YouTube Metadata Generator
Generate complete, high-performing YouTube video metadata optimized for maximum CTR, watch time, and algorithmic performance. Supports niche-specific optimization for general content, sermon/theological teaching, real estate education, and finance content.
Overview
This skill transforms video transcripts, topics, or concepts into complete YouTube-ready metadata packages including optimized titles, descriptions, thumbnail prompts, tags, and content strategy notes. The output is structured for both human consumption and automated post-processing.
Niche Routing
The skill adapts its approach based on the --niche flag:
| Niche | Hook Patterns | Description Structure | Tags Priority | References Loaded |
|---|
general | All 8 hook types, CTR-optimized | Standard template with timestamps | Brand → Primary → Secondary → Longtail → Broad | Core patterns only |
sermon | 5 sermon-specific patterns, theological accuracy first | DEEPER DIVE, scripture references, Greek/Hebrew | Scripture reference → Theological terms → Teaching style | sermon-guardrails.md |
real-estate | Transaction/education-focused, credibility hooks | Timestamps, deal calculators, regulatory disclaimers | Market-specific, license compliance | real-estate-patterns.md (when available) |
finance | Data-driven, authority hooks, contrarian plays | Disclaimers, data sources, tool links | Compliance-aware, investing terms | finance-patterns.md (when available) |
Default: general if no --niche flag provided.
Configuration
This skill integrates with post-processing scripts located in the plugin library:
# Format output as JSON for programmatic use
python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/format_youtube_json.py --skill metadata --format json < output.md
# Format as clean markdown
python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/format_youtube_json.py --skill metadata --format md < output.md
# Generate both formats
python3 ${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}/lib/format_youtube_json.py --skill metadata --format both < output.md
Core Workflow
Step 1: Analyze Input
Extract and identify:
- Content type: Longform (8+ min), midform (3-8 min), shortform (<3 min)
- Primary topic/concept: Core subject matter and key themes
- Target audience: Demographics, expertise level, pain points
- Niche context: Apply niche-specific routing if
--niche flag present
- Key takeaways: Main value propositions and benefits
- Unique angles: Contrarian views, data insights, personal experiences
Step 2: Generate Titles
Create 3-5 title variations optimized for different psychological triggers.
Length Guidelines:
- Longform: 50-70 characters ideal
- Shortform: 40-60 characters
- Hard cap: 100 characters (YouTube truncates)
- Front-load hook in first 40 characters (mobile preview)
For each title variation provide:
- Text: The actual title
- Hook Type: Classification of psychological trigger
- CTR Prediction: Expected click-through rate range
- Strategy: 1-2 sentence explanation of why this works
Step 3: Generate Description
Create a complete video description following niche-appropriate template.
Core Description Elements:
- Hook paragraph (first 157 characters critical for search preview)
- Value proposition (what viewer gains)
- Timestamps (required for videos >8 minutes)
- Expanded content sections (keyword-optimized)
- Resources/links (tools, references, related content)
- Audience targeting (WHO THIS IS FOR / ISN'T FOR)
- Connect section (social links if provided)
- Channel description (2 sentences max)
- Hashtags (max 3, highly specific)
- Legal disclaimers (if applicable to niche)
SEO Guidelines:
- Primary keyword: 3-5 natural mentions
- Secondary keywords: 2-3 mentions
- First 157 characters: Primary keyword + compelling hook
- Length: 200-350 words ideal
- Most important link first (drives 60%+ of clicks)
Step 4: Generate Thumbnail Prompts
Create 3 distinct thumbnail concepts, each fully specified for text-to-image generation.
Each concept must include:
- Visual Setup: Complete composition description (subject, background, lighting, camera angle)
- Text Overlay: Exact wording (3-5 words max), font style, color, position, sizing
- Color Palette: 2-3 dominant colors with hex codes and purpose
- Emotion: Facial expression, body language, overall tone
- LLM Prompt: Complete, ready-to-use text-to-image prompt for MidJourney, DALL-E, Stable Diffusion, etc.
