YouTube Tags: What They Are and How to Use Them Effectively 

When it comes to growing a YouTube channel, many creators focus on eye-catching thumbnails, snappy titles, and engaging content—but often overlook one critical piece of the puzzle: YouTube tags. These underrated labels can act as a beacon, helping the right audience discover your videos at the right time.

With over 500 hours of video uploaded to YouTube every minute, standing out is more important than ever. Whether you're a seasoned creator or just starting out, you'll learn actionable tips to enhance your channel’s SEO and visibility. This blog dives deep into YouTube tags, their importance, and the best ways to use them to optimize your content.

What Are YouTube Tags?

YouTube tags are descriptive keywords or phrases you can assign to your videos. They help YouTube’s algorithm understand the context and content of your video. Think of them like signposts that guide YouTube's search engine on where to categorize your content, what it’s about, and who it would appeal to.

For example, if your video is about “beginner yoga poses”, relevant tags might include “yoga for beginners”, “beginner yoga tutorial”, and “easy yoga exercises”. These tags give YouTube additional context, especially when your title and description don’t capture every keyword variation your audience might search for.

While tags have diminished in importance compared to titles, descriptions, and thumbnails, they still play a supporting role in video discoverability.

Why Are YouTube Tags Important?

A study of 1.3 million YouTube videos revealed a slight correlation between video rankings and the inclusion of the keyword in their tags.

Image Source: Ahrefs

Understanding the importance of YouTube tags and how they work can give you a competitive edge. Here's why they're worth your time:

• ‍Improving Search Visibility: Tags play a role in helping your video appear in search results by providing clearer context to YouTube’s algorithm. Say your video title is “5 Best DSLR Cameras for Beginners”. Without tags, YouTube might not realize your video should also rank for searches like “best cameras for vlogging” or “top entry-level DSLRs”. Proper tags fill this gap by encompassing related search terms.
• ‍Reinforcing Video Context: Sometimes, the title and description might not fully capture the nuances of your content. Tags act as a backup signal, telling YouTube more about what your video entails. For multilingual audiences, tags in multiple languages can expand your reach.
• ‍Enhancing Related Videos: YouTube recommends videos using an algorithm that factors in tags. If your tags align with those of high-performing related videos, chances are your content will appear in the “Suggested Videos” sidebar, increasing exposure and watch time.
• ‍Tackling Misspellings: Ever noticed how people often misspell brand names or popular terms? For example, viewers might search for “TikTok” but accidentally type “TickTock”. Adding common misspellings as tags ensures your video still appears in search results.
• ‍Supporting Long-Tail SEO Strategies: Tags help creators capture long-tail keywords. These are longer and more specific phrases that tend to have less competition but higher relevance for niche searches. By tagging videos with long-tail phrases like “how to edit YouTube videos for free,” you increase the odds of reaching engaged viewers.

Pro Tip: Don’t only focus on broad tags; sprinkle in niche ones to expand your reach!

What Are the Types of YouTube Tags?

1. Channel Tags

Channel tags, on the other hand, define what your entire YouTube channel is focused on. They provide YouTube with a broader understanding of your niche and help position your channel in relevant search results for viewers interested in your area of expertise.

For instance, a channel dedicated to fitness might use tags like “workouts”, “healthy eating”, and “fitness tips”. These tags act as an overarching blueprint for your content, complementing individual video tags to strengthen your channel’s identity.

2. Video Tags

Video tags are specific to the content of an individual video. They help YouTube understand what your video is about so it can rank and recommend it appropriately. These tags should include keywords relevant to the topic of the video, covering both broad terms and long-tail keywords.

For example, if your video is a tutorial on “basic yoga poses”, tags like “yoga”, “yoga for beginners”, and “yoga at home” could boost discoverability. Remember, including accurate and descriptive video tags ensures your content reaches the right audience.

Importance of Video Tags for YouTube SEO

Video tags play a crucial role in enhancing your video's performance on YouTube by improving its search visibility. They serve as metadata that helps YouTube's algorithm understand the specific content of your video, ensuring it appears in relevant search results and recommendations.

Accurate and well-researched tags can complement your title and description, allowing your video to rank higher for targeted keywords. This not only increases the likelihood of your content being discovered but also improves its chances of reaching the intended audience.

By strategically using relevant tags, you maximize the potential for organic traffic and strengthen your YouTube SEO efforts, ultimately contributing to the growth of your channel.

How to Add Tags to Your YouTube Videos?

