In the hyper-competitive world of gaming content on YouTube and Twitch, standing out requires more than just skill and charisma. It demands strategy. For creators like Varsity Gaming—known for his deep-dive tutorials, especially in games like Rainbow Six Siege—success is often built on a foundation of discoverability. This is where the concept of “The Varsity Gaming 1000” comes in: a strategic framework for identifying and targeting the 1,000 keywords and topics that can propel a gaming channel to sustainable growth.

What is the “Varsity Gaming 1000” Strategy?

It’s not a literal list, but a methodology. The core idea is that a dedicated gaming channel should systematically map out and create content around 1,000 core searchable topics within their niche. This encompasses:

• Primary Keywords: Broad game titles and modes (e.g., “Rainbow Six Siege tips”).
• Long-Tail Keywords: Specific, lower-competition queries (e.g., “best Valkyrie camera spots on Border 2024”).
• Video Ideas: Every keyword represents a potential video, guide, or stream topic.

For a channel like Varsity Gaming, this meant moving beyond generic “how to play” videos and into the ultra-specific pain points of the Siege community: operator guides per map, patch note analyses, ranked strategy for specific sites, and gadget techs.

The Calculation: How to Build Your 1000

You don’t need magic; you need a spreadsheet and structured thinking. Here’s how to calculate and build your list.

1. Foundation Layer (The Pillars – ~50 Keywords):
Start with your game or niche’s pillars. For a tactical shooter channel:

• [Game Name] tips
• [Game Name] beginner guide
• [Game Name] ranked
• [Game Name] settings
• [Game Name] operators
• [Game Name] meta
• Calculation: 1 game x 10 core themes = 10 pillars. Expand to 5 games or sub-niches = ~50 pillar keywords.

2. Expansion Layer (The Multipliers – ~450 Keywords):
Explode each pillar using modifiers.

• Operator/Character Focus: [Pillar] + [Operator] (e.g., “Siege tips for Thermite”).
• Map/Specific Focus: [Pillar] + [Map] (e.g., “Bank site setup guide”).
• Skill Level Focus: [Pillar] + [Beginner/Advanced/Pro].
• Calculation: 50 pillars x 3 operators x 3 maps = 450 potential keywords.

3. Long-Tail & Current Event Layer (The Depth – ~500 Keywords):
This is for low-competition, high-intent searches.

• Patch & Update Specific: "Y9S1.2 patch Kali buff"
• Problem/Solution: "how to counter Fenrir in 2024"
• “Best of” Lists: "best mouse sensitivity for console Siege"
• Community Slang & Tech: "Siege crouch spam fix" or "zero trick spot on Clubhouse"
• Calculation: Tracking 10 updates/year with 10 topics each, plus 400 recurring community queries = ~500 keywords.

Total: 50 + 450 + 500 = 1,000 Keywords.

This creates a sustainable, evergreen content calendar rooted in what your audience is actively searching for.

FAQs:

Q1: Do I literally need 1,000 videos?
A: Not exactly. The 1,000 represents a comprehensive master list of topics. One well-crafted video can effectively target 3-5 related keywords. A single “Complete Valkyrie Guide” video might cover “valkyrie tips,” “valkyrie camera spots,” “best defender for intel,” etc.

Q2: What tools are best for finding gaming keywords?
A:

• YouTube Search Bar: Use autocomplete. Start typing your pillar keyword and see what YouTube suggests.
• TubeBuddy or VidIQ: Browser extensions that show keyword volume, competition, and related tags directly on YouTube.
• Google Trends: Compare interest in different games, operators, or topics over time.
• Community Forums: Reddit (r/Rainbow6, r/Competitiveoverwatch), Discord servers, and Steam forums are goldmines for the specific questions players are asking.

Q3: How do I balance trending keywords with evergreen content?
A: Follow an 80/20 rule. 80% of your content should target evergreen keywords (permanent game mechanics, fundamental guides) that will bring in steady traffic for years. 20% should target trending keywords (new patch reactions, current meta, hype around a new game) to capitalize on immediate spikes in interest and attract new viewers.

Q4: Isn’t this just SEO for gamers? Isn’t authentic content more important?
A: Yes, and yes. This strategy is SEO for gamers. Think of it as a bridge. The keyword strategy gets your content discovered by people actively looking for it. Your authentic personality, skill, and editing are what turn a viewer into a subscriber. One without the other limits your growth. Varsity Gaming’s success lies in pairing deep knowledge (targeting the right keywords) with a clear, helpful teaching style (the authentic content).

Q5: How do I avoid “keyword stuffing” and make natural titles/descriptions?
A: Prioritize the viewer. Your primary keyword should be in the title naturally. Use the description to explain the video’s content in full sentences, incorporating secondary keywords. In the video script, say the keywords you’re targeting aloud where it makes sense. YouTube’s AI understands context from your entire video, not just text.

Q6: Can this work for a brand-new channel with zero subscribers?
A: Absolutely. In fact, it’s more critical. You have no audience to promote you, so you need search and discovery to do the work. Start with highly specific long-tail keywords with low competition. Instead of “Fortnite guide,” try “best landing spots for solo vs. squad in Fortnite Chapter 5 Season 2.” You’ll face fewer established competitors and attract a targeted, grateful audience.

Calculation

The “Varsity Gaming 1000” is a mindset shift. It moves content creation from “what do I feel like playing today?” to “what does my audience need to learn today?” It’s a systematic approach to building a library of content that serves as a lasting resource for a gaming community.

By calculating your pillars, expanding through modifiers, and diving deep into the community’s specific questions, you build not just a keyword list, but a blueprint for relevance and authority. In the endless sea of gaming content, that’s the ultimate ranked strategy for growth.