Thumbnail Psychology:
- Thumbnail and title create synergy without redundancy
- Text must be mobile-readable at 320px width
- High contrast for legibility (white text + dark outline or vice versa)
- Text 50%+ larger than seems necessary
- One clear focal point
Step 5: Generate Tags
Produce 15-20 tags in strict priority order.
Tag Categories (most specific → least specific):
- Brand tags (1-2): Channel name, creator variations
- Primary keywords (3-5): Exact video topic
- Secondary keywords (5-8): Related concepts
- Longtail phrases (4-6): Specific search queries
- Broad category (1-2): Genre tags
Tag Guidelines:
- YouTube weighs first tags more heavily
- Include both formal and conversational phrasings
- Balance specificity with search volume
- Avoid tag stuffing or keyword repetition
Step 6: Content Strategy Notes
Provide strategic context for the metadata:
- Primary Keyword: Main search term target
- Search Volume: Estimated monthly searches
- Competition Level: Low/Medium/High with reasoning
- Target Audience: Specific demographic and psychographic profile
- Algorithmic Strategy: Primary traffic source (search/suggested/browse)
- Expected Performance: CTR and watch time predictions with rationale
Title Generation
8 Core Hook Types
-
Curiosity Gap: Creates information void that demands filling
- "The [X] Nobody Talks About"
- "What Happens When You [Action]..."
- "Why [Authority Figure] Never Mentions [X]"
-
Transformation: Before/after state with timeframe
- "From [Bad State] to [Good State] in [Timeframe]"
- "How I [Achievement] Without [Common Method]"
- "The [X] That Changed Everything"
-
Contrarian: Challenges conventional wisdom
- "Why [Common Belief] is Wrong"
- "Stop Doing [X] (Do This Instead)"
- "[Popular Thing] is Overrated—Here's Why"
-
Urgency: Time-sensitive action or opportunity
- "Before It's Too Late: [X]"
- "The [X] Ending Soon"
- "Do This NOW Before [Consequence]"
-
Listicle: Specific odd numbers perform best (3, 5, 7, 11)
- "7 [Things] That Actually Work"
- "5 [Mistakes] Costing You [Consequence]"
- "3 [Secrets] [Authority] Won't Tell You"
-
Question: Engages curiosity, promises answer
- "Can You [Achieve X]?"
- "Is [X] Worth It in 2026?"
- "What If [Hypothetical Scenario]?"
-
Personal Journey: First-person extreme experiment
- "I [Did Extreme Thing] So You Don't Have To"
- "What I Learned [Doing X] for [Timeframe]"
- "My [X] Journey: The Truth"
-
Controversy: Unpopular opinion with justification
- "[Unpopular Opinion] and Here's Why"
- "The Truth About [X] (No One Wants to Hear This)"
- "Why I Disagree with [Popular Creator/Idea]"
Title Structure Formula
[Hook/Benefit] + [Specificity] + [Optional: Parenthetical Context]
Examples:
- "This Mortgage Trick Saved Me $127K (And Your Lender Hates It)"
- "I Analyzed 10,000 Real Estate Deals—Here's What Actually Works"
- "The Hidden FHA Clause No One Tells You About"
Title Rules
- Maximum 100 characters (hard limit before truncation)
- Front-load the hook in first 40 characters (mobile preview)
- Generate 3-5 variations with different hook types
- Balance curiosity with clarity (no misleading clickbait)
- Naturally integrate primary keyword in first 60 characters
- Never overpromise or misrepresent content
Sermon Niche: Title Patterns
When --niche sermon is specified, prioritize these theological content patterns:
1. Scripture + Promise/Benefit
- "Philippians 1:6 - God WILL Complete His Work in You"
- "Romans 8:28 Explained: How God Works All Things for Good"
- "[Book Chapter:Verse] - [Key Promise/Truth]"
2. Question + Scripture Reference
- "What Does It Mean to 'Abide in Christ'? | John 15:1-8"
- "Can You Lose Your Salvation? | Hebrews 6:4-6 Examined"
- "[Theological Question] | [Scripture Reference]"
3. Theological Concept + Application
- "Understanding Grace: Why You Can't Earn God's Favor"
- "The Doctrine of Election Made Simple (And Why It Matters)"
- "[Doctrine/Concept]: [Practical Implication]"
4. Controversy/Correction
- "Why Modern 'Love' Isn't Biblical Love | 1 Corinthians 13"
- "The Verse Everyone Misquotes About Judging"
- "[Correcting Misconception] | [Scripture Support]"
5. Pastoral/Personal
- "What Paul's Prison Prayer Teaches Us About Partnership"
- "This Ancient Prayer Will Transform Your Relationships"
- "[Personal/Pastoral Angle] + [Scriptural Foundation]"
Sermon Title Guidelines
- Include scripture reference when it's the primary focus
- Front-load hook in first 40 characters
- Keep under 70 characters total
- Balance theological accuracy with curiosity
- Never sensationalize or misrepresent doctrine
- Use "explained," "revealed," "teaches," "means" for educational framing
- Theological accuracy trumps CTR optimization
CRITICAL: Load references/sermon-guardrails.md when --niche sermon to ensure theological integrity.