Adding tags to your YouTube videos is simple, but doing it effectively requires strategy and a little know-how. Tags help YouTube’s algorithm understand your video content, making it easier for viewers to discover. Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to ensure your tags work effectively for you:

Step 1. Access the YouTube Studio Dashboard

Log in to your YouTube account and head over to YouTube Studio, which is the control center for managing your channel. On the left-hand menu, click on Content to view all your uploaded videos. This is where you’ll be able to edit and optimize individual videos.

Step 2. Open the Edit Page

Select the video you want to optimize and click the Details option (represented by a small pencil icon). This will take you to the editing page where you can update your video title, description, thumbnail, and other details.

Step 3. Add Relevant Tags

Scroll down on the editing page until you reach the "Tags" section, located under the video details. Here, you can start adding individual words or phrases that describe your video’s content. Separate each tag with a comma, and keep in mind that tags are not visible to viewers but play a key role in helping YouTube understand your video topic.

Use tags that reflect the video’s main theme, specific topics covered, and related search terms that your audience might use. For example, if your video is about cooking, think of terms viewers might type into the search bar, such as "easy recipes" or "quick meals".

Be specific, stay relevant, and avoid stuffing your tags with unrelated keywords, as this can hurt your video’s credibility with YouTube’s algorithm. Focus on quality over quantity.

Step 4. Hit Save

Once you've carefully selected and added your tags, don’t forget to click Save to apply the changes. Your tags are now active and will help your video reach a more targeted audience.

Bonus Tips for Effective Tagging

• Use a mix of broad and specific tags. For example, include tags like “Vegan recipes” (broad) and “How to make vegan burgers” (specific).
• Research popular videos in your niche and check the tags they use. Tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ can help you identify trending tags.
• Include long-tail keywords as tags. These are multi-word phrases that are more specific, such as “Plant-based meals for beginners”.

Example Tagging:

For a video titled "How to Cook Vegan Burgers", here are some effective tag suggestions:

• Vegan recipes
• Plant-based meals
• Easy vegan burgers
• Cooking tutorials for vegans
• Vegan burger hacks
• Beginner-friendly vegan recipes
• Grilling plant-based burgers

Remember, relevance is key. Irrelevant tags not only confuse the algorithm but can also reduce your video’s search visibility. A well-tagged video has a much better chance of reaching the right audience, boosting engagement, and driving views.

Best Practices for Using YouTube Tags

To make the most out of YouTube tags, follow these best practices.

1. Start With Research

Before you even upload your video, spend time researching the right tags to use. Tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ can help you uncover trending tags and popular keywords related to your content. These platforms not only suggest relevant tags but also provide insights into search volume and competition levels, helping you choose tags that strike the perfect balance between reach and relevance. This step lays the foundation for your video to be discovered by the right audience.

2. First Tag = Target Keyword

When selecting your first tag, always use your primary target keyword. This keyword should be the central theme of your video and closely align with the title, description, and overall content.

Including it as your first tag reinforces its importance to the algorithm and increases the chances of your video appearing in search results for that term. Consistency across metadata elements ensures that your video is optimized for discoverability and ranks higher for your intended audience.

3. Prioritize Relevance

The YouTube algorithm is designed to reward content that aligns closely with viewer expectations. This means relevance is key when choosing tags. Studies show 70% of watch time on YouTube is driven by recommendations, meaning the algorithm heavily favors videos with high engagement metrics. Always use accurate tags to improve viewer satisfaction and boost your video’s chances of being recommended.

Avoid the temptation to stuff your tags with unrelated keywords just to attract more clicks—it can lead to viewers leaving quickly, damaging engagement metrics like watch time and click-through rate (CTR). For instance, tagging “weight loss tips” on a video about baking chocolate cake might drive clicks initially, but the mismatch will hurt your video’s performance.

4. Use a Mix of Short and Long-Tail Keywords

When it comes to tags, variety is essential. Short keywords like “travel” can be useful but are often too broad and highly competitive. Pair these with long-tail keywords, which are more specific and less competitive, such as “budget travel tips for Europe.” This combination allows you to target a wide range of search queries, from broad topics to niche interests.

Long-tail keywords also tend to attract a more targeted audience, increasing the likelihood of engagement and retention. Using this hybrid approach improves your chances of ranking in YouTube search results and reaching the right viewers.

Image Source: Backlinko

5. Include Branded Tags

If you're building a personal brand or looking to strengthen your channel's identity, branded tags are a must. These tags help viewers discover more of your content and associate specific topics with your name or brand.

For example, a fitness influencer named Sarah Fit might use tags like “Sarah Fit workouts” or “Sarah Fit yoga tips” alongside general tags like “home workouts” or “yoga for beginners”. Branded tags not only enhance discoverability but also help create a cohesive and recognizable identity for your channel over time.

