October 6, 2026 ยท 8 min read

YouTube Hashtags: How to Use Hashtags on YouTube the Right Way

YouTube hashtags can help viewers discover videos around specific topics, but they are often confused with YouTube tags. They are not the same thing, and using hashtags effectively does not mean adding as many as possible. In this guide, you'll learn how YouTube hashtags work, where to use them, how to choose relevant hashtags, and how they fit into your overall YouTube SEO strategy.

What Are YouTube Hashtags?

YouTube hashtags are words or phrases that begin with the # symbol. They identify the topic or subject of a video and can provide another way for viewers to explore related content on YouTube.

For example, a cooking video about homemade pizza could use hashtags such as:

Hashtags should describe the actual content of the video. They should not be used simply because a particular hashtag is popular.

How Do YouTube Hashtags Work?

When you add a hashtag to a YouTube video, it becomes a clickable topic link. Viewers can select a hashtag and explore other videos associated with that hashtag.

YouTube can display hashtags in places such as the video title area and description, depending on how they are added.

The important point is that hashtags are primarily a way of connecting content to topics. They are not a replacement for creating a strong video title, thumbnail, description, or useful content.

Where Can You Add Hashtags on YouTube?

You can add hashtags to your YouTube video title or description.

For most creators, placing relevant hashtags in the description is a cleaner approach because the main title can remain focused on communicating the video's topic and value.

For example, a video about beginner photography could have a title such as:

Photography Basics for Beginners: Camera Settings Explained

The description could then include relevant hashtags such as:

#Photography #PhotographyTips #CameraBasics

The hashtags support the topic without turning the title into a collection of keywords.

YouTube Hashtags vs YouTube Tags

This is one of the most important distinctions to understand.

YouTube hashtags are words or phrases beginning with # that viewers can click to explore related content.

YouTube tags are metadata added through YouTube Studio. They are not displayed as clickable hashtags to viewers.

YouTube itself indicates that tags play a minimal role in discovery and can be useful particularly when helping with commonly misspelled terms.

Hashtags and tags therefore serve different purposes.

If you want to understand YouTube tags in more detail, read our guide: How YouTube Tags Actually Work.

How Many Hashtags Should You Use on YouTube?

There is no need to fill your description with a large collection of hashtags.

A small number of highly relevant hashtags is usually easier for viewers to understand than a long list of loosely related terms.

For example, if your video is about beginner guitar lessons, you might use:

You do not need to add every possible variation of "guitar" to make the topic clear.

More hashtags do not automatically mean more views. Relevance is more important than quantity.

How to Choose YouTube Hashtags

The best starting point is the actual subject of your video.

Ask yourself:

You can then build a small group of hashtags around the answers.

For example, a video titled How to Make Cold Coffee at Home could use hashtags related to coffee, recipes, and homemade drinks.

The hashtags should reflect the video rather than unrelated trends.

Use Specific Hashtags When They Make Sense

Broad hashtags can describe a general category, while more specific hashtags can describe the exact subject.

Consider a technology video about a particular smartphone.

Instead of using only broad terms such as:

#Technology #Tech #Phone

you could combine broader and more specific terms that accurately describe the video.

This creates a clearer relationship between the video and its topic.

Don't Use Unrelated Trending Hashtags

One common mistake is adding a popular hashtag simply because it is trending.

Imagine that your video is a tutorial about Excel formulas. Adding a trending hashtag about a completely unrelated event does not make the video more relevant to that topic.

Hashtags should describe your content accurately.

Using unrelated hashtags can create a poor viewer experience and may make your metadata look misleading.

Should You Put Hashtags in the YouTube Title?

You can use hashtags in a YouTube title, but you should consider whether they actually improve the title.

Your title has a more important job: it should clearly communicate what the viewer will get from the video.

For example:

Good: How to Edit YouTube Videos on Your Phone

A hashtag can be included when it genuinely makes sense, but there is usually no reason to turn the entire title into a collection of hashtags.

For more guidance on writing effective titles, see: How to Write YouTube Titles That Get More Clicks Without Clickbait.

Hashtags and YouTube SEO

Hashtags are only one small part of YouTube optimization.

A complete YouTube SEO strategy should focus on the entire viewer experience.

Important areas include:

Hashtags can complement this strategy, but they should not become the entire SEO strategy.

How Hashtags Fit Into a YouTube Video Description

Your description should primarily provide useful information about the video.

Start with a clear explanation of what the video covers. You can then use relevant links, timestamps, additional information, and other useful resources where appropriate.

Hashtags should support the topic rather than dominate the description.

For example:

Learn how to create a professional YouTube thumbnail using simple design techniques. This beginner-friendly tutorial covers layout, text, contrast, and image selection.

#YouTubeTips #YouTubeThumbnails #ContentCreation

This approach keeps the description useful while making the topic clear.

Common YouTube Hashtag Mistakes

1. Using too many hashtags

A large block of hashtags can make your description look cluttered. Focus on relevance instead.

2. Using unrelated hashtags

A hashtag should accurately describe the video. Avoid adding unrelated popular topics.

3. Repeating the same keyword excessively

You do not need dozens of variations of the same phrase. Natural, descriptive metadata is more useful.

4. Confusing hashtags with tags

Remember that YouTube hashtags and YouTube tags are different features.

5. Ignoring the actual video topic

Hashtags should come from the subject of the video, not from whatever terms appear popular at the moment.

6. Treating hashtags as a ranking shortcut

Adding hashtags cannot compensate for an unclear topic, weak content, misleading title, or poor viewer experience.

YouTube Hashtag Strategy for Beginners

If you are new to YouTube, keep your hashtag strategy simple.

  1. Identify the main topic of your video.
  2. Choose a few relevant hashtags.
  3. Make sure every hashtag accurately describes the content.
  4. Avoid unrelated trending hashtags.
  5. Keep the main title focused on the video topic.
  6. Use the description to provide useful context.
  7. Review your overall SEO strategy rather than focusing only on hashtags.

You can also learn more about writing effective descriptions in our YouTube Description SEO guide.

YouTube Hashtags Checklist

Final Thoughts

YouTube hashtags can be useful for connecting videos with relevant topics and helping viewers explore related content. The key is to use them naturally and accurately rather than treating them as a shortcut to more views.

Choose hashtags based on the actual subject of your video, keep your selection focused, and make sure your title and description remain useful to viewers.

Most importantly, remember that YouTube hashtags and YouTube tags are different. Hashtags are visible topic links, while tags are metadata added through YouTube Studio.

If you are working on your video's metadata, you can also use YtTag's free YouTube tag generator to generate relevant tag ideas from your video title.