YouTube Hashtags: The Complete Guide to Use Them for More Views

Using YouTube hashtags is one of the simplest ways to increase video discoverability

Even if you’re a content creator, business owner, or casual YouTuber, adding relevant hashtags to your YouTube videos can improve SEO, boost search rankings, and help you reach a wider audience.

Many people assume hashtags work the same way across all social media platforms, but hashtags for YouTube function differently. 

YouTube works by grouping content together, making it easier for viewers to find related content through clickable links.

This guide will explain everything you need to know about YouTube hashtags, from how to add hashtags to the best strategies for maximum engagement.

What Are YouTube Hashtags?

A YouTube hashtag is a keyword or phrase that starts with the hashtag symbol (#).

 These hashtags help categorize content, making it easier for viewers to discover videos that match their interests.

When you add hashtags in a video title or video description, they appear as clickable links, leading users to a search results page showing all videos that include the same hashtag.

Using the right hashtags ensures that your content reaches a specific audience, increasing video performance and engagement.

How Do YouTube Hashtags Work?

youtube hashtags for more views

When you add hashtags to your video title or description, YouTube automatically highlights the first three hashtags above the video title.

  • If hashtags are included in both the title and description, the ones in the title take priority.
  • Clicking a particular hashtag brings users to a dedicated search results page showing all other videos that use the same hashtag.

Key Benefits of YouTube Hashtags:

✔ Improve video’s discoverability in search results
✔ Connect YouTube videos to trending topics
✔ Help YouTube work by categorizing video content
✔ Attract a target audience based on specific keywords
✔ Boost more views and engagement

YouTube Hashtags vs. YouTube Tags: What’s the Difference?

YouTube hashtags and YouTube tags both help improve a video’s discoverability, but they work differently. 

Hashtags are clickable and appear in the video title and description, while tags are added in the video settings to help with SEO

Many content creators confuse YouTube hashtags with YouTube tags. Here’s how they differ:

FeatureYouTube HashtagsYouTube Tags
VisibilityAppears in video title & descriptionHidden in video settings
PurposeHelps viewers find related contentHelps YouTube categorize content
Search ImpactBoosts video discoverabilityHas minimal effect on rankings
Clickable LinksYes, leads to a search results pageNo, not clickable

Which One is More Important?

  • YouTube hashtags are better for SEO than YouTube tags.
  • While tags still help with video classification, hashtags generate more engagement by connecting videos within a niche.

Fun Fact: YouTube tags used to play a big role in ranking videos, but in 2020, YouTube confirmed that hashtags are now more important than traditional tags in the video settings.

How to Add Hashtags on YouTube

Step 1: Choose the Right Hashtags

  • Pick relevant hashtags that match your video content.
  • Avoid over tagging – using too many hashtags can make your description look spammy.

Step 2: Add Hashtags in the Video Title

  • Including a YouTube hashtag in the video title makes it more visible and improves ranking in search results.

Step 3: Place Hashtags in the Description

  • If you want to add hashtags without cluttering your title, place them at the end of the description.

Using trending hashtags can increase video’s discoverability and attract a larger audience.

  • #Trending
  • #MustWatch
  • #YouTubeShorts
  • #SubscribeNow
  • #PopularNow
  • #ViralMoments
  • #ExplorePage
  • #FYP
  • #ShortsFeed
  • #ForYouPage

Gaming Hashtags

  • #GamingSetup
  • #LiveStream
  • #PS5Gameplay
  • #MinecraftBuilds
  • #FortniteClips
  • #GameUpdates
  • #CallOfDuty
  • #GTAOnline
  • #Roblox
  • #Valorant

Fitness & Health Hashtags

  • #HomeWorkout
  • #HealthyLifestyle
  • #YogaForBeginners
  • #WeightLossTips
  • #MindfulEating
  • #FitnessGoals
  • #ShredLife
  • #FitLife
  • #GetStrong

How Many Hashtags Should You Use?

Although YouTube allows up to 15 hashtags, adding too many can reduce engagement.

1-3 Hashtags – Best for general content
5-8 Hashtags – Ideal for niche targeting
10-15 Hashtags – Useful for trending topics

Pro Tip:

Using a YouTube hashtag generator can help find the best hashtags for your content.

Common Hashtag Mistakes to Avoid

viral hashtags for youtube

Using hashtags can boost your content’s reach, but misusing them can hurt engagement instead of helping it. 

Many creators make simple mistakes like overusing hashtags, choosing irrelevant ones, or repeating the same set in every post

These errors can make your content look spammy and reduce its effectiveness in search results.

  1. Using Too Many Hashtags
    • Overusing hashtags can confuse YouTube’s algorithm and reduce visibility.
  2. Using Irrelevant Hashtags
    • Adding hashtags unrelated to your video topic misleads viewers and reduces watch time.
  3. Repeating the Same Hashtags
    • Avoid using the same hashtag in every video. Mix it up to reach different audiences.

Optimizing your hashtag strategy will help you reach a wider audience, more Youtube views and improve engagement.

Final Thoughts: Do YouTube Hashtags Really Work?

Absolutely! YouTube hashtags help categorize videos, improve SEO, and increase engagement.

However, random hashtags won’t help

The key is to add hashtags that are relevant to your video content and target audience.

Quick Takeaways:

✔ Use 3-5 hashtags per video for best results.
✔ Try a YouTube hashtag generator to find the right hashtags.
✔ Avoid over tagging – keep hashtags relevant.
✔ Use hashtags for YouTube Shorts if posting short videos.
✔ Cross-promote hashtags on other social media platforms.

Start using hashtags wisely, and watch your channel grow!

Frequently Asked Questions

hashtags for youtube

What are good hashtags for YouTube?

Good YouTube hashtags are ones that match your video content and attract the right audience.
Examples:

  • #YouTubeGrowth
  • #HowToVideos
  • #ViralVideos
  • #ContentCreator
  • #YouTubeShorts

Do hashtags work on YouTube?

Yes! Hashtags work by improving a video’s discoverability.

They help YouTube work by categorizing videos and connecting them with related content.

What is the best hashtag for YouTube?

There is no one-size-fits-all hashtag.

The best hashtag depends on your video topic and target audience.

Popular hashtags include:

  • #YouTubeShorts
  • #Trending
  • #ViralContent

To find trending hashtags, use the YouTube search bar or a YouTube hashtag generator.
Examples of currently trending hashtags:

  • #Challenge
  • #ViralMoment
  • #Unboxing
  • #TikTokCompilation

By using hashtags effectively, you can boost engagement, attract a wider audience, and increase YouTube views!

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Dylan Dannis

Dylan Dannis is a freelance writer and SEO specialist at Growthoid, with a strong focus on technology, social media, and AI. He brings a deep understanding of these fields, crafting content that is both engaging and easy to understand. With a passion for simplifying complex topics, Dylan aims to provide readers with valuable insights and keep them informed about the latest trends.

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