Hashtags have taken over the internet, shaping the way we discover content, connect with brands, and even shop online. From social media to blogs, e-commerce stores, and even print ads—hashtags are everywhere! In fact, many young users now search for products using hashtags on social media instead of turning to Google.
With their ability to boost visibility and engagement, it’s no surprise that marketers are leveraging hashtags to drive sales and brand awareness. And YouTube is no exception. Content creators add hashtags to their videos hoping to increase discoverability, gain more views on YouTube, and attract a wider audience.
At first glance, this strategy makes perfect sense. When you add a trending hashtag to your video, anyone who clicks on the same tag across YouTube can potentially find your content. But do YouTube hashtags really work? Are they as powerful as we think, or are they just another digital marketing trend?
Instead of giving you a generic list of “the best YouTube hashtags” (which you can easily find online), we’ll dive deep into real-life examples and data-driven strategies to help you craft a winning hashtag approach.
In this detailed guide, we’ll explore YouTube hashtags, their significance, and the best ways to use them to boost video views.
What Are YouTube Hashtags?
YouTube hashtags are clickable keywords or phrases that start with a # (hashtag) symbol. They help categorize your videos, making it easier for viewers to discover related content. When you add hashtags to a video title or description, they automatically link to a dedicated page that showcases all videos using the same hashtag.
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How Do YouTube Hashtags Work?
By incorporating hashtags, you:
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✅ Increase discoverability – Hashtags connect your video to trending topics and similar content.
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✅ Improve content organization – Viewers can find related videos under the same hashtag.
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✅ Boost engagement – Trending and niche-specific hashtags help attract the right audience.
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✅ Enhance SEO – YouTube uses hashtags to better understand your content and suggest it to relevant viewers.
For example, adding #CookingTips to a recipe video groups it with other cooking-related content. This helps YouTube’s algorithm categorise your video, making it more likely to appear in search results and suggested videos.
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Where Do YouTube Hashtags Appear?
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Above the video title – If no hashtags are added to the title, the first three hashtags from the description will appear above the title.
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Inside the video title – Hashtags added directly to the title are clickable.
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Within the video description – Hashtags placed in the description become clickable links, leading to hashtag-based content pages.
By using hashtags strategically, you can reach a wider audience, connect with trending conversations, and improve your YouTube video rankings.
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How to Find the Best YouTube Hashtags for Your Videos
Using the right YouTube hashtags can boost your video’s visibility, help reach the right audience, and improve SEO rankings. However, not all hashtags are effective—some may be too broad, irrelevant, or overused. To avoid this, it’s important to research hashtags before using them.
Here are the best ways to find high-performing hashtags for your YouTube videos:
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Check Trending Videos in Your Niche
One of the easiest ways to discover effective hashtags is by analyzing popular videos in your niche.
- Search for a broad keyword related to your video’s topic.
- Analyze the top-ranking videos and take note of the hashtags they use.
- Avoid branded hashtags unless they belong to your brand.
For example, if you’re creating content about Social Media Management, searching #SocialMediaManagement on YouTube can reveal high-performing hashtags used in top-ranking videos.
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Research Competitor Videos
Your competitors can provide valuable insights into which hashtags perform well in your industry.
- Identify top competitors in your niche.
- Check their most viewed videos and analyze their hashtag usage.
- Look at related videos to discover additional relevant hashtags.
If a competitor’s video is ranking well with a specific hashtag, using a similar one can help improve your content’s discoverability in related searches.
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Use YouTube’s Autosuggest Feature
Similar to Google, YouTube offers autocomplete suggestions when you type in the search bar.
- Type “#” followed by your keyword in the YouTube search bar.
- Observe the hashtag suggestions—these indicate trending and frequently used tags.
- Experiment with variations to find the most relevant and effective options.
For instance, searching #marketing might generate suggestions like #DigitalMarketing, #MarketingTips, or #OnlineMarketing. These recommendations help refine your hashtag strategy.
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Use a YouTube Hashtag Generator
If you need a quick and efficient way to generate hashtag ideas, consider using a YouTube hashtag generator. These tools analyze search volume and competition to provide optimised hashtag suggestions.
