How-to
How to Use YouTube Tags to Get More Views: A 2025 Step-by-Step Guide
Master YouTube video tags and watch your views grow. This 2025 step-by-step guide helps new and intermediate creators tag videos like a pro.
Published Date:
May 13, 2025
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Picture this: You’ve just uploaded an awesome video, but the views trickle in painfully slowly. Frustrating, right?
As a fellow creator, I’ve been there. The good news is that there’s a simple step many creators overlook that can help your videos get found – using YouTube video tags effectively.
These little keywords can make a big difference in who sees your content, and using a dedicated YouTube Tag Generator can help you brainstorm the best ones quickly.
But let's be clear from the start: while tags are helpful, they are one piece of a larger puzzle. To put things in perspective, here's a conceptual idea of where different elements stand in terms of influencing your video's success:
*Disclaimer: Conceptual representation. Actual algorithmic weights are complex and not publicly disclosed.
As you can see, great content, titles, and thumbnails lead the way, but effective tagging is a valuable supporter in that mix!
In this guide, we’ll discuss how to use YouTube tags effectively. We’ll tackle common questions, such as how to add tags to YouTube videos and what the best tags to use are, and share professional tips to help you grow your channel.
Let’s get started!
Picture this: You’ve just uploaded an awesome video, but the views trickle in painfully slowly. Frustrating, right?
As a fellow creator, I’ve been there. The good news is that there’s a simple step many creators overlook that can help your videos get found – using YouTube video tags effectively.
These little keywords can make a big difference in who sees your content, and using a dedicated YouTube Tag Generator can help you brainstorm the best ones quickly.
But let's be clear from the start: while tags are helpful, they are one piece of a larger puzzle. To put things in perspective, here's a conceptual idea of where different elements stand in terms of influencing your video's success:
*Disclaimer: Conceptual representation. Actual algorithmic weights are complex and not publicly disclosed.
As you can see, great content, titles, and thumbnails lead the way, but effective tagging is a valuable supporter in that mix!
In this guide, we’ll discuss how to use YouTube tags effectively. We’ll tackle common questions, such as how to add tags to YouTube videos and what the best tags to use are, and share professional tips to help you grow your channel.
Let’s get started!
Picture this: You’ve just uploaded an awesome video, but the views trickle in painfully slowly. Frustrating, right?
As a fellow creator, I’ve been there. The good news is that there’s a simple step many creators overlook that can help your videos get found – using YouTube video tags effectively.
These little keywords can make a big difference in who sees your content, and using a dedicated YouTube Tag Generator can help you brainstorm the best ones quickly.
But let's be clear from the start: while tags are helpful, they are one piece of a larger puzzle. To put things in perspective, here's a conceptual idea of where different elements stand in terms of influencing your video's success:
*Disclaimer: Conceptual representation. Actual algorithmic weights are complex and not publicly disclosed.
As you can see, great content, titles, and thumbnails lead the way, but effective tagging is a valuable supporter in that mix!
In this guide, we’ll discuss how to use YouTube tags effectively. We’ll tackle common questions, such as how to add tags to YouTube videos and what the best tags to use are, and share professional tips to help you grow your channel.
Let’s get started!
What are YouTube Tags & Why do they Matter for YouTube Videos in 2025?
It's hard to believe how many videos are on YouTube! – creators upload over 500 hours of video every single minute!"
With so many videos there, it's smart to use every feature you can to get noticed… That’s where YouTube tags come in. Using tags the right way really helps. It's also smart to use things like the best AI tools for YouTube videos to improve your channel.
Tags are descriptive keywords you add to your video’s metadata (behind the scenes) to help categorize your content. By signaling to YouTube what your video is about, tags can help the algorithm match your video with viewers’ searches and suggest it alongside related videos
The result? More of the right people are finding your videos. But do tags still matter in 2025?
Absolutely – though they’re not a magic bullet. Even YouTube acknowledges that tags play a minimal role compared to titles or descriptions (mainly helping with misspellings)
Think of tags as supporting actors: not the star of the show, but still important for a well-rounded performance. When used smartly, tags can give you a slight edge in search ranking and recommendations. And for new YouTubers, every little edge counts!
You might be asking, “If YouTube itself says tags aren’t that important, why bother?” The truth is, while tags won’t make a terrible video go viral, they can boost a good video’s chances of being discovered. Tags help YouTube’s algorithm understand your video’s context – especially useful for niche topics or common spelling mix-ups.
For example, if you made a tutorial about “colour grading” but Americans search “color grading,” a tag with the alternate spelling can bridge that gap.
So, let’s dive into the how, from adding tags step-by-step, to pro tagging strategies that experienced creators use to get ahead.
In short, YouTube video tags are a free, easy way to help YouTube connect the dots between your content and the viewers who’d love it. They’re one of those small steps that, combined with great titles that get clicks, thumbnails, and content, contribute to your channel’s growth.
Now, let’s get practical and walk through how to add tags to YouTube video uploads, step by step.
It's hard to believe how many videos are on YouTube! – creators upload over 500 hours of video every single minute!"
With so many videos there, it's smart to use every feature you can to get noticed… That’s where YouTube tags come in. Using tags the right way really helps. It's also smart to use things like the best AI tools for YouTube videos to improve your channel.
