Published: September 11, 2024
If you want to grow your YouTube channel then you need to learn how to use YouTube hashtags. These are simple but powerful tools to get your video seen and get more people to find your content.
By adding hashtags, you’re telling YouTube and potential viewers what your video is about, which can mean more views, higher rankings, and even more subscribers.
In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about YouTube hashtags – from how they work to how to choose the best ones.
Plus, we’ll give you tips on how to avoid common mistakes and follow YouTube’s rules so you can get the most out of your hashtags without any problems. Let’s get started!
YouTube hashtags are keywords or phrases preceded by the “#” symbol, like #fitness or #vloglife.
When you use a hashtag in your video description or title, it groups your video with other videos using the same hashtag.
This helps YouTube categorize and understand your content so users can find your videos through hashtag searches.
For example, if your video is about healthy eating, you might use hashtags like #MealPrep or #HealthyLifestyle.
When viewers click on those hashtags, they’ll be taken to a collection of other videos with the same hashtags, giving your content more visibility.
Hashtags can appear above your video title or within the video description, but only the first three hashtags from your description will appear above the video title.
When used correctly hashtags can get your video seen by more people, especially those who are interested in your video’s topic. The key is to use hashtags so YouTube’s algorithm can categorize your video and show it to the right audience.
So why are hashtags important for growing your YouTube channel?
It all comes down to discoverability. Using the right YouTube tags makes it easier for viewers to find your YouTube videos in search results and get more visibility on YouTube and even on other social media platforms. Here’s how to add hashtags :
Pro Tip: In addition to using general hashtags like #vlog or #tutorial, create custom hashtags that are specific to your channel.
For example, if you have a beauty channel you could add hashtags like #GlamWith[YourName] to build a community and get your followers to engage with your brand.
Choosing the right YouTube hashtags is key to getting more views. Here’s how.
1. Research Your Niche: Look at what other creators in your niche are doing. What hashtags are they using? You can use tools like TubeBuddy or explore hashtags directly on YouTube to see what’s performing well in your category.
2. Use a Mix of Broad and Niche Hashtags: Broad hashtags like #HowTo or #VlogLife are great for visibility but are too general. Mix these with more specific hashtags that match your video’s topic.
For example, a fitness channel added hashtags like #FitnessTips but also more targeted tags like #BeginnerWorkouts or #HomeFitness.
3. Leverage Trending Hashtags: Jumping on trending hashtags is a great way to get more views. If there’s a hashtag trending on YouTube or another platform that is relevant to your video, use it! But don’t force it – using irrelevant hashtags just because they’re popular can hurt your channel.
4. Create Branded Hashtags: Having a custom hashtag specific to your channel encourages viewer engagement. It allows fans to find your content more easily and even create their content using your hashtag.
To get you started here are the top 10 YouTube hashtags that will trend. Add hashtags with more specific tags to target your niche and get noticed:
These are broad and are used across many types of content. Use them with more niche-specific tags to get your video discovered within your target audience.
If you want to go viral, using YouTube hashtags is key. Here’s how to make the most of your hashtags:
Fun Fact: Creators who use hashtags well get their videos to show up in multiple search results so you get discovered through both the recommendations and hashtag suggestions search pages.
Once you start adding hashtags regularly, you need to track how they’re performing.
YouTube’s analytics will show you which popular hashtags are driving the most views and engagement.
Watch which popular hashtags are getting higher watch times and viewer retention, those are the winning tags.
Experiment with different combinations of hashtags and adjust as needed.
Remember, optimization is key.
If certain hashtags aren’t working, don’t be afraid to adjust them based on your video’s performance metrics. Over time this will help your channel grow and be more visible.
Being consistent with adding hashtags is crucial for growth.
Many creators change hashtags frequently or use them sporadically which confuses the algorithm and their audience. By using the same hashtag for your content you can build momentum over time.
