In the vast landscape of YouTube, with over 500 hours of content uploaded every minute, standing out and reaching the right audience is crucial. One tool that creators can use to increase their video’s visibility is YouTube tags. Tags help categorize your video and make it easier for viewers and YouTube’s algorithm to discover your content. This guide explores everything you need to know about YouTube tags, including their importance, how to use them effectively, and best practices to optimize their impact.
What Are YouTube Tags?
YouTube tags are terms or expressions that provide context for the material in your video. They inform both the platform’s algorithm and viewers about the subject matter of your video. When used correctly, tags can enhance the discover ability of your video by associating it with relevant searches.
While YouTube’s algorithm has evolved, relying more on factors such as video titles, descriptions, thumbnails, and user engagement (like watch time and clicks), tags still play a supporting role in ensuring your video is correctly indexed for related searches. Tags help when:
YouTube is unsure about your video’s content: If your title, description, and thumbnail don’t provide a clear idea, tags assist the algorithm in placing your video in the correct category.
Correcting common misspellings or synonyms: If your video covers a topic with multiple terms or frequent misspellings, tags allow you to include those variations, improving discover ability.
Why Are YouTube Tags Important?
YouTube tags, while secondary to other SEO elements like titles and thumbnails, still serve critical purposes for content discovery. Here’s why they matter:
Improved Search Rankings: YouTube ranks videos based on how well they match a user’s query. Adding relevant tags helps the algorithm better understand your video and connect it with appropriate searches, increasing the likelihood of your video appearing in the top results.
Increased Discoverability: Tags can associate your video with trending topics or related subjects. If someone is watching a video on a similar topic, your video is more likely to be recommended alongside it if you share similar tags.
Targeting Specific Audiences: By including niche or long-tail keywords in your tags, you can ensure your video reaches a more targeted audience that is genuinely interested in your content.
Accurate Categorization: The tags you use signal to YouTube how your video should be categorized, improving its chances of being promoted in relevant searches and recommendations.
How to Add Tags on YouTube
Adding tags to your video is a straightforward process:
Upload Your Video: When uploading a video, you’ll see the “Tags” section beneath the description box.
Input Tags: You can add multiple tags by typing them in and separating them with commas. Try to use a combination of general and niche tags.
Save Changes: After entering your tags, make sure to save your video so the changes take effect.
Best Practices for Using YouTube Tags
To get the most out of YouTube tags, it’s important to use them strategically. Observe the following recommended practices:
Use Relevant Tags: Ensure your tags accurately reflect the content of your video. Irrelevant tags, even if popular, can harm your video’s ranking by confusing YouTube’s algorithm, leading to a decrease in video visibility.
Prioritize Keywords: YouTube gives more weight to the first few tags you enter. Therefore, include your most important keywords early in the list. For example, if your video is about “beginner guitar lessons,” start with tags like “guitar lessons,” “beginner guitar,” or “learn guitar.”
Use Both Broad and Specific Tags: Broad tags help categorize your video generally (e.g., “fitness”), while specific tags (e.g., “how to do a plank correctly”) target niche audiences. Combining both ensures your video is exposed to a wider audience while also reaching the right niche.
Include Synonyms and Misspellings: Viewers may search for your video using different terminology or common misspellings. For example, if your video is about “entrepreneurship,” you might include “business start-up,” “entrepreneur tips,” or common misspellings like “entrepreneur.”
Have a look at long-tail keywords: These are more elaborate and focused sentences. For example, instead of using “photography,” you might use “how to take professional photos with a DSLR camera.” Long-tail keywords have less competition, which can help your video rank higher for specific searches.
Limit the Number of Tags: While YouTube allows you to add up to 500 characters’ worth of tags, quantity doesn’t always equal quality. It’s better to focus on a few high-quality, relevant tags rather than stuffing the tag field with unrelated or redundant keywords.
Leverage Trending Tags: If your video is about a trending topic, including relevant trending tags can boost your visibility. Tools like Google Trends or YouTube’s own “Trending” section can help you identify popular tags.
Tools for Finding the Best YouTube Tags
Several online tools can help you generate effective YouTube tags. These tools suggest keywords based on search volume, competition, and trends, giving you a better chance of optimizing your videos. Among the most well-liked ones are:
TubeBuddy: TubeBuddy is a browser extension that helps you research, create, and organize YouTube tags. It also provides tag suggestions based on real-time data and trending keywords.
VidIQ: VidIQ offers keyword suggestions, showing you the search volume and competition for each tag. It also provides insights into your competitors’ tags, helping you stay ahead.
KeywordTool.io: This tool allows you to enter a base keyword, and it will generate dozens of related tags that you can use in your videos.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using YouTube Tags
Even with the best intentions, some creators make mistakes when using tags. Here are a few pitfalls to avoid:
Tag Stuffing: Adding too many tags can confuse the YouTube algorithm, resulting in your video being less visible. Stick to a handful of highly relevant tags.
Using Irrelevant Tags: Some creators use trending or popular tags that have nothing to do with their content. This practice can backfire, as viewers who click on the video expecting one thing and getting another may leave quickly, hurting your watch time and engagement metrics.
Overlooking Niche Keywords: While it’s tempting to focus on broad, high-traffic tags, don’t overlook the value of niche tags. These tags may have less competition, increasing your chances of ranking well for them.
Read More: YouTube Studio Features Every Creator Should Know
Conclusion
YouTube tags might not be the most powerful ranking factor in the platform’s algorithm, but they still play a key role in helping your video get discovered. By carefully selecting relevant, high-quality tags, you can boost your video’s visibility, improve its search ranking, and reach a more targeted audience. Using the right combination of broad, specific, and long-tail tags ensures that your video is accurately categorized and reaches viewers who are genuinely interested in your content.
FAQ
1. Do YouTube Tags Still Matter?
Yes, YouTube tags still matter, but their role has diminished over the years. While they’re not the primary factor in ranking, they still help the algorithm understand your content and improve discoverability, especially for specific or niche topics.
2. How Many Tags Should I Use?
In the tags box on YouTube, you can enter up to 500 characters. However, it’s best to use between 5 to 10 highly relevant tags. Focus on quality and relevance rather than filling up the character limit.
3. Can I Change My YouTube Tags After Publishing a Video?
Yes, you can edit your video tags after publishing. However, making significant changes frequently can confuse YouTube’s algorithm, so it’s best to research and get them right before publishing.
4. Do Tags Affect YouTube SEO?
Yes, tags play a role in YouTube SEO by helping the algorithm categorize and rank your videos. They’re especially useful for appearing in related video sections and improving search results, but other factors like video title, description, and engagement metrics play a bigger role.
5. Can I Use Competitor Tags?
While it’s a good idea to research tags used by successful competitors, copying tags exactly isn’t recommended. You can use similar tags, but ensure they accurately represent your video content.