Tags are descriptive keywords you add to your video’s metadata (behind the scenes) to help categorize your content. By signaling to YouTube what your video is about, tags can help the algorithm match your video with viewers’ searches and suggest it alongside related videos
The result? More of the right people are finding your videos. But do tags still matter in 2025?
Absolutely – though they’re not a magic bullet. Even YouTube acknowledges that tags play a minimal role compared to titles or descriptions (mainly helping with misspellings)
Think of tags as supporting actors: not the star of the show, but still important for a well-rounded performance. When used smartly, tags can give you a slight edge in search ranking and recommendations. And for new YouTubers, every little edge counts!
You might be asking, “If YouTube itself says tags aren’t that important, why bother?” The truth is, while tags won’t make a terrible video go viral, they can boost a good video’s chances of being discovered. Tags help YouTube’s algorithm understand your video’s context – especially useful for niche topics or common spelling mix-ups.
For example, if you made a tutorial about “colour grading” but Americans search “color grading,” a tag with the alternate spelling can bridge that gap.
So, let’s dive into the how, from adding tags step-by-step, to pro tagging strategies that experienced creators use to get ahead.
In short, YouTube video tags are a free, easy way to help YouTube connect the dots between your content and the viewers who’d love it. They’re one of those small steps that, combined with great titles that get clicks, thumbnails, and content, contribute to your channel’s growth.
Now, let’s get practical and walk through how to add tags to YouTube video uploads, step by step.
It's hard to believe how many videos are on YouTube! – creators upload over 500 hours of video every single minute!"
With so many videos there, it's smart to use every feature you can to get noticed… That’s where YouTube tags come in. Using tags the right way really helps. It's also smart to use things like the best AI tools for YouTube videos to improve your channel.
Tags are descriptive keywords you add to your video’s metadata (behind the scenes) to help categorize your content. By signaling to YouTube what your video is about, tags can help the algorithm match your video with viewers’ searches and suggest it alongside related videos
The result? More of the right people are finding your videos. But do tags still matter in 2025?
Absolutely – though they’re not a magic bullet. Even YouTube acknowledges that tags play a minimal role compared to titles or descriptions (mainly helping with misspellings)
Think of tags as supporting actors: not the star of the show, but still important for a well-rounded performance. When used smartly, tags can give you a slight edge in search ranking and recommendations. And for new YouTubers, every little edge counts!
You might be asking, “If YouTube itself says tags aren’t that important, why bother?” The truth is, while tags won’t make a terrible video go viral, they can boost a good video’s chances of being discovered. Tags help YouTube’s algorithm understand your video’s context – especially useful for niche topics or common spelling mix-ups.
For example, if you made a tutorial about “colour grading” but Americans search “color grading,” a tag with the alternate spelling can bridge that gap.
So, let’s dive into the how, from adding tags step-by-step, to pro tagging strategies that experienced creators use to get ahead.
In short, YouTube video tags are a free, easy way to help YouTube connect the dots between your content and the viewers who’d love it. They’re one of those small steps that, combined with great titles that get clicks, thumbnails, and content, contribute to your channel’s growth.
Now, let’s get practical and walk through how to add tags to YouTube video uploads, step by step.
How to Add Tags to YouTube Videos (Step-by-Step)
If you’ve never tagged a video before, don’t worry – it’s super straightforward. Follow these steps on how to add tags to your YouTube video using YouTube Studio’s interface:
Open YouTube Studio: Log in to your YouTube account and click your profile icon. Select YouTube Studio from the drop-down. This is your creator dashboard for managing videos.
Go to “Content”: In the left sidebar of YouTube Studio, click on Content (it looks like a play icon). Here you’ll see all your videos. If you’re uploading a new video, click the “Upload Video” button and choose the video, then follow the prompts to upload your file.
Select Your Video: For an existing video, click the video’s thumbnail or title in your Content list to edit it. (If it’s a new upload, you’ll automatically be taken to the video details as it uploads.)
Open Video Details: You should now be on the Details tab for your video. This is where you edit the title, description, and other settings. Scroll down on this page — you’ll find a section labeled “Tags.”
Add Your Tags: In the Tags box, type in keywords or phrases that describe your video. After each tag, hit Enter or add a comma to separate it, and you’ll see it turn into a tag bubble.
For example, if your video is about - Does AI content rank on Google?, you might add tags like - AI content ranking, Google ranking factors, AI-generated blogs, and so on.
[Tip: You have up to 500 characters total, but you don’t need to use all of them – focus on quality tags that really fit your video]
Save Your Changes: Once you’ve entered the tags, double-check everything on your Details tab (title, description - maybe using a YouTube Title generator helped?), etc.) and hit “Save” (for existing videos) or “Next/Publish” (for new uploads). That’s it – your video now has tags associated with it!
If you ever need to update or add tags later, you can: just come back to this Details screen, edit your tags, and hit save.
[Pro Tip: You can add tags to YouTube Shorts and existing videos, too. For Shorts, since they’re brief, focus on 2-3 ultra-relevant tags or even hashtags (like #Shorts) to boost their chance of appearing in the Shorts feed.]
The process is similar – for an older video, go to YouTube Studio > Content, select the video, click “Edit Details”, and scroll to the Tags box to add or change tags.
Now that you know how do you add tags to YouTube videos technically, let’s talk strategy – which tags to add? how many? – to really use tags like a pro.