6. Focus on High-Value Keywords

Not all keywords are created equal. High-value keywords are those that your target audience is actively searching for, making them more likely to drive traffic to your video. For instance, if your video is about marketing, use tags like “social media marketing tips” or “digital marketing strategy” instead of overly unique or niche phrases like “next-level marketing hacks”, which may have little to no search volume.

By focusing on popular yet relevant terms, you ensure your video has a higher chance of appearing in search results and reaching the viewers who are most likely to engage with your content.

7. Limit the Tag Count

While YouTube allows up to 500 characters for tags, quantity doesn’t equal quality. Adding too many tags can dilute their impact and make your video appear unfocused. Instead, aim for 10-15 well-researched, high-impact tags that are directly relevant to your video.

This focused approach ensures your tags work effectively to boost discoverability without confusing the algorithm or your audience. Think of your tags as a way to summarize your video in a few concise, targeted search terms.

Here is an example - 

Image Source: Backlinko

Tags are intended to help YouTube accurately interpret the content of your video. However, overloading your video with 20 or more tags can confuse both YouTube and your target audience, making it harder to determine the exact focus of your video.

8. Use Competitors to Your Advantage

Analyzing your competitors can be a powerful strategy to improve your own content and enhance discoverability. Start by identifying creators in your niche who consistently perform well, and examine their use of tags, titles, and descriptions.

Pay close attention to the keywords they use, as these likely align with what your shared target audience is searching for. Tools like keyword research platforms or YouTube’s search bar suggestions can help you uncover similar trending terms.

By incorporating these insights into your strategy, you can align along the same audience interests while still maintaining your unique voice and perspective. Remember, the goal isn’t to copy but to learn and adapt successful strategies to your own content.

9. Monitor Performance

After your video goes live, your work isn’t done. Use YouTube Studio analytics to monitor how your tags are performing. Check which tags are driving traffic and contributing to your video’s success.

If you notice certain tags aren’t working as expected, take note and adjust your strategy for future uploads. This ongoing analysis helps you refine your approach over time, ensuring your tags continue to support your growth and visibility on the platform.

Further Reading: YouTube Analytics: How to Use Data to Grow Your Channel Faster

10. Update Tags Over Time

Trends change, and so do viewer interests. A video that performed well when it was first published might need a little refresh to stay relevant. Periodically revisit your older videos and update their tags to reflect current search trends and audience behavior.

For example, a video on “remote work tips” might benefit from adding newer tags like “hybrid work strategies” if that term has gained popularity. Keeping your tags up-to-date ensures your content remains discoverable and relevant, even as the landscape evolves.

By following these strategies, you can optimize your tags to not only boost your video’s visibility but also attract the right audience, ultimately driving better engagement and long-term success for your channel.

11. Don’t Mislead People

When creating tags for your video, avoid the temptation to use misleading or irrelevant keywords to attract views. While this might initially boost clicks, it can harm your channel in the long run. Misleading tags frustrate viewers, lead to lower retention rates, and can result in penalties from YouTube’s algorithm. Stay true to your content and use tags that accurately represent your video to build trust and foster a loyal audience.

12. Don’t Add Tags to Video Descriptions

Including tags in your video’s description might seem like a clever way to boost discoverability, but it’s counterproductive. YouTube’s guidelines explicitly advise against this practice, and doing so can make your content appear spammy or unprofessional.

Instead, focus on crafting a compelling, natural description that reflects the video’s content while incorporating relevant keywords seamlessly. A well-written description helps viewers better understand your video and increases its chances of being recommended—without risking issues with the algorithm.

Image Source: Ahrefs

To further enhance your YouTube SEO strategy, DashClicks offers comprehensive white label SEO services tailored to your needs. With expertise in optimizing content for search engines, DashClicks can help you identify the best keywords, craft effective video descriptions, and implement data-driven strategies to improve your channel’s visibility.

Their solutions are designed to drive organic traffic to your videos, boost engagement, and help your content rank higher in search results. Leveraging SEO services offered by DashClicks, can help maximize your channel's growth and ensure your videos reach the right audience.

Take Your Video SEO to the Next Level

YouTube tags may not hold the same weight they once did, but they remain a smart tool for boosting your channel’s visibility. Combined with optimized titles, descriptions, thumbnails, and engaging content, they help YouTube connect your videos to the right audience.

Want to rise even higher in search rankings? Take the next step by relying on powerful tools like VidIQ or TubeBuddy, and start building a well-tagged library of excellent video content today.

By keeping your tags relevant, strategic, and user-focused, you can steadily grow your channel and reach new heights.