How to Find the Best YouTube Tags for Your Videos

YouTube tags are one of the most underutilized yet powerful tools for video discovery. While they may not be as visible as titles or thumbnails, the right tags can significantly impact your video's reach and searchability.

In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn exactly how to find the best YouTube tags for your videos, backed by proven strategies used by successful creators.

Quick Answer: Finding the Best YouTube Tags

Best methods to find high-performing tags:

1. Analyze top-performing videos in your niche
2. Use YouTube's autocomplete suggestions
3. Research competitor tags with browser extensions
4. Target long-tail keyword variations
5. Mix broad and specific tags strategically

Time investment: 5-10 minutes per video Impact: 15-40% increase in discoverability

Why YouTube Tags Matter

How Tags Affect Your Videos

Primary functions:

• Help YouTube understand your content
• Connect your video to related content
• Improve search rankings for specific keywords
• Increase suggested video placements

Reality check: Tags are a minor ranking factor compared to title, description, and engagement. BUT they can be the tiebreaker that puts your video ahead of competitors.

Tag Impact by Video Type

**New channels (

<1K subs):**

• Tags = 15-25% of discovery weight
• Crucial for initial visibility
• Help YouTube categorize content

Established channels (10K+ subs):

• Tags = 5-10% of discovery weight
• Less critical but still valuable
• Reinforces topical authority

Trending/viral content:

• Tags = 30-40% of discovery
• Helps ride trending waves
• Connects to popular topics

Method 1: Analyze Top-Performing Videos

The most effective way to find good tags is to reverse-engineer successful videos in your niche.

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Find Top-Ranking Videos

Search YouTube for your target keyword:

• "how to start a youtube channel"
• Look at top 10 results
• Focus on videos with 100K+ views

Step 2: Extract Their Tags

Use a browser extension:

• VidIQ (free tier available)
• TubeBuddy (free version works)
• Keywords Everywhere (paid, $10)

Right-click video → View page source → Search for "keywords"

Step 3: Identify Common Patterns

Look for tags that appear on multiple top videos:

• Common tags = proven performers
• Unique tags = untapped opportunities
• Mix of both = optimal strategy

Example analysis for "iPhone 15 review":

Top 3 videos all use:

• iphone 15
• iphone 15 review
• iphone 15 pro
• apple iphone
• iphone review
• new iphone

Strategy: Use ALL common tags + add your unique angle

Real-World Example

Video topic: "Budget Travel Tips for Europe"

Top performer analysis:

• Video 1 (2M views): 25 tags, heavy on "budget travel europe"
• Video 2 (1.5M views): 18 tags, focused on specific countries
• Video 3 (800K views): 30 tags, mixed broad + specific

Common tags across all three:

1. europe travel tips
2. budget travel
3. cheap europe
4. europe on a budget
5. backpacking europe
6. european travel guide
7. travel tips
8. budget travel tips

Your tag strategy: Include all 8 common tags + add specific destinations you cover

Method 2: YouTube Autocomplete & Search Suggestions

YouTube's own suggestions are goldmines for finding what people actually search for.

Using YouTube Search Autocomplete

Step 1: Type Your Main Keyword

In YouTube search, type: "how to make"

YouTube suggests:

• how to make money online
• how to make slime
• how to make a cake
• how to make money
• how to make brownies

Step 2: Add Letters to Expand

Type: "how to make a"

• how to make a website
• how to make a paper airplane
• how to make a logo
• how to make animation

Type: "how to make b"

• how to make brownies
• how to make bread
• how to make banana bread

Step 3: Use Alphabet Soup Method

Go through entire alphabet:

• "your topic a"
• "your topic b"
• "your topic c" ... and so on

Example for "photography":

• photography tips a → aperture, angles, editing
• photography tips b → beginners, black and white, basics
• photography tips c → composition, camera settings, creative

Time required: 10-15 minutes for 50+ tag ideas

Related Search Terms

Where to find them:

• Bottom of YouTube search results page
• "People also searched for" section
• Suggested videos sidebar

Example: Search "vegan recipes"

Related searches show:

• easy vegan recipes
• vegan recipes for beginners
• healthy vegan meals
• vegan dinner ideas
• vegan meal prep
• plant based recipes

Strategy: Use related searches as secondary tags (not primary)

Method 3: Competitor Tag Research

Studying successful competitors reveals proven tag strategies.

