending order, each chapter >= 10 seconds long.

• First chapter (00:00) answers "why did they click?" - name it the payoff/topic (e.g. "Type-safe loader data", "The final result"), NOT "Intro".
• Titles: 3-8 words, one clear noun phrase (mobile crops long ones). Replace useless labels ("Intro", "Demo", "Conclusion", "Q&A") with the actual topic of that section.
• Frequency: roughly every 2-4 minutes for tutorials, 5-10 minutes for long-form; aim for 5-15 chapters total, never > ~20.
• Derive each MM:SS start from the timestamped source (the moment that section actually begins). Use MM:SS (or H:MM:SS past an hour). Separator is - (a hyphen), never an em-dash.

Process

1. Read the source. If it's an SRT/words.json, use the timestamps for chapters; if it's plain text or a topic, write title/description/tags and note that chapters need a timestamped source.
2. Identify the primary keyword/topic (what someone would search) and the payoff (why they'd click).
3. Draft 2-3 title options, pick the strongest against the rules above, then write description, tags, chapters.
4. Self-check: title <= 70 chars and keyword-forward; description hook has the keyword in the first sentence; tags 5-15 and relevant; chapters start at 00:00, ascending, >=3, descriptive; no em-dashes anywhere.

References

• vidIQ - YouTube titles (11 formulas)
• vidIQ - YouTube descriptions
• YouTube Help - Video chapters