Description Generation
Standard Description Template
[Hook Paragraph - 2-3 sentences expanding title promise]
[Value Proposition - What viewer will learn/gain]
📍 TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Intro: [Specific topic]
1:23 - [Major Point 1]
4:56 - [Major Point 2]
8:12 - [Major Point 3]
12:34 - Key Takeaway
[Detailed Section 1 - Expand on major points with keywords]
[Detailed Section 2]
🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED
- [Tool/Resource 1]: [link]
- [Tool/Resource 2]: [link]
---
🎯 WHO THIS IS FOR:
[Describe ideal viewer in specific terms]
⚠️ WHO THIS ISN'T FOR:
[Set expectations to reduce bounce rate]
---
📱 CONNECT WITH ME:
[Social links if provided]
---
ABOUT THIS CHANNEL:
[Channel positioning - 2 sentences max]
---
#hashtag1 #hashtag2 #hashtag3 (Max 3, highly specific)
[Legal disclaimers if applicable]
Description Writing Rules
- First 157 characters: Include primary keyword + compelling hook (search preview)
- Timestamps: Required for videos >8 minutes (increases watch time)
- Keyword density: Primary keyword 3-5 natural mentions, secondary 2-3 mentions
- Links strategy: Most important link first (drives 60%+ of clicks)
- Length: 200-350 words ideal (longer acceptable if not fluff)
- WHO sections: Set clear expectations to reduce early exits
Sermon Niche: Description Structure
When --niche sermon is specified, adapt description template:
[Opening Hook - 2-3 sentences with pastoral warmth]
[Core Teaching Summary - Theological value]
📍 TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Introduction/Opening Prayer
[X:XX] - Scripture Reading: [Passage]
[X:XX] - [Main Point 1 - Theological Concept]
[X:XX] - [Main Point 2 - Application]
[X:XX] - [Main Point 3 - Deeper Dive]
[X:XX] - Closing Prayer/Benediction
**DEEPER DIVE INTO [PASSAGE/TOPIC]:**
[2-4 paragraphs expanding theological points, Greek/Hebrew insights, historical context, doctrinal implications - keyword optimized]
**Key Theological Terms Explained:**
- [Term 1]: [Brief definition]
- [Term 2]: [Brief definition]
---
🎯 **WHO THIS IS FOR:**
[Spiritual maturity level, denominational openness, study context]
⚠️ **WHO THIS ISN'T FOR:**
[Depth level, theological perspective, time commitment]
---
📖 **SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:**
[List all biblical passages mentioned or alluded to]
---
📱 **CONNECT:**
[Pastor's social media, church website]
---
**ABOUT [CHANNEL NAME]:**
[2 sentences on teaching philosophy and theological perspective]
---
#[PrimaryScripture] #[Topic] #[TeachingStyle]
[Theological disclaimer if needed]
Sermon Description Guidelines
- First 157 characters: Scripture reference + hook
- Natural keyword integration: scripture, theological terms, denominational markers
- Timestamps required for sermons >10 minutes
- Include Greek/Hebrew word insights for SEO
- List all scripture cross-references
- Set clear theological perspective (Reformed, Arminian, etc.)
