Many users think hashtags are only used with specific platforms, like Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, or the like. In addition to these social media platforms, hashtags are also crucial for YouTube, a video-focused social platform. With over 2.70 billion users worldwide, it is the second-largest search engine after Google. That’s a massive audience just waiting to discover your amazing content. But with so much competition, how do you make your Shorts stand out and get seen?
The answer lies in unlocking the power of hashtags for YouTube shorts. This guide will equip you with the best hashtag strategies in 2024, helping you dominate the Shorts game and explode your channel’s reach!
Learn how to attract the right audience and send your Shorts skyrocketing to virality!
Understanding the YouTube Algorithm
As per Statista, over 500 hours of videos are uploaded to YouTube every minute. That’s about 30,000 hours of new content getting uploaded every hour. This means the chances of your videos being seen by your target audience are highly unlikely.
You need to decipher the algorithm’s language to stand out in this competition. This is similar to SEO for YouTube videos, where you can use hashtags, descriptions, video titles, and other ways to help your Shorts get displayed to the right audience.
Hashtags are the most crucial element of these, as they help the algorithm understand what your Shorts video is about and who it should be displayed to (the people who are searching for that particular keyword).
Now, here is the tricky part. Hashtags are not the only indicator of how good your videos are. The algorithm also thrives on critical metrics like:
- Watch time: The longer viewers stay glued to your Shorts, the better. Engaging hashtags grab attention and keep them hooked.
- Completion rate: Think of it as a mini-movie with no “skip intro” button. If viewers stick around until the end, the algorithm notices.
- Engagement: Likes, comments, and shares are like gold dust for the algorithm.
To ensure that your audience engages and is watched by your audience till the end, you can use the correct hashtags.
How Do You Choose the Best Hashtags for YouTube Shorts?
Now that you know the importance of hashtags, the question is, how do you choose the right ones? To select the best hashtags for YouTube Shorts, make sure to follow these tips:
Focus on a Niche
Don’t settle for generic tags like #funny or #shorts that bury you in an avalanche of competition. Instead, delve into the micro-communities your Short belongs to.
Are you showcasing a hilarious cat video? Use #mainecooncatlovers or #kittenfails instead. This attracts viewers actively seeking such content, boosting engagement and watch time.
Strike the Balance
Using niche hashtags will get you to a specific group, but you need the right mix of both to go niche and wide. Thus, along with niche tags, include a couple of relevant, higher-volume tags (e.g., #CatVideos) to expand reach, but don’t forget your niche gems!
Note the Trend
Be a social media Sherlock Holmes, uncovering trending hashtags related to your niche. Remember, trending hashtags offer a chance to ride the wave of virality, but don’t force it – authenticity is key.
Choose Quality Over Quantity
Remember, less is often more. Stick to 5-10 relevant hashtags instead of stuffing your description. This keeps your message concise and avoids appearing spammy.
Test & Analyze
Track your hashtag performance using YouTube Studio or Predis.ai analytics. See which tags generate the most engagement and views, then adapt your strategy based on these insights.
Examples of YouTube Shorts Hashtags By Top Creators
Need some inspiration for your YouTube Shorts content? Here are a few examples of YouTube Shorts that make solid use of the right hashtags that will help inspire you to create and share your Shorts content on the platform:
YouTube’s #LoveNotes for Valentine’s Day
An excellent example of a niche-specific hashtag is YouTube’s campaign on Valentine’s Day using the hashtag #LoveNotes. The tag was part of a promotional campaign that thanked creators on the platform for sharing content that is loved by YouTube users.
This campaign generated 14K views in just a few hours, helping spread the message of love beyond the traditional.
Keep The Hashtag Specific
WWE, the sports entertainment company, keeps sharing content, especially those from its top wrestlers, to generate curiosity about their upcoming shows. For this, they use hashtags that will help their users find relevant content. See here how they consistently use hashtags for its shows like #SmackDown, making it easy for its viewers to see other content related to the show.
Mix Niche With Trending Hashtags
A great example of mixing niche and trending hashtags is this YouTube Shorts description by @MaticBMobley. He uses the popular hashtag #motivation, which has 41M videos and 5M channels, ensuring that his content reaches the maximum audience who are searching for similar videos.
Benefits of Using Hashtags for YouTube Shorts
Hashtags can help you amplify your Shorts and connect with the right audience, but how can this help you? Using the right YouTube hashtags doesn’t just help you hack the algorithm but also provides additional benefits such as:
Algorithm Optimization
By using relevant and specific hashtags, you provide valuable context about your content, making it easier for the algorithm to understand and recommend your Short to viewers who might genuinely enjoy it. This, in turn, boosts your watch time, completion rate, and engagement, all factors the algorithm loves!