Finding the Right Competitors

Criteria for competitor selection:

1. Similar subscriber count (within 2x of yours)
2. Same niche/topic
3. Higher average views than their sub count
4. Consistent upload schedule

Example search:

• Your channel: 5K subs, tech reviews
• Search: "tech review" filter by: This year, sort by view count
• Find channels with 3K-15K subs getting 20K+ views

Extracting Competitor Tags

Method 1: Browser Extensions

Install VidIQ or TubeBuddy:

1. Browse to competitor video
2. View tags in sidebar
3. Copy high-performing tags
4. Note which tags appear frequently

Method 2: View Page Source

1. Right-click on video page
2. "View page source"
3. Ctrl+F (Find) → search "keywords"
4. Look for: <meta name="keywords" content="tag1, tag2, tag3">

Method 3: YouTube API

For advanced users, use YouTube Data API:

• Extract tags programmatically
• Analyze hundreds of videos
• Find patterns across top performers

Tag Frequency Analysis

Track which tags appear most often:

Example analysis (20 top gaming videos):

• "gaming" - 19/20 videos (95%)
• "gameplay" - 18/20 (90%)
• "lets play" - 15/20 (75%)
• "walkthrough" - 12/20 (60%)
• "tutorial" - 8/20 (40%)

Conclusion: "gaming" and "gameplay" are essential tags for this niche

Method 4: Keyword Research Tools

Specialized tools reveal search volume and competition data.

Free Tools

1. Google Trends

• Compare keyword popularity
• See seasonal trends
• Find related queries

How to use:

1. Go to Google Trends
2. Select "YouTube Search" (not web)
3. Enter your keyword
4. Compare multiple keywords
5. Use rising queries as tags

Example insights:

• "ai art generator" rising 850% (trending tag!)
• "stable diffusion" vs "midjourney" - 60/40 split
• Peak search: September (back to school)

2. YouTube Analytics

Your own data is valuable:

1. YouTube Studio → Analytics
2. "Reach" tab → Traffic sources
3. "YouTube search" → See what terms brought viewers
4. Use performing search terms as tags

Example:

• Video gets views from "best budget laptop 2024"
• Add tag: "best budget laptop 2024"
• Also add: "budget laptop", "cheap laptop", "affordable laptop"

3. AnswerThePublic

Free tool that shows questions people ask:

• Enter topic
• See hundreds of questions
• Use questions as long-tail tags

Example for "social media marketing":

• social media marketing for small business
• social media marketing tips for beginners
• social media marketing strategy 2024

Paid Tools (Optional)

VidIQ Boost ($7.50/month):

• Tag suggestion scores
• Competition analysis
• Search volume data
• Trending tags

TubeBuddy Star ($9/month):

• Tag explorer with search volume
• Competitor tag analysis
• Best practice scores

Ahrefs Keywords Explorer ($99/month):

• YouTube keyword research
• Search volume estimates
• Keyword difficulty scores
• Click metrics

Worth it? Only if YouTube is a serious revenue source (>$500/month). Otherwise, stick to free methods.

Method 5: Long-Tail Keyword Strategy

Long-tail tags (3-6 words) often outperform short tags for new channels.