If you’ve never tagged a video before, don’t worry – it’s super straightforward. Follow these steps on how to add tags to your YouTube video using YouTube Studio’s interface:
Open YouTube Studio: Log in to your YouTube account and click your profile icon. Select YouTube Studio from the drop-down. This is your creator dashboard for managing videos.
Go to “Content”: In the left sidebar of YouTube Studio, click on Content (it looks like a play icon). Here you’ll see all your videos. If you’re uploading a new video, click the “Upload Video” button and choose the video, then follow the prompts to upload your file.
Select Your Video: For an existing video, click the video’s thumbnail or title in your Content list to edit it. (If it’s a new upload, you’ll automatically be taken to the video details as it uploads.)
Open Video Details: You should now be on the Details tab for your video. This is where you edit the title, description, and other settings. Scroll down on this page — you’ll find a section labeled “Tags.”
Add Your Tags: In the Tags box, type in keywords or phrases that describe your video. After each tag, hit Enter or add a comma to separate it, and you’ll see it turn into a tag bubble.
For example, if your video is about - Does AI content rank on Google?, you might add tags like - AI content ranking, Google ranking factors, AI-generated blogs, and so on.
[Tip: You have up to 500 characters total, but you don’t need to use all of them – focus on quality tags that really fit your video]
Save Your Changes: Once you’ve entered the tags, double-check everything on your Details tab (title, description - maybe using a YouTube Title generator helped?), etc.) and hit “Save” (for existing videos) or “Next/Publish” (for new uploads). That’s it – your video now has tags associated with it!
If you ever need to update or add tags later, you can: just come back to this Details screen, edit your tags, and hit save.
[Pro Tip: You can add tags to YouTube Shorts and existing videos, too. For Shorts, since they’re brief, focus on 2-3 ultra-relevant tags or even hashtags (like #Shorts) to boost their chance of appearing in the Shorts feed.]
The process is similar – for an older video, go to YouTube Studio > Content, select the video, click “Edit Details”, and scroll to the Tags box to add or change tags.
Now that you know how do you add tags to YouTube videos technically, let’s talk strategy – which tags to add? how many? – to really use tags like a pro.
If you’ve never tagged a video before, don’t worry – it’s super straightforward. Follow these steps on how to add tags to your YouTube video using YouTube Studio’s interface:
Open YouTube Studio: Log in to your YouTube account and click your profile icon. Select YouTube Studio from the drop-down. This is your creator dashboard for managing videos.
Go to “Content”: In the left sidebar of YouTube Studio, click on Content (it looks like a play icon). Here you’ll see all your videos. If you’re uploading a new video, click the “Upload Video” button and choose the video, then follow the prompts to upload your file.
Select Your Video: For an existing video, click the video’s thumbnail or title in your Content list to edit it. (If it’s a new upload, you’ll automatically be taken to the video details as it uploads.)
Open Video Details: You should now be on the Details tab for your video. This is where you edit the title, description, and other settings. Scroll down on this page — you’ll find a section labeled “Tags.”
Add Your Tags: In the Tags box, type in keywords or phrases that describe your video. After each tag, hit Enter or add a comma to separate it, and you’ll see it turn into a tag bubble.
For example, if your video is about - Does AI content rank on Google?, you might add tags like - AI content ranking, Google ranking factors, AI-generated blogs, and so on.
[Tip: You have up to 500 characters total, but you don’t need to use all of them – focus on quality tags that really fit your video]
Save Your Changes: Once you’ve entered the tags, double-check everything on your Details tab (title, description - maybe using a YouTube Title generator helped?), etc.) and hit “Save” (for existing videos) or “Next/Publish” (for new uploads). That’s it – your video now has tags associated with it!
If you ever need to update or add tags later, you can: just come back to this Details screen, edit your tags, and hit save.
[Pro Tip: You can add tags to YouTube Shorts and existing videos, too. For Shorts, since they’re brief, focus on 2-3 ultra-relevant tags or even hashtags (like #Shorts) to boost their chance of appearing in the Shorts feed.]
The process is similar – for an older video, go to YouTube Studio > Content, select the video, click “Edit Details”, and scroll to the Tags box to add or change tags.
Now that you know how do you add tags to YouTube videos technically, let’s talk strategy – which tags to add? how many? – to really use tags like a pro.
Best Practices for YouTube Tags (Get the Most Out of Tags)
Simply adding tags is easy; adding the right tags is where the real growth happens. Here are some battle-tested tagging tips and strategies used by experienced creators:
Be Specific & Relevant
Choose tags that truly reflect your video’s content. Generic tags like “funny” or “vlog” are too broad (millions of videos use them).
Instead, think “What would someone search to find a video like mine?” For a travel vlog in Paris, tags like Paris travel vlog, Eiffel Tower tips or Paris travel 2025 are far more specific and helpful than just travel or vacation.
Specific tags target viewers looking for that exact topic. (Bonus: Include synonyms and variations. If your main tag is “smartphone photography,” you might also tag “mobile photography” or “phone camera tips” to cover different search terms.)
Mix Broad and Niche Tags
A balanced tag strategy uses both broad tags and long-tail (niche) tags. Broad tags cast a wide net (e.g. Photography, Travel vlog), while niche tags catch the exact audience interested in your niche (Night photography for beginners, Solo travel in Japan vlog). The broad terms tell YouTube the general category, and the niche terms help you stand out for specific searches.