This will not only get you to show up in hashtag search results but also strengthen your channel’s brand and identity.
When you upload content in a specific niche and use popular hashtags related to that niche, YouTube will categorize your videos better.
For example, if your content is about fitness, add hashtags like #FitnessTips, #HealthyLiving, #HomeWorkouts will get your videos in front of people searching for those topics.
As you do this consistently, YouTube will recognize your other videos as pertinent to those search terms and increase your visibility.
Using custom hashtags also helps create a community around your channel.
When your audience gets familiar with your unique hashtag, they’re more likely to engage with it in comments or even use it in their posts.
For instance, if you run a travel vlog and add hashtags like #TravelWith[YourName] consistently, your audience will start using that hashtag to share their own travel experiences engage more, and be more loyal.
Over time consistency will help YouTube’s algorithm understand your channel better. This clarity will get your YouTube video title recommended to users interested in your niche and drive organic growth.
Having a good video description, relevant keywords, and a clear hashtag strategy and sticking to it is key to maintaining and improving your channel’s visibility and overall performance.
While consistency is important, it’s equally important to monitor your hashtags on YouTube and adjust them when needed.
As trends change or your content shifts slightly, adjusting your YouTube hashtag strategy will keep you relevant without losing momentum. This balance between consistency and flexibility will keep your channel growing while you adapt.
Following the YouTube Hashtag Rules
While hashtags on YouTube are a great way to get more visibility, make sure you follow YouTube’s rules to avoid penalties. Not following these will get your video flagged or removed.
Don’t Overhashtag
YouTube only allows 15 hashtags per video. If you go over that, they’ll ignore them all. So stick to a few targeted hashtags that are most pertinent to your video content. Also, don’t over-tagging.
Don’t Mislead
Using irrelevant hashtags to get more views might seem like a quick win, but it can hurt your channel in the long run.
If your video title is about cooking and you hashtags like #DIY or #Gaming just because they’re trending, you’ll mislead viewers. That frustrates them and lowers engagement and YouTube’s algorithm will penalize your video.
Don’t Use Offense or Explicit Hashtags
YouTube has community guidelines that prohibit overt hashtags or any that contain offensive language. Violating these will get your video removed or your channel get a strike which can hurt your growth big time.
Don’t Hashtag Stuff
While hashtags are important, stuffing your video description with as many hashtags as possible is spammy.
Focus on quality not quantity. Choose 3-5 highly pertinent hashtags that will categorize your video properly without overwhelming the description.
Keep Hashtags Relevant
Using relevant hashtags not only improves your search ranking but also ensures your content reaches the right audience.
Don’t use popular YouTube hashtags that have nothing to do with your video content just to get attention. That’ll give your viewers a poor experience and lower engagement rates.
While hashtags can get you more views, here are common mistakes many creators make:
Hashtags are important for discoverability but views are just as important for credibility and engagement on YouTube.
At SidesMedia we offer services to buy views so your content gets the attention it deserves. When combined with the right hashtags more views can push your videos higher in search and recommendations and get you more organic traffic.
Boost both your views, get a relevant hashtag, and grow your channel faster so you can focus on creating great content!!
Yes, YouTube hashtags do work as long as you use relevant hashtags that are related to your content. They categorize your video so people can find it.
Best hashtags depend on your niche but a combination of popular YouTube hashtags and targeted ones can help you reach more. Just make sure to choose relevant hashtags on YouTube that match your video content to get the right audience.
Use a mix of relevant hashtags in your title and video description to increase your chances of your YouTube channel going viral. Don’t lose focus on your content.
Relevant tags to your video topic perform better, especially when combined with broader tags. Try different combinations to see what works for you.
Using YouTube hashtags is one of the easiest ways to get your videos in front of more people and grow your channel. We’ve seen a big increase in views just by using a mix of trending, broad, and niche hashtags. Follow YouTube’s rules and choose your hashtags wisely and you’ll be visible and reach more people fast.
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