Did you know that YouTube gets about 14.3 billion visits and 1.7 billion unique visitors every month? Surprisingly, these figures are far more than the monthly visits on other social platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, and even Wikipedia! With the geometrically increasing user base, many content creators and their content are also flooding the platform. In such a scenario, you need to gear yourself with a foolproof strategy to reach your target audience quickly and smartly.
One of the various ways your target audience reaches out to you is “Tags.” So, here we bring you a complete guide on YouTube tags and effective tagging practices and techniques. Without further delay, let’s get started on this journey with Vidtechy.
What Do YouTube Tags Mean?
Youtube tags refer to specific words or phrases that provide context to your video and are generally present in your description box, thus letting users discover you and your video. Also known as video tags are much similar to keywords that describe your video and make them more discoverable according to YouTube’s algorithm. Now that we have understood what YouTube tags are, let’s explore the various YouTube tags that we can use in our Youtube videos.
Various Types Of YouTube Tags
YouTube tags are communication bridges between your video, the users, and search engines’ algorithms. It does not just pave the path through which users can reach your video but also establishes your recognition before YouTube and various search engines. There are four main types of tags. Let’s discuss them one by one.
- General tags: General tags are the tags that describe the broad category into which your video falls. For example, if your video is based on “5 steps to build the perfect SEO strategy”, one of your available tags must be “SEO” as your video is related. Similarly, when your video is based on “cheese balls recipe,” you must include one general tag while tagging is “recipe.”
- Topic Tags: Topic tags are the tags that describe your video. These may be the terms you’re going to explain in the video. You can also use the name of a popular location, brand, or any famous personality as your topic tag. However, make sure that you must have mentioned the location, brand, or that particular person. For example: if you’re creating a video on the success story of Starbucks, some important topic tags which you can include are: Starbucks, Howard Schultz, USA, etc. However, make sure that your topic tags are directly related to your video.
- Tags Which Refine Your Video: These tags narrow the various essential parts of your video. For example, if you’re making a video part of a series, the episode number should be one of your tags.
- Error Tags: Sometimes, you also need to include tags with common spelling or other mistakes which your audience might commit while trying to search your video.
Importance Of YouTube Tags
In simple terms, YouTube helps enable potential users and search engines to reach and discover your video. Let’s understand the importance of YouTube tags in detail.
The most important thing you should have in mind while uploading any video is “content understanding.” Suppose you’ve uploaded a video without any tags; it will be difficult not just for the search engines but also for Youtube to understand your content. Without proper understanding, higher rankings are just a dream.
YouTube tags are the keywords that your users search. They are the search intent of your users, and YouTube understands and identifies videos only through these “search intent” specific tags. Thus, you need to use YouTube tags to increase your video understanding, visibility, and credibility.
Youtube tags are as important as other parts of your video, i.e., the title, description, and other factors. While these parts help users understand you and your content, YouTube tags help search engines understand it and categorize your video in the correct category. Thus, besides visibility, YouTube tags help in increasing your rankings by driving home potential users to you.
Three Pillars Of Smart YouTube Video Tagging
Are you confused about which tags you should use and which tags you shouldn’t? Do you have a list of tags and are yet unable to figure out the best ones for yourself? Here, we are to help. Let’s discuss the three elements of YouTube video tags that will help you in finding the best titles for your video:
1.Relevance: Firstly, make sure that the tags you choose (or are about to choose) must be related to your content and video. Using unnecessary and irrelevant will misguide search engines, thus landing you at the wrong users who may not be interested in your content. Thus, don’t ever try to increase the number of tags by adding irrelevant tags.
Your tags should have a connection with your content. For example, you have created a video on the top 12 motivational books. You have used a tag, i.e., “horror stories,” which will confuse YouTube regarding which category to put it to.
2. Popularity: As you’re looking for tags to help your channel and your video grow, go for popular tags. Here, by the word “popular,” we refer to tags people mainly search for. Make sure that your chosen tag has tons of related content and earns thousands of clicks in a single day. Using such popular tags will ultimately help you increase your video’s ranking and visibility.
3. Versatility: Make sure you don’t stay stuck to only one tag. You should use a variety of tags related to your content.
How Many Tags Should You Use For A Video?
According to YouTube’s algorithm, you can add as many tags as possible. However, keep in mind not to exceed the maximum character count of all characters, i.e., 400 characters. However, most videos generally have no more than 5-8 tags. According to studies, videos with 9-12 tags generally earn more clicks. However, besides focusing on the number of tags, you should focus more on the tags’ quality, popularity, and relevance.
Top 5 Tips To Generate The Best YouTube Tags
As tags are a crucial part of your YouTube video upload, you must ponder how you can generate some best YouTube tags for your videos. Here are a few tips which will help you find the best YouTube tags for your video optimization.
1. Begin With Keyword Research
Tags are precisely selected keywords. Thus, your first step to finding the best YouTube tags will be to conduct keyword research. The tag research process is quite similar to the keyword research process of blogging. However, while researching, make sure not to go for too long keywords. An ideal tag/keyword should be around 2-3 words and no more than that. Ensure that your chosen keyword describes your video content well when used as a tag. Keep it descriptive, simple, and concise.