Example: If you run a cooking channel, you might tag a recipe video with broad terms like cooking and recipe, plus specific ones like vegan lasagna recipe or gluten-free dinner. This way, you can reach both general viewers and those searching for that exact dish.
Include Your Brand or Series Tag
This is a pro move many creators use. Add your channel name or a unique tag for a series as one of your tags.
For instance, if your channel is Amy’s Kitchen, include “AmysKitchen” as a tag on all your videos.
This helps group your content, so someone who enjoyed one of your videos might see others of yours in the “Up Next” sidebar. Brands launching a campaign do this to have all their related videos show up together. It’s an easy way to strengthen your channel identity and interlink your content in YouTube’s eyes.
Use 5 - 8 High-Quality Tags
You might be tempted to stuff all 500 characters with every keyword you can think of – resist that urge. It’s usually better to have a handful of focused, relevant tags than dozens of weak ones.
Many top YouTube SEO experts suggest using roughly 5 to 8 tags that really capture the video’s topic.
Considering that overall video SEO is boosted by factors like timestamps, focusing on tags is smart.
Remember: Quality > quantity. Think of it like hashtags on Instagram: a few well-chosen ones work better than 30 random ones. So pick your main themes and stick to those. (Using too many tags can dilute the relevance; if you tag a video with everything from “gaming” to “cooking,” it just confuses the algorithm and your potential viewers.)
Research Trending Tags
Before you finalize your tags, do some quick research. Type a few keywords from your video topic into the YouTube search bar and see the autocomplete suggestions – those are terms people are actively searching.
By thoroughly researching, you ensure each tag you use has a purpose. Creators emphasize knowing your audience’s search habits: “Research what your target audience is interested in. Use tools like Google Trends or YouTube’s suggestions to find popular and relevant tags.”
But, thankfully, you don’t have to do all the tag brainstorming manually. Several optimization tools can generate tag ideas and insights at the click of a button. Tools like GravityWrite YouTube Tag Generator use artificial intelligence to analyze your video’s topic (you might input your title or a brief description) and then immediately generate relevant tags, including some you might not have thought of.
For example, if your video is about “recipe for the ultimate chewy chocolate chip cookies”, an AI YouTube tag generator might return tags such as “chocolate chip cookies,” “homemade cookies,” “cookie lover,” and so on, by drawing on a broad knowledge of the topic.
Tip: Use AI suggestions as a starting point, then curate the list. You know your content best – pick the tags that truly fit your video and target audience, and discard any irrelevant suggestions an AI might give.
Many creators use multiple tools: one to gather ideas, another to check metrics on those ideas. Don’t hesitate to cross-verify.
Simply adding tags is easy; adding the right tags is where the real growth happens. Here are some battle-tested tagging tips and strategies used by experienced creators:
Be Specific & Relevant
Choose tags that truly reflect your video’s content. Generic tags like “funny” or “vlog” are too broad (millions of videos use them).
Instead, think “What would someone search to find a video like mine?” For a travel vlog in Paris, tags like Paris travel vlog, Eiffel Tower tips or Paris travel 2025 are far more specific and helpful than just travel or vacation.
Specific tags target viewers looking for that exact topic. (Bonus: Include synonyms and variations. If your main tag is “smartphone photography,” you might also tag “mobile photography” or “phone camera tips” to cover different search terms.)
Mix Broad and Niche Tags
A balanced tag strategy uses both broad tags and long-tail (niche) tags. Broad tags cast a wide net (e.g. Photography, Travel vlog), while niche tags catch the exact audience interested in your niche (Night photography for beginners, Solo travel in Japan vlog). The broad terms tell YouTube the general category, and the niche terms help you stand out for specific searches.
Example: If you run a cooking channel, you might tag a recipe video with broad terms like cooking and recipe, plus specific ones like vegan lasagna recipe or gluten-free dinner. This way, you can reach both general viewers and those searching for that exact dish.
Include Your Brand or Series Tag
This is a pro move many creators use. Add your channel name or a unique tag for a series as one of your tags.
For instance, if your channel is Amy’s Kitchen, include “AmysKitchen” as a tag on all your videos.
This helps group your content, so someone who enjoyed one of your videos might see others of yours in the “Up Next” sidebar. Brands launching a campaign do this to have all their related videos show up together. It’s an easy way to strengthen your channel identity and interlink your content in YouTube’s eyes.
Use 5 - 8 High-Quality Tags
You might be tempted to stuff all 500 characters with every keyword you can think of – resist that urge. It’s usually better to have a handful of focused, relevant tags than dozens of weak ones.
Many top YouTube SEO experts suggest using roughly 5 to 8 tags that really capture the video’s topic.
Considering that overall video SEO is boosted by factors like timestamps, focusing on tags is smart.
Remember: Quality > quantity. Think of it like hashtags on Instagram: a few well-chosen ones work better than 30 random ones. So pick your main themes and stick to those. (Using too many tags can dilute the relevance; if you tag a video with everything from “gaming” to “cooking,” it just confuses the algorithm and your potential viewers.)
Research Trending Tags
Before you finalize your tags, do some quick research. Type a few keywords from your video topic into the YouTube search bar and see the autocomplete suggestions – those are terms people are actively searching.
By thoroughly researching, you ensure each tag you use has a purpose. Creators emphasize knowing your audience’s search habits: “Research what your target audience is interested in. Use tools like Google Trends or YouTube’s suggestions to find popular and relevant tags.”
