If you’re a content creator on YouTube, you know how important it is to make sure your videos are optimized for search. Adding tags to your videos is one of the most crucial steps you can take to make sure your videos are easily discoverable by your target audience. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about adding tags to your YouTube videos.
What Are YouTube Video Tags?
YouTube video tags are essentially keywords that you add to your video to help YouTube understand what your video is about. Tags can be one word or a combination of words, and they should be relevant to the content of your video. Tags are not visible to viewers, but they are used by YouTube’s algorithm to determine which videos to recommend to users.
Why Are Tags Important?
Adding tags to your videos is important for several reasons. First, tags help YouTube understand what your video is about, which makes it more likely to appear in relevant search results. Second, tags can help your video appear in the “related videos” section on YouTube, which can drive more traffic to your channel. Finally, tags can help you categorize your videos and make it easier for viewers to find similar content on your channel.
How to Add Tags to Your YouTube Video
Now that you understand the importance of tags, let’s walk through the steps of adding tags to your YouTube videos:
Step 1: Upload Your Video
The first step in adding tags to your YouTube video is to upload your video to your channel. When uploading your video, make sure to include a descriptive title and description that accurately reflect the content of your video.
Step 2: Add Tags
Once your video is uploaded, click on the “Edit” button below your video. In the “Basic Info” tab, scroll down to the “Tags” section. Here, you can add up to 500 characters of tags. It’s important to choose tags that are relevant to the content of your video. You can use a tool like Google AdWords Keyword Planner to find popular keywords and phrases related to your video.
In addition to adding tags, you can also add hashtags to your video. Hashtags are similar to tags but are visible to viewers. You can add hashtags in the video description or in the video itself by including them as text overlays.
Step 3: Save Changes
Once you’ve added your tags and hashtags, make sure to click the “Save Changes” button at the bottom of the page. Your tags will now be associated with your video and will be used by YouTube’s algorithm to recommend your video to users.
Best Practices for Adding Tags to Your YouTube Videos
Now that you know how to add tags to your YouTube videos, let’s go over some best practices to keep in mind:
1. Use Relevant Keywords
Make sure to choose tags that are relevant to the content of your video. Avoid using generic tags that are not specific to your video. For example, if you have a video about “How to bake a cake,” using the tag “Baking” is not specific enough. Instead, use tags like “Cake recipe,” “Baking tips,” or “How to bake a cake.”
2. Use Specific Phrases
Using specific phrases as tags can help your video appear in more targeted search results. For example, if you have a video about “How to make a vegan burger,” using the tag “Vegan burger recipe” is more specific than using the tag “Vegan food.” This can help your video reach a more targeted audience and increase engagement.
3. Don’t Use Too Many Tags
While you can add up to 500 characters of tags to your YouTube video, it’s important to use them wisely. Avoid adding too many tags, as this can make your video appear spammy and can actually hurt your search rankings. Instead, focus on using a few high-quality tags that accurately reflect the content of your video.
4. Use Hashtags
In addition to tags, using hashtags can also help your video get discovered on YouTube. Hashtags are essentially keywords that are visible to viewers, and they can be added to your video description or included as text overlays in your video. Make sure to choose relevant hashtags that accurately reflect the content of your video.
5. Keep Your Tags Up to Date
As your channel grows and your content evolves, it’s important to keep your tags up to date. This means regularly reviewing your tags and making changes as needed to ensure they accurately reflect the content of your videos. You can also use tools like TubeBuddy or VidIQ to analyze your tags and make recommendations for improvement.
Conclusion
Adding tags to your YouTube videos is a simple yet crucial step in optimizing your videos for search. By choosing relevant and specific tags, you can increase the visibility of your videos and attract more viewers to your channel. Remember to use best practices when adding tags, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different tags and hashtags to see what works best for your content.
