Like many other platforms, using hashtags on YouTube is a powerful strategy that every creator should leverage for the success of their content. The YouTube algorithm has started using hashtags to classify content in categories like other popular social networks.
Similarly, using hashtags in the most effective ways can give your YouTube content enhanced visibility and exposure, ultimately increasing the chances of your content being discovered by millions of users on the platform, especially when seeking related posts.
In this article, we will further discuss a complete guide on using hashtags on YouTube and how to ensure you use them effectively, so stick with us.
What are YouTube Hashtags?
YouTube Hashtags are simply words or phrases that are joined together with no spaces, and are preceded by the hash (#) symbol, to make them clickable. You can include hashtags in your video titles and descriptions to designate your content niche or theme, making your video or music appear in relevant searches by other users who click the hashtags on other posts or simply seeking videos like yours. The hashtags are in or above your video title and your content’s description.
Why Use Hashtags on YouTube?
You should use hashtags in your content because they are an essential SEO element that helps the YouTube algorithm find your video on the platform. This is the most convincing reason to include hashtags, but if you still need to be convinced, we’ve listed more compelling reasons below.
1. Facilitate Understanding of What Your Videos Are About
Not only do hashtags help the YouTube algorithm find your video, but they also help the audience understand what your video is about. For example, a video with #Fashion and #Trend tags in its title clearly shows that it’s a video related to the fashion or modeling industry.
Therefore, if you want your audience to have the right idea about your content instantaneously, add hashtags highlighting your video’s main theme.
2. Help to Categorize Your Videos
Hashtags are an excellent way of categorizing videos. Especially if you’re working on different types of content, add hashtags to your videos to quickly identify them at a glance. In addition, the hashtags included in your videos will make it easier for people interested in such content to find them, even among the many posts in your category.
3. Gain More Visibility
Visibility is how your content can attract the target audience’s attention. Hashtags can effectively make your videos more visible to people, which can significantly improve your content performance.
Any increased visibility can help your content drive more authentic interactions, uphold credibility, and hasten the popularity of your creations and your brand while helping you attain every other purpose of your content in due time.
How to Add Hashtags on YouTube Videos?
Adding hashtags to a YouTube video is a piece of cake. All you need to do is decide on the appropriate hashtags for your video and then follow these steps:
- To add the hashtags to video titles, type or copy the hashtags and paste them at the end of the title. Remember that hashtags should only be added to highlight certain elements, and if your title already has numerous keywords, you can skip adding hashtags.
- You can add the hashtags in your description by copying them and placing them at the top of the end of the description section. You can also do both for maximum impact.
That was easy, right? But as you might’ve noticed in this section, to add the hashtags, you first need to find the appropriate ones. Next, we’ll talk about various hashtag-searching techniques on YouTube.
How to Find Hashtags on YouTube?
You can use several tactics to find appropriate hashtags for your YouTube videos. Some are easy, and some require you to do some research. We have compiled a list of techniques you can easily implement immediately to find relevant hashtags quickly.
1. Check Trending Videos
One of the easiest ways to discover hashtags that work effectively is by checking the current trending videos. On the other hand, some such videos may be unrelated to the content you post. Therefore, it is crucial that you only survey trending videos that are relevant to your category and select relevant hashtags to include in your videos.
2. YouTube Search
Use the YouTube search feature to see popular keywords, themes, and valuable hashtag suggestions. Input the hash symbol (#) and your niche title in the search box. Some potentially powerful hashtags in your categories will be displayed, and you can easily choose them to use in your content.
3. Research Competitors’ Videos
Another way to find hashtags for your content is by observing the ones used by your competitors. You can bank on such hashtags, considering that they are already proven effective due to their videos’ success. In addition, consider crafting some other unique hashtags that are related to competitors to use in your videos.
4. Use a Hashtag Generator
Lastly, employ the service of various regular tools and generators – as well as the YouTube hashtag generator – to obtain influential hashtags that can optimize your posts. You can also research keywords with keyword research tools to get valuable ideas on making new hashtags.
Best Practices to Use Hashtags on YouTube
1. Use 3-5 Hashtags Per Video
YouTube community guidelines permit using about 15 hashtags in the content description, and using more than the recommended amount will nullify the effects of all hashtags.
Therefore, make sure you stick to the required hashtag count. Although it might seem contradictory, we recommend using only 3-5 hashtags for optimization and more effective results.
2. Track Industry and Competitor Hashtags
If you need help with the hashtags to put in your video description, do a little research to find out what hashtags other creators like you use to gain relevance in your category. This method is quick and efficient. You can also quickly discover the types of content that get the highest interactions and other key metrics.
3. Monitor Video Views From Your Hashtags
Once you have applied the relevant hashtags, regularly monitor your YouTube analytics to measure your views rate. It will help you determine the efficiency of each hashtag and understand possible improvements to implement.
4. Following the YouTube Hashtag Rules
Here, we will tell you about the YouTube laid-down rules for using hashtags:
Spaces: Hashtags should not have spaces between words or phrases. Use them together, such as the #sample hashtag, instead of the #sample hashtag.
Excessive Tagging: Use a maximum of 15 hashtags for each video (we recommend using 3-5). The inclusion of too many hashtags will make YouTube ignore them all.
Misleading Video or Audio: Avoid applying irrelevant hashtags to your content. It can lead to your post being removed from the platform.
Harassment: Hashtags targeted towards harassing or threatening anyone is prohibited. Going against this guideline will result in the elimination of your content.
Hate Speech: Hashtags that promote hate, violence, racism, and so on will signal the YouTube algorithm to take down your content from the platform.
Sexual Content: Sexual and explicit hashtags are entirely frowned upon. YouTube will automatically remove your post if your hashtags include such content.
Vulgar Language: Don’t use vulgarity or unpleasant terms in your hashtags because it can restrict your content to a certain age or, in some cases, cause a total removal of the content.
Non-Hashtags: While including your hashtags, ensure you do not add average descriptive terms or repetitive words in the description, as it violates YouTube policy.
Conclusion
Hashtags can play a significant role in the success of every creator on YouTube. However, you must use them appropriately to avoid harming your content. Be sure to follow the tips that we have provided, and you will reap the rewards.