But, thankfully, you don’t have to do all the tag brainstorming manually. Several optimization tools can generate tag ideas and insights at the click of a button. Tools like GravityWrite YouTube Tag Generator use artificial intelligence to analyze your video’s topic (you might input your title or a brief description) and then immediately generate relevant tags, including some you might not have thought of.
For example, if your video is about “recipe for the ultimate chewy chocolate chip cookies”, an AI YouTube tag generator might return tags such as “chocolate chip cookies,” “homemade cookies,” “cookie lover,” and so on, by drawing on a broad knowledge of the topic.
Tip: Use AI suggestions as a starting point, then curate the list. You know your content best – pick the tags that truly fit your video and target audience, and discard any irrelevant suggestions an AI might give.
Many creators use multiple tools: one to gather ideas, another to check metrics on those ideas. Don’t hesitate to cross-verify.
Simply adding tags is easy; adding the right tags is where the real growth happens. Here are some battle-tested tagging tips and strategies used by experienced creators:
Be Specific & Relevant
Choose tags that truly reflect your video’s content. Generic tags like “funny” or “vlog” are too broad (millions of videos use them).
Instead, think “What would someone search to find a video like mine?” For a travel vlog in Paris, tags like Paris travel vlog, Eiffel Tower tips or Paris travel 2025 are far more specific and helpful than just travel or vacation.
Specific tags target viewers looking for that exact topic. (Bonus: Include synonyms and variations. If your main tag is “smartphone photography,” you might also tag “mobile photography” or “phone camera tips” to cover different search terms.)
Mix Broad and Niche Tags
A balanced tag strategy uses both broad tags and long-tail (niche) tags. Broad tags cast a wide net (e.g. Photography, Travel vlog), while niche tags catch the exact audience interested in your niche (Night photography for beginners, Solo travel in Japan vlog). The broad terms tell YouTube the general category, and the niche terms help you stand out for specific searches.
Example: If you run a cooking channel, you might tag a recipe video with broad terms like cooking and recipe, plus specific ones like vegan lasagna recipe or gluten-free dinner. This way, you can reach both general viewers and those searching for that exact dish.
Include Your Brand or Series Tag
This is a pro move many creators use. Add your channel name or a unique tag for a series as one of your tags.
For instance, if your channel is Amy’s Kitchen, include “AmysKitchen” as a tag on all your videos.
This helps group your content, so someone who enjoyed one of your videos might see others of yours in the “Up Next” sidebar. Brands launching a campaign do this to have all their related videos show up together. It’s an easy way to strengthen your channel identity and interlink your content in YouTube’s eyes.
Use 5 - 8 High-Quality Tags
You might be tempted to stuff all 500 characters with every keyword you can think of – resist that urge. It’s usually better to have a handful of focused, relevant tags than dozens of weak ones.
Many top YouTube SEO experts suggest using roughly 5 to 8 tags that really capture the video’s topic.
Considering that overall video SEO is boosted by factors like timestamps, focusing on tags is smart.
Remember: Quality > quantity. Think of it like hashtags on Instagram: a few well-chosen ones work better than 30 random ones. So pick your main themes and stick to those. (Using too many tags can dilute the relevance; if you tag a video with everything from “gaming” to “cooking,” it just confuses the algorithm and your potential viewers.)
Research Trending Tags
Before you finalize your tags, do some quick research. Type a few keywords from your video topic into the YouTube search bar and see the autocomplete suggestions – those are terms people are actively searching.
By thoroughly researching, you ensure each tag you use has a purpose. Creators emphasize knowing your audience’s search habits: “Research what your target audience is interested in. Use tools like Google Trends or YouTube’s suggestions to find popular and relevant tags.”
But, thankfully, you don’t have to do all the tag brainstorming manually. Several optimization tools can generate tag ideas and insights at the click of a button. Tools like GravityWrite YouTube Tag Generator use artificial intelligence to analyze your video’s topic (you might input your title or a brief description) and then immediately generate relevant tags, including some you might not have thought of.
For example, if your video is about “recipe for the ultimate chewy chocolate chip cookies”, an AI YouTube tag generator might return tags such as “chocolate chip cookies,” “homemade cookies,” “cookie lover,” and so on, by drawing on a broad knowledge of the topic.
Tip: Use AI suggestions as a starting point, then curate the list. You know your content best – pick the tags that truly fit your video and target audience, and discard any irrelevant suggestions an AI might give.
Many creators use multiple tools: one to gather ideas, another to check metrics on those ideas. Don’t hesitate to cross-verify.
Common Tagging Mistakes to Avoid
Even well-meaning creators can trip up on tagging. Here are some tagging pitfalls you should steer clear of:
Misleading Tags (Clickbait)
Don’t ever use tags that have nothing to do with your video, even if they’re popular searches. Tagging random trending topics or celebrity names just to bait viewers will backfire. Viewers will bounce the moment they realize your video isn’t what the tag promised, and YouTube will notice that drop-off.
For example, tagging a cooking tutorial with “Minecraft” or a music star’s name is a huge no-go. It can hurt your video’s ranking and even your channel’s credibility.
Keep tags honest and relevant – your goal is to attract interested viewers, not just any click.