Recommended YouTube Hashtag Generators:
- Ahrefs – Provides data-driven hashtag recommendations based on search trends.
- Kparser – Generates keyword-based hashtags tailored for SEO optimization.
- Aux Mode – Offers real-time trending hashtags for YouTube content.
If you use a social media management tool like Viralpep, you can go beyond hashtag generators and track conversations, analyze sentiment, and discover emerging hashtags in real time.
How to Add Hashtags to YouTube Videos
Adding hashtags to your YouTube videos is a simple yet effective way to improve discoverability. YouTube allows hashtags in two key areas: the video title and the video description. Here’s how to use them strategically:
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Add Hashtags in the YouTube Video Title
Including hashtags in your video title makes them clickable and visible to viewers. When users click on a hashtag, YouTube directs them to a page with all videos using the same tag, helping categorize your content and increasing its reach.
Best Practices:
- Add 1-2 relevant hashtags in the title.
- Keep the total character count between 60-70 characters to maintain readability.
- Avoid overly broad hashtags—choose ones directly related to your content.
For example, a video titled “Best Tips for Social Media Marketing #SocialMediaGrowth” will appear in searches related to social media strategies.
Note: If you add a hashtag in the title, it will always be clickable, meaning viewers might navigate away from your video to see other content using the same tag.
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Add Hashtags in the YouTube Video Description
Hashtags in the video description are even more powerful because YouTube automatically displays the first three hashtags above the video title. This makes them highly visible to viewers without cluttering the title.
Best Practices:
- Use 3-5 hashtags in the description to maintain a clean look.
- Place hashtags at the end of the description to keep the main content readable.
- Make sure the selected hashtags are highly relevant to your video topic.
For example, a tutorial on scheduling social media posts could include hashtags like:
Learn how to automate your content and post at the best times on YouTube! #SocialMediaScheduling #ContentMarketing #Viralpep
By strategically placing hashtags in your title and description, you can increase your video’s reach, boost engagement, and help YouTube categorize your content for the right audience.
How to Add Hashtags to YouTube Shorts
Just like regular YouTube videos, hashtags play a crucial role in making YouTube Shorts more discoverable and engaging. Using the right hashtags can help your Shorts reach a wider audience and improve visibility in search results and the Shorts feed. Here’s how to use them effectively:
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Add Hashtags in the YouTube Shorts Title
Including hashtags in the title helps YouTube’s algorithm categorize your Shorts instantly and increase their reach. A well-crafted title with relevant hashtags improves searchability and boosts engagement.
Best Practices:
- Add 1-2 relevant hashtags in the title.
- Keep the title short and impactful (between 60-70 characters) for better visibility.
- Ensure hashtags align with your content and audience.
For example, a Short about social media marketing tips might have a title like “Boost Engagement with These Tips! #SocialMediaMarketing #SocialMediaManagementTool” to attract marketers and business owners looking for effective strategies.
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Add Hashtags in the YouTube Shorts Description
Hashtags in the Shorts description work similarly to regular video descriptions. They help categorize the content and improve its discoverability.
Best Practices:
- Write a concise description summarizing the Short’s content.
- Place hashtags at the end of the description to keep it clean and readable.
- Use 3-5 relevant and trending hashtags to maximize reach.
For instance, a Short showcasing a social media scheduling tool could include hashtags like #SocialMediaManagementTool #ContentScheduling #MarketingTools at the end of the description to target social media managers and digital marketers.
How to Find the Best YouTube Hashtags for Your Videos
Finding the right YouTube hashtags for your videos can be time-consuming, but using the right approach can make the process easier. Here are a few effective ways to discover relevant hashtags for your content:
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Use the Trending Feed
Browse YouTube’s trending videos to see what content is currently popular. Focus on trending videos within your niche and analyze the hashtags they use. Selecting the right trending hashtags can improve your video’s visibility and engagement.
For example, if you create social media marketing content, check out trending videos on digital marketing and use hashtags like #SocialMediaMarketing #SocialMediaManagementTool #MarketingTrends in your videos.
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Filter Videos by Upload Date
To find the most recent trending videos, use YouTube’s upload date filter:
- Search for a keyword related to your niche, like “content marketing” or “Instagram growth”.