Discovery and Reach
Hashtags act as maps, guiding viewers actively searching for specific content for your masterpiece. Using relevant niche hashtags increases the chances of your Short appearing in search results and feeds, expanding your reach beyond your immediate subscribers.
Tap into the Most Relevant Viewership
Hashtags are like virtual doorways to vibrant communities. When you use niche-specific hashtags, you tap into groups of viewers with shared interests, fostering a sense of connection and encouraging engagement.
Ride the Trend
By identifying and incorporating trending hashtags related to your niche, you can ride the wave of popularity and potentially reach a wider audience. Remember, virality often involves a touch of luck, but using trending hashtags wisely increases your chances of being discovered by the right eyes at the right time.
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Exploring Niche-Specific Hashtags
Beyond trending hashtags, it’s important to use niche-specific tags to attract your target audience. Here are some popular categories and their relevant hashtags:
Gaming
The gaming community on YouTube is vast and highly engaged. If you’re creating gaming content, consider these hashtags:
- #GamingShorts: Specifically categorizes your content within the gaming niche.
- #Gamer: Broadly attracts gaming enthusiasts.
- #GamingCommunity: Connects you with a community of like-minded gamers.
- #GameReview: Ideal to review content.
- #Gameplay: Useful for live gameplay or walkthroughs.
2. Beauty and Fashion
Beauty and fashion are ever-evolving industries with a massive audience on YouTube. Use these hashtags to reach beauty enthusiasts:
- #BeautyShorts: Targets viewers looking for quick beauty tips.
- #FashionShorts: Attracts fashion-forward viewers.
- #MakeupTutorial: For makeup guides and tips.
- #OOTD (Outfit of the Day): Showcases daily fashion choices.
- #Skincare: For content related to skincare routines and products.
3. Food and Cooking
Food content is universally appealing. Here are some hashtags to use for your culinary creations:
- #FoodShorts: Directs food lovers to your short videos.
- #Cooking: Broadly used for cooking videos.
- #Recipe: Highlights instructional cooking content.
- #Foodie: Connects with fellow food enthusiasts.
- #Baking: Specifically for baking-related content.
4. Travel and Adventure
For those sharing their travel experiences, these hashtags can help attract wanderlust-driven viewers:
- #TravelShorts: Focuses on short travel videos.
- #Adventure: For adventure and exploration content.
- #Wanderlust: Attracts viewers with a passion for travel.
- #TravelTips: Provides useful tips for travelers.
- #Vacation: Showcases vacation highlights.
5. Utilizing Seasonal and Event-Based Hashtags
In addition to evergreen hashtags, leveraging seasonal and event-based hashtags can give your content a timely boost. Here are some examples:
- #NewYear: Capitalize on the New Year buzz.
- #SummerVibes: Perfect for summer-related content.
- #Halloween: Great for Halloween-themed videos.
- #Christmas: For holiday content.
- #BackToSchool: Targets students and parents during the back-to-school season.
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Strategies for Effective Hashtag Use
Using hashtags effectively needs more than just adding a few popular ones to your video. Below are some strategies to boost their impact:
1. Mix Niche and Popular Hashtags
While famous hashtags can provide you with a diversified reach, niche hashtags allow you to target a specific audience. A mix of both can provide the best of both worlds. For instance, a fitness video might use #Workout (famous) and #HIITWorkout (niche).
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2. Research and Update Regularly
Trends and famous hashtags can change quickly. Regularly analyze trending hashtags in your niche and revamp your hashtag strategy accordingly.
3. Keep It Relevant
Ensure that the hashtags you use are suitable to your content. Misleading hashtags can discourage viewers and damage your channel’s credibility. Always prioritize quality and relevance over quantity.
4. Limit the Number of Hashtags
While YouTube allows up to 30 hashtags per video, using too many can feel a bit spammy. Strive for a balanced technique, using around 10-15 well-selected hashtags that skillfully represent your content.
5. Monitor Performance
Use YouTube Analytics to track the performance of your videos and hashtags. Analyze which hashtags are driving the most traffic and engagement, and adjust your strategy based on these insights.
Conclusion
When used effectively, YouTube Shorts can help you improve your channel’s discoverability and help your videos get in front of your target audience. By understanding the algorithm, choosing the right tags, and constantly refining your strategy, you can unlock the potential for discovery, community building, and virality. Remember, it’s not just about using the most popular hashtags but how well they blend with your content.
With Predis.ai, you can find the most relevant hashtags for your video and ensure that your YouTube Shorts video reaches the right target audience. This social media co-pilot uses AI to generate ready-to-post Shorts content, apt descriptions, and hashtags.
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