Copy-Pasting Competitors’ Tags
It might be tempting to copy tags from a viral video in your niche, but it’s not a great strategy. If your video isn’t actually about exactly the same content, those tags won’t fit well. YouTube’s algorithm is smart – it knows when your tags don’t truly match your video. Plus, you want to stand out, not blend in with clones. Use competitors’ tags as research, not a cheat sheet
Instead, craft tags that are specific to your video. You can certainly use some similar keywords if they apply, but think about what unique angle or sub-topic you cover and tag that too.
Overstuffing Keywords
Yes, YouTube gives you a 500-character tag box, but that doesn’t mean you should fill it up with technical words. Using too many tags, or repeating the same words in slightly different ways, can look spammy.
For instance, adding 20 tags that are just slight variations (like travel, traveling, traveler, travels…) doesn’t boost you – it just wastes space.
Be concise. Remember, a few strong tags beat dozens of weak ones. If your tags start to get very repetitive or stray off-topic, prune them down.
Neglecting Tags Entirely
On the flip side, some creators (especially when starting out) don’t add any tags or just throw in one token tag. They might think “eh, tags don’t matter” – but why miss out on a free advantage?
Every new video you upload, take that extra minute or two to add relevant tags. It won’t hurt, and it often helps your visibility. Think of it as part of your upload routine, like writing a good title and description. Consistency here is key; videos with well-optimized metadata (title, description, and tags) have a better shot at reaching the right audience.
By avoiding these mistakes, you ensure your tags actually help your video instead of holding it back. Keep your tagging honest, focused, and up-to-date with your content, and you’ll be in great shape.
Even well-meaning creators can trip up on tagging. Here are some tagging pitfalls you should steer clear of:
Misleading Tags (Clickbait)
Don’t ever use tags that have nothing to do with your video, even if they’re popular searches. Tagging random trending topics or celebrity names just to bait viewers will backfire. Viewers will bounce the moment they realize your video isn’t what the tag promised, and YouTube will notice that drop-off.
For example, tagging a cooking tutorial with “Minecraft” or a music star’s name is a huge no-go. It can hurt your video’s ranking and even your channel’s credibility.
Keep tags honest and relevant – your goal is to attract interested viewers, not just any click.
Copy-Pasting Competitors’ Tags
It might be tempting to copy tags from a viral video in your niche, but it’s not a great strategy. If your video isn’t actually about exactly the same content, those tags won’t fit well. YouTube’s algorithm is smart – it knows when your tags don’t truly match your video. Plus, you want to stand out, not blend in with clones. Use competitors’ tags as research, not a cheat sheet
Instead, craft tags that are specific to your video. You can certainly use some similar keywords if they apply, but think about what unique angle or sub-topic you cover and tag that too.
Overstuffing Keywords
Yes, YouTube gives you a 500-character tag box, but that doesn’t mean you should fill it up with technical words. Using too many tags, or repeating the same words in slightly different ways, can look spammy.
For instance, adding 20 tags that are just slight variations (like travel, traveling, traveler, travels…) doesn’t boost you – it just wastes space.
Be concise. Remember, a few strong tags beat dozens of weak ones. If your tags start to get very repetitive or stray off-topic, prune them down.
Neglecting Tags Entirely
On the flip side, some creators (especially when starting out) don’t add any tags or just throw in one token tag. They might think “eh, tags don’t matter” – but why miss out on a free advantage?
Every new video you upload, take that extra minute or two to add relevant tags. It won’t hurt, and it often helps your visibility. Think of it as part of your upload routine, like writing a good title and description. Consistency here is key; videos with well-optimized metadata (title, description, and tags) have a better shot at reaching the right audience.
By avoiding these mistakes, you ensure your tags actually help your video instead of holding it back. Keep your tagging honest, focused, and up-to-date with your content, and you’ll be in great shape.
Even well-meaning creators can trip up on tagging. Here are some tagging pitfalls you should steer clear of:
Misleading Tags (Clickbait)
Don’t ever use tags that have nothing to do with your video, even if they’re popular searches. Tagging random trending topics or celebrity names just to bait viewers will backfire. Viewers will bounce the moment they realize your video isn’t what the tag promised, and YouTube will notice that drop-off.
For example, tagging a cooking tutorial with “Minecraft” or a music star’s name is a huge no-go. It can hurt your video’s ranking and even your channel’s credibility.
Keep tags honest and relevant – your goal is to attract interested viewers, not just any click.
Copy-Pasting Competitors’ Tags
It might be tempting to copy tags from a viral video in your niche, but it’s not a great strategy. If your video isn’t actually about exactly the same content, those tags won’t fit well. YouTube’s algorithm is smart – it knows when your tags don’t truly match your video. Plus, you want to stand out, not blend in with clones. Use competitors’ tags as research, not a cheat sheet
Instead, craft tags that are specific to your video. You can certainly use some similar keywords if they apply, but think about what unique angle or sub-topic you cover and tag that too.
Overstuffing Keywords
Yes, YouTube gives you a 500-character tag box, but that doesn’t mean you should fill it up with technical words. Using too many tags, or repeating the same words in slightly different ways, can look spammy.
For instance, adding 20 tags that are just slight variations (like travel, traveling, traveler, travels…) doesn’t boost you – it just wastes space.
Be concise. Remember, a few strong tags beat dozens of weak ones. If your tags start to get very repetitive or stray off-topic, prune them down.
