Definition
YouTube hashtags are clickable keywords prefixed with # that categorize content and improve discoverability. They appear above the video title and link to hashtag search pages.
Where to Add Hashtags
- Title: First 3 hashtags in title appear above it
- Description: Add anywhere; first 3 show above title
- Shorts: #Shorts hashtag helps classification
Best Practices
- Use 3-5 hashtags: More than 15 may be ignored
- Relevant only: Irrelevant hashtags violate policies
- Mix broad and specific: #Photography #LandscapePhotography #SunsetPhotos
- Check hashtag pages: See if quality content uses them
- Avoid overly competitive: Generic hashtags have billions of videos
Hashtag Impact
Hashtags have minor SEO impact compared to titles, tags, and descriptions. They're most useful for:
- Categorizing content thematically
- Shorts discovery (#Shorts, #YouTubeShorts)
- Trend-related content (#Challenge, #Tutorial)
- Brand campaigns (#BrandName)
Prohibited Hashtags
- Misleading or irrelevant hashtags
- Sexually explicit or vulgar content
- Harassment or hate speech
- Spaces in hashtags (use #NoSpaces)