Why Long-Tail Tags Work

Advantages:

• Less competition
• More specific intent
• Higher conversion rates
• Easier to rank

Example comparison:

Broad tag: "fitness" (millions of videos)

• Your ranking: #45,000
• Views from tag: 5-10

Long-tail tag: "fitness tips for busy moms over 40"

• Your ranking: #5
• Views from tag: 200-500

Finding Long-Tail Opportunities

Formula: [Main Topic] + [Specific Modifier] + [Context]

Examples:

Topic: "Resume tips"

• resume tips for college students
• resume tips for career changers
• resume tips for remote jobs
• resume tips with no experience
• resume tips for tech industry

Topic: "Photography"

• photography tips for beginners with iphone
• photography tips for real estate agents
• photography tips for instagram business
• photography tips for wildlife in low light

Topic: "Meal prep"

• meal prep for weight loss beginners
• meal prep for busy professionals
• meal prep for keto diet budget
• meal prep for one person healthy

Target: 5-10 long-tail tags per video

Balancing Broad vs Long-Tail Tags

Optimal tag distribution:

• 30% broad tags (1-2 words): "gaming", "minecraft"
• 40% medium tags (2-3 words): "minecraft tutorial", "gaming tips"
• 30% long-tail tags (4+ words): "minecraft survival mode tips for beginners"

Example tag list for "Minecraft Tutorial":

Broad (30%):

• minecraft
• gaming
• tutorial

Medium (40%):

• minecraft tutorial
• minecraft tips
• minecraft guide
• minecraft building
• gaming tutorial

Long-tail (30%):

• minecraft tutorial for beginners
• minecraft survival tips 2024
• how to play minecraft step by step
• minecraft building ideas easy

Method 6: Trending & Seasonal Tags

Capitalize on trending topics and seasonal interest.

Finding Trending Tags

YouTube Trending Page:

• Check daily
• Note common tags in trending videos
• Add relevant trending tags to timely content

Google Trends + YouTube Filter:

• Set to "YouTube Search"
• Look at "Trending" section
• Filter by your niche/category

Example trending tags (example date):

• chatgpt (AI trend)
• ios 17 (new release)
• world cup 2024 (seasonal event)
• black friday deals (seasonal shopping)

Strategy: Add trending tags IF relevant to your content. Don't force it.

Seasonal Tag Calendar

Plan tags around seasonal interest:

January-February:

• new year resolutions
• goal setting 2024
• tax prep tips
• super bowl (US)

March-April:

• spring cleaning
• easter recipes
• tax season
• march madness

May-June:

• mothers day gift ideas
• summer vacation planning
• fathers day
• graduation gifts

July-August:

• back to school
• summer activities
• 4th of july (US)
• vacation vlogs

September-October:

• fall fashion
• halloween costume ideas
• pumpkin recipes
• halloween decorations

November-December:

• black friday deals
• cyber monday
• christmas gift ideas
• holiday recipes
• new year planning

Pro tip: Add seasonal tags 2-3 weeks BEFORE the event peaks

Method 7: Using Our Tag Generator Tool

The fastest way to find optimized tags? Use our free tool.

YouTube Tag Generator

How It Works

Step 1: Enter Your Topic

• Type your video topic or main keyword
• Example: "productivity apps for students"

Step 2: Select Category

• Choose your video category
• Helps generate niche-specific tags

Step 3: Get 30+ Tags

• Instant tag suggestions
• Mix of broad, medium, and long-tail
• Organized by relevance

Step 4: Copy & Paste

• One-click copy all tags
• Paste directly into YouTube
• Edit/customize as needed

Features

Smart suggestions:

• Related keywords
• Trending variations
• Competitor tags
• Long-tail opportunities

Organized output:

• Primary tags (highest relevance)
• Secondary tags (supporting topics)
• Long-tail tags (low competition)

Time saved: 5-10 minutes per video

Common Tag Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Using Irrelevant Tags

Wrong approach:

• Video about "healthy meal prep"
• Tags include: "MrBeast", "PewDiePie", "Fortnite"
• Reasoning: "These get lots of traffic!"

Why it's bad:

• Confuses YouTube's algorithm
• May trigger spam detection
• Viewers leave quickly (bad retention)
• Can lead to demonetization

Correct approach:

• Only use tags directly related to your content
• Every tag should describe your video accurately

Mistake 2: Keyword Stuffing

Wrong approach:

• 50+ tags, many repetitive
• "how to, how to cook, how to cook pasta, how to cook pasta easy, how to cook pasta quick..."

