Interviewing Huma Naseer

Welcome to a new WTSInterview edition, where we interview brilliant SEOs in our industry and share their stories with the world! WTS members are welcome to share their story by simply filling out this form; we encourage folks from all walks of life in our industry to do so.

Introducing Huma Naseer! Huma is a YouTube SEO strategist, content creation trainer, and channel growth expert managing several international kids’ content and channels under Yoola MCN, and the Like Nastya brand. She blends creativity with data to help creators and brands grow faster through smart YouTube SEO, audience retention strategy, and multilingual optimization. Alongside her client work, Huma teaches YouTube content creation and mentors aspiring freelancers, empowering them to turn their passion for video into thriving digital careers.

How did you get into SEO?

My SEO journey started with the basics on-page optimization and link building. I was fascinated by how structure, content, and links could work together to make a website visible to the world. Over time, that curiosity expanded into content strategy and user behavior. When I started managing YouTube channels, I realized the same SEO principles applied there too.....just in a more visual and dynamic way. Understanding how algorithms and audiences interact became my obsession. That’s how I shifted from traditional SEO to mastering YouTube SEO — combining analytical thinking with creative storytelling to help content truly reach its audience, and that’s how I discovered my true passion.

What is your favourite SEO task?

What I love most about SEO is helping content reach the audience it truly deserves. Especially on YouTube, I understand how much heart creators pour into their videos...every frame, every story, every emotion matters. So, when I optimize their content, I see it as much more than fixing titles or descriptions, it’s about unlocking the full potential of their work. From improving thumbnails and watch time to analyzing audience retention and playlist structure — every detail plays a role in how a story travels across YouTube. I enjoy finding that perfect balance where creativity meets strategy. When I see a video finally take off and touch people, it feels like being part of something magical.....where storytelling, psychology, and analytics all come together perfectly.

What is your go-to tool or resource that you can't live without?

For YouTube, I rely heavily on TubeBuddy, VidIQ, and Google Trends but honestly, YouTube Analytics itself is the goldmine. It tells you everything you need if you know how to read the signals, from audience retention drops to traffic source shifts. Lately, I’ve also been experimenting with AI-assisted keyword clustering and thumbnail testing, which is changing how I approach video SEO.

What is something you learned in SEO that made you have an 'AHA' moment?

My biggest “AHA” moment came when I realized that SEO especially on YouTube isn’t just about algorithms it’s about human behavior. I remember spending hours trying to figure out why some amazing videos weren’t performing well, even though they had strong keywords and perfect tags. Then it clicked, it wasn’t the algorithm’s fault it was the audience’s journey I had to understand.

That’s when I started diving deeper into analytics, retention graphs, click-through rates, audience patterns and suddenly, SEO became less about chasing rankings and more about crafting experiences. I learned that a small tweak, changing the opening five seconds of a video, rephrasing a title for curiosity, or designing a thumbnail that speaks emotion could completely shift how viewers respond.

That realization changed everything for me. SEO wasn’t a checklist anymore — it became a bridge between a creator’s story and the audience who needed to hear it. In a world where AI can optimize data, the real power still lies in understanding people.

What is your proudest industry achievement?

Getting the opportunity to manage the SEO and content strategy for the Like Nastya YouTube channels and growing their multilingual presence has been my proudest achievement. But equally, I’m proud of the creators and freelancers I’ve mentored who now run successful YouTube channels of their own. Watching others grow because of something you taught, that’s a special feeling.

What advice would you give those starting out in SEO?

Start with curiosity, not pressure. Learn the basics well, test everything, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes! that’s how you truly understand SEO. Focus on people first, algorithms later. Whether it’s a website or a YouTube video, remember you’re optimizing for real humans who want value. Be patient, keep learning, and enjoy the process. When you start seeing SEO as a way to understand and serve your audience better, real growth begins.

Give a shout out to a person of marginalised gender in the industry who inspires you and tell us why

I truly admire Areej AbuAli for building a community that empowers underrepresented voices in SEO to lead with confidence. Her work reminds me how powerful it can be when people create spaces of belonging, support, and shared growth.
I’m also deeply inspired by individuals from marginalised genders in my region who continue to rise despite cultural barriers and limited opportunities. Many of them carry countless responsibilities, yet they keep learning, creating, and moving forward with remarkable strength.

What empowers you to be the brilliant person you are?

What empowers me is my constant desire to grow and create change....both for myself and for my kids. I’m a true Gemini at heart....curious, restless, and full of ideas. It’s hard for me to stay still or focus on one thing for too long, but when something truly captures my heart, I give it everything — hours, days, until it’s perfect. I love seeing progress, feeling appreciated, and knowing that my work matters to someone. Encouragement fuels me, and change inspires me. Every time I improve something, no matter how small, it reminds me that I’m moving forward — and that’s what keeps me going.

Finally, how does it feel being part of the Women in Tech SEO community?

Even though I haven’t been part of the Women in Tech SEO community for long, the experience has been truly heartwarming. From the very beginning, I felt seen and supported, whenever I asked a question or shared a thought, someone always took the time to respond. That genuine kindness and sense of connection honestly surprised me....it’s rare to find such empathy and attentiveness in today’s fast-paced digital world. It already feels like a space where everyone genuinely wants each other to grow, and that’s something truly special.

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Thanks, Huma, for a truly insightful interview!

You can follow and/or connect with Huma on her Linkedin or view her website!

Check out our Interviews page for more interviews. If you've enjoyed reading this, we'd love for YOU to share your story with the world! Simply fill this form here, we welcome brilliant SEOs from all walks of life! 🙌🏽