However, if you’re not good at keyword research or have no time to conduct it, you can use a free “Tag finder” tool. Vidtechy offers it without any cost, which you can use to save time and get well-targeted tags.
2. Use YouTube Auto-Suggest Feature
While uploading your video, after you fill in your video title and description and proceed to add tags, you’ll find suggestions when you start entering tags. You can also use the tags which pop up in the suggestion. Moreover, while you search your primary keyword on YouTube, you’ll also find a list of topics and suggestions there. You can also use those suggestions while adding tags. However, make sure that the tag you use should be directly connected with your video and content.
3. Use Varieties Of Tags
For making your videos highly optimized, thus letting them reach a wider audience, use both broader and focused tags. For example: if your video topic is “Top 10 Tips To Start A Business”, you can add tags like “startups,” “business startup tips,” and other such tags which are also related to your video and content.
4. Limit The Number Of Tags
Just like excessive keyword stuffing is harmful, unnecessary and unwanted tag stuffing is also not appreciated. There are chances of lower rankings in such situations that will not let potential audiences reach you. Screen every tag and use the best related to your content. Moreover, don’t use more than nine keywords.
5. Review Your Previous Videos
You should also analyze your previous videos to determine which tags work out the best for you.
How Can You Generate Best YouTube Tags With Vidtechy?
Are you running out of time? Do you want a tool to help you generate many tags within a few minutes? Well, we have such a free tool for you from Vidtechy. Vidtechy is a fantastic “one-stop solution for all YouTube marketing tools” software. With an easy interface and user-friendly UX, it contains all the tools I need to manage my youtube videos, thus making my task super easy!
Another fantastic tool from Vidtechy is its “Tag Finder” tool which will help you out with the hectic tasks of finding tags. Let’s explore how you can use this free tool:
1.Open and refresh your browser.
2. Navigate to https://vidtechy.com/login
3. In the SEO Tools, click on “Tag Finder.”
4. On the new page, enter your keyword in the “Keyword” field and enter the number of videos you wish to analyze in the required field. Generally, you can choose the number of videos from the options, which vary from 10 to 50. We enter the keyword “fitness tips,” and we want to analyze “20” videos. After filling in the required information, click on the “Suggest Tag” button.
5. You can see a list of tags related to your keyword on the next screen, which you can use. Below the ” Suggested Tags ” on the results page, below the “Suggested Tags,” you’ll see a field “See _ Entries.” If you click on it, you can choose the number of tags you want to be displayed on the page. Besides, you can copy the tags as a list by clicking on the copy icon present on the right-hand side of the page.
6. Stay on the same page and scroll down. You’ll spot a section “Tag Used In Videos.” You can also choose the number of entries you want to see here. Here you can see a list of tags used in various videos. Besides the tags, you can also see their frequency of usage. Doesn’t it make tag finding easy? Go check out the best performing tags for yourself right now!
Top 5 Best Practices For YouTube Tags
Are you worried about how to use YouTube Tags? Stop worrying and start exploring. Let’s explore the best practices you should know while using YouTube tags.
1. Your Primary Keyword Should Be Your First Tag
Your primary keyword refers to a particular keyword on which your video is based. People will discover your video for this primary keyword. Thus, adding your primary keyword as your first keyword will increase your optimization scores and visibility. For example, if your video title is “Complete SEO Checklist For Every Marketer,” your primary keyword will be “SEO Checklist,” which is also your first tag.
2. Include Other Relevant Keywords From Other Top-Performing Videos
Besides your primary keyword, you should also target keywords from other competitors’ videos and top-performing videos of your niche. You can use these keywords as tags. To make your task simple and easy, you can also use a “Tag Finder” tool like Vidtechy, which will provide you with hundreds of tags within a few minutes.
3. Include Some Of Your Brand Specific Tags
Brand-specific tags refer to specific tags representing your brand and brand identity. You can include your brand name or your name as your brand-specific tags. In this way, you create a marketing funnel wherein people will reach you via your brand. Moreover, these tags also help in building your brand presence.
4. Use Tags According To Their Popularity And Importance
Rather than just overloading your description and tags section with tags, conduct proper tag research (or keyword research) to understand which tags have shown the best results and are hype. Don’t go for tags that are less discovered or searched for.
5. Use Less Or No Tags In The Description
According to YouTube’s algorithm, using too many tags in the description box itself is another sign of misleading people. Thus, it’s wisest to use 1-2 tags in the video description box. It’s best to avoid tags in the description and stay on the safe side.
A Word From VidTechy
Tags are essential for increasing your video’s visibility and optimization. I hope we have provided you with various ways of generating YouTube video tags and how you should use them for maximum optimization. Moreover, we would love it if you would go and check out Vidtechy’s “Tag Finder” tool. For any doubts, queries, comments, or suggestions, please drop them in the comments section below. We’ll reach out to you at the earliest. Happy reading!