Neglecting Tags Entirely
On the flip side, some creators (especially when starting out) don’t add any tags or just throw in one token tag. They might think “eh, tags don’t matter” – but why miss out on a free advantage?
Every new video you upload, take that extra minute or two to add relevant tags. It won’t hurt, and it often helps your visibility. Think of it as part of your upload routine, like writing a good title and description. Consistency here is key; videos with well-optimized metadata (title, description, and tags) have a better shot at reaching the right audience.
By avoiding these mistakes, you ensure your tags actually help your video instead of holding it back. Keep your tagging honest, focused, and up-to-date with your content, and you’ll be in great shape.
How Tags Help YouTube and Viewers Find You?
It's good to remember all the ways people might find your videos. Tags are one helpful piece of the puzzle, working together with other important factors:
YouTube Recommendations: When YouTube suggests your video. This relies heavily on YouTube understanding your content well (from title, description, audio, etc.) and how much viewers enjoy it. Tags add extra clarity.
Browsing YouTube: People looking through their subscriptions or exploring different YouTube sections. Good categorization, helped by tags, matters.
YouTube Search: When someone types words into the search bar. Clear titles, descriptions, and relevant tags all help your video show up for the right searches.
Links from Outside YouTube: People clicking links shared elsewhere.
Think of it like building with blocks:
Your Video Content, Title, Thumbnail, and Description: These are the big, main blocks – the foundation and walls. They absolutely need to be strong and clear.
Your Tags: These are like smaller connecting blocks and helpful labels. They make the structure stronger, clearer, and easier for YouTube (and viewers searching) to understand exactly what it is and where it fits.
Tags are a valuable part of making your video fully optimized. They work with the other important parts to give your video its best chance to connect with interested viewers.
It's good to remember all the ways people might find your videos. Tags are one helpful piece of the puzzle, working together with other important factors:
YouTube Recommendations: When YouTube suggests your video. This relies heavily on YouTube understanding your content well (from title, description, audio, etc.) and how much viewers enjoy it. Tags add extra clarity.
Browsing YouTube: People looking through their subscriptions or exploring different YouTube sections. Good categorization, helped by tags, matters.
YouTube Search: When someone types words into the search bar. Clear titles, descriptions, and relevant tags all help your video show up for the right searches.
Links from Outside YouTube: People clicking links shared elsewhere.
Think of it like building with blocks:
Your Video Content, Title, Thumbnail, and Description: These are the big, main blocks – the foundation and walls. They absolutely need to be strong and clear.
Your Tags: These are like smaller connecting blocks and helpful labels. They make the structure stronger, clearer, and easier for YouTube (and viewers searching) to understand exactly what it is and where it fits.
Tags are a valuable part of making your video fully optimized. They work with the other important parts to give your video its best chance to connect with interested viewers.
It's good to remember all the ways people might find your videos. Tags are one helpful piece of the puzzle, working together with other important factors:
YouTube Recommendations: When YouTube suggests your video. This relies heavily on YouTube understanding your content well (from title, description, audio, etc.) and how much viewers enjoy it. Tags add extra clarity.
Browsing YouTube: People looking through their subscriptions or exploring different YouTube sections. Good categorization, helped by tags, matters.
YouTube Search: When someone types words into the search bar. Clear titles, descriptions, and relevant tags all help your video show up for the right searches.
Links from Outside YouTube: People clicking links shared elsewhere.
Think of it like building with blocks:
Your Video Content, Title, Thumbnail, and Description: These are the big, main blocks – the foundation and walls. They absolutely need to be strong and clear.
Your Tags: These are like smaller connecting blocks and helpful labels. They make the structure stronger, clearer, and easier for YouTube (and viewers searching) to understand exactly what it is and where it fits.
Tags are a valuable part of making your video fully optimized. They work with the other important parts to give your video its best chance to connect with interested viewers.
Ready to Make YouTube Tagging Easier?
So there you have it! Using YouTube tags to increase views in 2025 involves a mix of research, strategy, and continuous optimization.
By now, you should understand that tags are a supporting pillar of YouTube SEO – not the sole foundation, but definitely worth the effort for boosting your channel’s visibility, views, and ultimately monetization.
By adding a handful of relevant, well-chosen tags, you’re simply making it easier for the system to understand your content perfectly and connect it with the audience who will truly appreciate it. It doesn't need to take hours; focus on relevance and supporting your main content.
Remember, success on YouTube is usually the result of many small efforts working together. Tags are one of those small but significant efforts.
So, next time you upload, take a moment to thoughtfully tag your video. Observe the results, adjust your strategy as needed, and continue. Over time, you’ll likely notice better reach and more of the right.
Feeling better about tags? Awesome! If you want a hand brainstorming relevant tag ideas quickly, give GravityWrite’s YouTube Tag Generator a try.
And for more helpful tips on growing your channel, be sure to check out our other simple YouTube Guides. Keep creating!
So there you have it! Using YouTube tags to increase views in 2025 involves a mix of research, strategy, and continuous optimization.
By now, you should understand that tags are a supporting pillar of YouTube SEO – not the sole foundation, but definitely worth the effort for boosting your channel’s visibility, views, and ultimately monetization.
By adding a handful of relevant, well-chosen tags, you’re simply making it easier for the system to understand your content perfectly and connect it with the audience who will truly appreciate it. It doesn't need to take hours; focus on relevance and supporting your main content.