- DEEPER DIVE section = keyword-rich theological expansion
Thumbnail Prompt Generation
Generate 3 distinct thumbnail concepts. Each concept must be fully specified for text-to-image LLM generation.
Thumbnail Concept Structure
Concept 1: [Descriptive Name]
- Visual Setup: [Complete composition—subject, pose, background, lighting, camera angle, props]
- Text Overlay: "[Exact 3-5 words]" - [Font style, color with hex, stroke/outline, size, position]
- Color Palette: [Color 1 #HEXCODE - purpose], [Color 2 #HEXCODE - purpose], [Color 3 #HEXCODE - purpose]
- Emotion: [Facial expression, body language, overall tone/feeling]
- LLM Prompt: "[Complete text-to-image prompt ready for MidJourney/DALL-E/Stable Diffusion, 40-80 words, includes all visual elements, style, lighting, composition, text overlay specs]"
Example Thumbnail Concept
Concept 1: Shocked Discovery
- Visual Setup: Close-up of person at desk, mouth open in genuine surprise, eyes wide, pointing at laptop screen showing document, home office background slightly blurred, soft natural lighting from window left side, 3/4 angle view
- Text Overlay: "WAIT, WHAT?!" - Bold sans-serif font, white color #FFFFFF, thick black stroke #000000 3px, 80pt size, positioned top-right corner
- Color Palette: Warm skin tones #D4A574, vibrant red accent #FF3333 (for urgency), white text #FFFFFF (for contrast)
- Emotion: Genuine shock and concern, eyebrows raised, leaning forward slightly, finger pointing emphatically at screen
- LLM Prompt: "Photorealistic close-up of a surprised professional at a home office desk, mouth open in shock, eyes wide, pointing at a laptop screen displaying a financial document. 3/4 angle view with soft natural window lighting from the left. Slightly blurred modern home office background. Text overlay in top-right corner: 'WAIT, WHAT?!' in bold white sans-serif font with thick black outline. Warm professional lighting, high detail facial expression, modern casual business attire. 16:9 YouTube thumbnail format. --ar 16:9 --style photorealistic --v 6"
Thumbnail Design Rules
- Mobile-first: Must be legible at 320px width
- Text sizing: 50%+ larger than seems necessary
- High contrast: White text + dark outline OR dark text + light outline
- One focal point: Viewer's eye should know where to look immediately
- Synergy not redundancy: Thumbnail + title work together, don't repeat verbatim
- Emotion authenticity: Genuine expressions > forced reactions
- Color psychology: Match emotional tone of content
Niche-Specific Thumbnail Guidance
Sermon Thumbnails (--niche sermon):
- Reverent color palettes: Deep blues, burgundy, gold, earth tones
- Pastor's face shows genuine engagement, not exaggerated emotion
- Scripture reference small but visible in corner
- Avoid overly "salesy" or sensational aesthetics
- Open Bible or symbolic imagery appropriate for theological tone
- Text overlays use questions or key promises, never sensationalism
Real Estate Thumbnails (--niche real-estate):
- Property imagery or transaction visuals
- Professional credibility signals (charts, calculators, professional attire)
- Text overlays emphasize numbers, savings, or contrarian insights
- Clean, trustworthy aesthetic
Finance Thumbnails (--niche finance):
- Data visualizations, charts, or authority signals
- Text overlays highlight specific numbers or contrarian claims
- Professional color schemes, avoid "get rich quick" aesthetics
Tag Strategy
Generate 15-20 tags in strict priority order (YouTube weighs first tags more heavily).