- Apply the “upload date: this week” filter to focus on the latest trending content.
- Analyze the hashtags in these videos and use relevant ones for your content.
For instance, if you run a fitness YouTube channel, filtering recent videos on “workout tips” can help you find the latest hashtags like #FitnessTips #WorkoutMotivation to reach a broader audience.
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Check Views on Videos
Not all viral videos have the best hashtags. Instead, focus on videos with steady, organic growth that align with your niche.
- Find competitor videos in your industry and check their most-used hashtags.
- Identify the best-performing videos and consider incorporating some of their relevant hashtags into your own content.
For example, if you’re creating content on social media growth strategies, look at popular social media influencers and their best-performing videos. If a video has high engagement and includes hashtags like #SocialMediaStrategy #SocialMediaManagementTool, those could be great choices for your content.
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Use the YouTube Search Box
YouTube’s search suggestion feature is a powerful tool for finding popular hashtags.
- Simply type “#” in the YouTube search bar.
- YouTube will suggest trending hashtags based on popularity.
- Select hashtags that are relevant to your content.
For instance, if you start typing “#content”, YouTube might suggest #ContentMarketing, #ContentStrategy, #ContentCreation—all of which can help your video reach a targeted audience.
Best Practices for Using YouTube Hashtags
Using YouTube hashtags effectively can enhance your video’s reach, boost engagement, and help users discover your content more easily. However, misusing hashtags—such as adding too many, using irrelevant ones, or violating YouTube’s guidelines—can negatively impact your video’s performance. Below are the best practices to follow when incorporating hashtags into your YouTube strategy.
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Use 3-5 Relevant Hashtags Per Video
YouTube allows up to 15 hashtags in a video description, but exceeding this limit causes YouTube to ignore all hashtags. To maximize results, limit your usage to 3-5 highly relevant hashtags per video.
Additionally, while adding hashtags to your video title can improve discoverability, remember that only the first three hashtags in your description appear above the title.
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Leverage Trending and Branded Hashtags
Trending hashtags can provide short-term visibility boosts, especially for YouTube Shorts. However, these trends fade quickly. Branded hashtags, on the other hand, are unique to your channel and help users find all your related content in one place.
For example, if you create content about digital marketing, using #DigitalMarketing can help your video appear in searches, but a unique hashtag like #YourBrandNameMarketing ensures users see only your content when they click on it.
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Use Location-Based Hashtags for Local Videos
If your video targets a specific geographic area, use location-based hashtags. Be specific—general tags like #Springfield could refer to multiple locations, whereas #SpringfieldIL makes it clear you’re referring to Springfield, Illinois.
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Monitor Hashtag Performance
Once you’ve added hashtags, track their impact using YouTube Analytics. Identify which hashtags drive the most views and engagement, then adjust your strategy accordingly.
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Follow YouTube’s Hashtag Guidelines
YouTube enforces strict guidelines for hashtags, and violating them can lead to penalties, including content removal. Keep these rules in mind:
- No misleading hashtags – Only use hashtags relevant to your video content.
- Avoid harassment or hate speech – Never use offensive, derogatory, or violent hashtags.
- No explicit content – Sexually suggestive or vulgar hashtags may lead to video removal.
- No excessive or repetitive hashtags – Overusing generic or spammy hashtags can lower your video’s reach.
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Track Industry and Competitor Hashtags
Not sure which hashtags to use? Analyze your competitors’ videos to see which hashtags they use. This can provide valuable insights into trending topics and engagement strategies in your niche.
By following these best practices, you can optimize your YouTube hashtag strategy and improve your content’s visibility and engagement.
Final Thoughts
Hashtags are a powerful for boosting user engagement, but they work best when used strategically. Focus on hashtags that are relevant, trending, and already in use within your niche.
Avoid excessive hashtag use, as it can make your content look spammy. Instead, develop your own branded hashtags to increase visibility and create a unique identity for your channel.
Consistently using well-researched hashtags in your videos can enhance discoverability, align with YouTube’s algorithm, and improve your video rankings.
Managing your YouTube content effectively requires the right social media management tool. With Viralpep, you can streamline your posting schedule and optimize your video strategy—all from a single, user-friendly dashboard.
