YouTube Hashtag Strategy

YouTube Hashtag Strategy: The Complete Guide for 2025

What Are YouTube Hashtags?

YouTube hashtags are clickable keywords or phrases that start with the # symbol. They help categorize your videos and make them easier to find. When someone clicks a hashtag, they see a page with all videos using that hashtag. Therefore, hashtags can connect your video to larger topics, trends, and communities.

Why Use Hashtags on YouTube?

Hashtags boost your video’s visibility and reach. For example, they help your content appear in search results and recommendations. They also connect your videos to trending topics and conversations. As a result, you can attract new viewers and grow your channel faster.

How Do Hashtags Work on YouTube?

When you add hashtags to your video title or description, YouTube uses them as metadata. This means YouTube understands what your video is about and shows it to people searching for those topics. For instance, if you use #Travel, anyone clicking that hashtag will see a list of travel-related videos, including yours.

Where to Place Hashtags

You can add hashtags in three main places:

Video Title: Place 1-2 hashtags at the end of your video title for maximum visibility.
Video Description: Add up to 15 hashtags at the end of your description. YouTube shows the first three above your video title.
Comments: Some creators add hashtags in the comments, but this is less effective.

However, only the first three hashtags in your description will show above your video title. If you use more than 15 hashtags, YouTube ignores all of them.

The Benefits of a Strong Hashtag Strategy

Using hashtags properly can:

Increase your video’s discoverability.
Connect your content to trending topics.
Build a community around your channel.
Help viewers find related videos on your channel.
Boost engagement and subscriber growth.

For example, if you create a series called “#SproutChat,” viewers can click the hashtag to see all videos in that series1.

Best Practices for YouTube Hashtags

1. Use 3-5 Hashtags Per Video

YouTube allows up to 15 hashtags, but using 3-5 relevant ones is best. Too many hashtags can look spammy and may cause YouTube to ignore them all.

2. Make Hashtags Relevant and Specific

Always choose hashtags that match your video’s content. For example, if your video is about baking bread, use hashtags like #Baking, #BreadRecipe, and #HomeBaking. Irrelevant hashtags can frustrate viewers and hurt your channel’s reputation.

3. Mix Broad, Niche, and Branded Hashtags

Combine different types of hashtags for the best results:

Broad Hashtags: Reach a wide audience (e.g., #Travel, #Vlog).
Niche Hashtags: Target specific interests (e.g., #BudgetTravelTips, #HiddenGemsBarcelona).
Branded Hashtags: Build your brand or series (e.g., #SproutChat, #YourChannelName).

4. Create Your Own Branded Hashtags

Branded hashtags help group your videos together. For example, if you have a series or a unique brand, create a custom hashtag. This makes it easy for viewers to find all related content from your channel.

5. Add Location-Based Hashtags

If your video is about a specific place, use location-based hashtags. For example, #SpringfieldIL is better than just #Springfield. This helps local viewers find your content more easily.

6. Follow YouTube’s Hashtag Policies

YouTube has rules for hashtags. Avoid using misleading, vulgar, or banned hashtags. Never use more than 15 hashtags, or YouTube will ignore them all. Always keep hashtags relevant to your video content.

7. Monitor and Adjust Your Hashtag Strategy

Check your YouTube Analytics to see which hashtags drive the most views and engagement. Then, adjust your strategy based on what works best for your audience.

How to Find the Best Hashtags

1. Analyze Trending Videos

Look at the hashtags used in popular videos within your niche. For example, search for trending topics and see which hashtags top creators are using.

2. Study Competitor Channels

Check out your competitors’ best-performing videos. Use similar hashtags if they are relevant to your content.

3. Use YouTube Suggest

Type “#” into the YouTube search bar. YouTube will show you popular and trending hashtags. You can also type “#a”, “#b”, etc., to get more ideas.

4. Try Hashtag Generator Tools

Several online tools can suggest hashtags based on your keywords. These tools help you find relevant and trending hashtags quickly.

Types of Hashtags to Use

Hashtag Type	Example	Purpose
Broad	#Travel, #Vlog	Reach a wide audience
Niche	#BudgetTravelTips	Target a specific interest or community
Branded	#SproutChat, #YourBrand	Build your brand and group your videos
Location-Based	#SpringfieldIL	Attract local viewers
Trending	#TravelGuide2025	Tap into current conversations and trends
Evergreen	#Motivation, #DIY	Stay relevant year-round

Step-by-Step: Adding Hashtags to Your Video

Step 1: Choose Your Hashtags

Pick 3-5 hashtags that are relevant, specific, and a mix of broad, niche, and branded types.

Step 2: Add Hashtags to Your Video

Place 1-2 hashtags at the end of your video title.
Add the rest at the end of your video description.

Step 3: Publish and Monitor

After publishing, check which hashtags appear above your title. Monitor your analytics to see which hashtags drive the most views and engagement.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using Too Many Hashtags: More than 15 can cause YouTube to ignore all hashtags.
Irrelevant Hashtags: Only use hashtags that match your video content.
Banned or Misleading Hashtags: Avoid hashtags that violate YouTube’s policies.
Repeating the Same Hashtags: Rotate and experiment with different hashtags to reach new audiences.

Tips for Maximizing Your Hashtag Strategy

Experiment Regularly: Try different combinations to see what works best.
Keep Hashtags Short and Simple: Long or complex hashtags are harder to remember.
Use Camel Case for Multi-Word Hashtags: For example, #TravelTips is easier to read than #traveltips.
Participate in Hashtag Challenges: Join trending hashtag challenges to boost visibility.
Encourage User Participation: Ask viewers to use your branded hashtag when sharing related content.

YouTube Shorts Hashtag Strategy

YouTube Shorts also benefits from hashtags. For Shorts, use a mix of 3-5 broad hashtags, 5-10 niche hashtags, and a few trending ones if relevant. Place hashtags in the description or the first comment for a cleaner look. Always research hashtags before using them to avoid banned or irrelevant tags.

Tracking Your Hashtag Performance

Use YouTube Analytics to track:

Which hashtags bring the most views.
How much engagement each hashtag drives.
Audience growth related to specific hashtags.

Therefore, you can refine your strategy over time for better results.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Hashtags Should I Use?

Use 3-5 relevant hashtags per video. This keeps your tagging concise and effective.

Where Should I Place Hashtags?

Add 1-2 in the video title and the rest at the end of your description. Only the first three in the description appear above your title.

Can I Use Hashtags in Comments?

You can, but it’s less effective than using them in titles or descriptions.

What Happens if I Use Too Many Hashtags?

If you use more than 15, YouTube ignores all hashtags for that video.

Sample Hashtag Strategy for Different Niches

Niche	Broad Hashtag	Niche Hashtag	Branded Hashtag	Location-Based Hashtag
Travel	#Travel	#HiddenGemsBarcelona	#YourTravelBrand	#Barcelona
Food	#Food	#VeganRecipes	#YourFoodChannel	#NYCFood
Gaming	#Gaming	#FortniteClips	#YourGamingBrand	#EUGaming
DIY	#DIY	#UpcycledFurniture	#YourDIYSeries	#LondonDIY

Conclusion: Start Your YouTube Hashtag Journey

In summary, a smart hashtag strategy can help your YouTube channel grow faster. Use 3-5 relevant hashtags, mix broad, niche, and branded types, and always keep them specific to your content. Monitor your results and adjust your strategy for the best outcomes.

Contact us for more services or personalized advice on building your YouTube channel and mastering hashtag strategies. Let’s boost your reach and engagement together!