Tag Progression Formula
- Brand (1-2 tags): Channel name, creator name
- Primary (3-5 tags): Exact video topic, main keyword variations
- Secondary (5-8 tags): Related concepts, supporting keywords
- Longtail (4-6 tags): Specific multi-word queries
- Broad (1-2 tags): Genre/category tags
Example Tag Progression
Video: "FHA Loan Hidden Costs Explained"
FHA loan hidden costs (primary exact match)
FHA mortgage fees 2025 (primary with date)
first time home buyer FHA (primary audience)
FHA vs conventional loan costs (comparison query)
mortgage insurance FHA explained (specific component)
real estate investing FHA (related concept)
how to buy a house with FHA (longtail query)
FHA loan requirements (related search)
FHA loan (shorter variant)
home buying tips (broader category)
real estate education (genre)
[channel name] (brand)
Tag Guidelines
- Most specific → least specific order
- Include "how to," "explained," "guide" variants
- Use both singular and plural forms where natural
- Avoid exact duplicates or keyword stuffing
- Include misspellings ONLY if very common
- Match language to target audience
Sermon Niche: Tag Strategy
When --niche sermon is specified, use this tag priority:
- Exact scripture reference:
Philippians 1:3-11
- Scripture + "explained":
Philippians 1 explained
- Theological terms:
koinonia partnership, agape love
- Channel/pastor name:
[Pastor Name], [Church Name]
- Teaching style:
expository preaching, verse by verse
- Broader scripture category:
Philippians sermon, Paul's letters
- Theological tradition:
Reformed theology, Pentecostal preaching (if applicable)
- Practical application:
Christian prayer life, biblical fellowship
- Denominational:
Baptist preaching (if channel clearly aligned)
- General:
Bible study, Christian teaching, sermon
Sermon Tag Guidelines
- Scripture reference first (exact book/chapter/verse)
- Include Greek/Hebrew transliterations if mentioned:
koinonia, agape, epignosis
- Both formal and conversational phrasings
- Denomination markers if channel clearly aligned
- "explained," "commentary," "sermon," "expository" variants
- Cross-reference related passages if mentioned
Content Strategy Notes
For every metadata package, provide strategic context:
Primary Keyword
The single most important search term this video targets. Should appear naturally in title, first 157 characters of description, and top 3 tags.
Search Volume
Estimated monthly searches for primary keyword. Use qualitative assessment (High/Medium/Low) with reasoning if exact data unavailable.
Competition Level
Assess saturation for this topic:
- Low: Few quality videos, opportunity to rank quickly
- Medium: Established content exists, differentiation required
- High: Saturated market, need unique angle or authority
Target Audience
Specific demographic and psychographic profile:
- Demographics: Age range, location, gender if relevant
- Expertise level: Beginner, intermediate, advanced
- Pain points: What problem does this solve?
- Goals: What outcome do they seek?
Algorithmic Strategy
Primary expected traffic source:
- Search: Optimized for keyword discovery
- Suggested: Designed to appear in related video sidebar
- Browse: Optimized for subscription feed and home page
- Hybrid: Multiple traffic sources expected
Expected Performance
Predicted CTR and watch time ranges with reasoning:
- CTR prediction: X-Y% based on [hook strength, thumbnail concept, niche benchmarks]
- Watch time prediction: X-Y% based on [content structure, pacing, value delivery timing]
Structured Output Format
CRITICAL: Output must follow this exact section structure for post-processing scripts.
## TITLES
### Title 1: [Descriptive Name]
**Text**: [Actual title, max 100 characters]
**Hook Type**: [One of 8 core hook types]
**CTR Prediction**: [X-Y%]
**Strategy**: [1-2 sentences explaining psychological trigger and why this works]
### Title 2: [Descriptive Name]
**Text**: [Actual title]
**Hook Type**: [Hook type]
**CTR Prediction**: [X-Y%]
**Strategy**: [Explanation]
### Title 3: [Descriptive Name]
**Text**: [Actual title]
**Hook Type**: [Hook type]
**CTR Prediction**: [X-Y%]
**Strategy**: [Explanation]
[Optional: Title 4 and Title 5 if requested]
---
## DESCRIPTION
[Full formatted description following niche-appropriate template]
---
