Best Tags on YouTube to Get Views and Improve SEO
Learn how to research, select, and optimize YouTube tags to boost search rankings, attract targeted viewers, and grow your channel effectively.
Best Tags on YouTube to Get Views and Improve SEO
If you want to boost YouTube SEO and attract more viewers, learning how to use the best tags on YouTube to get views is essential. Tags help the platform understand your content, improving its chances of being shown in search results and suggested videos. This guide covers proven strategies to research, select, and optimize tags to enhance visibility and grow your audience.
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Understanding the Role of Tags in YouTube’s Search & Discovery
YouTube tags are snippets of metadata applied during upload. They serve several purposes:
- Help YouTube identify the main themes of your video.
- Match your content with relevant search queries.
- Increase your appearance in suggested video feeds.
Although YouTube states tags are less critical than titles or descriptions, they remain valuable — especially for clarifying misspelled search terms, resolving ambiguous titles, or targeting niche topics.
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Tags vs Keywords in Titles/Descriptions vs Hashtags
Many creators confuse tags, keywords, and hashtags. They differ in placement and function:
| Type | Placement | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Tags | Video upload settings | Internal metadata used by YouTube to classify and surface videos |
| Keywords | Titles & descriptions | Visible words read by users and algorithms; highly influential for SEO |
| Hashtags | Title or description (prefixed with #) | Clickable links to hashtag pages; used for trends and categories |
Pro tip: Aligning your tags, keywords, and hashtags strengthens your overall SEO impact.
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Research Relevant Tags Like a Pro
Effective tag research is the foundation of successful YouTube SEO. Two reliable methods include:
- YouTube Search Suggestions
- Type your topic into the YouTube search bar.
- Observe autocomplete suggestions — these are popular searches.
- Use relevant suggestions as your tags.
- Competitor Analysis
- Find top-performing videos in your niche.
- Use keyword tools or browser extensions to view their tags.
- Adapt frequently used tags to fit your video’s angle.
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Using Keyword Tools for Tag Discovery
Dedicated YouTube keyword tools can streamline your tag selection process:
- TubeBuddy – Offers search volume and competition metrics for each tag.
- VidIQ – Reveals historical trends and optimization scores.
- Keyword Tool – Generates tag ideas with YouTube-specific filters.
Example workflow:
1. Start with your primary topic keyword.
2. Search it in TubeBuddy’s Tag Explorer.
3. Sort by high search volume + medium competition.
4. Export relevant tags and use them in your upload settings.---
Combining Broad & Long-Tail Tags
Balanced tag lists perform best. Broad tags drive mass reach, while long-tail tags bring targeted traffic.
Broad Tags
- Attract large audiences
- Face high competition
- Example: `digital marketing`, `vlog`, `gaming`
Long-Tail Tags
- Target specific viewer needs
- Typically lower competition
- Example: `digital marketing for small businesses 2024`, `live gaming setup tutorial`
| Tag Type | Search Volume | Competition | Viewer Intent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broad | High | High | General interest |
| Long-Tail | Medium | Low | Specific problem/solution |
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Importance of Tag Order
YouTube tends to give more weight to tags listed first. Always place crucial keywords at the top of your tag list.
Example order for an Instagram marketing video:
instagram marketing tips, instagram growth 2024, social media marketing, how to grow instagram followers, instagram ads tutorial---
Maintaining Relevance & Avoiding Misleading Tags
Avoid the temptation to use unrelated trending tags:
- Misaligned tags can harm SEO performance.
- Irrelevant tags decrease watch time.
- YouTube may penalize spammy tag use.
Keep tags consistent with your content’s topic and audience expectations.
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Updating Tags Over Time
Search behavior evolves. Stay current by:
- Checking trending topics in your niche.
- Replacing outdated tags with fresh keywords.
- Leveraging seasonal or event-based tags for timely relevance.
Example: Update `fortnite tips` to `fortnite chapter 5 guide` after a new game release.
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Monitoring Analytics to Identify Effective Tags
YouTube Analytics is key to tag refinement:
- Review Traffic Sources for search vs suggested video views.
- Examine Search Term Reports to see which queries drive traffic.
- Check Audience Retention to ensure your tags attract the right viewers.
Double down on tags associated with higher watch times.
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Optimizing Overall Metadata Alongside Tags
Tags alone won’t deliver maximum SEO benefits. Pair them with:
- Titles – Place primary keywords early.
- Descriptions – Build keyword context naturally.
- Captions – Add accessibility and improve rankings.
- Thumbnails – Increase video click-through rate.
Strong, unified metadata sends clearer signals to YouTube.
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Boosting Tag Effectiveness with Playlists & Interlinking
Playlists add context for tags, aid discovery, and keep viewers engaged longer:
- Use relevant playlists to group related videos.
- Cross-promote older videos in descriptions or cards.
- Increase session duration to strengthen channel authority.
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Case Study: Tag Optimization Success
Scenario: A small cooking channel needed more organic reach.
Strategy:
- Researched broad (`easy recipes`, `cooking tips`) and long-tail (`easy vegan recipes for beginners`) tags.
- Applied TubeBuddy to find medium competition keywords.
- Placed “vegan recipes” first in tag list.
- Changed tags seasonally, adding `summer vegan recipes`.
- Monitored analytics to identify “vegan dinner ideas” as a top traffic driver.
Results:
Within 3 months:
- Organic search views rose by 40%.
- Suggested video impressions increased 25%.
- Watch time improved due to better audience targeting.
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Final Thoughts
Winning with the best tags on YouTube to get views requires accurate research, balanced broad and long-tail keywords, strategic ordering, and consistent updates. When combined with optimized titles, descriptions, thumbnails, and playlists, tags strengthen overall video SEO.
By treating metadata as an interconnected system, you increase visibility in search and suggested videos—helping your channel grow sustainably. Start applying these tag optimization tactics today to see measurable results in your YouTube analytics.