Why it's bad:

• Looks spammy to algorithm
• Dilutes tag effectiveness
• May trigger penalties

Correct approach:

• 15-25 high-quality tags
• Each tag unique and meaningful
• Mix of lengths and specificity

Mistake 3: Only Broad Tags

Wrong approach:

• Video: "iPhone 15 Pro vs Samsung S24 Camera Test"
• Tags: "phone", "review", "camera", "tech"

Why it's bad:

• Too competitive
• Doesn't match specific search intent
• Won't rank for anything meaningful

Correct approach: Mix broad and specific:

• Broad: "smartphone", "camera"
• Medium: "phone camera test", "flagship comparison"
• Long-tail: "iphone 15 pro vs samsung s24 camera"

Mistake 4: Ignoring Misspellings

Strategy: Include common misspellings as tags (if space allows)

Examples:

• "reciepe" (for "recipe")
• "phillipines" (for "philippines")
• "excercise" (for "exercise")

Reality check: YouTube's search IS smart enough to handle misspellings, so this is lower priority. Only do it if you have room.

Mistake 5: Not Updating Tags

Problem: Tags that worked 2 years ago may not work today

Solution:

• Review top videos every 6 months
• Update tags based on current trends
• Remove outdated tags
• Add new trending variations

How Many Tags Should You Use?

YouTube's limit: 500 characters total (not 500 tags!)

Recommended: 15-25 tags

Optimal distribution:

• 3-5 primary tags (most specific to your video)
• 8-12 secondary tags (related topics)
• 4-8 broad tags (niche-level topics)

Character Count Strategy

Track your characters:

• Average tag length: 15-20 characters
• 20 tags × 18 characters = 360 characters
• Stay under 450 to avoid cutoffs

Tag length priority:

1. Short, specific tags (5-15 chars): "iphone 15"
2. Medium tags (15-30 chars): "iphone 15 review"
3. Long-tail tags (30-50 chars): "iphone 15 pro max camera test vs samsung"

Pro tip: List most important tags first. If you hit character limit, less important tags at the end get cut off.

Tag Organization Best Practices

Tag Priority Ranking

Tier 1: Exact Match Tags (positions 1-5)

• Exact phrases from your title
• Your primary keyword
• What you want to rank for

Example video: "How to Edit Videos in DaVinci Resolve for Beginners"

1. how to edit videos in davinci resolve for beginners
2. davinci resolve tutorial
3. davinci resolve for beginners
4. video editing davinci resolve
5. davinci resolve tutorial for beginners

Tier 2: Related Topic Tags (positions 6-15)

• Variations of your main keyword
• Related subtopics covered
• Alternative phrasings

1. davinci resolve editing tutorial
2. free video editing software
3. video editing for beginners
4. davinci resolve tips
5. how to use davinci resolve

Tier 3: Broad Niche Tags (positions 16-25)

• General niche terms
• Category-level tags
• Broader topics

1. video editing
2. video editor
3. video production
4. youtube video editing
5. content creation

Multi-Language Tags (If Applicable)

If your content appeals to non-English speakers:

Include translations for major markets:

• Spanish: "cómo editar videos"
• French: "comment éditer des vidéos"
• German: "video bearbeiten"
• Portuguese: "como editar vídeos"

Only do this if:

• Your video has subtitles/captions in those languages
• You actually want viewers from those regions
• Your topic translates culturally

Testing & Refining Your Tags

A/B Testing Tag Strategies

YouTube allows you to edit tags after upload, so experiment:

Week 1: Broad-focused tags

• Use more general, high-volume tags
• Track impressions and CTR

Week 2: Long-tail focused tags

• Replace broad tags with specific long-tail
• Compare performance

Week 3: Competitor-mirrored tags

• Use exact tags from top-performing competitor
• See if you can capture some of their traffic

Week 4: Optimize based on data

• Keep best performers from all tests
• Create your optimal tag strategy

Analyzing Tag Performance

YouTube Studio → Analytics → Reach

Key metrics to track:

1. Impressions: How often your video was shown
2. Traffic source: YouTube search: Which search terms drove views
3. Traffic source: Suggested videos: Which videos suggested yours

What to do:

• Search terms bringing traffic → Add as tags (if not already)
• High-impression, low-CTR tags → Your title/thumbnail doesn't match tag expectation
• Tags with zero impact → Replace with new tests

Seasonal Tag Adjustments

Update tags based on:

• Trending topics in your niche
• Seasonal interest shifts
• New competitor content
• YouTube algorithm updates

Frequency:

• New videos: Finalize tags before upload
• Existing videos: Review every 3-6 months
• Trending topics: Update immediately when relevant

Advanced Tag Strategies

Tag Stacking for Series

If you create video series, use consistent tags:

Example: "Photoshop Tutorial Series"

Every video includes:

• photoshop tutorials
• adobe photoshop
• photoshop for beginners
• learn photoshop
• photoshop series

Plus unique tags per episode:

• Episode 1: photoshop basics, photoshop interface
• Episode 2: photoshop layers, layer masks tutorial
• Episode 3: photoshop color correction, color grading

Benefit: YouTube connects your series videos, promotes binge-watching

Hashtag vs. Tag Strategy

Tags (video upload page): Hidden from viewers, used by algorithm

Hashtags (title/description): Visible, clickable, creates topic pages

Best practice:

• Use 15-25 tags (required for discovery)
• Add 3-5 hashtags in description (optional, for additional discovery)
• Include 1 hashtag in title if highly relevant

Example:

• Title: "iPhone 15 Review: Is It Worth It? #iPhone15"
• Tags: iphone 15, iphone 15 review, iphone review, new iphone...
• Description hashtags: #iPhone15 #AppleEvent #TechReview

Collaborative Tag Strategy

For collab videos, combine both creators' tag strategies:

Creator A's usual tags:

• fitness tips
• home workouts
• weight loss

Creator B's usual tags:

• healthy eating
• meal prep
• nutrition tips

Collab video tags (best of both):

• fitness tips
• home workouts
• healthy eating
• meal prep
• fitness and nutrition
• workout and diet plan

Benefit: Appears in both audiences' suggested videos

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do tags still matter in [YEAR]?

A: Yes, but less than before. YouTube's algorithm relies more on title, description, and engagement. Tags are a supporting factor that can give you an edge in search/suggested videos.

Q: Should I copy a competitor's exact tags?

A: You can use similar tags, but don't copy 100%. Add your unique tags too. YouTube may penalize identical tag sets as spam.

Q: Can too many tags hurt my video?

A: Not directly, but if you use 50+ irrelevant tags, YouTube may see it as spam. Stick to 15-25 highly relevant tags.

Q: Should tags match my title exactly?

A: Yes, include your exact title as a tag (if under 50 characters). Also include variations of title keywords.

Q: Do tags help with suggested videos?

A: Somewhat. Shared tags between videos can increase suggestion likelihood, but engagement/topic similarity matter more.

Q: How often should I update my tags?

A: For new videos: Optimize before upload. For old videos: Review every 6 months or when traffic drops.

Conclusion: Your Tag Strategy Checklist

Before uploading every video:

✅ Research top 5 competitors for your topic ✅ Extract common tags they use ✅ Use YouTube autocomplete to find search variations ✅ Include 3-5 exact match tags from title ✅ Add 8-12 related topic tags ✅ Include 4-8 broad niche tags ✅ Mix broad, medium, and long-tail lengths ✅ Stay under 450 characters total ✅ Double-check every tag is relevant ✅ Put most important tags first

After upload:

✅ Monitor which search terms drive traffic (YouTube Analytics) ✅ Add performing search terms as tags ✅ Test different tag strategies ✅ Update tags every 3-6 months

Remember: Tags are just ONE piece of the SEO puzzle. Combine with:

• Optimized titles
• Detailed descriptions
• Custom thumbnails
• Strong engagement (watch time, CTR)

Ready to generate perfectly optimized tags? Use our free YouTube Tag Generator to get 30+ relevant tags in seconds!

Related tools:

• YouTube Title Generator - Create click-worthy titles
• Description Generator - SEO-optimized descriptions
• Keyword Research Tool - Find high-traffic keywords

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Last updated: [DATE]