What is the danger of over-optimizing for broad keywords?

The danger of over-optimizing for broad keywords is that it can attract a less targeted audience, leading to lower watch times, reduced engagement, and decreased conversion rates. Broad keywords often have high search volume and competition, making it difficult to rank highly. Even if the video does rank, viewers searching for broad terms may not find the content relevant to their specific needs, resulting in them quickly clicking away. This low audience retention signals to the YouTube algorithm that the video is not valuable, negatively impacting its ranking and discoverability. Focusing on more specific, long-tail keywords ensures that the video reaches viewers who are genuinely interested in the topic, leading to higher engagement and better overall performance.