## THUMBNAIL PROMPTS
### Concept 1: [Descriptive Name]
**Visual Setup**: [Complete composition description]
**Text Overlay**: [Exact wording with specs]
**Color Palette**: [Colors with hex codes and purposes]
**Emotion**: [Expression and tone]
**LLM Prompt**: [Complete text-to-image prompt, 40-80 words]
### Concept 2: [Descriptive Name]
**Visual Setup**: [Composition]
**Text Overlay**: [Text specs]
**Color Palette**: [Colors]
**Emotion**: [Expression]
**LLM Prompt**: [Text-to-image prompt]
### Concept 3: [Descriptive Name]
**Visual Setup**: [Composition]
**Text Overlay**: [Text specs]
**Color Palette**: [Colors]
**Emotion**: [Expression]
**LLM Prompt**: [Text-to-image prompt]
---
## TAGS
1. [Primary exact match]
2. [Primary variation]
3. [Primary with modifier]
4. [Secondary keyword 1]
5. [Secondary keyword 2]
6. [Related concept 1]
7. [Related concept 2]
8. [Longtail query 1]
9. [Longtail query 2]
10. [Longtail query 3]
11. [Broader category 1]
12. [Broader category 2]
13. [Brand/channel name]
14. [Genre tag]
15. [Additional relevant tag]
[16-20 if more tags generated]
---
## CONTENT STRATEGY
**Primary Keyword**: [Main search term target]
**Search Volume**: [Estimated monthly searches or High/Medium/Low with reasoning]
**Competition Level**: [Low/Medium/High with explanation]
**Target Audience**: [Detailed demographic and psychographic profile]
**Algorithmic Strategy**: [Search/Suggested/Browse/Hybrid with reasoning]
**Expected Performance**: [CTR and watch time predictions with rationale]
Post-processing scripts parse these exact section headers (## TITLES, ## DESCRIPTION, ## THUMBNAIL PROMPTS, ## TAGS, ## CONTENT STRATEGY) to extract structured data for JSON export or reformatting.
Content Type Optimization
Longform (8+ minutes)
- Title: Build intrigue for extended watch time investment
- Description: Full timestamps required, detailed resource section
- Timestamps: Break into 3-5 major sections with clear titles
- Hook: First 30 seconds must justify time investment
- Thumbnail: Can afford more complex visual storytelling
- Tags: More longtail opportunities, depth signals
Midform (3-8 minutes)
- Title: Balance intrigue with immediate value
- Description: Timestamps helpful but not critical
- Hook: First 15 seconds critical
- Thumbnail: Clear focal point, moderate text
- Tags: Mix of specific and broad
Shortform (<3 minutes, including Shorts)
- Title: Immediate value statement, minimal mystery
- Description: Condensed format, 100-150 words max
- Hook: First 2 seconds make-or-break
- Thumbnail: Ultra-simple, one clear focal point, large text
- Tags: Broader terms, format-specific tags
Quality Checklist
Before finalizing metadata, verify:
Common Pitfalls
All Niches
- Clickbait without payoff: High CTR, terrible retention = algorithmic punishment
- Keyword stuffing: Unnatural language hurts more than helps
- Thumbnail text redundancy: Don't repeat title word-for-word on thumbnail
- Generic titles: "How to Buy a House" < "The $47 Mistake That Cost Me My Dream Home"
- Overpromising: Attracts wrong audience if content doesn't deliver
- Ignoring mobile: 70%+ views are mobile—test thumbnail legibility at 320px
- Missing timestamps: Reduces watch time and search ranking for longform
- Weak first 157 characters: Description preview critical for search CTR
- Incomplete LLM prompts: Thumbnail concepts must have ready-to-use text-to-image prompts
Sermon Niche (--niche sermon)
- Over-sensationalizing: "THIS VERSE WILL SHOCK YOU" undermines pastoral authority
- Theological clickbait: Promising definitive answers to debated doctrines
- Ignoring denominational context: Calvinist sermon needs clear signaling
- Weak timestamps: "Main Point 1" vs "Why Love Requires Discernment (1:9)"
- Missing scripture cross-references: SEO gold for Bible studies
- Neglecting series context: Standalone titles for middle-of-series videos
- Overusing pastor's name: Unless well-known, lead with content
- Ignoring evergreen value: Scripture content has long shelf life
Real Estate/Finance Niches
- Missing disclaimers: Regulatory/legal risk
- Unverified claims: "guaranteed returns" or absolute statements
- Ignoring credibility signals: License numbers, credentials, experience
- Overly aggressive hooks: "Get rich quick" aesthetics hurt trust