Remember, success on YouTube is usually the result of many small efforts working together. Tags are one of those small but significant efforts.
So, next time you upload, take a moment to thoughtfully tag your video. Observe the results, adjust your strategy as needed, and continue. Over time, you’ll likely notice better reach and more of the right.
Feeling better about tags? Awesome! If you want a hand brainstorming relevant tag ideas quickly, give GravityWrite’s YouTube Tag Generator a try.
And for more helpful tips on growing your channel, be sure to check out our other simple YouTube Guides. Keep creating!
So there you have it! Using YouTube tags to increase views in 2025 involves a mix of research, strategy, and continuous optimization.
By now, you should understand that tags are a supporting pillar of YouTube SEO – not the sole foundation, but definitely worth the effort for boosting your channel’s visibility, views, and ultimately monetization.
By adding a handful of relevant, well-chosen tags, you’re simply making it easier for the system to understand your content perfectly and connect it with the audience who will truly appreciate it. It doesn't need to take hours; focus on relevance and supporting your main content.
Remember, success on YouTube is usually the result of many small efforts working together. Tags are one of those small but significant efforts.
So, next time you upload, take a moment to thoughtfully tag your video. Observe the results, adjust your strategy as needed, and continue. Over time, you’ll likely notice better reach and more of the right.
Feeling better about tags? Awesome! If you want a hand brainstorming relevant tag ideas quickly, give GravityWrite’s YouTube Tag Generator a try.
And for more helpful tips on growing your channel, be sure to check out our other simple YouTube Guides. Keep creating!
FAQs on YouTube Video Tags
How do I find good tags for my YouTube video?
Think like your viewer! Use YouTube's search bar suggestions (autocomplete) for real search terms. Look at successful videos in your niche for keyword ideas (from titles/descriptions). Tools like tag generators or SEO extensions can also help brainstorm, but always pick tags truly relevant to your video.
How many tags should I use on a YouTube video?
Focus on quality over quantity. Aim for around 5 to 8 highly relevant tags. Focus on accurately describing your main topic and specific details, rather than just filling the 500-character limit with weak or repetitive terms.
Do YouTube tags really help videos get more views?
They support discoverability. Good tags help YouTube understand your video's context better, catch specific searches/typos, and improve related video suggestions. Combined with other optimizations, they contribute to reaching the right viewers.
How do you add tags to YouTube videos?
In YouTube Studio's video 'Details' page, scroll down (click 'SHOW MORE' if needed) to the 'Tags' box. Type your keywords/phrases, pressing Enter or a comma after each one. Click 'Save'. That’s how to add tags to YouTube video files.
Are YouTube tags and hashtags the same thing?
No. Tags go in the hidden 'Tags' box for YouTube's system. Hashtags (#Topic) should be included in your visible description or title and are clickable by viewers, helping to group content publicly around trends or topics. Use both appropriately!
How do I find good tags for my YouTube video?
Think like your viewer! Use YouTube's search bar suggestions (autocomplete) for real search terms. Look at successful videos in your niche for keyword ideas (from titles/descriptions). Tools like tag generators or SEO extensions can also help brainstorm, but always pick tags truly relevant to your video.
How many tags should I use on a YouTube video?
Focus on quality over quantity. Aim for around 5 to 8 highly relevant tags. Focus on accurately describing your main topic and specific details, rather than just filling the 500-character limit with weak or repetitive terms.
Do YouTube tags really help videos get more views?
They support discoverability. Good tags help YouTube understand your video's context better, catch specific searches/typos, and improve related video suggestions. Combined with other optimizations, they contribute to reaching the right viewers.
How do you add tags to YouTube videos?
In YouTube Studio's video 'Details' page, scroll down (click 'SHOW MORE' if needed) to the 'Tags' box. Type your keywords/phrases, pressing Enter or a comma after each one. Click 'Save'. That’s how to add tags to YouTube video files.
Are YouTube tags and hashtags the same thing?
No. Tags go in the hidden 'Tags' box for YouTube's system. Hashtags (#Topic) should be included in your visible description or title and are clickable by viewers, helping to group content publicly around trends or topics. Use both appropriately!
How do I find good tags for my YouTube video?
Think like your viewer! Use YouTube's search bar suggestions (autocomplete) for real search terms. Look at successful videos in your niche for keyword ideas (from titles/descriptions). Tools like tag generators or SEO extensions can also help brainstorm, but always pick tags truly relevant to your video.
How many tags should I use on a YouTube video?
Focus on quality over quantity. Aim for around 5 to 8 highly relevant tags. Focus on accurately describing your main topic and specific details, rather than just filling the 500-character limit with weak or repetitive terms.
Do YouTube tags really help videos get more views?
They support discoverability. Good tags help YouTube understand your video's context better, catch specific searches/typos, and improve related video suggestions. Combined with other optimizations, they contribute to reaching the right viewers.
How do you add tags to YouTube videos?
In YouTube Studio's video 'Details' page, scroll down (click 'SHOW MORE' if needed) to the 'Tags' box. Type your keywords/phrases, pressing Enter or a comma after each one. Click 'Save'. That’s how to add tags to YouTube video files.
Are YouTube tags and hashtags the same thing?
No. Tags go in the hidden 'Tags' box for YouTube's system. Hashtags (#Topic) should be included in your visible description or title and are clickable by viewers, helping to group content publicly around trends or topics. Use both appropriately!
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